[M3-peat]

I've noticed from time to time a few of you have done the same. What are your thoughts about this 'downsize' after some time in the new ride?

I've had and loved my E46M3 for almost four years now but I've moved to a city where I rarely drive (like once a week at best) and feel like it's a waste to have this car sitting in the garage for a week to a few weeks at a time. I wouldn't get a car at all but I still want one for the occasional autox/track events. I figure a nicely modded (performance-wise) E36M would fit that bill, less expensive and can still handle track/autox duty.

Any regrets/comments from you former E46er's (or those of you who have both)?

Cliff notes:
- I'm looking to downsize (to an E36M3) and save money.
- Main reason is, I hardly drive at all these days.
- I really love the E46M3 but feel like it's a waste to leave it in the garage.
- New car will be used for occasional autox/track days for the most part.
- Looking for comments/regrets from former E46er's who stepped 'down' to an E36M.

I don't really consider it a downsize but rather a cheaper alternative.

thanks in advance

[Ced]

If you want the E36 to be just as fast in the straights the E46, plan on having a budget for mods, and maintenance and / or for track preparation. Or you can buy it modded with maintenance up to date.

They are two different cars. But if you think the E46 is wasting away sitting, I would consider the E36 M3. My E36 is a thriller, and preferred on the track based on my setup difference. The E46 M3 is the best of both worlds, no doubt. The E46 M3 engine and body is to die for though .

[ckdc]

come back to the dark side....

[maditalian]

if u are buying a car that mostly a toy to take to the race track and towing it its not an option why are u looking at bmw's? unless u are planning at competing with it in either door to door racing or (like charlie) in TimeTrials then bmws are pretty bad track cars. they are competitive in their classes, but u can get a WRX or an evo, and with just some mods they will be WAY faster, they will have more room for you to haul stuff and parts will be cheaper to buy should you (knock on wood) wreck.
i understand that in todays society a car its a status symbol so having a "fast and the furious" car makes you look like one of them .... but whatever man, its a street legal track toy. u will save a lot of money and have more fun with one of those.

btw i havent seen you out for awhile now, what u been up to? u shoud come out to happy hr sometime.

[ckdc]

c'mon boys..I know ur out there. Who's gonna give up some info for our boy here? He's on pins and needles sending me sick pics and links of e36 track sleepers all day long-

[jrf m3]

both cars are great.

my only observation is would you really save that much money by selling your e46 and getting a good e36. it has been some time (3yrs) since i was deciding between the two but i think nice and clean e36s are fairly rare.

what is the difference if an e46 occasionally get driven or an e36. stick with what you know ie. you know your current car's strengths and weaknesses

0.02

[ckdc]

i think you mean you "wouldn't" really save that much money in the last post

[Ced]

it would only be cheaper if you plan not to do many mods to the E36 M3.

[nrubenstein]

I did it. I was thrilled until the car got killed.

The one caveat is that it isn't really cheaper.

[M3-peat]

I would only be looking at a modded e36, with setups mainly leaning toward track/autox purposes but still streetable. The entry price alone is ~$8-15k cheaper and if its already modded to my liking, then I'm only looking at maintenance and repairs, same as my car already. There are also a lot more used e36's to part from and prices seem to be cheaper for those parts. And we all know how expensive e46m mods are, even used they are a bit high.

mad(man)italian: I'm not a fan of Subie's nor Mitsu's or any turbocharged cars for that matter, so they were never a consideration. I personally like the look and feel of BMW's ever since the late 80's. I've owned two e36m's previously as well and loved them, just didn't trust them after warranty, so got rid of them even though nothing had gone wrong.

I drove my car twice this week and it's really making me think twice. It's hard to imagine getting rid of this thing.