[marcva]

This feels like troll bait, though I suppose there's a generation gap at this point. At the time of its introduction the E36M3 was a very fast car in the US. It won Car and Driver's best handling car under 100k several years in a row IIRC. No, we did not get the 286 hp motor, but the OBDI cars could be chipped to power levels close to that (Bless you, Jim Conforti) The article rants about a 137 mph top speed limiter which also goes away with the EPROM update, though has anyone here cone much beyond 137 mph on US roads?

true, the OBD cars did not match the Euro bump up to 321 hp, though they also do not need valve adjustments every 30k. Overall, the US 332i was a fine car. I've always kind of liked not having the delicate bespoke motor as its cheap to run on the track. There's a reason so many BMWCCA instructors run them as their cars. They represent a great balance of performance and cost effective, reliable operations. The car will get to 60 in about 5.5 seconds, which seems slow by today's standards, but which was plenty fast when it launched, and which I find to be perfectly adequate on the street. on the track, it pulls nicely and wears like a broken in pair of Addidas Sambas. the handling and steering are just about telepathic. The car feels like an extension of your body, and it's really easy to drive at/over the limit to hunt more exotic cars that are being driven tentatively by their pilots. Parts are cheap, maintenance is straightforward, and the car itself is plenty fast. Oh, and if you shop, you can find a clean specimen for $10k or so. Nicer, low mileage ones are starting to head upwards of $20k+. Of course, I'm biased, but I can't think of anything I'd rather have, except maybe a 4 door M2 (HINT).

[MSteve5036]

Originally Posted by IB M

The us car not as mighty as euro but got tons of praise for handling and balance.

Fun Sized 1999 AW

The car did get screwed in a lot of ways, but that is part of what makes it so good.

The sound is really the part I'm most jealous of the europeans.

One of the worst parts is how easy it is to do an "m3 conversion." Seems like I am always driving around and go "oh look an e36 m- aaaahhhh damnit its just another 318"

[oolas3]

Don't believe everything you see on youtube.

[doogee]

Originally Posted by rjd598

damn for a glorified 328i it sure did beat a lot of nonglorified cars.

please don't misinform the forums with your "knowledge". by your logic an M2 is not a real M car either and fits the same bill as the e36 yet it has been stated to be the most "M" car BMW has put out in awhile. hmmmmm

The M2 has a lot of M specific parts and styling. It's an M car. The engine and interior is a total let down, but still an M car for sure.

I owned both an E36 328 and M3 for 4 years so I know what I'm talking about

With a few simple engine bolt on's <$1000, your little 2.8 will keep up with any stock M3. The S52 is an underpowered and boring engine.

(FYI, I never said it was a BAD car. Clearly I liked mine considering how long I kept it. But in comparison to the European version, it feels like going from an E9x M3 to a 335.)

[marcva]

Originally Posted by MSteve5036

The car did get screwed in a lot of ways, but that is part of what makes it so good.

The sound is really the part I'm most jealous of the Europeans.

One of the worst parts is how easy it is to do an "m3 conversion." Seems like I am always driving around and go "oh look an e36 m- aaaahhhh damnit its just another 318"

Bolt on a Stromung or Corsa exhaust. If you want great induction noise put on an ECIS, Dinan or Conforti (Whatever his brand became) intake.

What does it matter what the car is? I've seen racers run circles around posers in slow cars. People are so spec obsessed. often in countries around the world taxes make owning fancy cars are prohibitive. People do what they can to split the difference visually and performance wise. It's nice to have choices.

[MSteve5036]

Originally Posted by marcva

Bolt on a Stromung or Corsa exhaust. If you want great induction noise put on an ECIS, Dinan or Conforti (Whatever his brand became) intake.

What does it matter what the car is? I've seen racers run circles around posers in slow cars. People are so spec obsessed. often in countries around the world taxes make owning fancy cars are prohibitive. People do what they can to split the difference visually and performance wise. It's nice to have choices.

I didn't say the US spec couldnt sound good.

And yes, when you get excited to see an e36 m3, it matters that it is actually an m3. There are tons of e36's around, but m3s kept relatively stock are harder and harder to find.

[MSteve5036]

Originally Posted by doogee

The M2 has a lot of M specific parts and styling. It's an M car. The engine and interior is a total let down, but still an M car for sure.

I owned both an E36 328 and M3 for 4 years so I know what I'm talking about

With a few simple engine bolt on's <$1000, your little 2.8 will keep up with any stock M3. The S52 is an underpowered and boring engine.

I think the s52 has plenty of power. It is useable power that is fun, but won't get you in too much trouble like an e9x or f8x. Has enough torque to not require constant shifts either.

Another thing about the US spec is that the 5 speed gearbox leads to some really nice, long gearing. I love 3rd gear in the e36. I can't say I have driven a 6 speed, but I just think that 6 is not always better than 5.

[adc]

Biggest mistake I made was to sell my 98 M3, it was a peach. Titanium over Dove with Vaders, painted trim, spoiler, forged rims, ZKW euro adjustable headlights, floating rotors, ECIS intake, upper/lower braces, and AA genII exhaust. Some of you might know what all this means. At least I sold it to a good friend. Then second biggest mistake was not buying it back from him when he sold it a few years later.

It is the most balanced car I've driven. By that I mean grip vs power vs brakes vs suspension capability, it's all there neatly packaged to keep you out of trouble and developing your skills. Unlike my F80 where you take a big breath before provoking the car, in the E36 you jump right in and start playing. It's faithful and nimble, with a grainy feedback to all controls and handling that you just no longer get today except in a Lotus or Alfa 4C.

After I sell my Z4, I'm tempted to buy one while the prices are still low. They won't be much longer.

[Analog Imports]

Originally Posted by ///M Ryder

+1......1999 Estoril Blue Dinan filled.........Phil

Hey Phil, on a side note, do you have any threads on your GT4? Congrats on the upgrade!

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by StealYourFace

Anyone who hasn't been in an e36 M3 (us) on a road course, or on the street for that matter and bad mouths it clearly doesn't get it.

They are starting to command money again here, there's a lot of roachy ones out there because they were so cheap for so long which is a shame.

+1. I'd imagine finding one in decent shape and stock would be impossible.

Funny thing about the E36 is that it screams preventative maintenance. It drove exceptionally well but was not well built. Hell Mike Miller basically wrote his preventative maintenance schedules because of the E36.

[dngo]

I am the original owner of my E36M3 - got it in June 1998, one of the last 4-doors made with 13 miles at delivery. It now has 114k very hard miles on it, with plenty of autocross and track time and runs like a champ.

In terms of the major issues raised in the video -

- BMW did in fact have to be convinced to bring the M3 to the US at all. They didn't think that the US market would tolerate such an expensive 3 series. (List price of my car in 1998 was over $44k, which is >$64k in 2016 dollars.) A letter writing campaign to BMWUSA by BMWCCA members convinced BMW to import it, albeit with a less complex and powerful motor to hit a price point. It was still a very fast car for its time, considering it out-accelerated lots of its contemporaries. C&D got 5.5s 0-60.

- With the increase to 3.2L, the car gained torque but no additional horsepower. However, the midrange was much better than in the 3.0L OBDI motor.

- The headlights were not downgraded by BMW. The glass Euro headlights were not permitted by US DOT regulations because of the beam pattern, so BMW had no choice. There are other things we didn't get, like floating rotors - but those were only beneficial on the track (and even then were not enough, track pads are warranted.) It was still one of the best stopping cars at the time. 6spd tranny would have been nice too but it has the same ratios for gears 1-5 with an overdrive 6th.

Some people forget that the E36M3 was named best handling car at any price by C&D at the time, besting cars like the 911 and F355. It won just about every comparo with its contemporaries until the very end of production. Did the car not have as much power as its Euro version? Yes. Does it have flaws? Definitely. Is it a great car on its own? Certainly.

When the E30M3 first came out, no one bought them and they languished in dealerships for months, thus affecting BMW's perception of the US market. It's only in hindsight that people now consider it a great car and worth the money.

Dave

[Z K]

The great thing about the USA E36 is, you can build it as you like.

My friend dropped a E46 M3 engine and drive train into a E36 M3. Now you get the handling balance and power. Way better than stock E36 Euro spec.

[123sub]

US buyers can import cars from europe when they are 25 years old? If yes, the first year is available for import in 2017.

[dngo]

Originally Posted by Z K

The great thing about the USA E36 is, you can build it as you like.

My friend dropped a E46 M3 engine and drive train into a E36 M3. Now you get the handling balance and power. Way better than stock E36 Euro spec.

That is the hot thing to do. More power, more durable, more easily maintained than using a Euro motor, easier to find, cheaper. All the good things.

[Jamese93]

If I may just make the point, the US got them ridiculously cheap (as you always do you lucky buggers...) and therefore many of you could afford a car which for example many of us Brits at the time could not. It's therefore not all that bad is it? Plus whichever way you look at is the e36 coupe is a good looking car...

[Pyrat 2]

Originally Posted by StealYourFace

Anyone who hasn't been in an e36 M3 (us) on a road course, or on the street for that matter and bad mouths it clearly doesn't get it.

They are starting to command money again here, there's a lot of roachy ones out there because they were so cheap for so long which is a shame.

Yep. Just picked up this 99 M3 to keep my F87 company. 73k southern car. All stock. I'm lucky enough to have to make a tough decision every day. Do I take the M3 or the M2 out for the day? It's so much more connected to the road than the M2. On the flip side the M2 outperforms it in every respect by a long shot. Still I'm torn with the decision every day.

[greekcs]

SMG option for Europe.

[Gunner_27]

Originally Posted by F32Fleet

+1. I'd imagine finding one in decent shape and stock would be impossible.

Funny thing about the E36 is that it screams preventative maintenance. It drove exceptionally well but was not well built. Hell Mike Miller basically wrote his preventative maintenance schedules because of the E36.

Found one, just bought it

[doccyber]

There is a perfect US spec e36 M3, it's called the e46 M3.

[m3bs]

"Pathetic engine". Fixed.

[rmedeir1]

This is the car that made me an M fan. Could not afford an e36 back then but it was porn to me. E46 comes out and bought and have been hooked ever since. I truly find it difficult to ever moving away from the M3/4 product. I always look at the C63 amg s but always come back.

[BMWM5NYC]

I had a 1995 Daytona Violet M3 Coupe Luxury Edition. It was my first M car , before my E46 M3 then E60 M5 and now my F10 M5. It was a special car to me.