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Thread: 135i vs e36 M3

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    Albuquerque, NM
    Posts
    6
    My Cars
    1998 BMW M3 Coupe

    135i vs e36 M3

    I know this is probably threaded a lot, link me any similar thread that i am asking, Basically i’ve had an e36 m3 for almost a year, and boy it’s been driving me insane with the little kinks that i’ve been fixing, typical e36 repair but it’s a 224k 98 and this car is on its way, i’ve been debating getting another one cause it’s a car that i know, but a 135i i’ve been eyeing for a while and it will be a whole new car that i have to learn and more expensive and it’s not a m, basically i want a cool daily that i can track here and there every once in a while but that isn’t too expensive i know a 135i probably isn’t the most reliable or the most track ready but i’m sure it will be better than a 20 year old car with 224k miles, i don’t really care for technology or comfort i just want a cool daily that’s decently fast and again i can track every once in a while thoughts, opinions

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Edmonton, AB Canada
    Posts
    452
    My Cars
    2008 135i, 79 320/6 Euro
    I moved from an E36 M3 manual sedan to a manual 135i. Intially i was looking for an E46 M3 but all the ones i drove seems to have similar issues as my E36. After driving a 135 i knew it was the car for me. Similar size as the E36 but way more refined. I say drive one and see for yourself. To be honest if i had to do it again i'd probably go for a 128. I'm replacing my turbos right now. Not a fun or easy job.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Perth, WA, Australia
    Posts
    295
    My Cars
    95 E36 328i, 11 E82 135i
    I've upgraded from a 1995 E36 328i which has done 320000km and been in my care for 10 years and got a 2011 135i DCT. The difference is night and day and I'd say do it. As much as I love the E36, it is an old car, depreciated its maximum value and becoming more expensive to run. From my end, I lived near sand dunes for last two years and have significant sun damage and now rust on the bodywork. On top of that, piston rings are starting to wear and having recurrent random electrical issues. Unless you have the Euro M3 models (with S50B30 289hp or S50B32 320hp engines), rest of the E36 line doesn't hold much collectible value and it gets to a point sadly where at least from financial sense, not worth putting money in any more (though from heart sense you want to!)

    The 135i is blistering fast compared to the E36 and only tenths of a second slower than an E92 M3. With not much outlay and tuning, it is one of the quickest and most fun BMWs around. My advice is do it! I made the leap in the last week and not looking back.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    South Africa, JHB
    Posts
    76
    My Cars
    1992 BMW 325i (Drifter)
    Quote Originally Posted by mumblyjoe View Post
    I've upgraded from a 1995 E36 328i which has done 320000km and been in my care for 10 years and got a 2011 135i DCT. The difference is night and day and I'd say do it. As much as I love the E36, it is an old car, depreciated its maximum value and becoming more expensive to run. From my end, I lived near sand dunes for last two years and have significant sun damage and now rust on the bodywork. On top of that, piston rings are starting to wear and having recurrent random electrical issues. Unless you have the Euro M3 models (with S50B30 289hp or S50B32 320hp engines), rest of the E36 line doesn't hold much collectible value and it gets to a point sadly where at least from financial sense, not worth putting money in any more (though from heart sense you want to!)

    The 135i is blistering fast compared to the E36 and only tenths of a second slower than an E92 M3. With not much outlay and tuning, it is one of the quickest and most fun BMWs around. My advice is do it! I made the leap in the last week and not looking back.
    I have had an E36 325i and my current project is an E87 with a Lexus V8

    Even thou my 1er has given me a lot of issue I would still take it over the E36.

    I enjoy DIY so there is a lot of options when it comes to the E8x

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Wichita Falls, Texas
    Posts
    1,039
    My Cars
    1997 BMW Z3 2.8
    I concur with the fellow who advised your considering a 128i...more reliable and less expensive to maintain (turbos = $$$).

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2020
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    1
    My Cars
    2009 BMW 135i
    Still have my aging '99 323i with 230,000km but just bought a '09 135i with 90,000km after trying to find a M3 at a decent price. It is plenty fast and a good upgrade for me.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    2
    My Cars
    '98 M3/4/5, 13' 128i 6MT
    I have a 98' M3/4/5 and 13' 128i 6MT m-sport, the 1 series is an amazing successor to the e36. Similar but much more modern and refined, great for daily driving

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    129
    My Cars
    Aston Martin, E46 M3, X5
    I have both an E46 M3 and a 128i. The 128i is a brilliant little car and has been bullet proof. It's not as quick as the M3 but it's still a lot of fun (maybe comparable to an E36 M3, although I've not driven one). I went with the 128i over the 135i as it doesn't seem to have any where near the issues as the 135i (turbos, fuel rails etc.). I would highly recommend trying a 128. Plus, in the right color they look cool, here's a link to mine
    :https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...he-baby-bimmer

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Arlington, VA
    Posts
    9,931
    My Cars
    2018 BMW M240i
    The E36 was produced during BMW’s transition from analog to digital systems. That’s why many folks suffer electronic issues. I skipped that generation (plus I thought it was ugly) when I went from an E30 to an E46.

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