Anyone else have a love/hate relationship with their E36 M3?
Why I love it:
- classic styling
- sleeper looks
- soon to be 2 generations removed
- wind-in-the-hair droptop
- glorious engine and exhaust note (even stock!)
- superb handling - this car feels planted to the road
- steering feel is a dream (especially after coming from my overly light steering 2001 330i)
- inspiring to drive
Why I hate it:
- chassis flex and cowl shake (prolly unique to the 'verts though)
- rattling over anything but the smoothest roads (exacerbated by mine being a 'vert)
- sucky electronics
- seems like every visit to the shop is $500+
I bought this car in August 2003 from the original owner with 28k miles and paid $27k for it. I was happy with the price because it was super clean, had low mileage, was the exact color combo I wanted and had all my desired options, including the rare LTW wheels. Had it checked out by a shop and they verified that that it had no major issues except for a squeaky clutch, which soon after purchase, I paid to have fixed.
Drove it seldomly for the first 18 months (about 6k miles) since I took mass transit to work. Then I started a new job in April and now commute 105 miles a day R/T. Current mileage is 39k. I love to drive this car! :bigpimp:
However, after nearly two years of ownership, I've had to replace:
- failed brake light circuit sensor
- failed engine coolant sensor
- failed power passenger seat motor
- failed passenger door lock actuator
- some failed rubber gasket which was causing a burned oil smell
In addition:
- My driver side one-touch up window has a mind of its own, requiring me to just keep it depressed until it's fully up.
- My instrument panel is not evenly illuminated with a dimmer spot in one area.
- The oval plastic surrounds which house the front seat belts are either cracked or have completely broken.
- One of the small plastic covers which retracts during convertible top operation fell off.
- And just last night, I noticed that the top liner on the passenger side near the rear window has started to separate from the top itself due to a cheap plastic housing which has given away. :madrazz:
I was telling a buddy about all this the other day, and he asked me, "Why don't you just get rid of it?"
I thought about it for a moment, and then decided that despite all of its faults, I would just miss this car way too much. After all, it's an E36 M3 :thumbup:
Am I nuts?? :loco:
BTW, there's a pic of my ride in my sig. What do y'all think?
One more thing: I put on Pilot PS2's about 4k miles ago, and I must say they are a great tire, but pricey. Very sticky on dry surfaces and excellent wet weather traction, which was important for me. Quiet also for a performance tire.
Why I love it:
- classic styling
- sleeper looks
- soon to be 2 generations removed
- wind-in-the-hair droptop
- glorious engine and exhaust note (even stock!)
- superb handling - this car feels planted to the road
- steering feel is a dream (especially after coming from my overly light steering 2001 330i)
- inspiring to drive
Why I hate it:
- chassis flex and cowl shake (prolly unique to the 'verts though)
- rattling over anything but the smoothest roads (exacerbated by mine being a 'vert)
- sucky electronics
- seems like every visit to the shop is $500+
I bought this car in August 2003 from the original owner with 28k miles and paid $27k for it. I was happy with the price because it was super clean, had low mileage, was the exact color combo I wanted and had all my desired options, including the rare LTW wheels. Had it checked out by a shop and they verified that that it had no major issues except for a squeaky clutch, which soon after purchase, I paid to have fixed.
Drove it seldomly for the first 18 months (about 6k miles) since I took mass transit to work. Then I started a new job in April and now commute 105 miles a day R/T. Current mileage is 39k. I love to drive this car! :bigpimp:
However, after nearly two years of ownership, I've had to replace:
- failed brake light circuit sensor
- failed engine coolant sensor
- failed power passenger seat motor
- failed passenger door lock actuator
- some failed rubber gasket which was causing a burned oil smell
In addition:
- My driver side one-touch up window has a mind of its own, requiring me to just keep it depressed until it's fully up.
- My instrument panel is not evenly illuminated with a dimmer spot in one area.
- The oval plastic surrounds which house the front seat belts are either cracked or have completely broken.
- One of the small plastic covers which retracts during convertible top operation fell off.
- And just last night, I noticed that the top liner on the passenger side near the rear window has started to separate from the top itself due to a cheap plastic housing which has given away. :madrazz:
I was telling a buddy about all this the other day, and he asked me, "Why don't you just get rid of it?"
I thought about it for a moment, and then decided that despite all of its faults, I would just miss this car way too much. After all, it's an E36 M3 :thumbup:
Am I nuts?? :loco:
BTW, there's a pic of my ride in my sig. What do y'all think?
One more thing: I put on Pilot PS2's about 4k miles ago, and I must say they are a great tire, but pricey. Very sticky on dry surfaces and excellent wet weather traction, which was important for me. Quiet also for a performance tire.