thinking about getting an E36 m3 (95-99)

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Nov 28, 2006 | 12:14 PM

#61

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my bum is on the swedish!

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From: San Antonio, Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98CoupeV6

Here's my viewpoint...

I love cars that balance performance with luxury/comfort. The M3 seems to be a moderately inexpensive way to get a really really good balance...

thats my angle, as well.

Quote:

and I was pretty set on one until I drove it. It just didn't really fit me, and it seemed very tough for me to spend $10k or so on a BMW with 150,000 miles. Yes, they have some maintenance issues, but it's no big deal.

thats where I'm coming from, as well. when you say didn't fit, as in you weren't feeling it, or it was too small? :chuckles: I think I know what you mean.

Quote:

Drive one...if you like it, get it. But as for me, I'm saving up a bit more cash for a TL 6-speed or an AV6 6-speed...the M3 just wasn't my thing. Maybe I need to drive a better maintained/cared for example, but it just didn't feel right. Beautiful cars for sure though, and pretty damn fast. The exhaust note is amazing.

the tl's and av6's with 6-spds are all too new for my pocketbook.

we have merc C230's every now and then for rental cars. they're a blast to drive, probably one of the best manu-matics out there. but they're absolutely shitty in terms of engine tech and reliability.

a test drive is in order, but I haven't got that far yet.

Nov 28, 2006 | 12:14 PM

#62

98CoupeV6

lots and lots of fail

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From: Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeetroit

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony

I dont have a M but I can tell you they are costly to maintain. I've had my whole cooling system replace, my AC broke, I'm at 135k miles.
You might wanna look into a E46 330. those things are fast with 5spd manual.

I forgot to mention that as well. I've been trying to test drive one but everytime one becomes available in my area it gets sold before I get a chance to drive it

E36 330Ci is hawt. I guess the 2001's had overboosted steering though.

Nov 28, 2006 | 12:15 PM

#63

98CoupeV6

lots and lots of fail

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From: Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeetroit

Quote:

Originally Posted by 18secFerio

thats where I'm coming from, as well. when you say didn't fit, as in you weren't feeling it, or it was too small? :chuckles: I think I know what you mean.

Just wasn't feeling it

Plus the car had a ton of problems...I dunno, I psted about it, do a search. Just not my thang, at least nto that one.

Quote:

the tl's and av6's with 6-spds are all too new for my pocketbook.

we have merc C230's every now and then for rental cars. they're a blast to drive, but they're absolutely shitty in terms of engine tech and reliability.

a test drive is in order, but I haven't got that far yet.

Yeah you can get an AV6 for 17-18k and a TL for 22-23k...it's a bit more expensive but the savings in maintenance costs/insurance/gas might make up for it :dunno:

And the C230 is a giant POS

Nov 28, 2006 | 12:26 PM

#64

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my bum is on the swedish!

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From: San Antonio, Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98CoupeV6

Just wasn't feeling it

Plus the car had a ton of problems...I dunno, I psted about it, do a search. Just not my thang, at least nto that one.

:thumbup: I'll look into it.

Quote:

Yeah you can get an AV6 for 17-18k and a TL for 22-23k...it's a bit more expensive but the savings in maintenance costs/insurance/gas might make up for it :dunno:

only problems I can see with those two is they're both fwd. I'd really like a rear driver. but this is me being picky and wanting everything.

h:

my dad has a '00 av6, not a bad ride. but I really want something I don't have to lower much.

Quote:

And the C230 is a giant POS

eh, they're fun for the first year or two. and the fact that they're rentals is more incentive for me to flog them a bit more than I would a personal car :reechy:

taking a merc sideways is about as scary as it is fun

Nov 28, 2006 | 12:27 PM

#65

98CoupeV6

lots and lots of fail

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From: Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeetroit

Quote:

Originally Posted by 18secFerio

only problems I can see with those two is they're both fwd. I'd really like a rear driver. but this is me being picky and wanting everything.

ditto, and that's why I'm edging more towards an E46 330Ci. I've had enough of FWD

Nov 28, 2006 | 12:30 PM

#66

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my bum is on the swedish!

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From: San Antonio, Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98CoupeV6

ditto, and that's why I'm edging more towards an E46 330Ci. I've had enough of FWD

you people and your damn coupes :deek:

what about getting a 318 and shoehorning an m3 engine. more trouble than its worth?

Nov 28, 2006 | 12:32 PM

#67

98CoupeV6

lots and lots of fail

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From: Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeetroit

Quote:

Originally Posted by 18secFerio

you people and your damn coupes :deek:

what about getting a 318 and shoehorning an m3 engine. more trouble than its worth?

I would say so, considering that it'll have much worse resale value than a real M3 and real M3's are pretty cheap to begin with.

I love the coupe lines

Nov 28, 2006 | 01:34 PM

#68

puffy

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just get a 335

Nov 28, 2006 | 02:00 PM

#69

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my bum is on the swedish!

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From: San Antonio, Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by puffy

just get a 335

are you talking about the new 3series? waaay too expensive for me.

I figured I might be better off with a random 3 that has the sport package on it, but those are hard to find, too.

with the hype of the M lineup, I always felt if I got a bmw, may as well go for glory. but it might be the same as the hype-r's from honda....

car shopping sucks :happysad: