troubles with BMWs?
 

My dad requested that I find him a nice small BMW as a side launch for his land yacht Lexus SUV and that he likes the E36 in terms of styling but he'll take an E46 and hates the new E90. Anyone know if i should steer clear of the early 90s versions or if M3s are to be avoided? I'm definitely aiming to find him a 1995-99 M3

As far as I know, those are solid cars. No major problems, but I have never owned one so take what I say with a grain of salt. Obviously make sure you carfax every car you look at and read lots of reviews on these cars. By the way, I looooove the E90 M3, tell your fa-jah he is teh wrong. :p

If you find a Euro Spec e36 M, you might be able to get a 6-speed manual. I think there might be a displacement increase starting one of those years. I'm not sure though.

Can't go wrong with an e46 M though. Those are hot! Especially with the competition package 19" wheels.

While the E46 M3 has got the power, it's heavier and a less nimble handler compared to the E36 M3. Some diehards still feel the original lightweight E30 M3 is the best.

If you are looking at a 95-99 M3, the main difference is the '95's had a 3.0L engine while the '96+ models got a 3.2L. HP was the same on both engines at 240hp (US spec), but the torque was upgraded on the 3.2L engine. However, if I recall correctly, there was an emissions regulation change that was a factor in BMW moving to the bigger engine in order to maintain the same level of performance. And from the car mags, the performance seemed unchanged. In fact, the best 0-60 time I ever saw was from R&T's test of the '95 M3, which clocked in at 5.4 secs. The range being 5.7-6.0 secs in most cases, according to various car mags and various tests done during the life of the E36 M3. In its day, the E36 M3 was also named by C&D as "best handling car in the world", even pitted against Porsches, Vipers, and other high end sports cars. A stunt the much more powerful E46 M3 has yet to achieve and never will. The US E36 M3 was also the only M3 to be offered with a true AT (for those who would want one - not me). The SMG also made its debut on the E36 M3 in Europe but was never offered in the US until the E46 M3 with SMG II.

I owned a '98 M3 and kept it for about 6 years before buying the RX-8. The engine is near bullet proof, but I recall some issues with the oil pan on very early '95s. There were also reports of blown engines due to miss shifts causing the engine to rev above redline. However, all BMWs get pricey to maintain and there's natural wear that will cause parts to fail. The A/C and electronics are common areas. I've owned several BMWs and in my experience it seems to be about the 6th year or so when things start to fail and need replacing on a steady basis. But I've never kept one for longer than 7 years, so I have no idea how a 10 year old model holds up.

As far as the E90 goes, I think the looks are OK. But it's even heavier and a less nimble handler compared to the E46 (I test drove a 330i sport package). I like the E46 M3's style and interior the best, but we don't know exactly what the E90 M3 will look like yet. It's suppose to have a 400 hp V8, which will certainly make it a very formidable car.

5spd manual or 6spd...not too big a deal here...but thanks hachi i'll see if i can't find him an E36.

ooh just found a certified preowned loaded 2000 M5 with 6spd...380HP for 35k...drool...i think this may be an early winner...even though it doesnt fit the criteria.

:D it is

I've got a sweet '98.5 M3 Convertible for sale, Estoril Blue ... 18" Speedlines ... a couple mods. I'd deliver it to PA for $19,500.

http://www.rxtuner.com/submissions/P...-014_small.jpg

380 horsepower? What is done to it? US spec has 333 stock, correct?

Drool :p That is in quite good condition there Ryan. Very, very nice car. Good luck with the sale. :)

For me the debate will never end. I love the E30, but the E36 has a sportier look to me. The difference is very small though, the only difference to me now is that the E36 will be newer if I were to buy one, so most likely a little better condition.

Don't make me bust out the pictures, I have 86 mb of e30 M3 pics! i'll do it!! :p
https://www.rx8club.com/attachment.p...id=59474&stc=1

I love the e36 too, it does look damn good.

Are you driving that one? :p That is a nice looking one too. I really do like both a whole lot. The E36 had what, 240 hp? The E30 something like 184? I can't remember but I am pretty positive it was a 4 cylinder, no?

i was wrong actually its 400 hp (M5 not M3)
Engine: 5.0 Liter, 90-degree V8, aluminum block and heads
Valve Gear: DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, VANOS continually variable valve timing
Horsepower: 400 @ 6600 RPM
Torque: 369 @ 3800 RPM
Redline: 7000 RPM
Transmission: 6-speed manual

i just happenned to find a certified M5 and got excited.


M3 has 333 stock in E46 form

The E30 is beautiful, truly a car of the 80s! its got the classic mean looking BMW look, its got boxy wheel arches and a cool spoiler. Plus it handles like a dream....

ultimate driving machine...yes


but prolly too old for my dads tastes...id pick one up though

if he says it's too old for his tastes, you simply bring your mom into the room, and say "could you repeat that dad, late 80's is too old for your taste?" you'll have one in no time :p

yeah, 2.3l 4cyl. made between 200-220. though it more like 192 in the 200hp version. I wish i was driving that one!

Bah, I didn't even realize you said M5 :p Whoops.
The Euro Spec M3 had 343 horsepower. I don't know if that was due to a different rating system or a slightly different tune due to our emissions though. All the M series cars have been very nice though. There isn't one I'd mind driving.

The M5 really is more his style since he's over 50 and rich, but he wants a 3 series for the youth appeal for some midlife crisis reason...i'm not gonna debate, im just gonna be a finder for him like i agreed to be (finders fee=$$$).

CTS-V?
or does it have to be zee germans

he hates american cars...basically he's thinking preowned 3 (or maybe 5 since he doesn't like the e90), SLK, boxster, or Acura TL

All very fine choices too. The Boxster seems to be like the ugly child of that group. Does he want a roadster? Or does he just love that particular car?(And who wouldn't? It freakin' rules)

basically what he said he wants is something smaller that he can drive everyday, that gets slightly better gas mileage than the 12-15 that he's getting in his behemoth. He didn't need it to be winter friendly, coz his lexus has 4WD. He ran down a couple cars, i suggested a couple more, that got him going, then he told me to find him a bunch while he's at a conference which is where we are at.

How about a new Acura RL? That is an awesome car. May be a bit more expensive than some of the others but it's totally sweet.

But better gas mileage, eh? Honda Accord Diesel for the win! :p Seriously though, suggest I think either the RL or the M5 would be fitting to your father. Good luck with your search.

Quit suggesting other cars, he needs an E36 M3 Convertible! Which gets 28mph highway BTW :)

28!!? :eek: That's pretty sweet, much better than the 8 I might add. I wish I had the money for a car like this. I guess I'll have to get a "real" job sooner or later. Then maybe I can afford one. :D

Now that is one amazing car. Test drove one a little bit ago and was extremely impressed.

1999 M3 with about 25-35k miles would be the best M3 in my opinion for the money. My friend has one that he got for 22k off e-bay. The new M3's are awesome of course if you can afford it.

No offense to that vert 98' M3, but the coupes are better and faster. Depends on what you want.

Give us more specifics lol. :p

Coupes are faster, but definately not better! I've owned a convertible since turning 16, and plan on owning one as long as I can get behind the wheel ... nothing beats it on a perfect day.

^^'tis true.

Aoshi did you call the boxster ugly? are we going to have to meet at the flag pole after school? :p

Very, true Boostd. They are really nice and cool to be inside of a vert. However, the new and e36 M3's look a lot better from the exterior, in my opinion, in coupe form. All I see in sunny southern california are vert e46 M3's. My friends e36 coupe is a work of art. An amazing car for 6 years old.

I think Verts look better too :)

the only thing i ever have trouble with on my bmw is the emmisons, o2 sensors and catalytic converters are the only things that go out.. but man there demons on the highway.

What exactly are your dad's priorities? Will a busy or noisy ride irritate him? Lexus drivers tend to have low tolerances in these areas.

My father's primary car is a GS 400. He had a 350Z for a year-and-a-half and only put 6000 miles on it. Liked looking at it a lot more than he liked driving it. Ride just too busy and noisy.

I got very interested in the RX-8 recently, but wasn't quite ready to buy one. So I had him buy one, figuring he'd tire of it before too long and I'd buy it from him next spring or so. Problem is, it's been a few months now, and the Lexus hardly leaves the garage these days.

I personally found the E46 M3 not so fun on public roads. Heavy, fairly numb controls, lots of unpleasant racket from the engine, busy ride. I much preferred the current S4 between the two. Except of course the Audi's reliability is very questionable.

I'd personally be much more inclined towards the E36 M3. But then the spartan interior might turn dad off.

While he's at it, he might want to check out the G35 coupe. A more livable, better looking Z.

Well, okay. I think.....they could be.....coupes are better because....

We shall call it a draw?

http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/3...53dside9oz.jpghttp://img265.imageshack.us/img265/1...nvdside2yp.jpg

What does everyone think?

No! I love the boxster. I guess I worded that poorly. I meant it was an odd choice if you looked at the rest of the group. The next sentence I wrote though said "it freakin' rules." The Boxster is an amazing car, looks and performance wise...but the Cayman is better. :D Who wants to donate 60 grand?

My dad owns a E46 M3, its been a hell of a car. He has a Mazda Millinia (spelling?) as his regular car and only takes out the BMW on weekends. I on the other hand takes it out all the time, I think i drive it more than him :p
anywho, we are looking to get rid of it in the near future because hes not getting too much use out of it while its just sitting there and depreciating. I wish i can trade in my G35 and buy the M3 from him, but i dont think its a smart idea because it gets terrible MPG and cost a lot more to maintain. He's next fun car is going to be something real impractical and more fun to drive than the M3. anything from a s2000 to elise or even testarossa.