M3 as a good Daily Driver?

Hi there,

I'm looking for a fun daily driver that gets decent fuel economy. My one way commute is 30 miles/ 60 miles each day.

Currently I commute with my Nissan Titan which averages 15mpg 4 days a week.

The other day I take my '06 Carrera S which is a great car and really fun to drive, it just happens that I find my self not wanting to use this car as a commuter. I'm averaging 17.5 mpg on premium which is not a whole lot better than the truck.

So that brings me to a e36 M3. Always been a fan and almost bought one back in 2000, but got a 300zx TT instead, then almost bought one again in 05 but bought a '02 540i instead.

What kind of fuel economy are you getting when you are not romping on it? I imagine you are averaging about 24mpg? 28mpg strictly highway? 18 on the street? sound accurate?

A 4 door 5 speed Estoril Blue would be ideal

Yes.

When I'm hypermiling (which is actually REALLY hard to stick to for an entire tank -- these cars are fun) I can get 30+ highway.
Definitely going to be better than your 540i for fuel.

Where do you work? How do you expect to get actual highway mileage on the highways in the Bay Area? Do you commute at like 5am and 2pm?

I have two M3's and mine on the interstate get 27 for the M3/4 and 25 for the M3 convertible.
Mixed 24-25 for the M3/4 and 23 for the M3 vert.
Never produced anything over 28 mpg and seldom see 28 mpg but consistent 27 mpg.
I have owned my M3 since I bought it CPO from the dealer in 2000.
Hope that helps...

Check out the sticky topic " Buying an M3" I think it's in the e36 section

I have been driving mine daily since 2005. I get 22-24 mpg in town, 28 HWY.

Originally Posted by Jon Shafer

I have been driving mine daily since 2005. I get 22-24 mpg in town, 28 HWY.

Wonder what you'll get (MPG) with that new awesome supercharger you just had installed, I'm still really jealous, you've gotta take me for a ride

I get about 27 hwy, if im not wearing my lead sneakers

I drive mine all the time. I have an F150 truck too 2004 custom which is still pretty mint but it's got 162k on it so I use it now for just utility or the winter. My 99 E36 M convertible is the ****. I get up to 27-28mpg if I'm cruising 55-70mph laying off gas on hi-way and I average 21-22 while having my "fun" all the time. Mine is modded with software too so that helps. You need to stay on top of bread like sesame seeds with these things if they're your DD but very few vehicles beat an M for the trinity of power/handling/luxury. Be selective, but go for it if you find one in good repair that you really take a shine to. Take your damn time though because you have expert after expert on the boards here who can guide you through each one you're looking into.

I personally think it is a very good daily driver. Mines just isn't good for me because i'm a speeder lol. But overall is a very good car for a daily driver!

I used to get about 31mpg on the highway in my '99 with a CAI and an OBD1 intake manifold. It was an awesome, awesome daily driver until the HVAC fan stopped working and the AC stopped working and the sunroof stopped working...

Still, I'd buy another one, no question!

Originally Posted by Jon Shafer

I have been driving mine daily since 2005. I get 22-24 mpg in town, 28 HWY.

Jon, I came back from a CCA Houston annual drive/restaurant to Freeport. Three E36 M3 with the younger kids showed up. BTW, the drive was hosted by Advantage BMW, Clear Lake. Beside a complimentary lunch, I won their give away...A BMW to drive for a weekend. I hope the GM wasn't kidding that I can hold on to it longer. The certificate expires in 6 months. I'm waiting for the 2013 cars to arrive at the showroom. I think I want the 640i convertible. I saw a 2013 640i Gran Coupe for $102K, a coupe with 4 doors with the 3 liter twin turbo (noted in the MSRP). I was confused since the designation is 640i, thinking it had a V8, not. So, the 6 series overlaps the 5 and 7 now. 640i with 4 doors. I guess it got started with the 6-SUV. The M7 to compete with the Panorama is next.

My E36 M3 has served me well as a DD for the last three summers. Its all stock with ~100k miles and all the standard maintenance completed (cooling system, suspension, clutch, etc). I think its a good balance between performance, comfort, style, and its fairly practical. I'm averaging about 25 MPG highway/city, closer to 23 if I'm having some fun. No plans of parting with my E36 M3 any time soon...