E36 vs E92

[ec_E92]

My car was in the shop for a week for hail damage this past week and I was fortunate enough to have a good friend lend me his 1999 E36 M3 to drive while I was without mine. I'd much rather drive a 12 year old, 160k mile car that has been properly abused and puts a smile on my face than going through the insurance company and getting a Chevy Aveo rental car. The E92 is my first M car although the E46 is what hooked me and I've always loved the E36's. Thought I'd share my thoughts of a week with an E36.

First off this is not apples to apples and in no way should anyone read this into a "which is better" thread. Fact is they are COMPLETELY different cars, and the E36 is modified as well with GC coilovers, camber plates, disconnected exhaust, M5 clutch, lightened flywheel and intake. He frequently tracks the car (hence the numbers on the side, for which I give him crap for), it's loud and the suspension creaks and rattles you but it is a blast.

Throttle: It's amazing the difference in throttle control for a cable/mechanical throttle vs an electronic one. It is so easy to downshift and rev-match perfectly, and combined with the loud engine noise it turned harmonious and I found myself engine-braking at every stop. A bit obnoxious, but so were the grins on my face!

Steering/Suspension: I'm not going to compare these as with the CO's the car is completely flat, but it is very light and nimble. It doesn't take much effort to get the back to step out but is extremely controllable and doesn't feel wild at all. 240HP is a good safety factor when you're used to 414. All in all it feels very balanced, tight with great steering feedback. The suspension does jar you around a lot though due to the CO's.

After I got my E92 back, however, I forgot just how fast and smooth the car is. It seems civic-like quiet now, I always thought the S65 put out a great sound but I'm ready to drink the Kool-Aide on upgrading exhaust. I've also been planning to go the Eibach/bumpstop/shaved-mount suspension route... and might be doing that quicker than expected now!

As I washed and waxed the E36 for my friend today I thought about getting one to add to the garage to drive around town or track, but I think I'd always want to drive the E92 and the E36 would just sit there and look pretty.

It's good to have my E92 back

[PKL]

E92 FTW

[takashin]

That ///M DNA in all the advertisements and descriptions really does run deep.

[donovan]

This made me think of something else... Getting a e36 for a track beast.


Nice write up btw

[ec_E92]

I love following this guy, he has a great history with his E46 and this thread is what made me think about the E36 track beast as well...

http://www.euroaddiction.net/forum/m...track-car.html

[///My5UV]

The E9x M3 is definitely it's very own animal... throatier exhaust rumble than any previous M3s, but still zippy to rev and not very torquey compared to an E39M5. They're all fun in their own ways...I really need to find an E30M3 to drive sometime :-)

[Seattle S65B40]

E36 M3 hooked me many years ago. Drove around a friend's 1998 E36 M3 Coupe with Dinan mods and loved it immediately. I obsessed over the E46 M3 for years after that until I finally passed the bar exam and bought my own! Would love to one day own each M3 in the E30, E36, E46, E92 and F32. M3 4 life!

[rbk1115]

I loved my E36 M3. It was a great car. The one thing I miss about it is the dash layout. I am glad that BMW is reverting back to the older style of dashboards where the controls/display are angled more towards the driver.

[positiveions]

i had an E36 M3 with a Dinan Vortech S/C. No matter what, that car was tossable in the corners still comes out as a winner