So I financed an 08 E92 M3 in March for 30000 maple bucks and some dumb broad in a Ram rear ended me. It looks like there's a good chance it's a write off as they believe so far that the frame is bent. I could get an 97 e36 for less than a third of the price of my 08 as I doubt I'll be able to find an E92 as cheap as mine. Has anyone owned both or just an E36? Thoughts?
Buy one in America and I guarantee you will find a E92. A buddy of mine bought a 09 E92 M3 6MT w/45k miles for $27k in NJ
A E36 is nothing like a E92. Far more raw, far more unreliable, and far more...fun. In a E36 doing 60mph down the road feels like you're doing 100mph. While a E92 will do 120+ mph and feel like you're doing 60mph. The steering in the E36 is way better, and the car feels way smaller.
That said, import a LHD one from Japan if you're a maplefag. You'll get 50-70whp over a NA car, and some fun rare options (cloth/alacantara seats, hardtop are more common). Floating rotors too but those are kinda pointless. E36 M3s are awesome sports cars. You will spend some money fixing everything that'll go wrong though, but they're still fun.
>>15425650
>dumb broad in a Ram rear ended me
And nothing of value was lost
>>15425650
Do yourself a solid and get an e46 M3 or if two seats don't bother you a Z4M/ S54 Z3M. The S52 is really lacking, and quite frankly e36s are pretty damned old. I've owned some of the above and driven all and you really aren't going to be impressed making such a downgrade unless you are a hardcore BMW collector. At this point in time e36 M3s are DD shitbox status.
>>15425650
Also unless maple land is fucked up it doesn't matter how much your paid for your car, the woman's insurance must pay you fair market value for you to replace with a similar car, regardless if you got a great deal. If they try to lowball you fight back, you can get another comparable e92 M if you want man.
>>15425746
How reliable are the e46s? They are getting pretty cheap. Not OP but im looking for something in that range.
>>15425650
Buy the car back and swap the drivetrain into a base model 3 series.
>>15425706
Thank you this is the input I was looking for. I'm well aware they're nothing alike, but I've read before that M3 driving feel peaked in the E36s. I like my E92 a lot, it's a great car, but I think people are a bit over zealous about it, especially the noises (i even have an Eisenmann race exhaust)
>>15425769
OP here, my buddy had a straight piped one and it was the most fun car to ride in. The inline 6 had some awesome sounds and it would spit flames once in a while. The interior didn't feel dated (maybe a few less amenities as new vehicles, but far superior quality) Harmon Kardon sound which was great, and a great overall feel. I remember one night doing donuts in a tiny ass McDonald's parking lot lol. As for reliability he had misfiring issues due to someone fucking up his headers installation, other than that it was pretty bullet proof. Like with German cars, when they say to do something at a certain time. Fucking do it.
>>15425769
Its a car with a 3.2L with over 100hp/L. The car and engine are very reliable, but parts are costly. Other than the shit BMW cooling system and shimming the valves every 30k they are fine.
>>15425812
Hell no, they peaked in the e46 M3/Z4M. The e36 in NA really was a half assed M.
>>15425840
Going from a 4.4 sec 0-60 car to one that does it in 6.0 is going to be a huge change. I'd really recommend e46/Z4M/S54 Z3M
>>15425769
Oh also there are some subframe issues on the e46 you should be aware of before buying to know what to look for. Especially cars with aftermarket suspension. Similar issues the toyubarus have today. This is present on the e36/e46/Z3 tho I've never seen it in person.
>>15425853
>The e36 in NA really was a half assed M
You buy a M for the driving feel in a overall balanced car, not for having retarded power. Buy a AMG or a Corvette if you want a car with power. If it wasn't for the E36 M3 selling so well there wouldn't be a E46 M3 in America.
He's Canadian, he can get LHD Japanese M3 E36 Evos (286hp or 240-260~whp for 3.0 and 321hp or 260-290~whp for 3.2). To be fair, a lot of that extra power is in the higher rpms. NA M3 feels better at mid-range.
NA M3 in comparison makes 200-210whp~ stock, 220-230~whp with a M50 Mani/Exhaust/Intake/Reflash, 230-250~whp with those mods + cams/MAF. The NA cars also have shorter gearing.
http://www.goo-net-exchange.com/usedcars/BMW/M3/700070089530160423002/index.html
This one's a 3.2 Evo but it has leather and a sunroof. Talk to a importer who can keep a eye out at auction for a good one.
>>15425953
>You buy a M for the driving feel in a overall balanced car, not for having retarded power
Preaching to the choir, im an M fag. You can have feel without being 1990s slow, its called Ms with the S54. If an evo is a choice by all means but i would never recommend op to bother with a NA S50/52 after owning an e92.
>>15425650
The e46 m3 is becoming recognized as the benchmark m3, and is imho the best of the bunch in terms of feel, response and design. Or you could build up an e9x 335i late model and call it a day.
