e36 m3 or e46 m3

[BmWfan08]

Hey guys im trying to decide which car to buy and really stick with it. I love both cars very much and cant choose between the two. Can you guys tell me which would be a better buy? I know the e46 one has more power. But i would like to know how they compare handling wise and modification wise. Im not really sure if im even asking this right or how to ask this so if you guys could just point me in the right direction and leave your thoughts it would be greatly appreciated. thanks

[shift.shape]

how much money do you have to work with? do you want to mod or keep stock?

[nym3lover]

i would think that its cheaper to mod the E36, since its been around longer and it will be cheaper to buy.

[onewhippedpuppy]

But, how much would it take to get a E36 M3 up to 333 HP? Or even considering power to weight, how much to get it to similar performance levels? If you have the cash, I'd go E46.

[nismo skyline]

test drive both and see which is for you

[fisherbln]

Definately test drive both. Usually you will know after you do this as they are really 2 completely different cars to drive.

[rmani]

handling and modification wise the e36 is a little more fun, but the e46 is a better car overall. obviously an e36 will be easiler on the wallet.

[Coburn64]

Dont forget the search; this topic has been covered a gazzillion times.

[themadhatter]

But, how much would it take to get a E36 M3 up to 333 HP? Or even considering power to weight, how much to get it to similar performance levels? If you have the cash, I'd go E46.
well consider real horsepower to be wheel horsepower not bhp.

to make the 280 whp that an e46 M3 makes would be pretty simple but why stop there? if you want to stick NA, a Chuck Stickley built motor will be pricey but an educated guess would put you around $6k.

if you want to go FI, then you'll forget about a whimpy 280 whp and shoot for 350 whp with a Technique Tuning stage I turbo kit for $6700. not only will you be eating E46 M3s on the track and on the road but you'll also be taking down much bigger dogs as well.

go the itch for more power? TT stage II gives you an average of 410 whp for $7700.

if you want a more NA feel to the driving experience then shop for the twin screw supercharger from Eurosport for around $8k (dunno actual figures) and run around 350+ whp and drive a car with a big block feel.

to perform any type of modification for power in the e46 will simply cost you more money due to limited production and limited exposure to the after market.
-Ron

[BmWfan08]

hmm alright thanks for that, it was helpful one last question and it maybe a stupid one but which one handles better stock vs. stock and aftermarket vs aftermarket?

[theruss1an1]

hmm alright thanks for that, it was helpful one last question and it maybe a stupid one but which one handles better stock vs. stock and aftermarket vs aftermarket?

Number wise (stock) I think the e46 has the upper hand (I dont have the numbers on me thought) but it also depends on the driver and what he/she likes by the feel of the car.

-Serge

[Goon]

A Bimmer is a personal thing. Drive both and see which you prefer.

[russiamutha]

Well, I just picked up a 330zhp last week and all I can say is that I am impressed. It is not an M3 but e46 is a lot more refined in my opinion, where's e36 M3 is more of raw sports car. Go out and drive both of them, if you want something newer and got cash, go for e46 m3.

[themadhatter]

hmm alright thanks for that, it was helpful one last question and it maybe a stupid one but which one handles better stock vs. stock and aftermarket vs aftermarket?
stock for stock and after market for aftermarket, the e36 is better handling. that was the biggest gripe from many enthusiasts about the e46 M3. It had to do with the weight of the newer car.

as for the feel, this is true, I've driven my friends e46 vs my own car and the e46 is much more cushy while the e36 is very go kart'ish.

for all out fun, for me, I prefer the e36 over the e46. it's a much more tossable car.

[biggafigga]

and you're looking at a pretty big price differential. You can get a good '99 m3 for what, $19k-20k? A good '02 m3 will run you $35k-$40k? Sorry if my prices are off, since I haven't looked at the used car market for a while. If you have the $40k to spend, I say go with a '99 m3 and a '98 m3 sedan. :D

[themadhatter]

and you're looking at a pretty big price differential. You can get a good '99 m3 for what, $19k-20k? A good '02 m3 will run you $35k-$40k? Sorry if my prices are off, since I haven't looked at the used car market for a while. If you have the $40k to spend, I say go with a '99 m3 and a '98 m3 sedan. :D
different strokes for different folks.

somepeople like driving the latest model (sorta the case with the e46 m3) and some are just after the passion of driving. both will give you the passion, only one will give you the newer design.

[JMan604]

From what i've read the E36 would feel tighter handling wise than the E46. I bought an E46 M3 over the weekend with smg and I can't stop smiling since :D

[BmWfan08]

if you could get an e36 m3 now or wait a year and get an e46 m3 what would you guys do?

[theruss1an1]

Have you driven the cars? Best thing you can do for yourself right now is go and test drive the cars.

-Serge

[themadhatter]

driven both as I mentioned before, I have kept my e36 for a reason. it's just more fun to drive and feels more connected, almost intuitive.

[252kw]

Hey guys im trying to decide which car to buy and really stick with it. I love both cars very much and cant choose between the two. Can you guys tell me which would be a better buy? I know the e46 one has more power. But i would like to know how they compare handling wise and modification wise. Im not really sure if im even asking this right or how to ask this so if you guys could just point me in the right direction and leave your thoughts it would be greatly appreciated. thanks

Best thing to do is ask someone who doesnt own either the E36 or E46 but has driven them both and ask them which car they think is better.

[themadhatter]

why not drive them both and form your own opinion rather then relying on others?

[BmWfan08]

ive only driven the e46 m3 not the e36, i cant really find any of the e36's at dealerships and i feel bad just driving someones e36 m3 and not even planning on buying it

[themadhatter]

attend a meet, ask to drive someone's car (that is well sorted out).

[ehlpitel]

As for how connected the car feels, I would have to say the e36 feels more connected. Although I love the e46 m3, the e36 with the same motor, or at least as fast as an e46 would probably be more desirable for me, plus the e46 has kind of an annoying blindspot