The BMW That Almost Spelt Disaster For M Division… E36 M3

BMW's M Division is legendary.. but it did face a hiccup that really threatened its reputation. The E36 M3 was not initially warmly received being judged too soft compared to the E30 M3.. was that car really as bad as some would make out? and did the later 3.2 evo version manage to rescue the Motorsport's reputation?
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If you’re interested sun buying this car please contact Gary: [e-mail]

[@Number27]

Thank you to Bidding Classics! Go and check out the website to see what’s listed right now! bit.ly/BiddingClassicsNumber27

[@martintoet1826]

They are not negative, they are just correct facts: 3 things that the E 36 is missing: 1. Ordnung 2. Einsatz 3. Diszipliene Jack knows his stuff!!!

[@eleonik76]

Okay,so first of all,M3 E30 was nothing special. It was made an icon thanks to the few wins in WTCC and the journalists. The car for what it was,tuned by the M division,was made for track and most BMW fans are not hard core dying hard racers loving in a tents around Nordschlaffe. The E36 on the other hand brought the M everything a man would need to live everyday with an M car. Straight 6 engine,manual,LSD, comfortable seats, spacious cabin, automatic air condition,and basically every option a modern car has. So,as modern as it is,to hail everything E30 and curse everything after that,the E36 M3 is much,much X10 better car than E30. I had E30 323 and I had E36 328 and although not M,comparing these two platforms is like to compare iPhone 3GS Vs iPhone 10 Pro max. One is respected for being the first and setting standards,the other one is completely different planet. So much for that.

[@michaelyounes29]

Because they catch the eye

[@happychappers8311]

​@@ektrolleyboy3.0 = 286bhp. 3.2 Evo =321bhp. US spec = 240bhp for both.

[@jeandibb4111]

“The modern cars really don’t do much for me - they’re re too much like computer games.” Amen. Well said, Jack

[@johnpearson492]

This is one of the main reasons I daily drive an e36 M3.

[@giuseppemaggio5894]

I wish it was "just" that. They are over priced, their build quality is often inferior, they are stupidly and uselessly big and heavy. On average, an 80s or 90s model with 200-300 hp has way more personality than a modern 800 hp car.

[@TassieLorenzo]

Progress affects tyres too. If wanting to stay in the Michelin range, the old Pilot Super Sport would probably offer a lot more steering feel and precision than the "improved" Pilot Sport 5 fitted to the test car. The Pilot Sport 5 has lower rolling resistance, improved comfort and improved wet performance - i.e., the Pilot Sport 5 has *much* softer sidewalls and so makes any car it is fitted to feel more numb and isolated from the road, as that is objectively "better"...

[@ewanturner4381]

I appreciate that this might not be the "best" M3, but this is literally my favourite car of all time. 😊

[@kevinhabener1279]

You and me both.

[@imGeistevereint]

Same, this title is just clickbait. The e36 is still one of the best and most classy looking coupes out there.

[@tonyb9735]

I love my E36 M3. The E46 is a better sports car, but IMO the E36 is a better car to live with every day. It took a while to grow on you, but it immediately felt "right" to me. I've never tired of it even after 12 years of ownership.

[@tonyb9735]

Mine is, of course, the Evo. Those engines are amazing, mine was still making book figures on the dyno with 125,000 on the clock 🙂 It's up to 145,000 now and I haven't noticed any drop off in performance. Mind you, I'm older and more sedate now, myself!

[@EinKerl3554]

I feel with each generation the M3 becomes less like an M3 and more like an M5.

[@gonzalo4307]

@@EinKerl3554 Really the successor to the e36/e46 m3 is the m2 in terms of size and feel

[@tonyb9735]

@@EinKerl3554 Yes, there haa been a general trend for cars to get bigger and heavier, but I feel that the E36 is more like the M5 than its successor. It is more of a luxury sporting saloon than the sportier, harder edged E46 which followed.

[@Vgk36]

​@@gonzalo4307 but not weight 😮 she's a chunky 🐒

[@Kelveron]

What a handsome car this is, especially in that lovely shade of blue. Thirty years later has made no impact on its desirability, if anything it's even more desirable now!

[@andrewallan5090]

Estoril blue.. Still in use today

[@stewkeene]

I agree and the owner has done wonderful work on it. What a fun car!

[@idonjohnson6999]

@@andrewallan5090well not still. More again.

[@131313de]

To me this is my fav M3. Styling, class, sound, cabin, ticks all boxes for me. But for sure the 3.2 litre :-) Hope I will get the possibility to own one some time!

[@tonyb9735]

They're starting to go up in value now, but as the most unloved car of the M3 range, you can still get a decent one for surprisingly little money.

[@bekabeka71]

@@tonyb9735I doubt it

[@tonyb9735]

@@bekabeka71 I guess that's a subjective statement. You can pick up a pretty tidy one for less than fifteen thousand pounds, which by M3 standards is cheap. I know, I have one.

[@bekabeka71]

@@tonyb9735 just went to view an e36 318is, for $3100 hmm 🤔 I’m very tempted but needs small bits and pieces done to it

[@tonyb9735]

@@bekabeka71 My Mother had the 320, it was a great car. I guess any car of that age for that sort of money is going to need a bit of love. Good luck anyway 🙂

[@OctavChelaru]

As a testament to the strength of the S50B32 I can tell you guys one of our top Pro Drifters has been running the same engine for the past 10 years or so, did not miss any races and, cherry on top, it's also turbocharged to about 650whp. Not blowing an engine in 10 years of hard drifting is almost unheard of, even on 2Js. Amazing power plants.

[@71ala]

At a track club I attended in the USA, there was this guy who brought a beaten up M3 E36, all stripped out, side pipes, no mufflers, racing suspension, slick tires… the whole thing cost him $15K and he outlapped Ferraris, Corvettes and even GTRs… The E36 has earned my respect. Great underestimated car.

[@dwn2634]

Had this evo engine in my old Z3M coupe. The S50 in that was phenomenal, and your only method of traction control was to check the weather report :)

[@edalder2000]

As a music nerd, this is like listening to a 1st vinyl pressing of a classic jazz album like "Kind of Blue.." I can hear an MP3 of "Kind of Blue," but the old vinyl seems warmer and inviting with its imperfections. But "Kind of Blue" is the height of talent and sophistication. Compared to a current car, this e36 is analog and you are experiencing it as intended. It is still a highpoint of engineering. A template that other cars strive to match. That is glorious.

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

BMW should have made an E36 M Touring, I've seen a few replicas and they look incredible.

[@harroldino1980]

Crazy they waited so long to make an M3 touring, e36 / 46 M3 tourings would have stolen a lot of sales from their German competitors.

[@terrycleverley1774]

I had the 4 door evo saloon in estoril blue over 20 years ago absolutely loved it

[@ba2724]

Owned the 3.2l E36 M3, loved it, sold it, now miss it. Upgrades were fun to do on this vehicle. Fond memories.

[@TassieLorenzo]

6:10 The steering feel will be affected by the Pilot Sport 5 tyres fitted which have a very soft sidewall for a performance tyre. A more rigid and dynamic tyre like a Goodyear Eagle F1 Super Sport or Yokohama Advan V105 would likely increase the steering feedback considerably. Tyres make a huge difference to steering feel. Even the BMW M star-marked Pilot Sport 4S on modern M cars are considerably stiffer and sharper than a normal Pilot Sport 4S tyre, and therefore they are better in dry and worse in wet than a normal 4S -- Jonathon Benson from Tyre Reviews has a great video on this. 🙂 Sadly while rigid sidewalls are still de rigour in the track day tyre class (thankfully, think Advan AD09 and so on), they are becoming increasingly difficult to find in the road tyre class... especially in the 17" sizes that this M3 wears! The mentioned Eagle F1 SS is not actually offered in 17", only the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 that has a much softer sidewall. 🤨 Granted it rains a lot in the UK, so maybe motorists prefer having wet performance instead, but these softer tyres aren't the best for drier, Mediterranean climates due to the loss of steering feel and precision IMO.

[@gabrielsandoval4994]

I bought my 99 E36 M3 back when they were less desirable. My goal was always to move up to the E46 M3, but after owning it for a while and falling in love with it, I test drove an E46 and wasn’t impressed. Add to that the problems with the E46, I kept my E36 and will continue to enjoy it.

[@withcookie5583]

Great stuff, about time you had a go in the e36 M3. They look soo good and they are looking better and better compared with all the new stuff. The saloon chassis is actually even stiffer! If you think that feels nimble you should try a 318is, not much power but handles amazing. 👍

[@jonathanohagan1349]

Had one loved it. Part traded it for an E46 325ci, whoops.

[@gethinjones9987]

Whitney huston singing i will always love you and me with tears in my eyes 😢 the BMW E36 M3 EVOLUTION is the best car ive ever owned loved it so much ive just had great memories of hooning it around country lanes thanks for the nostalgia jack 🤗 a great review of an absolute legend of a car 💓

[@johancoetzer2165]

Back in the day I took the five-speed E36 M3 for a test drive. It just wasn't enough of an upgrade over the E36 328i I already had. It did not feel a lot faster and the engine sounded a bit unrefined at the top end. Now I know I should have held out for the six-speed. Great video!

[@bridgettedrew2188]

I had a similar experience driving my cousins e36 m3 3.0l s speed...my car was a 328i...unril I was told an e36 must be redlined to perform...was much faster than my 328i

[@Euphorica]

Your 328i is quite a bit short of an m3. 3.0 or 3.2.

[@GoldenCroc]

Maybe it didnt feel a lot faster to you, but it certainly was, especially at higher speeds. 40% more power is quite a bit.

[@bridgettedrew2188]

@@GoldenCroc e36 328i takes 30 seconds from 0 to 200kph while an e35 m3 3.2 takes 18 seconds from 0 to 200kph...that performance gap is very huge

[@GoldenCroc]

@@bridgettedrew2188 yes and even the 3.0 is a lot faster, especially at higher speeds. Bears repeating, I suppose.

[@paulboyle6857]

Nice car.When I was in the alloy wheel trade people wanted the M3 wheel to upgrade lesser models.Should have bought one when they were much cheaper!

[@colinl4542]

Love the car and the vid Jack but hate the title (sorry!). If you read the old car mag articles, the original E36 M3 came out pretty well. That inspired me to buy my M3 cabriolet in ‘95 and I loved the performance and handling - and still do. The steering is precise and the chassis is firm for a cabrio, encouraging you to set it up for a touch of drift in the bends, and the engine is supple yet pulls like a turbine, still accelerating past 150mph (though that’s way too fast for me now). And it’s been infallibly reliable. It’s the only car I’ve ever wanted to keep for 28 years! Would you do us old E36 lovers a favour and test one for comparison?

[@Number27]

Will certainly try if I can! I did drive one some years ago, not recent enough for a proper comparison but this did seem quite improved ..

[@MLC...]

At last the E36, they are such handsome cars. Nice to drive too.

[@morbozim]

I prefer these quirky and special classic reviews to your car rescues, and also like the drive by shots and overviews shots superimposed over your driving talk. Very nice. Perhaps also get a change of scenery and drive cars on a more track environment or wider flat asphalt road. Beautiful colour this, great car. Also loved your vids on the DeTomasos (and please keep pronouncing the names the right way)

[@harroldino1980]

Glad you enjoyed it Jack, interesting to hear you saying a lot of the things I commented on your Instagram preview post, obviously after you had recorded the video but before anyone had seen it 😂 The narrowness and nimbleness along with the traditional cable throttle and lack of driver aids / modes are the main reasons I have always preferred the e36 over the 46, even when they were in cheap unloved old banger territory. Of course, I’d love an e46 too, but if I had to choose one or the other it would be an e36. I know most people will think I’m crazy for saying it, I’m sure I mentioned it when we met, the e36 is a good fit for me, the things I like and the roads I drive on.

[@davidbateman8231]

Jack why do all your ‘headlines’ have to be so negative - failed this/bankrupt that. Can’t we just celebrate great classic cars.

[@princesssolace4337]

Exactly

[@AlfaGTA156]

Agreed. Annoying. Unsubscribed.

[@GTFour]

Negativity gets more clicks, sadly

[@evogoose4279]

Click bait

[@paulvallance4970]

It’s kinda clickbait

[@ryanmccormick2150]

I used to work with a guy that was given an identical M3 as a company car, he went on to park it on its roof in a field after enjoying a few too many beers...... Funny he also lost his job as a result. So I'm sure if Warren is watching number 27 I'm sure this review will bring back some interesting memories 😂... Cracking stuff as always Jack 👍

[@yalcinozer4434]

What kind of company is that my friend🙂 Here companies lends cars like Renault symbol or focus

[@ryanmccormick2150]

@@yalcinozer4434 Photocopier sales and service company, Warren was in the sales department.

[@yalcinozer4434]

@@ryanmccormick2150 I wondered the motivation behind it. Of course it is great for the employee, but generally those cars generally being used to go from point A to B. The dream car of many people used like that: Really strange 🙂

[@ryanmccormick2150]

@@yalcinozer4434 The sales manager drove a 911 and I drove a Golf 1.9 TD estate 🤣 I was a trainee engineer at the time..... But yeah I always loved the M3 and the 911, I wasn't so keen on my golf with 140k miles on it and clutch pedal that almost took two feet at a time to operate it was so heavy 🤣

[@ianmangham4570]

Looks beautiful old school BMW quality, before I heard the quality control went downhill,headlights/front end looks very sweet. 😮,Crystal 🔮 clear picture quality and sound Jack 👌 🇬🇧 ENGLAND 🇬🇧 ENGLAND

[@richsackett3423]

Jack, you are doing it right if each of your videos makes you says, "oooh! I'll 'ave a slice of that!"

[@thepassionofthegoose5472]

In the United States we got a 240bhp version, so imagine our disappointment when these came out. Still a fantastic car, but we knew what the rest of the world got and wanted the extra, needed power.

[@_B.M_]

How times have changed. Now the US seems to get the better models than we do. The US had an E60 M5 Manual. Europe had to settle for the SMG only.

[@tonymoreton7166]

Estoril blue? Dreamed of one of these when they came out but funds only allowed me into a 318i. Later, I had 9 great years in E46 M3 and now 12 years in E92 M3. 260k miles across the two. All are brill cars.

[@stevemyers2092]

I had an 03 M3 e46 convertible, and I loved it - I also had a 95C2 and a 96C4S at the same time...the beemer was the last to go. I am going to buy another one. Very special look/performance and feel.

[@adamdahlberg8572]

Great review. Best M3:s are: 1) Manual converted CSL, 2) E36 3.2 manual, 3) E30 EVO II, 4) E46 manual. More difficult to find a really nice E36 3.2 than basically all the others... I think prices will take off.

[@farkinarkin5099]

E36 ///M3 3.2 Manual, yes! 🙂They are probably all hiding in garages like mine. I still find myself staring at it.

[@adamdahlberg8572]

@@farkinarkin5099 Me too... 🙂

[@simontrigg9059]

One of the best BMW's ever made,built at a time when they were phasing in the E46.The E36's have a slightly narrower chassis and feel more nimble so more suited to those B roads.The electric window regulators are better quality than the ones later used in the E46.

[@assininecomment1630]

Engines - for sure. Chassis - defintiely. Power window regulators - No way in hell did I expect to read a comment that highlights these! 🤯 😆

[@StevoHDA]

i haven't had regulator issues in my coupe like i have in the e46 sedans

[@alexluke84]

This E36 M3 was actually so good that many competitors stopped doing performance coupes

[@universalcitizen7544]

As usual with most of your videos, this one is great too and I enjoyed a lot! However @4:15 when you started listing the upgrades of the evo, you missed THE most major one, especially with all the details you mentioned about the engine, is that it went up from 3.0l to 3.2l. Of course you had it in mind, but maybe simply forgot to mention, although you implied it afterwards when talking about the engine codes. Keep up the good work👍

[@nix123ism]

My brother drove a E36 M3 they prepared in the targa NZ , stripped weight, rear seats etc out, upgraded brakes, exhaust, nothing drastic, but it was a pretty impressive car to drive at the time, we took it out on the motorway at night and it just went straight up to 180kph , no hesitation.....

[@matlabninja]

Still love mine (US Version) after 9 years of ownership, and it just gets better every time I tweak it. Z3 racks bolt into these cars like legos and really wake the steering up.

[@marklawrence2417]

I have always preferred the E36 shape to E46. Many (many) years ago I almost sold my E39 535i & 944S2 cab to buy an E36 M3 cab (yes I like soft tops) but didn't pull the trigger. Do I regret it? No - still have the 944 after all these years & loving it (although my daughter is now insured on it !!!)...

[@smorris12]

I had an E36 325i in about 2000 and loved it but, at the time, the E30 and E46 were lauded as both being miles better. Fast forward to the E90 era and the E36 was the platform everyone got misty eyed over with the E46 not so much. Time plays funny tricks with people's perceptions.

[@russellbryan2288]

Liked the video before I even watched it! Jack makes the best derned videos about cars and stuff.

[@mro9466]

so the screaming S50B30 with 286 hp was "more boring" than that 4 cylinder pot in the E30 ? nah, i won't believe that

[@nickc5259]

In the 90s, when I was gradually moving up the car ranks, I wanted one of these more than life itself 😂. I loved them and I think they're still special today. I remember these going for a few grand!! Closest I've had was the S54 engined Z4MC and E39 M5, both of which I loved.

[@leeh9420]

Gawd I loved my E36 M3. It was so much better than the E46. Not as race-bred as the earlier ///M cars, but holy heck was it fun to drive. Dude - you should get that car - it's a smile-machine. If I could get a car like that for $25K here in the US, I'd have one. The E46 M3 became the gentleman-brother to the E36 (and it was definitely heavier)

[@assininecomment1630]

Jason Cammisa has a RevElation video on the E36 M3 - and why the U.S. spec engine is actually better, than that which was fitted for most (all?) other markets.

[@simonhodgetts6530]

I love the dashboard in this iteration of the 3 series - clear, logical, good quality. Pity that BMW went full ‘bling’ in recent years - they were beautifully engineered machines once upon a time.

[@highcountrypioneer3025]

British expat living in the US. We get a fake e36 M3 that's basically a 328i. I'd love a Dakar yellow M3 Evo. Modern BMW's are just crap

[@Trueseeker-r8q]

What a great car 👍 I love the estoril blue colour so much so my bmw is the same colour and tbf I still would rather have an Evo over an E46 M3 I just love the square edge look more and as you said more refined than an E30, tbh although that car is 26 year old it could give a lot of new cars a run for there money .....but what a noise Jack!

[@tonyb9735]

0-60 in 5.2 ... that's still pretty quick today, must have been a rocket ship back in the day!

[@gtv6chuck]

I had an American E36 M3 in this cosmetic spec. It was my daily for the best part of a decade, and despite its motor being down on power to the Euro version it was the best driving car I have ever owned.

[@gideonbouwman4904]

2:06 brake caliper spring clip missing, quite an important part if you ask me ;)

[@garrydiggins3181]

Yes, I noticed that the other day 4 new ones fitted now 👍

[@tayne5009]

Channeling your inner Magnum PI with that departure shot at 2:49

[@paultasker7788]

As a child in the 90s I always hoped my dad would come home in an M3 E36 convertible, blue with the white leather. Sadly it was a 320i saloon! Still a lovely sweet 6 and nice velour seats. So I still liked it. That then for replaced by a 328i touring. That was a lovely car. Quick. Didn't really need any more power than that. Both sounded similar to the M3 in the video. But not quite as high revving. I wish modern 4 cylinder turbos sounded like that.

[@aston-martin-internationalist]

E36 M3 is to BMW as the R33 Skyline GTR is to Nissan. Still a great car, but for whatever reason, was not as warmly received. I love both of them; choice spec for me is the M3 Evo in Estoril Blue with the grey leather as you have there!

[@TheMrFishnDucks]

Love that blue colour. Thanks for showcasing this car. Nice video. Keep up the good work.

[@bensmith4666]

The evo in techno violet is 🔥🔥🔥

[@r.innovationsweinnovatesoo2915]

This man knows his cars well, I have both the E46 M3 ( charged) and a e36 EVO ( with a E46 rack) and I also prefer the e36 evo drive in country lanes, the E46 is better but marginal when in tight country lanes , the EVO just feels so much smaller and nimbler , it also grew on me

[@Naseem328]

As a personal preference. I always love E30’s, but E36 S50B30/ and B32 Euro versions are my all time favourite BMW. I’m not talking so much about performance comparisons, but if I had to choose, I’m taking the E36 M3 Evo. Why? It just captured exactly what I love in a car design. Remember, your favourite car doesn’t always = the best car, but it’s something unique and subjective for you 😌

[@marieeadie6700]

My favourite M3. Owned 3 of them over the years. Wish I never sold my last one. Techno violet Evo vert. Loved it 😥😥😥

[@richardsperry3310]

I bought mine new in 95. Still have it.

[@kdevitt]

Not sure how a car could suffer at launch by not being as good as the car which was to follow? Also personally think the 3.0 is a better buy than the Evo. They all make their stated power - very few Evos do - and that Evo gearbox is not serviceable like the 3.0 version. Interestingly, i’ve read more than once that the E36 M3 was initially developed as the 330i - and got the M badge designation later in development. Goes some way to explaining why it wasn’t as raw as the E30.

[@StevoHDA]

the main changes on the evo upgrades are talked about @4:00. the vanos down low in particular allowed for much more usable power for daily driving along with better fuel efficiency. not sure where you read the 6 speed not being serviceable, but that extra gear is a godsend in todays fuel prices for anyone that travels on highways. can't see how it would get a 330i designation, must've been really early as a lot of time went into development of the s50 motor and and has a ton of hallmarks that make it an M engine, even more so than the s55 for example.

[@paulfrere7902]

Enjoyable video, particularly liked some of the drive-by views / sounds of the M3. 👍

[@Number27]

Glad you enjoyed it thanks 🙏

[@155stw]

BMW M should have invested in different front fenders and rear wheel arches. The E36 M3 didn’t have any visual appeal apart from the side mirrors, bumpers and skirts.

[@christopherkelly577]

Estoril Blue E36 M3 was always one I wanted. Still love it. The wheels. Beautiful!

[@jeffzekas]

My brother owned a BMW M3 convertible, nothing but problems with the top mechanism, he finally got rid of it and bought a Subaru

[@Gozar111]

I had a Dakar yellow 3.2 four door. Amazing car at the time. Except in wet weather…

[@martindivall5301]

I had a rare 4 door version in Estoril blue, absolutely loved it. Sold it for no money back when no one wanted them ! Rumour had it that de restricted with the top speed limiter removed , they would do 175mph ! Maybe that's why 6th gear feels like an overdrive ?

[@kanalnamn]

I have an estoril evo 4d. :) There are an unmodified evo doing 181mph on the autobahn on KZbin. It takes ALOT of road to get there.

[@kanalnamn]

I can't find that video now, and that annoys me. It was a 2d lowered evo with it's chassi gaps taped. Otherwize unmodified. The owner had been chasing top speed records for deveral years with his car. The fastest he managed was 292kph / 181mph. Edit, since then he's done 294kph: Found it... kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKOap32tdpyXerc

[@karlfontanari2169]

Lovely car had the first E36 with 286BHP and then had the Evo 321BHP convertible! both great but agree with all your comments, this was mid 90s

[@NealyLL]

I had an e30, late model. Just a 320i 2 door with the sport package and suspension. It was a really good car. Built brilliant with good parts. My mate got an e36.. what a drop in quality and build . Noticeably different . BMW weren’t alone at this though

[@kanalnamn]

What? My -88 E30 318i was built much worse than any of my three -96 E36? (However, I've been told that pre-facelift versions were worse.)

[@Jean-Paul_1984]

I owned an E36 M3 and E46 M3. Also drove an E30 M3 multiple times. The E36 M3 3.0 is my favorite for sure. I really don’t get the hype for the E46 M3. It was in mint condition and I sold it for €13.000 around 6 years ago. Still regret it almost every day.

[@Sammyzuko]

So when it was launched the e36 was over shadowed by the e46? Revisionist history sure is interesting. The e36 M3 was a huge success in its day. It sold much better than the e30 M3(not saying it was better, but an easy sell for dealers). The British press were the only ones who didn’t seem completely enamored with it.

[@Sammyzuko]

Even British racing teams chose to use LHD e36’s… seems the RHD e36’s lacked some of the magic that made these cars legendary

[@ca9968]

They look so much better and sleeker without the wing on the back...

[@martinlagrange8821]

And, because RHD, made in Uitenhage, outside of Port Elizabeth in South Africa. Loads of them in Cape Town when I was in High School...

[@eze8970]

Thanks Jack, I expected an in period yobbo fishtailing pull away off the grass, but perhaps that's not the 'Accountants' way?! Glad you liked it, a good looking performance car of it's day! 🙏🙏

[@simonelliott5956]

Great video of a car I know very well from back in its day. I cannot believe the price of them, you almost couldn’t give them away at one point! Decent drive all the same, but I’d be missing out the E46 and going V8, but probably not the M3 but the RS4 saloon for that money.

[@DjNikGnashers]

Love the E36, more than the E46 by far. The E39 was the best M car, but I love the E36 it has to be in my top 5. People forget just what a massive leap this was from the E30.

[@ggkik]

Evo M3 E36 is approx. 80-100kg lighter than M3 E46...Your thoughts on how the car feels are spot on! Having driven an E46 M3, i couldn't find the hype almost every car magazine was writing...It felt heavy and not nimble at all, at least to my preferences on twisty roads. It sure could definitely keep power oversteer as long as you had skills and wide road but nimble and accurate it was not...

[@johnnydeutschemark3620]

I don't think we got the EVO here in the USA, but the typically watered down version we have is very nice, I have no complaints other than it could shed 400 lbs or more and be really something severe but as it is this is a sports car you can daily drive and smile all the way.

[@seth19890103]

unfortunately the us didn't get a "proper" e36 m3 imo. since the us modells didn't even have the proper 3.0 or 3.2

[@kanalnamn]

...there are other videos that claims that this was indeed the model that SAVED the M-division, certainly in the US. That's since the US-version sold very, very well after they've been peruaided to make a version for the US. The E30 never sold well over there.

[@jaspal666]

This car sends me back. In the late 90’s a pal had an E36 M sedan. I just had an A4 turbo quattro. 😂

[@samcourt6228]

The E36 does seem to be getting a bit more recognition these days having been the forgotten M car for so long. The E46 is still king for me though; it’s just so pretty and well proportioned to my eyes.

[@Mrbimmer11]

E46 m3 and e39 m5 best cars ever made

[@StevoHDA]

i thought this too, especially with the extra visibility over the dash and some extra side arm room. interior and exterior are much more modern and timeless especially on an e46 facelifted coupe, pleases the eyes. the rattles that pop up in random places on the e46 I found more and more cumbersome over time. The steering on the e46 is nicer on the bends, but e36 just has a lot more on centre feel, more balanced imo. e36 is also more nimble at low speeds of course which is preferable as a daily driver or even weekend getaway for most people. all in all they come close, but the biggest factor is the engine on these and the e36 is just much more of a drivers engine rather than the specs "refined" for marketing on the s54 in e46. The s50b32 had more power down lower and is more linear up to 7400rpm, so much easier daily driving with that. It also has throttle by cable for instant response as well as overall a more reliable and easier to work with engine over the s54. the sound of the s54 also seems to be targeted towards those that like showing off their high rpm engage, the rest of the time the s50 is just much more refined

[@RobManser77]

The E46 had electronic throttle lag. Few people mention it, but it put me right off buying one. I’ve not driven an E36 M3, but I’ve owned an E36 325i and 328I Sport, and they both had instant throttle response via a cable throttle. For me that makes them better cars. The E46 handled better and had a better engine, but the throttle lag put me right off and it’s the E36 I lust after.

[@panji7793]

This is a grown up M3,I love it, except the mirror

[@matthewnicholas6365]

I have a theory about the gear shifter length. ///M went half arsed with a short shifter. Not a short gear shifter, a short distance from the steering wheel to the shifter. That's what track drivers want, to not have to move their hand from the wheel to the shifter. Proper track cars are about 8ft long and look ridiculous. The e46 and this e36 are neither long nor short. They just look wierd. I fitted 545i shifter on my e46

[@flavioc5389]

I swear that back in the day I read on one “BMW Magazin” (BMW own magazine) that the 3.2/Evo would have aluminum doors.

[@agglos1]

I think that only the 3.0 GT had them..

[@flavioc5389]

@@agglos1 I think so too, but the magazine was from 1995 and they mentioned tha lt would be standard on the Evo.

[@agglos1]

@@flavioc5389 unfortunately not.. they were too costly to manufacture..

[@harroldino1980]

Most early evos had aluminium doors but it doesn’t seem to be all of them. Whether they have them or not seems to be a bit hit and miss and no one has managed to work out the pattern. Certainly a lot of normal evos (coupes only) did have aluminium doors

[@Ian-tc2jz]

This channel/video randomly appeared in my feed, never heard of the channel before, but was interested as I used to own a blue evo.. Turns out it was this specific car. Small world

[@garrydiggins3181]

When did you own it?

[@Ian-tc2jz]

@@garrydiggins3181 back in 2011/2012, I got it from an airline pilot who had it stored in their heated garage!

[@garrydiggins3181]

@@Ian-tc2jz yes then my mate Steve bought it off of you around 2012 didn’t you have a stainless steel exhaust pipe for it that never got put on

[@garrydiggins3181]

I have changed all the bushes under the car. All the wheels bearings and hubs new clutch and mass wheel new suspension all been done all new breaks new tires and lots of other things

[@Ian-tc2jz]

@@garrydiggins3181 Yeah, that's right, I had an eisenmann exhaust lined up for it. I was surprised to hear Steve had sold it when the chap in the video mentioned you owned it. Glad to see it's still looking great!

[@avmelidor]

The convertible is mint on this series

[@mikeroz6549]

Did you hit that nasty pothole on the twisty s bend Jack? Hope no serious damage was done. Sounded like a nasty clunk.

[@duangc3280]

It did elevate the M brand to another level. It's a legend it's a monster still on track near stock giving gt3's a run for it's money after all these years. I am insulted with the title tbh. And I'm not to keen on the particular example.(the car) it does 0-60mph sub 5 seconds and 100-200 kmh 12s. On stock engine. The ones that I've seen and the particular one I got. (All LHD)

[@atousonk]

I see this everywhere that people hated it who tf hated it it's the ultimate m3

[@agglos1]

@number27 As far as I concern the “Evo” in Lhd form has the same steering rack as an 316..only the 3.0 has different steering rack..

[@jonlee580]

The e36 M3 was the Bmw M that I grew up with.. To me in a weird way it is my Holy grail.. My ultimate would be a silver grey 4door m3

[@jonathanohagan1349]

The E36 M3 model would be my go to BMW if money was no object, had an 318is saloon, was awesome, then went E46 (320ci and 325ci).

[@notmenotme614]

The good thing about the e36 was, you could get a normal coupe and get the body kit and lights to make it look just like an M3. Only a geeky connoisseur would be able to spot the difference. Nowadays even manufacturers do this with their “…Line” trim level. The only problem with the 318 IS Coupe was its very underpowered with its poverty spec 4 cylinder engine, 138 bhp and 132 lb ft of torque in a car that almost weighs 1400Kg. So the performance couldn’t pull off its looks. Also my IS Coupe had this bizarre fault… these cars didn’t have a fixed service interval but the car calculated its service interval based on how you drove it, there was a service bar that would count down in the dashboard. For some reason mine reckoned that it needed servicing every one or two months.

[@kanalnamn]

@4:50 Different diff. Different driveshafts. Different bakes. Different tyre dimensions. Pretty much most of the things are different.

[@scotty6346]

E30 M3's have always been £££ and rightly so, I would take an E36 M3 Evo over any of the latter M3's any day. Pure, Classic, Clean un-bloated looks is a win for me.

[@WhiteMouse77]

Absolute peak of automotive balance....everythig that came later inclined to over-egineering....next to M3 there was one "unicorn" super-version of e46..the mighty ALPINA B3 V8 / 4,6 l / 333hp...if you find one of these today in good condition auctioned ...have 50k ready....

[@energyball]

I had a 95 M3, best car I ever owned

[@th45h1zn1t]

I had P reg same colour and spec as this one. Absolutely the best fun you can have on the road. It sounded lovely until the vanos went which is a common issue on the Evo. I think those wheels are off the convertible Evo. I did the same wheel swap on mine as the original wheels weren't as nice. I sold mine at just over 100k and was gutted to see it go.

[@garrydiggins3181]

No, they are original wheels

[@th45h1zn1t]

@@garrydiggins3181 nice, I always preferred those wheels to the ones that came on mine from previous owner.

[@mrjackbagginz]

Btw theres one selling in new zealand for 18k usd,. Same colour n stuff,. Im afraid i will regret if i didnt buy it,. He also has 333i red. Its amongst 2 of the rarest that i can buy for 50k usd

[@UlrichWrangel]

The E36 hate is akin to 993 and 997 owners looking down their nose on the 964 and 996. The reality is, the E36 M3 is a fantastic driver's car, and much better where it counts than the E30.

[@Covkiller]

I really enjoyed the video 👍 But let's be clear here. The E30 M3 road car was not the race car. The race car ran 300bhp, the road car ran 215bhp. The suspension and virtually everything else was different. The World Sportscar Championship in which the E30 M3 was very successful collapsed shortly before 1993, so the E36 M3 could not compete in this series. All E30s were left-hand drive and were very rare in the UK, and you hardly ever saw one. Everyone is a smart Alec, but most people have never even driven an E30 M3. I have and they drive well but are slow! E30 M3s sold approx 17k E36 M3s sold over 70k I have owned a brand new E36 M3 Evo coupe, which I sold but now own a fully restored, modified E36 Evo coupe. The real-world difference in the road sports car is night and day in favour of the E36 M3 coupe. @Number27 if you want to drive mine, be my guest.

[@BorehammerDrive]

In the 80´s E30 M3 had more exciting contenders like Sierra RS Cosworth that wiped the floor with it, but in the 90´s E36 M3 had much less exciting contenders such as Audi S4... so definately BMW was "most fun behind the wheel"- choice of that time.

[@dhmallet]

In the US, it only had 240 bhp.