I am thinking of trading in my zed against a 1998 BMW M3 Evo convertable. There is an independant dealer here who will take my '93 TT manual in p/x. Has anyone had an M3 vert? It's the 3.2 six speed model with 321 bhp.

 

In my head, its RWD 300+ bhp so similar to the zed. A proper 4 seater so more space for the kids in the back. It's also a proper soft top instead of my Targas.

 

Waddya fink?

I won't lie to you, I prefer driving my BMW at the moment over my Z.

I have a 525se i, it's leather, comfortable, moves when you put your foot down, never fails on me, cheaper on petrol, more room for the little one, much safer with Airbags and Side impact bars all over the place, more room in the boot and easier to drive.

 

But then I'm limited to 3krpm at the moment on my Zed until it's fully run in :).

I take it you've gone off the SWB idea? :D

 

To be honest, 2 seats is not practical for me either. :(:(:(:(

 

Good luck in your search!

Not driven an m3 however i owned a 325i not long ago and tbh it was superb, could'nt fault it. Very fast, very comfortable and the one i had, had lots of extras like leather etc....

Go for it mate, BMW's are so much better, may not look as good, but who cares about that when your drivin it, enjoy the comfort pal.

Only driven a few BMW's including an M3 and if I'm being honest, I just find them so boring to drive :(

I've driven an Evo M3 and performance wise, I'd not go for one over the Z. Not to mention, as a trade-in, unless it's between friends, you'll get pennies for it. Good cars though, but they just don't do it for me.

 

You want to be wary of the vanos system in the Evo versions. Very expensive when they go wrong, which they do all seem to do. They are the variable valve timing that's fitted to them, to give the Evo version more power.

Drove my brothers 2004 E46 M3 last summer and what a car! Felt very much like my Z just not with quiet as much power or torque but then ny Z is putting out over 400BHP and think his M3 is 343Bhp or something... Good car though and I'd def have one if I didn't have my Z!

If I did'nt have a zed I'd consider an M3 as an alternative. I would'nt replace a zed with one though personally.

 

Its not going to be that much more praticle than a zed though tbh and in some ways less praticle (saloon style boot instead of a hatch). The rear seat room is bigger than the zed but is still very much on the small side for a saloon/coupe of its size.

The later evo version of the E36 is a great car BUT has some issues, first of those is the VANOS units, the bi VANos on these engines is not the most reliable and often needs replacing, if its been done recently then that is a bonus.

There was an option of an SMG gearbox on this model, nothing wrong with it just make sure its in full working order it can get VERY expensive if not looked after.

 

There is also a school of thought which do not like the 3.2 version, 321bhp when it was new but they seem to reguarlly de-tune them selves down to around the 270 to 280bhp (obviously that pwer is still in there, just requires work to get it back again)

In contrast the earlier 3.0 @ 286bhp seems to stay bob on the money. This was from an article in a magazine i once read which rolling roaded two M3's which they had borrowed to test, the 3.0 was about 282bhp where as the 3.2 was down to around the 275.

 

However the facelifted E36 has a few nice features about it, some of which are the better side repeaters (clip instead of screws which rust and eat the wing!) and the more firmly built dash.

Although you have to remember the E36 is getting an old lady now, first released in 1991 its design is showing its age!

If the convertible part isnt so important for what you'll pay for a good E36 convertible M3 (8 to 10k), you can nearly get an E46 M3, which is reported to be a much much more reliable car!

All IMHO of course but buying an M3 is like buying an Imprezza - they will all have had a very hard life and will more than likely have seen a shunt or two at some point. If you are after the look, practicality and performance of the M3 soft top then you should also look into the 325/330 convertibles - these tend to have been less abused yet still offer excellent performance.

I take it you've gone off the SWB idea? :D

 

To be honest, 2 seats is not practical for me either. :(:(:(:(

 

Good luck in your search!

 

There is always room in my garage for a SWB, but I am selling the pug and going to use a sports car as a daily driver hence the 4 seats.

 

If I ever get a SWB :D it would be my weekend toy... something to really enjoy!

All IMHO of course but buying an M3 is like buying an Imprezza - they will all have had a very hard life and will more than likely have seen a shunt or two at some point. If you are after the look, practicality and performance of the M3 soft top then you should also look into the 325/330 convertibles - these tend to have been less abused yet still offer excellent performance.

 

I Disagree to a certain extent, especially with the convertibles. Most of those tend not to be owned by the guys who screw the nuts of them. The coupes are the worst for that.

I know what your saying, but its the same as any performance car. They are built to be driven, and as long as its been looked after it wont come to any harm.

 

In some cases the high milers tend to be the better cars, mechanically anyway.... alot of the M cars are bought by sucessful people (lets face it mid to late 20's and 50k in your pocket what else would you buy??) not to stereotype too much but tht type of person probably does a fair few miles for work so most of the miles on the high milers will all be motorway work.

 

However the disadvantage there is that they tend to get a bit tatty paintwork wise.

 

Although i know what your saying, same with any fast car (and to a certain extent any car on the road, i know i drive my run abouts far harder than my zed!) no point in having 300+bhp under your foot and driving it like a 320d!

i hate the way you sit i them and the pedals seem to be too far to the right, feels like you sit twisted

Personally I think the E36 has had its day and would not bother. In the past, BMWs looked good until the new model arrives and then the older one looks eceptionally dated. This has happened in a big way with the E36, however the E46 still looks good despite being replaced recently.

 

I do quite like the E46 and if it's a convertible you want then an E46 330 would be a better bet than an E36 M3 cab.

 

All just IMO though - and I did consider an E36 M3 coupe (among others)before buying my ZX all those years ago.......

 

Richard:smw:

Go for it mate,

 

but like Si said, p/x is going to give you naff all i would of thought, sell it privately? I know its quicker and easier just to p/x but if you can get an extra 500 quid + selling privately I would