E36 M3 vs. E36 328is...anyone know much about either?
- Thread starter Blake2043
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Tokfan, the e36 m3 (even the us spec) is a way different car than any 328. The 328 is a great car, but the M3 is no "glorified 328." Have you ever owned or driven an E36 M3? Have you ever driven a 328? The differences are enormous. Oh yeah, FOR THE LAST TIME THE POWER DIFFERENCE IS 50HP NOT 40.
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I don't think that its necisarily a good thing that a new driver have an m3 - surgreat handling, safety and some fun - yes - but all the power of an M3 - for somewone who doesn't realy know what they are oing 9and you don't ....really0 - youtr better off on a standard 3 series - or a Mazda 3 - or some other vewry nice handling car that you can get to understand how to drive - before ytou move on to the M3 - or something similar....I sincerly mean this...as a parent - and as someone that cares abput ypur - and others' safety - on the road...
I realize that the M3 is "better" than the regular 328 (even the US spec). Obviously I would take one if someone threw it at me.
My beef is just that to me it's not the "real" m3, it comes nowhere near the e30 or e46 m3 which are pretty much the same in the states as everywhere else.
While the us e36 M3 is nicer in many ways than the 325/328 I don't think it good enough to qualify for the M badge.
And yes, it is possible to import the euro spec engine and 6-speed trasmissions to the us (if you're not worried about emissions laws that is). It's even pretty much a drop-in replacements for most e30s and e36s.
http://www.bimmerworld.com/onlinestoreframe.html
for example.
My beef is just that to me it's not the "real" m3, it comes nowhere near the e30 or e46 m3 which are pretty much the same in the states as everywhere else.
While the us e36 M3 is nicer in many ways than the 325/328 I don't think it good enough to qualify for the M badge.
And yes, it is possible to import the euro spec engine and 6-speed trasmissions to the us (if you're not worried about emissions laws that is). It's even pretty much a drop-in replacements for most e30s and e36s.
http://www.bimmerworld.com/onlinestoreframe.html
for example.
To TOKFAN:We will let BMW decide which cars get the ///M badge. Do you have a BMW? If not then why are in in a BMW forum? You should be in an Audi forum. The only reason why the us did not get the engine, was becasue of Cals emissions laws. Luckily I live in GA, were there is not emission tests. But really man why are you calling the E36 M3 US not good enough for the ///M badge? BMW seems to think they good enough. Oh yeah BMW made an E30 M3 Evo that had 238hp that was not imported here. So the E36 M3 was not the only ///M to get the shaft. Also the 0-60 times between the US spec and the Euro spec E36 M3 are virtually identical, I think the us spec E36 ///M3 is good enough for the badge. What do any of you few BMW drivers think??
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Calm down there mr guy, I'm not trying to offend anyone. It just seriously irks me that the us got a semi drab e36 m3 version. The reason was that it would be "too expensive for us buyers". CA emissions laws were a big part of it, but not all.
So tell me, if you had the choice between a us -spec e36 m3 and a euro-spec one, which one would you chose? Sounds like you think the us-spec is every bit as good.
By the way, no I don't currently drive a BMW, so what? does that mean I can't have opinions about them? Am I allowed to think Porsches are cool or do I need to own one of them too, can I think civics are crappy without owning one?
So tell me, if you had the choice between a us -spec e36 m3 and a euro-spec one, which one would you chose? Sounds like you think the us-spec is every bit as good.
By the way, no I don't currently drive a BMW, so what? does that mean I can't have opinions about them? Am I allowed to think Porsches are cool or do I need to own one of them too, can I think civics are crappy without owning one?
Didn't really mean to piss anyone off. I guess I'm just grumpy that BMW short-changed us here in the US.
jnyost -- Those things affect the price, I think what they (BWM) meant was if they had to spend all the money on making the car pass emissions laws, and the extra taxes people would have to pay (remember, back then there was a very steep "hp" tax in addition to the gas-guzzler and luxury taxes, a reason many import cars in the us were detuned) the car would no longer be affordable for US buyers.
jnyost -- Those things affect the price, I think what they (BWM) meant was if they had to spend all the money on making the car pass emissions laws, and the extra taxes people would have to pay (remember, back then there was a very steep "hp" tax in addition to the gas-guzzler and luxury taxes, a reason many import cars in the us were detuned) the car would no longer be affordable for US buyers.
FYI...I just set up my 328 with new bilstein sport shocks and lowering springs, new uuc sway barbarians, new front control arms and solid offset bushings, a front strut tower brace , and an X-brace for the under chasis. I am running on 16" pole position so3's and my car handles like it is on rails...so the other day I decide to test drive a 96 m3. It was lowered but did not handle nearly as well as mine. It actually understeered and scared the shit out of me, my car is set up neautral with a slight over steer. So what Im saying is this, the power and the torque of the M3 were very sweet, but you are going to have to modify either suspension to truly make them handle.
