just been day dreaming.... I wanna get a previous gen M3.

[andylawcc]

the 3.2l, 240hp, coupe or sedan. preferably white or blue...

I just checked autotrader, 96-99 M3 cost from 15000-28000. not that expensive for such a classic car.

any thought? (and no, I don't have 30 G to spare )

 

[NewSc2]

might be just me, but i think the new M3 is one of the best looking cars out there right now, rivalling those jaguars, aston martins, etc.

 

[dirtboy]

Yea, get a early model M Roadster if you want to go fast. Same 240hp engine, just less mass to drag around. I think they run around 20k.

 

[SyahM]

nice car, i prefer white.
ANyway ... for more fun to drive thingy, you could do cylinder head swap - put the Euro Evo with Double VANOS - for HP increase to ~320, and if you have more money to spare, get the 6-speed manual tranny, also from Euro Evo version.

I would get the same car if I live in Calif but since MO also get snow, I will probably settle with Audi S4.

 

[andylawcc]

SyahM:

is the cylinder head swap a "clean cut" job? meaning like the head just slide right in without any major custom modification?

and how much is the head?

 

[d33pt]

get the car first..then worry about the head

 

[andylawcc]

heh, I am just "daydreaming" anyways. not like I will get the car for sure.

anyways, I wanna know just out of curiosity. you know, like, for knowledge sake.
so infront of those 133t E36 drivers I can actually know one thing or two to say.

 

[BujinZero]

The E36 M3...a favorite of mine and one hell of a car

We have a 1998 BMW M3 sedan yellow/black 5spd and it's a blast. I can think of fewer sedans that match its overall "carness" .

Regarding the euro-spec conversion:

It's been a few years since I researched this, but I know you'll require more than just the intake manifold. If you wanna do this, make sure you're in a state that doesn't do smog testing. You'll need the euro exhaust with the different catalytic converter. You'll also need new engine software , and I think there are a few other things but I forgot them long ago . Cost? BMW M engines are EXPENSIVE. The S14 engine in my father's pristine 1988 E30 M3 can fetch $9000 rebuilt. I've done some work on it and it's a complicated motor, much more so than the M42 1.8L in my 318i. I'd imagine the parts and labor for such a conversion on an E36 M3 would cost more than would be worth the effort. Fantastic choice in automobiles, though, it's difficult to do better for the money. The smiles to dollar ratio is very high!