The Chief

Has anyone driven a non EVO e36 M3 (the 286bhp) model
is it true they dont have the Vanos issues of the EVO?

Seen one for 7 grand on an m plate seem sin good nick but has done 121k

Cheers!

andy_w

I've got one of these.

They have single VANOS, which doesn't appear to be as unreliable as the double VANOS in the later 3.2 EVOs.

I bought mine last Nov. It's a '94 M plate, with 77k miles, and I paid £7k. Great car for the money. Mine was in good condition for a 10 year old car, altho' it was a fairly basic spec (non-leather). I think the cat is on the way out - it only just made it thru' the emmissions test in the MOT in May. Also, the now that the warmer weather is here, I've noticed that the air-con doesn't work.

Loads more info on www.e36coupe.co.uk or www.bm3w.co.uk

cheers,
Andy

TheBigMan

Fast and nice. Noticably slower than Evo but depends on your requirements??

Brendan Hughes

Weren't these criticised at the time for being a bit soggy in the handling stakes? IIRC (unlikely!)

oomphP1

I've had a 3.0l and now on my second evo (3.2) all of which had trouble free motoring, the evo's are fantastic with great power delivery. Just bought the second evo '97 P, 58k for 9 grand. The one you've seen seems a little high priced?!

TheBigMan

Yep. However, alot of power from a very reliable abd simple engine.

With better suspension you have an excellent road/track car.

Better than the Evo in every respect except the fact "it aint as good".

Varboy

I think you will find the interior a bit dated.

Personally I would go for the Evo otherwise you will always be regretting you didn't.

Check that the Vanos has been replaced (Evo) and get a warranty

JRS

An be carefull in the WET !

Tommy_Lee

The 3.0 dont feel any slower than evo,mabe 6k onwards,the 3.0 feels livlier.
The g/box on the 3.0 is also slicker,the evos tend to be notchy.

stone-islandM3

The 3L is the stronger and more tunable engine. BMW have been slated for overhyping the Evo bhp figures...most do not put out the 321bhp claimed.BMW didnt produce the Evo because of any faults or complaints in the power of the 3L.

Evo power band is more all-or-nothing compared to the 3L.

Regarding the interior theres very very little difference betwenn the 2 bar the Evos had the climate control panel which the 3L didnt have.

On real roads and in the real world there is no difference between the 2 in power. My mildly tweeked 3L would easily lose nothing to a friends more highly tuned Evo.

Paying 8k will get a late 3L in mint condition with low mileage while 8-9k buys a higher mileage Evo. If warranty isnt in place and the the vanos hasnt been done in the last 2 years then you're better off paying 8k for the 3L and using the 1k saving on purchase price and the potential £1700 vanos bill and using this to get a Supersprint decat and backbox, GruppeM induction kit and sorting the shocks and bushes.