AlanPPP

iTrader: (2)

I've searched through the archives and not found anything current so thought i'd ask

Here's the link off here for my car...

https://www.scoobynet.com/private-sale-general-17/715073-96-wrx-mica-black-313-bhp-sale.html#post8161959

Basically i've gathered that it would be best to avoid the Vanos 3.2 and try and stick with a late N reg 3L thats been well looked after?? Has anyone actually gone from an M3 to a classic scooby or vice versa??

ScoobTypeR

i think ya nuts....

But ive never been keen on any bmw.

Is there nothing else out there you like?!?

jameswrx

iTrader: (4)

My advice.. don't do it (and yes I have had a couple of e36 M3's)

You will get frustrated with the lack of tuning potential (even if you tell yourself you won't now) You will dislike the lack of grunt, you will hate the feel of the handling!

hth

NACRO

Coming from a vague understeering Impreza someone would hate the feel of a delicate oversteerer like the E36?

Seems odd if the person in question actually enjoys driving.

jameswrx

iTrader: (4)

delicate oversteer?

Every M3 I've driven certainly hasn't felt delicate! They feel vague and feedback is poor. I've certainly never driven a vague Impreza, they communicate extremely well IMO.

NACRO

Odd- E30 and E36 M3 were both had excellent steering feel in my not humble opinion.

Every Impreza I've driven- WRX, T2000, bugeye, STI blobeye, late WRX blobeye were poor in terms of steering feel and all tended towards oversteer when pushed.

Perhaps you're talking about modified Imprezas?

NotoriousREV

The problem with any 3 series over about 5 years old is that the bushes and shocks are knackered and they don't seem to get replaced so people driving used ones can't see why they're supposedly so good. Find a good 'un that's had all it's bushes refreshed and you'll be laughing.

jameswrx

iTrader: (4)

Well it's only my opinion, I've gone from classic Impreza to 96 3.0L M3 twice now so it's just my personal opinion.. and as the OP wanted opinions of people who had done exactly that I'm just offering it out.

I actually quite liked my first M3 but got bored of it very quickly. Performance was almost identical to a friends 280/290bhp classic from rolling in 2nd right up to 150mph but it felt a lot slower due to the turbo shove of the Impreza. I also prefer the power delivery of the Impreza. The build quality of the E36 M3 is poor too IMO, E30's are much more solid.. Personally I'd be getting an E30 M3 because at least it's got some carisma.

I personally preffer the handling of the Impreza. I'm not unreasonable and I know the Impreza has it's flaws but it's just my feelings comparing the 2 cars.

NACRO

Agreed the 'classic' Impreza feels faster. Have to beg to differ about the handling over the M3. I think it has much better feel and offers far less understeer.

GC8

People confuse handling with grip. Imprezas have plenty of the latter but little of the former.

NACRO

Guess I assume people know the difference. I often forget one has to deal with individuals who have little idea. Sorry for that, please accept my insincere apologies.

silent running

I found an E36 tiny inside, I tried a few normal 3.0s and the 3.2s. I couldn't get comfy or drive it properly. Soon as I got in a WRX wagon, it felt right, everything fell to hand, so I bought it.

Jamo

iTrader: (23)

I have had one in the past and certainly would not swap my impreza for one now

AlanPPP

iTrader: (2)

Interesting....

I used to have a 323i coupe so i'm not new to the BMW way of life..the only problem i had with it was the lack of power...hence the M3.Thanks James especially.

finchyboy

I still miss my e36 Evo it was such a rewarding car to drive amazing turn in and so balanced mid corner.
As allready mentioned look for one that has had the suspension bushes and shocks replaced.
Don't bother tuning it engine wise lot's of money for little gain unless you're going down the road of forced induction.

AlanPPP

iTrader: (2)

I doubt i'll tune it apart from a carbon ind kit like i used to have on my old one as it made a huge difference to the car and also a decent exhaust.I thought mine handled really well TBH!!! Were as my scooby has tonnes of grip but the handling isn't as people make out.

webby v7 slipperwagon

iTrader: (2)

Shaggy,Not even for my old (evo 3.2 based) Alpina B32 Touring.
But besides that, buy a proper E36 3.2 EVO and you'll have a car that has enormous ground covering capability. Heavy'ish but good feedback steering, easily balanced on the throttle and a real stormer of an engine and chassis. Look iv'e had an enormous amount of performance cars and they've all got there niggles in one guise or another, but it's not often or NEVER AT ALL, that BMW's M POWER division get it WRONG. And at the mo iv'e got an Escort Cossy so i'm not biased at this point in time. Get yourself on the E36 Forums. They are a cracking car, and go for the EVO.
ps, i'm actually looking for one at the mo to use as a tracker.
Thats not meant to be biased.

AlanPPP

iTrader: (2)

Sweet thanks

webby v7 slipperwagon

iTrader: (2)

Your welcome, as i said the M-POWER division, DON'T get it wrong

AlanPPP

iTrader: (2)

I would not sell my baby for anything less

GC8

Who infracted him for this, I wonder?

shamrock

Compared to what? An impreza with all that lovely plastic!!

RobEvo5

iTrader: (9)

Jumped between scoobs and E36 M3's about 3 times now. Both very different cars, but for me the the only draw and please don't flame me, but at the time was the less boyracer image, and RWD fun.

In every respect the Scoobs, especially later UK classics were a much nicer car, both to drive, live with, and better handling. A good later UK classic even with its modest 220-240bhp is a very well screwed together car, and with its punchy turbo will get you about much quicker than a M3.

Scoobs, are light and nimble, with light clutch and a nice nice easy gearchange and steering. You can throw them around with confidence, but the M3 is a clunky heavy car and drives like a clunky heavy car.

Dont get me wrong in the right hands the M3 is devistankingly quick and will handle. But you have to be brave.

Also as mentioned above you will hate the fact you can't tinker. You very much just drive a M3. You don't have the community you get with scoobs, you won't be able to swap and try different exhaust, turbos, maps, seats, lights, suspension etc,etc. Which we all know is a money pit, but keeps the fire burning and love of the car.

In summary the E36 M3, is a clunky, boring car, that unless driven like a lunatic won't even put much of a smile on your face

P.s E46 would have been a different answer.

shamrock

How big a difference in performance is there between the E46 and E36?

Straightline performance when rolling varies by how much?

BHP per Tonne varies by how much?

Round a track like the ring, same driver, same conditions, how much of a difference would there be?

Would you expect to find more E46 track cars at the ring than E36, indicating the difference in performance?

jameswrx

iTrader: (4)

Nothing's fallen off any Impreza I've owned.. the door cards on both e36 M3's I've owned would like hanging off, brakes seized on one (FBWSH car) spring snapped on one, computer died on one, leather seats wear very easily..

And FWIW I was comparing the E36 build quality with the E30 build quality, E30's are much better screwed together.

Simple fact is I've seen his car for sale on here, it's obviously a nippy car and he WILL get bored very quickly of the M3 IMO.

AlanPPP

iTrader: (2)

Jesus Rob! PMSL You have well and truly pissed on my bonfire...Good post though and just what i was after.

I was looking in EVO mag and they have the M3 Evo times at 5.4 secs to 60 and 12.8 to 100!! That ain't slow and compared to most cars in the mag it stands it's ground almost matching an Audi RS4 : O

I enjoy my scooby don't get me wrong..it's light...very very quick...gets loads of attention (mostly bad : ( ) i like the waves and nods etc always makes me the noise etc and the fact that every time i get in it i feel right.There just comes a time when i get bored and need a change and as i can't afford a 350Z/E46 M3/Focus ST etc etc i'm looking for most bang for bucks with loads of heritage.

Arrrrrrr bollocks i'm even more confused now

shamrock

I guess that's what happens when you can only afford the cheap and abused examples as I have not encountered any other E36 M3 owner with such a catalog of problems.

jameswrx

iTrader: (4)

lol, what a stupid statement. How the hell would you come to the assumption that I could 'only afford the cheap and abused examples'

webby v7 slipperwagon

iTrader: (2)

Check out Munich Legends, i have bought all my beastie bm's from them including the gaffers E36 ALPINA B32 TOURING and a host of E30 and E36 emers. They run and recco the E36 M3 as the ideal track car. The E36 is such a balanced car with huge amounts of feedback and balance. You really can dictate what the rear is doing by pure throttle balance, never ever have i heard any magazine article rubbish any M-Division model. I have had a ***** load of scoobs and some very special ones, and i will no doubt again but i'm not blinded by the scoobs benign steering feel or how exciting they are all the way to the limit. But outright 4WD grip does not compare to outright balanced handling, thats the difference. I think some of you people on here need to get out and drive some different cars and you'll soon see the impreza has as many flaws as the rest of the competition. But i will stand by my feeling of the imprezas steering as unless your on the limit it really is very ordinairy compared to the competition. But i would take a scoob over a mitsi evo anyday as it has a better all round package, exactly like the M3 EVO.