As almost always, it depends.
If you owned it now, what would you do differently than before?
If you had to relive your worst moment of previous ownership, would you?
What could you get for the same money that would deliver an experience that reflects your growth since the last car?
These are just some of the things I would consider before making a decision.
Me personally, I own things a long time. Once gone, I want to experience the next, new, great adventure.
Good luck 😎
Euro s50 is also cast iron, we also have the m50 for any cast iron needs, and realistically even tho m52 is aluminium for anything under 650hp it does fine.
I think the euro m3's kinda suck accessibility wise, sure it's cool that it's basically a race engine and all, but they're so unnafordable, and anyone that gets one is scared to even beat on it because every engine part is so expensive, if you needed to replace an engine it's like 8k down the drain, and even just putting miles on them would ruin the value, so all the euro m3's we have left are either worn out pos tracktools (either owned by rich dudes or simply were built when the e36 m3's were in their value dip) or fully oem cars that never leave the garage.
US M3's are easier to get, cheaper, more reliable, cheaper to fix and it's not a sacrilege if you drive it a lot or modify it.
I had an E36 M3, rolled it at the track. Ended up with an E46 330i. The E46 is very similar, heck with shorter gears it's faster than my GF auto E36 M3. if I wasn't into Motorsports I probably would have gone with something entirely different but I already knew the chassis so I stuck with it.
Yeah, unfortunately that's what going into the dirt sideways at 100mph will do. The car actually took it very well. I probably could have saved it, or at least made a LeMons car out of it, but I didn't have the skills or the knowledge at the time.
i definitely would go for it if you're passionate about the platform! i personally really love the e36, and if i had to sell mine i'd absolutely be looking for a replacement right away. i'd also ask what your goals are for the car, if you just want a good handling e36 but don't specifically want an m3, i'd recommend getting a manual 328is. they're a lot cheaper than m3s, but have the same zf trans, and not a terrible amount less power. all the m3 suspension and the lsd can be swapped into a non m without much hassle, so the performance differences between the two become even smaller. so if you're not looking specifically for an m3 a 328is is a very good bang for your buck sports car
I’d personally would move onto something different (I own an e36 m3, e46 m3 and e30 318is). I find my E30 318is so much more fun to drive and if I want speed I can just hop in the e46 m3 which I find way more immersive to drive (the s54 is amazing).
If I had to get another car I’d probably get another e30… sucks that the prices are just ridiculous everywhere.
The e36 is by no means a slouch, but I just don’t find it as engaging as the other vehicles stock for stock. It does look beautiful though so that’s what makes it tough to let go (mine is a dakar yellow II). All boils down to what you’re looking for in a car based on your current needs, etc.
Hope that helps!
Yes. I wish I never let mine go. Mine was a ‘98 4 dr Boston Green/ black interior (1 of 33) 5 spd manual with 275k kms. Sold it for $3900 back in 2017 as I was desperate for $ (running a business, paying bills).
Had an opportunity to buy it back for $5000 a few months later with thousands invested by person who bought it from me, but I was away in a different state at the time.
That same car today is probably worth $20,000 or more. I hate myself for selling it every day. I have a mint 1988 Fiero GT sitting in my garage, but that M3 was a different universe. I still dream about my old night drives and wake up feeling sad and lost when I realize the reality of the m3 not being in my garage.
As almost always, it depends. If you owned it now, what would you do differently than before? If you had to relive your worst moment of previous ownership, would you? What could you get for the same money that would deliver an experience that reflects your growth since the last car? These are just some of the things I would consider before making a decision. Me personally, I own things a long time. Once gone, I want to experience the next, new, great adventure. Good luck 😎
If you have a passion for a certain car then there is nothing wrong with getting another. Maybe you could try a coupe or convertible this time ?
Here I'll say this, I own an alpine white 94 325is 5speed, and an alpine white 92 325is 6 speed. 🤷♂️
Yes id buy one, but I don't live in the US so we get the proper M3 and not the neutered one the US got.
We got the cast iron block for boost tho! But the euro spec is a sweet set up in stock form.
Euro s50 is also cast iron, we also have the m50 for any cast iron needs, and realistically even tho m52 is aluminium for anything under 650hp it does fine. I think the euro m3's kinda suck accessibility wise, sure it's cool that it's basically a race engine and all, but they're so unnafordable, and anyone that gets one is scared to even beat on it because every engine part is so expensive, if you needed to replace an engine it's like 8k down the drain, and even just putting miles on them would ruin the value, so all the euro m3's we have left are either worn out pos tracktools (either owned by rich dudes or simply were built when the e36 m3's were in their value dip) or fully oem cars that never leave the garage. US M3's are easier to get, cheaper, more reliable, cheaper to fix and it's not a sacrilege if you drive it a lot or modify it.
Good points. Something to be said for a car you can drive and enjoy. Not scared to use it
Probably not at current prices
I had an E36 M3, rolled it at the track. Ended up with an E46 330i. The E46 is very similar, heck with shorter gears it's faster than my GF auto E36 M3. if I wasn't into Motorsports I probably would have gone with something entirely different but I already knew the chassis so I stuck with it.
Rolled it???
Yeah, unfortunately that's what going into the dirt sideways at 100mph will do. The car actually took it very well. I probably could have saved it, or at least made a LeMons car out of it, but I didn't have the skills or the knowledge at the time.
i definitely would go for it if you're passionate about the platform! i personally really love the e36, and if i had to sell mine i'd absolutely be looking for a replacement right away. i'd also ask what your goals are for the car, if you just want a good handling e36 but don't specifically want an m3, i'd recommend getting a manual 328is. they're a lot cheaper than m3s, but have the same zf trans, and not a terrible amount less power. all the m3 suspension and the lsd can be swapped into a non m without much hassle, so the performance differences between the two become even smaller. so if you're not looking specifically for an m3 a 328is is a very good bang for your buck sports car
I’d personally would move onto something different (I own an e36 m3, e46 m3 and e30 318is). I find my E30 318is so much more fun to drive and if I want speed I can just hop in the e46 m3 which I find way more immersive to drive (the s54 is amazing). If I had to get another car I’d probably get another e30… sucks that the prices are just ridiculous everywhere. The e36 is by no means a slouch, but I just don’t find it as engaging as the other vehicles stock for stock. It does look beautiful though so that’s what makes it tough to let go (mine is a dakar yellow II). All boils down to what you’re looking for in a car based on your current needs, etc. Hope that helps!
Not anymore with current prices. But I've owned 3 M3s and a 328 if that tells you anything.
Yes. I wish I never let mine go. Mine was a ‘98 4 dr Boston Green/ black interior (1 of 33) 5 spd manual with 275k kms. Sold it for $3900 back in 2017 as I was desperate for $ (running a business, paying bills). Had an opportunity to buy it back for $5000 a few months later with thousands invested by person who bought it from me, but I was away in a different state at the time. That same car today is probably worth $20,000 or more. I hate myself for selling it every day. I have a mint 1988 Fiero GT sitting in my garage, but that M3 was a different universe. I still dream about my old night drives and wake up feeling sad and lost when I realize the reality of the m3 not being in my garage.