convert to an e36?

[bimmer323i]

right now i have two e46's and i love em both. I have a 99 323i and a 01 325ci vert, but i need more power, and i dont have the money for an e46 M. So in my area theres a 97 M3 sedan with 114k miles and an AUTO tranny for 8 grand. Should i trade in the 323 for it? or is it not worth it for the auto?
pics
http://images.autotrader.com/images/2008/1/1/236/699/3765380461.236699248.IM1.MAIN.565x421_A.562x421.jp g
http://images.autotrader.com/images/2008/1/1/236/699/3765380462.236699248.IM1.02.565x421_A.562x421.jpg
http://images.autotrader.com/images/2008/1/1/236/699/3765380463.236699248.IM1.03.565x421_A.562x421.jpg

[MonsterM3]

its up to you wether your an auto person or manual person. the M3 will be faster than both of the cars you have now, but a manual M3 is a little faster than an auto

[bimmer323i]

yea i was more worried about the reliability of the auto tranny on the e36's. I mean i know that the auto e46's are usually shit after 120k miles, unless you take really good care of them.

[TheM3nsah]

if you like manual you will regret getting auto down the road

[onetrillionrpm]

e36 325i >>>>> e46 325xi

my mom has an e46 and I don't like driving it, it just doesn't feel like a sports car like mine, to start off its slow, and it feels like a luxury car, If i wanted a luxury car I would of gotten a 7er!

[Balthazarr]

You can always trade in again, if you don't like the auto.
The M3 will be more fun even as an auto.

[kwipp]

Can you live with an auto is the biggest question? Car does look clean even though im not a fan of those wheels on the e36.

[WytLytnyn]

Can you live with an auto is the biggest question? Car does look clean even though im not a fan of those wheels on the e36.
+1 neither am I on the wheels....

[chandlerseattle]

Not a fan of auto transmissions
The wheels do not belong on that car
It does not have vaders
I am a 2 door kind of guy

It will be faster and more fun to drive than your two E46's

[fiveightandten]

Not a fan of auto transmissions
The wheels do not belong on that car
It does not have vaders
I am a 2 door kind of guy

It will be faster and more fun to drive than your two E46's
FYI, Vaders never came in sedans.

-Nick

[bimmer323i]

bump
called the guy
the only way i would go through is by selling the 323i privately for 9.5k and then buyin the M. But yea the question still stands. How relieable is the e36 auto tranny?!??!

[Budget M3]

bump
called the guy
the only way i would go through is by selling the 323i privately for 9.5k and then buyin the M. But yea the question still stands. How relieable is the e36 auto tranny?!??!

You will hear different experiences from folks with the AT...some say theirs were toast at 100K, others getting over 150K ,with the average around 120K before issues begin to arise. Take the car to a reputable mechanic that knows these cars...if he says the trans is going to drop soon, use that as bargaining power to reduce the price.

If everything else about the car is good--overall condition, maintenance records, Carfax....then buy the AT and when it DOES go belly-up, swap in a standard trans or another AT depending on what you've decided you like best. FWIW, other than the trans itself, an AT car will likely have been abused less and the rest of the driveline (engine, diff, etc.) will tend to be in better shape.

Good luck!

[pgvinter]

Auto does not belong in a 3 series much less an M3. Driving an M3 with an automatic is like going on a date with a hot girl during a certain time of the month, it still beats doing nothing but is incredibly frustrating.

[giterdone]

Auto owners tend to enjoy their m3s just as much as us manny owners. Some are just waiting for their autos to kick the bucket, to swap in a manual (see Volfinator).

If you get the dinan tranny chip and a 3.91lsd you'll be slightly faster than a bone stock manual m3 with a 3.23.

The car does look nice, however as others have said, those rims do not belong on the e36. the sedans are nice, very easy to transport friends, and it is fun to spank somebody with a 4 door. :)

Follow what Budgetm3 said.

Me personally? I'd try to sell the 323 and get the auto m3, if you really want one and the car is in good condition.

[ThE MaDEnGiNEeR]

u can always swap out the auto down the line. besides the auto will keep u from money shifting.

[MonsterM3]

Driving an M3 with an automatic is like going on a date with a hot girl during a certain time of the month, it still beats doing nothing but is incredibly frustrating.

:rofl:rofl:rofl