If BMW made a 2007 e36 M3..would you buy it?

[thundercat]

Im just wondering
Lets say BMW decided to build some e36 M3 right now, would u buy it. (reasonably priced of course)
I personally love the body style of the car, and i remember seing one on ebay for like $42k with only 6k miles

[takem2church]

no probably not. maybe attach a poll to this thread?

OT thundercat why are you awake at 330 am haha

[jkalex05]

The fact is that its an older model and that makes it less appealing to alot of people. However I would definitly buy a new e36 M3.

[HapaJin]

Yes I would without a doubt. Its my dream car and fav BMW of all time.

[Bailey]

i wouldnt, e46 look better

[328iSANJ]

Definitely not. The E36 was a great car in it's time and can still hold it's own today, but it's old hat now and newer versions are just far more superior, reliable and most importantly, safer. I don't understand why the E36 M3 is seen to be the ultimate 3 series to have and why anybody would want to buy a brand new one today. Just reminds me of people buying the Mexican built original style VW Beetle. Why????? E36 is better than its competitors from the same 90s era, but no way is it better than the E46 or the E90/E92. Give me an E46 or even the forthcoming E92 M3 anyday of the week.

[thundercat]

no probably not. maybe attach a poll to this thread?

OT thundercat why are you awake at 330 am haha
haha whats up man
its friday night, i got home late and am now on the forum lol

why are u up late?

[digitaldragon03]

Hell no. 40K would get you a hell of a car today, like a 335i Coupe.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Hell no. Mid to late 90s, it was a great car. Still a good car used, but would be absolutely inferior new. Many of the E90 3 series cars can outrun it, hell a new Camry V6 can give it a good run for it's money. Plus, why buy a new E36 M6 when the E46 M3 is superior in every way, and the E92 M3 will be even better?

The people that claim that the E36 M3 is the best car ever do so because it's all they can afford. Give them $50k and see what they do. While you're at it, give me the money as well, all I can afford is this crappy 325.:(

[328iSANJ]

Yes I would without a doubt. Its my dream car and fav BMW of all time.


You need to get out and about my friend. An E36 as a dream car?????? Who's your dream babe, Farrah Fawcett???

[apollo322]

I'd consider buying one, but most of the people on here are right. To sell against cars costing 42 grand now it would need a lot more power. Put that new turbo engine in that body style and weight and I'll buy 4.

[azvin]

e30 M3 maybe, e36 M3 no.

[PDWebb]

For that kind of money I'd also go 335.

If BMW was to sell us the euro e36, that's a completely different arguement.

[98silver328i]

If that did happen: for $42k, hell no. For something like $30k, yes.

[EuroCar]

Im waiting for bmw to go retro. A modern e30 or e36 m3 would bring a tear to my eye. But they way theyre being designed today, I dont think thats gunna happen :(

[Bimmerista]

e30 M3 maybe, e36 M3 no.

+1

[abradic]

How about an E36 M3 with a 350 hp inline 6 revving to 8500 rpm and a 6-speed? Or even better, the E36 M3, but making those 350 hp with a 3.2 TT (ala 335). I would buy it then...just freshen the interior a little, but include the vaders!

[mbanks21]

How about an E36 M3 with a 350 hp inline 6 revving to 8500 rpm and a 6-speed? Or even better, the E36 M3, but making those 350 hp with a 3.0 TT (ala 335). I would buy it then...just freshen the interior a little, but include the vaders!

Fixed

Also, the fact that a toyota camry has almost 300HP these days it would have to have more than 240HP.

[EuroCar]

Fixed

Also, the fact that a toyota camry has almost 300HP these days it would have to have more than 240HP.

240 german horsies > 268 jap donkeys

By a long shot

[themadhatter]

Im just wondering
Lets say BMW decided to build some e36 M3 right now, would u buy it. (reasonably priced of course)
I personally love the body style of the car, and i remember seing one on ebay for like $42k with only 6k miles
that was a 1995 M3 lightweight that you saw on ebay.

[ehlpitel]

Hell no, maybe with a way more serious motor.

[buckwheat]

22k

[LeftCoastBias]

only if they sold them brand new for 15k.



otherwise, it's worthless in comparison to the competition... and both of it's successors.

[themadhatter]

only if they sold them brand new for 15k.



otherwise, it's worthless in comparison to the competition... and both of it's successors.
not true, the e36 continues to prove itself as a better platform for nearly everything when compared to the e46. the e90 isn't out yet so we'll save our opinions for that one.

if they sold for 25k NIB today, they'd sell pretty damn well.

[Mad Machine]

on looks alone I would take the E36. Sorry, but I found the E46 a little overdone.. and so far little about the E90 impresses me. Combine the lightweight (subjectivly) of the E36 M3 with the modern underpinnings of the E46.. and you would have a hell of a car.

[99M3Riverside]

I would be all over it if it came with a Euro Motor and a few more creature comforts we did not get.

[themadhatter]

I would be all over it if it came with a Euro Motor and a few more creature comforts we did not get.
the euro motor would have to be federalized and adapted to obd-2. we'd have a better chance of getting the s54 in there.

[BansiBoy]

Hypothetically speaking, since there's all this flaming going about me, if I was a more experience, older, etc. driver, and all, I wouldn't buy it.

[Feuerräder]

If it was something like e46 with e36 body panels, absolutely.

[Alpine torque]

maybe, but def not with a US spec engine

[apollo322]

How about an E36 M3 with a 350 hp inline 6 revving to 8500 rpm and a 6-speed? Or even better, the E36 M3, but making those 350 hp with a 3.2 TT (ala 335). I would buy it then...just freshen the interior a little, but include the vaders!

If you put either one of those motors in, added the 6 speed tranny and kept the weight and suspension exactly the same for 42k, not only would I buy it but it would be named car of the year! Sadly, it's never going to happen:(

[CLEANM3whipz]

E36 ftw...thats why I'm buying another one :) I love the body style more than the new BMW's cury style body.

[rcM3]

I love the style and the feel, however the technology is far superior in the newer cars. If they were able to produce a new car with the same style and feel as the e36 m3 which contained a better engine, suspension, and interior it would be a cult hit. In my opinion, the e36 m3 is one of the most balanced cars BMW has built in terms of everyday drivability with track-capable agility. The newer BMWs tend to be more luxurious to the extent that the visceral feel that the e30 had is completely lost.

[VivaM3]

Definitely not. The E36 was a great car in it's time and can still hold it's own today, but it's old hat now and newer versions are just far more superior, reliable and most importantly, safer. I don't understand why the E36 M3 is seen to be the ultimate 3 series to have and why anybody would want to buy a brand new one today. Just reminds me of people buying the Mexican built original style VW Beetle. Why????? E36 is better than its competitors from the same 90s era, but no way is it better than the E46 or the E90/E92. Give me an E46 or even the forthcoming E92 M3 anyday of the week.

the reason you (and possibly others who share your opinion) don't understand why the e36 M3 is such a revered BMW is b/c you aren't looking at it front the original poster's point of view. of course he never requested posters to look at it strictly from a style and performance point of view, and so others are bound to chime in with their opinions based on other points of view, such as yours. the part i bolded in the quote only holds true when taking an "everything considered" point of view. stock for stock, i must agree that the e46 and e90/e92 is better from the standpoints of luxury, comfort, and power, among other things. on the other hand, the e46 and e90/e92 are both significantly heavier, less responsive regarding steering input and feedback, and and not nearly as much of a driver's car than the e36 M3. so from strictly a performance point of view, i can totally see why some enthusiasts would take a new e36 M3 over a newer e46 or e90/e92. not everyone does all their racing in a straight line...then there's the whole "value for your money" issue. many people cannot justify buying a mid-90's car (even if it was original and had zero miles on it today) if they can get a new or slightly used newer model car. and i don't blame them...i'm not made of money either. but again, these people aren't looking at it from a performance standpoint...and if they are, they need to go back and research which car is the better balanced car.




why buy a new E36 M6 when the E46 M3 is superior in every way, and the E92 M3 will be even better?

The people that claim that the E36 M3 is the best car ever do so because it's all they can afford. Give them $50k and see what they do.
no it isn't better than the e36 M3 in every way...see what i said above. and giving an e36 M3 owner $50k would probably not prompt him to sell his e36 and buy an e46 if he's a performance enthusiast. that $50k (or a very small part of it) would most likely get invested in the e36 M3 and end up making any e46 M3 owner who bought his or her car for the performance factor wonder why they did so in the first place. i mean, if you think about it, its kinda funny that those who can't afford an e46 M3 can fall back on an e36 M3 and still have money left over to make an e46 M3 look slow. it kinda begs the question "why spend $50k on a new M3 when you can buy an e36 M3 and mod it for less $?" of course this only holds true from a performance point of view. maybe the refined luxurious interior, seat warmers, and sleeker body was higher on the list of priorities for the gentleman who went ahead and bought the e46 M3.




240 german horsies > 268 jap donkeys

By a long shot
:rofl2 ...in my experience, jap "donkeys" > german "horsies." i found that out not too long ago, as i came across a 335i coupe when i was still bone stock. and from the dyno numbers we've seen from stock 335i's, we know that the 335i is making AT LEAST as much crank HP as a stock Supra. so i guess there's a little bias in all of us ;) . one thing's for sure though...german horsies typically come with a higher weight penalty.

[LeftCoastBias]

not true, the e36 continues to prove itself as a better platform for nearly everything when compared to the e46. the e90 isn't out yet so we'll save our opinions for that one.

if they sold for 25k NIB today, they'd sell pretty damn well.
stock for stock... its barely compitition to most family sedans coming out next year.

[Kipp@Modtech]

maybe a brand new e30 M3..

This post doesn't even make sense? How the hell is the e36 THAT great? Granted anything newer than e46 by bmw makes me want to hurl (with a few exceptions).. but this just seems odd.

[LeftCoastBias]

maybe a brand new e30 M3..

This post doesn't even make sense? How the hell is the e36 THAT great? Granted anything newer than e46 by bmw makes me want to hurl (with a few exceptions).. but this just seems odd.
only because it is 2007. 5 years ago, the e30 was the pinnacle of automotive manufacturing.



now, the e36 has taken its place among the hearts and minds of the youth of the bmw movement.

[thundercat]

guys what i ment was for the body style
Lets say they keep the body style of the e36 and take the engine and things from the e92
what about then?

[organic///M]

Im just wondering
Lets say BMW decided to build some e36 M3 right now, would u buy it. (reasonably priced of course)
I personally love the body style of the car, and i remember seing one on ebay for like $42k with only 6k miles

No, because the e36 body style (even the m3) shows its age.

[LeftCoastBias]

guys what i ment was for the body style
Lets say they keep the body style of the e36 and take the engine and things from the e92
what about then?
for me, that would still be a "NO".



i never had an e36. it's still my least favorite of the 3 series generations. i've had an e21, e30, and a few e46's... and i've finally been convinced by the e92 styling (not to mention that rediculous twin turbo).

but the e36 never did much for me.

[K Funk]

It'd be stupid to rebuild a car thats just been out of production a couple years. Instead, it'd really be worthwhile for them to make a new classic like a 2002tii.

Oh wait, they did. :confused

[orggilak]

people have different taste when it goes to anything (cars,watches,house). For me i like the e36 body.its more solid than the e46 or e90.i'll be the first to buy the 07 e36 m3..with euro engine of course.e36 interior is comfy enough for me coz i dont care much about luxury.

[K Funk]

Yeah, it would be awesome to have a new vintage car like a 1999. It'd be like a time machine to go all the way back to when Clinton was still king pimp, the Spice Girls were still together, Dawson's Creek was totally awesome, and furbys flourished throughout the nation.

[Daved]

I think I would if I had the money but we all know BMW will never do it.

[onewhippedpuppy]

The only way you can give the E36 M3 the edge is based on the purely subjective, from a number comparison there is no comparison. I'd be willing to bet an E46 330 ZHP could dominate the E36 M3 on the track, stock for stock. E46 M3 wouldn't even be a comparison. All the while, they do so with a higher quality interior and more comfortable ride. As much as I hate to say it, I think 9/10 people would give the E46 the edge in the styling department, especially inside. Face it, the E36 looks it's age. This is coming from someone that owns one..........

[ferrarilover7]

If they widened the fenders a bit and put an S54 motor and Trans in it I'd buy one.

[abradic]

As I mentioned before, if the E36 came out but with a 3.2 making 350hp or more, or TT making at least 350hp, plus fine tuning the suspension, then for sure. The technology argument seems lame to me. What technology are you going to miss? It's a drivers car. Oh, they can put Navigation in there if you want, massage chairs, voice activated garbage, but do you need it? Go buy a 5 series then. Keep the Vaders, keep the weight the same, update the engine power output and suspension, give me the 6-speed, and just go. In all honesty, I would love to see them put the 5.0 V-10. As for the rest of the technology...I don't exactly see the Z06 full of that gizmo technology, the Lotus Elise, Porsche, and they are doing just fine. The E36 has the technology where it counts, in the engine and suspension, and it weighs roughly 3100 lbs. Build that with a TT, the new V8, or V-10, and you would never see one on a showroom floor because of the backlog orders (especially a light weight M3 like that with a V-10).

[LeftCoastBias]

Yeah, it would be awesome to have a new vintage car like a 1999. It'd be like a time machine to go all the way back to when Clinton was still king pimp, the Spice Girls were still together, Dawson's Creek was totally awesome, and furbys flourished throughout the nation.
:lol

[abradic]

Yeah, it would be awesome to have a new vintage car like a 1999. It'd be like a time machine to go all the way back to when Clinton was still king pimp, the Spice Girls were still together, Dawson's Creek was totally awesome, and furbys flourished throughout the nation.

Well, they could have minor freshening, but overall keep the lineage the same, powertrain and suspension updates, most importantly let it have that raw sports car aspect with the low weight. You do that, with the power increase, and it will run circles around the E46 M3. Porsche has made a living off of this with the 911, and GM is finally doing it with the Vette.

[malter]

I'd be willing to bet an E46 330 ZHP could dominate the E36 M3 on the track, stock for stock.

yes, a heavier car with less power and no LSD would dominate :rolleyes

[M3Canuck81]

Hell no. Mid to late 90s, it was a great car. Still a good car used, but would be absolutely inferior new. Many of the E90 3 series cars can outrun it, hell a new Camry V6 can give it a good run for it's money. Plus, why buy a new E36 M6 when the E46 M3 is superior in every way, and the E92 M3 will be even better?

The people that claim that the E36 M3 is the best car ever do so because it's all they can afford. Give them $50k and see what they do. While you're at it, give me the money as well, all I can afford is this crappy 325.:(


Camry V6 2007 - 0-60 in 6.5s (http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=109710/pageId=69305)
e36 M3 (US Spec) - 0-60 in 5.5s http://www.fantasycars.com/sedans/HTML/bmw_m3_e36.html

Maybe if there were 4 fat asses in the M3 then and maybe then the camry can give it a "good run for the money"!

As for the beloved E90 ...
The E90 330i
0-60 in 6.1 sec (http://automobilemag.com/reviews/sedans/0504_bmw_330i/index2.html)

Still not close!

[Villanuevas_BMW]

No, because with that much money I'd go try to buy Jon Sibal's car or Ryan Castro's car.

[BavariaMotorist]

No. It looks boxy and not modern.

[thundercat]

see, i like the e36
i like the old style classic
i also do like the e92, but its a lot more money

what if the e36 m3 had all the performance of the e92, then?
Im strictly talking about the body style, the shell.

[3literheater]

I would do it, but the e36 would need some wide ass fenders and the Euro 3.2 with the 6 speed tranny. It would also be nice if you could have the interior from the e46 M3 and keep the Vaders which we all know are some of the coolest stock seats out there. Just my $.02

[onewhippedpuppy]

That is BY FAR the fastest time I've seen quoted for an E36 M3, normally it seems to be about 5.9. I've also seen magazine tests where the Camry breaks 6 with it's 0-60 time, as well as the ZHP.

But do a few tics of the clock really matter? What it means is you are one bad launch away from getting toasted by a Camry. I still call BS on most of you, I think you're E36 loyalists because that's what you can afford. I'm not trying to be a snob, I can't afford a new car either. But I think if offered the choice between the E36 and E46 M3, price no object, the vast majority of you would go with the E46.

[onewhippedpuppy]

http://www.caranddriver.com/roadtests/9265/2006-bmw-330i-page2.html

C&D test of the 330i, 0-60 in 5.6. They claim it matches their previous time for a ZHP.

[bmwtransport]

Oh definitely would get one, if they could manufacture several of those.

1998 4door M3, 5 Speed, Alpine White or Arctic Silver with Beige leather and forged motorsport 17" rims. I think that will allways be my dream car.

[bmwtransport]

No. It looks boxy and not modern.

I think it has timeless design.

[kevc911]

Im just wondering
Lets say BMW decided to build some e36 M3 right now, would u buy it. (reasonably priced of course)
I personally love the body style of the car, and i remember seing one on ebay for like $42k with only 6k miles

Spending $42K on an e36 M3 is about the worst financial decision you can make. I don't care if it only has 2 miles on it. You will lose 20K after you drive the car away. You can find an e36M3 for the high teens sure it will have higher miles but it doesn't matter. If it's been sitting in a garage for 8 years you are probably going to have just as many mechanical problems as a car that has 70K miles that has been driven and taken care of. Don't do it!
k

[3literheater]

Its not that the e36 M3 is all that I can afford because I probably paid more for mine then most of you paid for yours. I really do enjoy the car and mine is in just about perfect condition. I love to mod cars as well and the e36 M3 is a great platform for turbos and such. I love the body style and with the Esquiss widebody fenders that I want to do the car will be perfect to me. I am not a big fan of the new body styles (the e90 is very Honda looking). The e46 M3 is pretty cool looking, but the motor is just pushed too far to me and the subframe seems to be even worse then the e36. Also the new 3 series is getting rather heavy and I like lighter smaller sports cars. The e30 M3 is very cool as well, but the interior is too dated. All I know is a new e36 is a cool idea to think of.

[Aaron318is]

Only on this forum you'd find a thread like this :stickoutt I wouldn't ever buy an E36 again, technology has come a long way since then

[orggilak]

e36 body vs e46 body..which one is heavier generally?

[HapaJin]

That is BY FAR the fastest time I've seen quoted for an E36 M3, normally it seems to be about 5.9. I've also seen magazine tests where the Camry breaks 6 with it's 0-60 time, as well as the ZHP.

But do a few tics of the clock really matter? What it means is you are one bad launch away from getting toasted by a Camry. I still call BS on most of you, I think you're E36 loyalists because that's what you can afford. I'm not trying to be a snob, I can't afford a new car either. But I think if offered the choice between the E36 and E46 M3, price no object, the vast majority of you would go with the E46.

You know not every body cares about getting the fastest 3 series out there. Just because its fast and newer doesnt mean its better. The e36 to me is the best looking generation inside and out.

To me the E46 will always be to pudgy looking. Yea its faster, and yea its newer and yea Its also out of my price range; but theres alot of cars out of my price range that I wouldnt care to own. I cant afford an 850csi either but id still rather own one of those to an e46 m3, reliability issues or not.

Each generation has its own personality and just cuz someone happens to prefer an older generation doesnt mean theyre just "dreaming within their means".

[ParadigmGuy]

The people that claim that the E36 M3 is the best car ever do so because it's all they can afford. Give them $50k and see what they do. While you're at it, give me the money as well, all I can afford is this crappy 325.:(
All I can afford? I think not. Take a look in the FI forum. There are more than a few of us who can afford anything we want. What I want is a high HP E36.

[mikese36]

No. It looks boxy and not modern.

+1

[LeftCoastBias]

Well, they could have minor freshening, but overall keep the lineage the same, powertrain and suspension updates, most importantly let it have that raw sports car aspect with the low weight. You do that, with the power increase, and it will run circles around the E46 M3. Porsche has made a living off of this with the 911, and GM is finally doing it with the Vette.
you could not make an e36 with the same power of an e46 with less weight in 2007.



:rofl i love the weight arguments from e36 owners. the e36 is only about 100lbs lighter than the e46... and the engine and extra airbags and shit required in 2007 would add that weight right back to it.



so basically, you'd have an e46 m3... but with a squarer body.




call a spade a spade, don't blow smoke up my ass about the 911. (which is effected by the same weight gain problems as the m3, with each generation).

[BavariaMotorist]

Im waiting for bmw to go retro. A modern e30 or e36 m3 would bring a tear to my eye. But they way theyre being designed today, I dont think thats gunna happen :(

BMW is supposed to be trendy, appealing and modern to get sales. If you retro designed a BMW, nobody would care, and they'd just be like, "wtf...is THAT?"

BMW I think is on the top 10 or right around it for most car sales worldwide. That's pretty damn good for a company that only sells luxury cars, ultra-luxury rolls-royce, and single-model Minis.

[Gregg]

If it had some of the more modern components yes. S54, six speed, etc...

[robisconfusedd]

dude if i could buy a brand new one for like 10k id do it......

but not if i had to pay the price that they originally were......

also if i got a free supercharger with purchase, that would be nice :)

[russiamutha]

yes, a heavier car with less power and no LSD would dominate :rolleyes
:rolleyes my ZHP is 127lb havier than my 95 E36 M3 was, and 116lb havier than my 97 M3/4 was. I'm sure everyone could sacrifice 150lb for how much E46 is superior to e36 is.

[themadhatter]

stock for stock... its barely compitition to most family sedans coming out next year.
on paper, maybe but not in real life.

[C P Squared]

i would take an e36 318i over a e36 m3

[beamer3]

better a 2007 e30 m3 evo2

[HapaJin]

It all comes down to how much one likes the e36 m3. If its your favorite, then of course you would. If you like a different car better, then you wouldnt.

[themadhatter]

I believe many of you guys are missing something important in this debate - road feel. the connectivity that you feel when driving an e36 vs a newer model. for those of you that have the luxury of taking either one for a spin, you'll see what I mean.

the e46 is a great chassis, the updates are also spectacular as well as with the new e90/e92 but they both lose something in the translation.

[Righteous]

Like the new Mustangs that are supposed to look like the old classic one. Maybe they will make a 3 series that looks like the E30 or E36.

Doing a special limited production of the E30 or E36 M3 would be great. Just incorporate their latest standards in quality in the E36 and it would be straight. Also, make sure they add the Euro engines.

[lil red coupe]

but what if, for ONE year , BMW made a highly limited run of N.O.S. E30 M3 Evos.

like 500 cars or so.

they would be sold before they were available.


true story

[thundercat]

I believe many of you guys are missing something important in this debate - road feel. the connectivity that you feel when driving an e36 vs a newer model. for those of you that have the luxury of taking either one for a spin, you'll see what I mean.

the e46 is a great chassis, the updates are also spectacular as well as with the new e90/e92 but they both lose something in the translation.
+1

[328iSANJ]

If BMW were to make a 2007 E36, they would be shooting themselves in the foot (even if there were limited numbers for diehard fans) as they would essentially be admitting that the latest incarnation ///M just doesn't cut it and they had no choice but to resurrect a design a decade and a half old. Let's be honest, design wise, it's aged well, but it is looking exactly that, aged. C'mon guys I own an E36 myself but when I hear phrases like 'dream car' you've got to ask yourself, are you for real???? When was the last time you saw someone with a huge E36 M3 poster on their bedroom wall???

[Rocket26]

only if they sold them brand new for 15k.



otherwise, it's worthless in comparison to the competition... and both of it's successors.
The US E36 M3 only sucks because they sent us a crappy version. The Euro spec versions would be very competitive today.

The E46 M3 sucks because its hardly an improvement over the Euro E36 in any respect, plus its a fat pig.

[HapaJin]

This whole thread has gotten stupid. Now its become e36 vs newer generations. Especially since many people here are trying to change the definition of 'dream car' and favorite car'. Get over yourselves, really.

My dream car is a McClaren F1 but I guess by your logic no one can dream of a Lamborghini Miura cuz its not as expensive and its older.

So apparently it would be stupid to dream of an e36 m3 because its not as new or expensive and doesnt perform as well as the e46! No one could truly prefer its looks or its unique character that happens to appeal more to some. That would be pure madness!!!!

Lets be honest. Nowadays, very few ppl would buy a brand new e36 m3 in 07 as it wouldnt be able to compete in todays market. Cars have advanced in many ways since it was in the showroom. Only those who consider the e36 one of their fav cars of all time would consider it(such as myself). But to say that one cannot dream of a car because it is not the ultimate performance vehicle or the newest and most expensive one is friggen DUMB as everyone is entitled to their taste in cars regardless of whether its not mainstream enough for you.

Oh and as soon as I find one, I'm putting an e36 M3 poster on my wall.

[abradic]

I think this question is mis-understood, or maybe I mis-understood it. I think the question is would you buy if they made a NEW E36 M3, new meaning updating it to a degree. You know, maybe freshen the lines slightly, updating the suspension to world class (it was definetely world class the first time around), putting in a hefty power output with the 3.2, work out the interior to be better (but keep the vaders), kick ass stereo, yet leave the car with that raw driving experience that makes it so fun.

You don't need overboard technology like idrive, SMG, etc... Make it a 2007 with appropriate updating, yet having that essence of the E36. My engine choice would be the 3.2 with a TT getting minimal 350 hp (easily can tune that) with the internals to match on the engine, or it would really be an awesome car with the 5.0 V-10 in that 3100 lb. car. To just take it and sell it exactly as it was in 1999 would not be worth it. Trust me, if BMW did these updates, they could sell it for $50,000 and watch them fly off the shelf. It would be better than the current E46, or next M3. It wouldn't have all of the refined gizmos, but that's because it would be a sports car that drives awesome, handles awesome, is as fast as anything, and rewards you. If you want all of the technology gizmos, then get a 5 series, or 335. That kind of car would sell.

[abradic]

On another note, Porsche has made a living doing this. It's really a very similar design with minor freshening, updating the engine and suspension, interior (very little, just modest changes there), and yet every time they pull it off. GM is getting in on it too. The C5 and C6 are very similar, but all of the important updates are there, yet it retains the driving experience that people love. That is the kind of E36 M3 I would buy.

[3literheater]

Well said :)

[Remotion]

Hell no. 40K would get you a hell of a car today, like a 335i Coupe.

321Hp is just enough to make fun on every trip, chassis balance is just right and all the controls are just in right places.

So having my own car but with 0 km on the odometer and fresh parts would be enough for me.

[98silver328i]

On another note, Porsche has made a living doing this. It's really a very similar design with minor freshening, updating the engine and suspension, interior (very little, just modest changes there), and yet every time they pull it off. GM is getting in on it too. The C5 and C6 are very similar, but all of the important updates are there, yet it retains the driving experience that people love. That is the kind of E36 M3 I would buy.

Very good point.

[digitaldragon03]

The E36 M3 is faster? Or the E46 M3?

Because if you havent been paying attention, the 335i is underrated by quite a bit, and is a smidge behind the E46 M3 in straight up speed.

[themadhatter]

The E36 M3 is faster? Or the E46 M3?

Because if you havent been paying attention, the 335i is underrated by quite a bit, and is a smidge behind the E46 M3 in straight up speed.
e46 m3 is faster. it has more hp but that's not the kicker, the 3.62 rear is the trick to the car's get up and go power in combination with it's higher rev limit.

[VivaM3]

e46 m3 is faster. it has more hp but that's not the kicker, the 3.62 rear is the trick to the car's get up and go power in combination with it's higher rev limit.

the e46 M3 is also 150+ lbs lighter than the e90/e92 335i. its not much, but its significant, and definitely adds to the difference in speed between the two cars.

[apollo322]

I think this question is mis-understood, or maybe I mis-understood it. I think the question is would you buy if they made a NEW E36 M3, new meaning updating it to a degree. You know, maybe freshen the lines slightly, updating the suspension to world class (it was definetely world class the first time around), putting in a hefty power output with the 3.2, work out the interior to be better (but keep the vaders), kick ass stereo, yet leave the car with that raw driving experience that makes it so fun.

You don't need overboard technology like idrive, SMG, etc... Make it a 2007 with appropriate updating, yet having that essence of the E36. My engine choice would be the 3.2 with a TT getting minimal 350 hp (easily can tune that) with the internals to match on the engine, or it would really be an awesome car with the 5.0 V-10 in that 3100 lb. car. To just take it and sell it exactly as it was in 1999 would not be worth it. Trust me, if BMW did these updates, they could sell it for $50,000 and watch them fly off the shelf. It would be better than the current E46, or next M3. It wouldn't have all of the refined gizmos, but that's because it would be a sports car that drives awesome, handles awesome, is as fast as anything, and rewards you. If you wants all of the technology gizmos, then get a 5 series, or 335. That kind of car would sell.

I would buy that car in a second, and I still say it would also win car of the year.

[YFZ]

E30 M3, remade.

[///Montizzle]

When was the last time you saw someone with a huge E36 M3 poster on their bedroom wall???

I have one. Im not sure what the deal is here...if it had a bigger engine, and a 6-spd id sure as hell buy one for a good price. Im no "ZOMG e36 m3 best car EVAR!!!!one!11111one" but it still looks DAMN good compared to other cars today and IMO has held its mysitque very well. It handles great in stock form. Do i care if a 2004 ZHP can beat me around the track? Not really, its 5yrs newer, shouldnt it:confused? is it saying something that my 9 year old car CAN keep up with it? you bet your ass it does. Yeah, if i had enough $$ id prolly go for the e46, but id think long and hard about putting some serious cash into my 9 year old sedan:redspot And as for the "dream car" comments. sure its not in the leauge of your f430, DB9, Zonda etc dream cars. But in the "realisitcally attainable dream cars" category...it was certainly in my top 3.
CLIFFS: e36 m3 ftw

[lil red coupe]

YFZ knows whats up , plus he reps buckethead FTW

[///Montizzle]

bump for an interesting debate