in 5-10 years...

[therichsta]

hey all, i've finally come to a conclusion that purchasing an e36 M3 midway through college isn't the best idea...(much thanks to those who gave me such advice haha)...SO i've got a question for all you blessed e36 M3 owners and enthusiasts. do you think any well taken care of, strong, perhaps low mileage, e36 M3s will be in existance? aside from the ones you all own, do you think there will be any around for me to pour my heart and soul into? i graduate in 09 so by then the car's going to be at least 14-15 years old.
thanks for y'alls input.
ritchie

[ESMcBlurM3]

hey all, i've finally come to a conclusion that purchasing an e36 M3 midway through college is the best idea...(much thanks to those who gave me such advice haha)...SO i've got a question for all you blessed e36 M3 owners and enthusiasts. do you think any well taken care of, strong, perhaps low mileage, e36 M3s will be in existance? aside from the ones you all own, do you think there will be any around for me to pour my heart and soul into? i graduate in 09 so by then the car's going to be at least 14-15 years old.
thanks for y'alls input.
ritchie

I'm assuming you meant is not the best idea. for whoever convinced you of that...i say fuq it!:devillook

But sure, there will be fine examples in 5 years, look at some of the pristine examples of the e30 m3 that are available currently. Now, if they will have the same value as the e30 currently does, only time will tell.

[Volf]

the new M3 hits the market this year so the e46's will come down in price some, and my '09 you'll be able to get a good condition e46 for around 20-25k I'd guess.

As far as the e36, they're already in the price range of a lot of kids and if you read the forums regularly they're getting wrecked and money shifted more commonly than I remember when I first started reading this forum. Not to mention those that survive are starting to be modified like crazy and god knows what else. A low mileage car in good condition will be a tough find in a few more years would be my guess. Not too much longer and I forsee the e36 M3 falling into the high top end of the "ricer" price range.


*edit*

Like posted above...e30's. Go look on auto trader and try to find an e30 in good shape that isn't pretty pricey for a 20 year old car. Most e30 M3's on autotrader w/ good miles and in good shape are selling for more than what I paid for my car which was in near mint condition when I bought it.

[therichsta]

I'm assuming you meant is not the best idea. for whoever convinced you of that...i say fuq it!:devillook

But sure, there will be fine examples in 5 years, look at some of the pristine examples of the e30 m3 that are available currently. Now, if they will have the same value as the e30 currently does, only time will tell.

dude you have a sick m3- what kind of rims do you have it sitting on?


the new M3 hits the market this year so the e46's will come down in price some, and my '09 you'll be able to get a good condition e46 for around 20-25k I'd guess.

As far as the e36, they're already in the price range of a lot of kids and if you read the forums regularly they're getting wrecked and money shifted more commonly than I remember when I first started reading this forum. Not to mention those that survive are starting to be modified like crazy and god knows what else. A low mileage car in good condition will be a tough find in a few more years would be my guess. Not too much longer and I forsee the e36 M3 falling into the high top end of the "ricer" price range.


*edit*

Like posted above...e30's. Go look on auto trader and try to find an e30 in good shape that isn't pretty pricey for a 20 year old car. Most e30 M3's on autotrader w/ good miles and in good shape are selling for more than what I paid for my car which was in near mint condition when I bought it.

thanks for the post! has the e30 fallen into the high top end of the "ricer" price range? i've always thought an m3 to be a class up from the "ricer" range i guess...

[ParadigmGuy]

dude you have a sick m3- what kind of rims do you have it sitting on?
His car is sitting on tires. From that picture you can barely even see the rim of wheel.



thanks for the post! has the e30 fallen into the high top end of the "ricer" price range? i've always thought an m3 to be a class up from the "ricer" range i guess...:nono

[Volf]

dude you have a sick m3- what kind of rims do you have it sitting on?



thanks for the post! has the e30 fallen into the high top end of the "ricer" price range? i've always thought an m3 to be a class up from the "ricer" range i guess...

The e30 M3 in average condition has been in the "ricer" price range for a while, but you don't really seem to see too many of them that have been abused as such, thank goodness for that because they are beautiful cars. e36's on the other hand I'm starting to see more and more of them that are riced out. I saw one w/ altezzas and an AMG badge on it the other day going down the interstate. The driver couldn't have been more than 17yrs old.

While they are by no means "ricer" cars, more and more ricers are starting to get their hands on them and raping the aesthetics of the car.

[therichsta]

just trying to get a better understanding from more knowledgeable folks...lol

[therichsta]

The e30 M3 in average condition has been in the "ricer" price range for a while, but you don't really seem to see too many of them that have been abused as such, thank goodness for that because they are beautiful cars. e36's on the other hand I'm starting to see more and more of them that are riced out. I saw one w/ altezzas and an AMG badge on it the other day going down the interstate. The driver couldn't have been more than 17yrs old.

While they are by no means "ricer" cars, more and more ricers are starting to get their hands on them and raping the aesthetics of the car.

thnx for the exp.

[Volf]

Also lets not forget that already now 12 years after the first e36 M3's that 240hp is becoming slow in comparison with the rest of the "new" car market. It took a long time for everybody else to catch up, but its happening. Another reason the e46 M3 might be a better idea.

Some kid can go out and get a Colbalt SS or a SRT-4, spend an additional 1-2k and have himself an M3 killer easily. You on the other hand will be able to go out and spend an extra 1-2k and get about 30rwhp. And this is today, in a few years, that will be worse.

[therichsta]

balls...you're so right it sucks. how the hell is it right for a cobalt ss to be able to beat an m3...so wrong! damn, i wish i could sell my kidneys. :mad

[Volf]

balls...you're so right it sucks. how the hell is it right for a cobalt ss to be able to beat an m3...so wrong! damn, i wish i could sell my kidneys. :mad

Its sad, thats for sure, but its happening. If you're dead set on the e36 for the looks of it or whatever there is always engine swaps. an S54 fits nicely in the engine bay. e46 power in a e36 body if you're after the e36 for looks.

[therichsta]

Its sad, thats for sure, but its happening. If you're dead set on the e36 for the looks of it or whatever there is always engine swaps. an S54 fits nicely in the engine bay. e46 power in a e36 body if you're after the e36 for looks.


this is probably a noob question but hey, i'm here to learn! anyways i was just wondering - if you swap engines, does that still allow the car to have a clean title?
thanks,
ritchie

[hootie]

Just buy my car now....clean....completely stock....67K miles....

[Volf]

this is probably a noob question but hey, i'm here to learn! anyways i was just wondering - if you swap engines, does that still allow the car to have a clean title?
thanks,
ritchie

yeah, title will still be clean. And in a few years anybody that will be looking at buying an e36 M3 won't mind one bit that it has a much faster motor in it :D

Hell we've seen just about everything on this forum from people putting M5 motors, to V10's to no shit corvette motors into the e36. Do a search, you'll be pleasantly surprised if an engine swap is something you'd be interested in.

[therichsta]

yeah, title will still be clean. And in a few years anybody that will be looking at buying an e36 M3 won't mind one bit that it has a much faster motor in it :D

Hell we've seen just about everything on this forum from people putting M5 motors, to V10's to no shit corvette motors into the e36. Do a search, you'll be pleasantly surprised if an engine swap is something you'd be interested in.



that's cool- so i take it it's safe to do then? i was going to try and buy this guy's 95 m3 that had a 99 m3 3.2L in it but i was told not to by a local tuner shop- saying that there's alot of "jerry rigging" involved due to the computer advancements. was he just bsing me or is there a "non jerry rigging" way haha

[Volf]

that's cool- so i take it it's safe to do then? i was going to try and buy this guy's 95 m3 that had a 99 m3 3.2L in it but i was told not to by a local tuner shop- saying that there's alot of "jerry rigging" involved due to the computer advancements. was he just bsing me or is there a "non jerry rigging" way haha

There is jerry rigging involved. Safe? Yes. LOTS of folks in here have done it and it works out great. Some tuner shops around the country actually do it quite well. Its pretty much just new computers and wiring harnesses from what I understand when swapping in an S52 (96-99 M3 motor)

[pbclax423]

Also lets not forget that already now 12 years after the first e36 M3's that 240hp is becoming slow in comparison with the rest of the "new" car market. It took a long time for everybody else to catch up, but its happening. Another reason the e46 M3 might be a better idea.

Some kid can go out and get a Colbalt SS or a SRT-4, spend an additional 1-2k and have himself an M3 killer easily. You on the other hand will be able to go out and spend an extra 1-2k and get about 30rwhp. And this is today, in a few years, that will be worse.

Im not sure about the srt-4 but a local kid around here has a red cobalt ss with much more than 2k into it and he wouldnt beat an e36 m3 with the basics..(chip, intake, exhaust, and possibly injectors) The cobalt cant even handle 225hp launch with stock axles.... this kid broke his not once but twice. Hes dumped something like 4-5k into it and hes only pushing like 265 to the wheel.

[Volf]

Im not sure about the srt-4 but a local kid around here has a red cobalt ss with much more than 2k into it and he wouldnt beat an e36 m3 with the basics..(chip, intake, exhaust, and possibly injectors) The cobalt cant even handle 225hp launch with stock axles.... this kid broke his not once but twice. Hes dumped something like 4-5k into it and hes only pushing like 265 to the wheel.

A stage 2 upgrade from Mopar on the SRT-4 easily puts it in the 270bhp range and a Stage 2 from chevy on the colbalt puts it at 245bhp. And thats straight off the showroom floor.

Then a an extra 1-2k and If its not killing an M3, it'll be giving it a really rough time


And you've got to remember that the colbalt weighs in at 2800lbs and the SRT-4 at 2900lbs. Both less than the 3175 of the M3

[therichsta]

is dinan as good as most people say it is? i'm just curious since we're talking about upgrades now...

[Volf]

is dinan as good as most people say it is? i'm just curious since we're talking about upgrades now...

some will tell you its good stuff, others will tell you its over priced garbage. I have a dinan transmission chip in mine that I paid $200ish for. It made a noticeable difference. But thats all the experience I have with dinan.

[therichsta]

sweet thanks!

[Petey Pop]

its sad to say....but i do wish that more e36 m3s crash for the value to go up lol.

[therichsta]

its sad to say....but i do wish that more e36 m3s crash for the value to go up lol.

oh how i cry every time i hear of one crashingg :crying

[TheOraclesM3]

I graduate in '09 too, and I just bought a 97 M3 coupe...might of been my best decision yet, and yes..I pay for it myself ...lol

[therichsta]

I graduate in '09 too, and I just bought a 97 M3 coupe...might of been my best decision yet, and yes..I pay for it myself ...lol


nice! mind if i ask the specs? ie: mileage?

[goobos101]

instead of swapping a S54 in do an LS1= 100+hp and 200lbs lighter or just drive the car and not race people unless your on the track than you have no worries.

[ParadigmGuy]

Go turbo, engine swaps often cost more and will make less power. :)

[antik]

My experience in finding my M3 was quite difficult. I spent a couple months looking for one that met my standards and finally found it hiding in a garage 2 states away.

The low mileage cars will certainly exist when you're out of school but they'll be harder and harder to find as the years go by.

[pbclax423]

A stage 2 upgrade from Mopar on the SRT-4 easily puts it in the 270bhp range and a Stage 2 from chevy on the colbalt puts it at 245bhp. And thats straight off the showroom floor.

Then a an extra 1-2k and If its not killing an M3, it'll be giving it a really rough time


And you've got to remember that the colbalt weighs in at 2800lbs and the SRT-4 at 2900lbs. Both less than the 3175 of the M3

stage 2 for the cobalt is 750$ and makes 241 horses which are majorly restricted by the weak axles and shitty brakes. The brake upgrades go for around 800 bucks for these and the axles are another 800. In this case, the cobalt would probably stay with the stock m3 after spending roughly 2400, not to mention their tranny's are rated for less than 340ft/lbs of torque(not 100% sure). Now you have a m3 thats worked a little and the cobalt will have to go to stage 3 which costs something like 600 for aftermarket and GM hasnt made one yet in which case the cobalt pushes to 257/232. im pretty sure an m3 with intake ehxaust chip injectors and a good flash on the chip your at what?.. somewhere around 260 at LEAST!? so for the 2500 on an m3, your spending much more than 3k on the cobalt, and thats boosting 16 psi mind you.

i personally would never be caught dead driving an SRT-4 due to the simple fact that its a dodge neon... and the rear windows are all roll-ups.

[therichsta]

Go turbo, engine swaps often cost more and will make less power. :)
what's the cost diff?

[ESMcBlurM3]

His car is sitting on tires. From that picture you can barely even see the rim of wheel.


:nono

LOL - thanks..SSR Comps. Time for a new siggy I believe, chop shop here i Come!

[WytLytnyn]

Send me an IM when you graduate. I'll sell you mine then.

[therichsta]

Send me an IM when you graduate. I'll sell you mine then.


pm sent

[TheOraclesM3]

Like I said, mine is a 97 M3 coupe, cosmos black on dove grey vaders. I bought it with 77k miles on in for 12.5k.

[Volf]

stage 2 for the cobalt is 750$ and makes 241 horses which are majorly restricted by the weak axles and shitty brakes. The brake upgrades go for around 800 bucks for these and the axles are another 800. In this case, the cobalt would probably stay with the stock m3 after spending roughly 2400, not to mention their tranny's are rated for less than 340ft/lbs of torque(not 100% sure). Now you have a m3 thats worked a little and the cobalt will have to go to stage 3 which costs something like 600 for aftermarket and GM hasnt made one yet in which case the cobalt pushes to 257/232. im pretty sure an m3 with intake ehxaust chip injectors and a good flash on the chip your at what?.. somewhere around 260 at LEAST!? so for the 2500 on an m3, your spending much more than 3k on the cobalt, and thats boosting 16 psi mind you.

i personally would never be caught dead driving an SRT-4 due to the simple fact that its a dodge neon... and the rear windows are all roll-ups.


My point wasn't really about the details. My point is that its gotten to the point where shitty cars can run w/ M3's power wise right out of the factory. I'd imagine in a few more years the M3s advantage around a track and in a straight line will be reduced even further.

I personally hope for all Colbalts and SRT-4's to be rounded up, put on some barge in the middle of the ocean and have a Hydrogen bomb dropped on them.

[therichsta]

My point wasn't really about the details. My point is that its gotten to the point where shitty cars can run w/ M3's power wise right out of the factory. I'd imagine in a few more years the M3s advantage around a track and in a straight line will be reduced even further.

I personally hope for all Colbalts and SRT-4's to be rounded up, put on some barge in the middle of the ocean and have a Hydrogen bomb dropped on them.

lol nice

[mv619]

hey all, i've finally come to a conclusion that purchasing an e36 M3 midway through college isn't the best idea...

Ritchie,

I really, really wanted my car, so I started a side web development and marketing business to go along with my full time day job. Though the company took a while to develop and grow, eventually I was able to buy my car in cash, in a little over 5 months with savings and working nights, weekends, and whenever needed. I've learned that if you want something bad enough, you have the ability to make it happen.

My advice to you would be as follows: network with the right people to get you a decent side job (bartending/barbacking, waiter jobs would probably pay the most), and start something small on the side to earn a few extra bucks. I don't care what it is, do whatever your passionate about. Maybe you like to play guitar, and can teach guitar lessons? I don't know you personally, but one thing I do know is that there's a time to be practical and save, and there's a time to drive a sports car in your early 20's and enjoy life.

Take your pick. I chose the latter.

Best,
Matt

[pbclax423]

i too agree with you volf.... any "power" car that is FWD should go with them... with some exceptions of course.

Think about the situation. Time = research and development. Time also = newer researchers with new ideas. You put someone with a brilliant mechanical mindset with the billions car companies spend on research and obviously your going to recieve a result similar to the m3 that costs less to produce and can become faster just as simple, maybe even simpler. This is the way our economy is based, especially with inflation taking a huge chunk out of everybody's pockets.

Not to mention the fact that BMW's are not made for all out speed. They are also made for luxury which is why they handle so well and such. Ever ridden in a cobalt ss/srt-4 on a track?... my god i regret doing it.. i dont think i was sitting straight up and down once.... always leaning left or right.. now in my car which has about 65% the power of those two cars has a much more superb handling system which you can notice after the first high speed turn. My friend with the cobalt-ss even once said "think we can swap my engine into your car"??.... i couldnt imagine a 2.0l chevy motor in my car tho so i smacked him in the back of the head and told him to never mention something like that or a kick in the balls with be the replacement of that smack.

Put it this way. a 2006 chevy cobalt ss does nothing to compare to a 2006 bmw m3. However, the common e36 m3 is equivalent to a cobalt ss/srt-4 (speed wise, not in any other aspect) So it took chevy what?... like 13-17 years to make a comparable car to a mid 90's bmw?

[bethestick3308]

its sad to say....but i do wish that more e36 m3s crash for the value to go up lol.


It is sad to say, but I also have bittersweet feelings about people wrecking their cars or moneyshifting their engines.

I am very sad to see a fellow E36 M go down........








But that makes mine, in its condition, even more rare and desirable. Not that I am ever planning to sell it, however.

[Volf]

Put it this way. a 2006 chevy cobalt ss does nothing to compare to a 2006 bmw m3. However, the common e36 m3 is equivalent to a cobalt ss/srt-4 (speed wise, not in any other aspect) So it took chevy what?... like 13-17 years to make a comparable car to a mid 90's bmw?

Thats what I've been saying this whole time

[ryanlong01]

However, the common e36 m3 is equivalent to a cobalt ss/srt-4 (speed wise, not in any other aspect) So it took chevy what?... like 13-17 years to make a comparable car to a mid 90's bmw?

Yeah, it's the first Chevy EVER to go as fast as an E36 M3. What kind of comparison are you making? Chevy FINALLY made a Cavalier (basically) as fast as an M3 was 10 years ago. So? How many Chevys have been faster than, say, a 318ti?

Go ride in a Z06. No, ride in a ZR-1 from before E36 M3s existed...it didn't take Chevy any time to make a comparable car to a mid 90s BMW, they've been around for ages.

The Cobalt isn't exactly a flagship car, and BMW makes slower cars than the M3, ya know.