How do E36 M3s and E46 M3s compare in terms of feel?

[shiyan]

I had a little mishap with my current car, and might need to replace it. I'm finally old enough to get insurance for a M3... I was wondering how the E46 M3 compares to the E36 in terms of driving feel.

Being in Europe it's quite easy to find the 321hp E36 M3 Evo, which is quite close to the E46 M3 in terms of straight line performance, but what's harder to find is a comparison of how the 2 cars compare in handling and feel.

My plan is to either get a E46 M3, or get 2 cars, a E36 M3 as a pure track car and a cheap daily driver.

In terms of modifications I'm considering brakes, suspension, tires, possibly body reinforcement

[swamp2]

[shiyan]

The M3 forum seemed to be about the newest M3 only

[southlight]

Originally Posted by shiyan

The M3 forum seemed to be about the newest M3 only

There is an E46 section.


Best regards, south

[JEllis]

Originally Posted by shiyan

I had a little mishap with my current car, and might need to replace it. I'm finally old enough to get insurance for a M3... I was wondering how the E46 M3 compares to the E36 in terms of driving feel.

Being in Europe it's quite easy to find the 321hp E36 M3 Evo, which is quite close to the E46 M3 in terms of straight line performance, but what's harder to find is a comparison of how the 2 cars compare in handling and feel.

My plan is to either get a E46 M3, or get 2 cars, a E36 M3 as a pure track car and a cheap daily driver.

In terms of modifications I'm considering brakes, suspension, tires, possibly body reinforcement

The E36 would be the better pure track car and a cheap daily. Many will argue with me on this but the M3 has gotten significantly heavier and less focused with each generation. All the hubbub you read on these forums about the E92 being too heavy, too comfortable, and too refined is just history repeating itself. I perused similar forums in the year 2000 and 2001 when the E46 M3 was coming on the scene and it was the same BS then. But, imagine how the Euros felt getting a new M3 that was bigger, heavier, less focused and produced only about 15-20 more BHP. I digress, the E36 M3 will be cheaper to get into, easier to upkeep, cheaper to maintian (if you keep up with preventative maintenance), with loads of aftermarket options.

Jason

[sayemthree]

e46 - is heavier, less willing to turn in, less liklely to steer with the throttle. but the e46 has LOTS of power and when you learn to drive it will do better than the e36, different , but better.

[E(@M#]

move on over to m3forum.com.....plenty of visitors still

[shiyan]

Originally Posted by JEllis

The E36 would be the better pure track car and a cheap daily. Many will argue with me on this but the M3 has gotten significantly heavier and less focused with each generation. All the hubbub you read on these forums about the E92 being too heavy, too comfortable, and too refined is just history repeating itself. I perused similar forums in the year 2000 and 2001 when the E46 M3 was coming on the scene and it was the same BS then. But, imagine how the Euros felt getting a new M3 that was bigger, heavier, less focused and produced only about 15-20 more BHP. I digress, the E36 M3 will be cheaper to get into, easier to upkeep, cheaper to maintian (if you keep up with preventative maintenance), with loads of aftermarket options.

Jason

thanks!

Originally Posted by E(@M#

move on over to m3forum.com.....plenty of visitors still

will do