webby v7 slipperwagon

iTrader: (2)

Please do tell simon.As this infraction carry on is like a disease on scnet.Waits for infraction

T1000

Just thought I'd mention that if you do go for the M3, many people say to go for the earlier 3.0 version at its single VANOS was considerably more reliable than the later dual VANOS 3.2 engines. The dual VANOS on the later cars was developed by none other than Rolls Royce, however, when it goes wrong it is very expensive to have fixed.

Also, the power output was officially around 40 bhp difference according to BMW, whereas unofficially it was more like 10bhp difference!

I very nearly bought a 3.0 M3 as I think they're great cars, but I opted for an Impreza in the end mainly due to price.

RobEvo5

iTrader: (9)

Forgetting facts and figures, I have owned 3 M3 Evo's now, and about 7 scoobs in various states of tune and have had extensive time in a E46. On a track such as the ring I would suspect it would be close between the E46 and E36. But as a real world road car, the E46 is sooooo much better in every respect and a definate leap forward in BMW engineering, performance, breaking,handling and build quality.

The E36 V's a UK scoob on a track with long top gear straight runs such as the ring would also be very interesting and would probably say the E36 M3 would put in a quicker lap time. But more because you can drop a cog at 130mph and it will still pull like a train,

But again as a real world car, the Scoob is a much better point to point on A and B roads, and even great on motorways with instant torque in 5th gear.

The E36 Evo in 6th has very little get up and go at 70mph, without dropping at least 2 gears.

You have to work at the M3 to get the best out of it, but with a scoob you can cover ground very quickly with very little effort and still feel like your having fun.

M3 Evo's represent great value for money now, but then scoobs now offer even better value for money, and you ain't got to worry about the bloody vanos letting go.

Also The E36 feels like a old school car to drive. The UK scoob and E46 don't.

silver-destroyer

i have had e36 m3's inc the convertible for the past 10 yrs mate.....until i saw the light and got one of these japanese beasts......believe me it will be the biggest mistake of your life .....after getting married that is... to get rid of the scooby.....i will wish i had seen the light sooner....

RobEvo5

iTrader: (9)

I have also had 2 x E36 328I, and whilst not as quick as a M3, found them a much nicer car to drive and live with as an every day car. M3 Evo's have rarely put out even 300bhp on rollers, a good 328I will put out 240bhp. The 328 will have more torque, not have vanos issues do 200+K miles, cheap to service and maintain. And with the 328I you won't feel like you need to ring its kneck to get the best out of it so again can cover ground very quickly reasonably quickly.

You need a long test drive of a M3 Evo and make your own mind up, but as said previously there are allot of CAT C, D examples out there and allot with knackered suspension bushes. So pick a good one to try before you judge.

If bought wisely you won't go wrong with E36 , so you could always buy one scratch the itch, but can almost gurantee you will be back behind the wheel of a scoob within a year.

T1000

I agree 328i's are great but they also had an achilles heel - the Nikasil issue. Although, most have probably survived it as they blocks were changed when BMW found out about the issues 10 years ago.

AlanPPP

iTrader: (2)

My 323i cracked it's block

The 328i idea is interesting i suppose! They are a lot cheaper after all.I'm just one of those people that has to get the best model otherwise i'll always say to myself...i should have got an M3!

finchyboy

The Alpina is not Evo 3.2 based but in fact 328i !!

T1000

The power output of the 328i was always good at around 190bhp, however, the power plant was capable of more. The reason being is because BMW fitted the same inlet manifold and throttle body to the 328i, 323i and 320i.
The earlier 325i E36 had a far freer flowing inlet manifold + throttle body which can be swapped onto the 328i block. This releases at least another 20 bhp so is a worthwhile mod. I knew my mind of useless information would have a use one day!

If you do go down the E36 route I'd go with a 3.0 M3 as it has few flaws and is highly capable.

Whether or not it's more fun than an Impreza is open to debate though. I'd suggest trying a few out first and to judge for yourself.

webby v7 slipperwagon

iTrader: (2)

Firstly get your facts right. The 328i block is alloy and cannot be bored and stroked to 3.2. The B32 Alpina uses the cast iron block from the 3.2 Evo and to help it conform to US emmision laws uses the 325i cylinder head. With Alpina's porting and flowing, Alpina's own cam profiles. Alpina's own bigger bore polished inlet manifold with short throw intakes. Alpina's own profile injectors/fuelling and Alpina's own bespoke ECU. All intake profiles are designed with maximum draw over the shortest distance. Also Alpina's own large bore and flowed six branch manifold, aligned to high flowing cats and bigger bore exhaust system. I take it you've never owned a B32.

51st state

have thought about the 328 myself and mentioned it to someone else, they were quick, too quick infact , the reason bmw brought out the M3 evo
and you can get 328's for less than a grand just strip everything out of them
will sound great
i have a scoopofpoo now, (classic with 2.5,gems,20g etc) and getting p**SED of with the cost and problems,
all subaru's understeer when you get to the limits , people like them because you don't have tobe a good driver to look good round a track in one
go to the nurburgring and see whats the flavour and see how they go!!!!!
but then again you have to know how to drive to get an M3 to go fast
so it wont find a lot of favour

AlanPPP

iTrader: (2)

I thought it was the 328i that had the bigger TB and you could swap it over to the 2.5 engine??? I was going to do this mod to my 323i! Cost about £500 though with all the bits etc etc.

T1000

no, the 323i and the 328i had the same throttle body and inlet manifold as far as I know. The M50 325i engine was the one with the freer flowing ones.

I just dug out a link for you but there are many more on the tinternet
BMW E36 Tuning *Guide - BMW E36 Tuning Tips, OE Part Interchangability, BMW E36 Engine Tuning

IMO, there's quite a bit of difference between a 328i and an M3 though in terms of performance!

AlanPPP

iTrader: (2)

Nice one for the link mate

Do you mean the m3 is miles ahead of the 328?

fatherpierre

What? Are we on exaggerateNet now?

Good as in with nitro added? A good 328 will have the 193bhp as claimed by BMW.

My old 328i felt like it had less than it was meant to have - gutless. Lovely and smooooth though.

T1000

no probs, yep I consider the M3s to be in a different league to the 328i. In everyday driving and B road blasts you'll find that the 328i feels perfectly quick enough, but the E36 M3's pull much better higher up the rev range and will leave a 328i for dead.

AlanPPP

iTrader: (2)

Lovely Just need to sell the scooby now which dosn't seem to be getting much interest! EBAY here we come hey?

RobEvo5

iTrader: (9)

The M3 is miles ahead of the 328I if pure power no matter what the cost is your thing. Driven hard it will leave the 328I behind. But this would only become aparrant on a dual carriage way. The M3 only really comes on song higher up the rev range, and at top end speeds. Driven within hald way sensible limits the 328I would give a M3 a run for its money.

RobEvo5

iTrader: (9)

Perhaps a tad overexaggerrated but get over to www.e36coupe.com and you will see with a change of throttle bodies, manifold,decat and induction, and a good example a 328I will pull 240bhp. However no matter what is done to M3 Evo, they rarely even hit BMW figures. Invariably bog standard ones are getting around 300bhp, and very little torque.

The M3 Evo is a superior car and quicker. But you would still need to part with 6k+ for one, against a 328I at around 2-3K. The M3 has vanos issues, cost more to service and maintain. So just suggesting a 328I if you on a limited budget is a good propostion.

Your 328I must have been a Friday car, as both the ones I had were quick'ish cars expecially considering they are not even supposed to be a sports saloon.

fatherpierre

I thought you were implying they were 240bhp with no messing, as opposed to the 193bhp they were blessed with at birth.

You sure you can squeeze almost 50 horses without much money from the 328? They've always cost a fortune to get anything from in my experience.

My 328i was lovely. But I found it breathless and lacking in upper grunt. It wasn't just mine as I drove others and they were all the same. 193 horses isn't much in today's terms. Plus, I had a 320bhp MR2 Turbo before the 328i, so it would always feel slow after that.

Gutmann pug

A good few of my friends run E36 M3's as track cars and they are very very capable.
I'm not going to say one would be better than your scoob but it would certainly be different

webby v7 slipperwagon

iTrader: (2)

Oh god an MR2 TURBO, the shame, the shame

AlanPPP

iTrader: (2)

SOMONE BUY MY SCOOB!!!!!!!! lol

webby v7 slipperwagon

iTrader: (2)

I remember reading an article in EVO about the E36 Evo and they reckoned that the rarer saloon was a better balanced car than the coupe. Still dont understand why they never built a EVO Touring.

fatherpierre

Great cars. I've never known a car take so much abuse and not break. £ for £ one of the best performance cars around these day.

I'd have one again, but the Mrs won't let me as there'd be be nowhere for her to sit as the dogs would take her seat and foot well .

webby v7 slipperwagon

iTrader: (2)

As the dogs go i know exactlywhat you mean.

webby v7 slipperwagon

iTrader: (2)

If its cheap i'll have it

webby v7 slipperwagon

iTrader: (2)

Is the blue one parked up

AlanPPP

iTrader: (2)

PM sent

T1000

They look like BMWorks cars is stoke Mandeville. Used to take my old BMW there. Very good garage.

I remember looking round the white M3 as it's usually parked there, it looked great inside.