E36 Driven - Buy an M3 or Modify a 328i?

Reviewing the BMW E36 M3 3.0 against the modified M50B30 stroker to answer whether it's better to buy an M3 outright or spend time on 328i modifications.

#E36​ #328i #M3

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⏭ What to Watch Next:

🔧 What's in my Tool Box (2021):
3/8" Ratchet: Halfords Advanced
3/8" Drive Universal Joint: Halfords Advanced
Metric Spanner Set: Halfords Advanced
Torx Allen 3/8" Socket Set: Halfords Advanced

🎥 What's in my Camera Bag (2021):

Disclaimer: This description contains affiliate links (Amazon/eBay) where it has been possible to use them.

[ManSeeksCivic]

In the next video, we begin modifying the M3 and uncover some suspension issues which could explain the sloppy handling described in this video...

[CYMRU]

My dream spec E36 would be a coupe with an S54, 6 speed box, 4.1 LSD and a pair of Recaro pole positions. You could probably build something like that for the same price as a mint M3 if you were handy with the spanners.

[Randolff]

I missed the boat on m3's, couldn't afford one 17 years ago when I bought my 325, and now at 25k they are out of my price range for a hobby car.

My 325 now has m3 interior, brakes, lsd and is poly bushed etc. Yeah it could be faster - it's not actually that fast by modern standards, but it's probably quick enough for a weekend blast and it feels really special and fun when I drive it. Bodywork and rust protection is next and after that maybe I'll look at engine conversions but who knows

[wafflesevr]

I was faced with the same M3 or 328i choice a few months ago when looking for an E36. I ultimately went with a 1998 328is coupe as it’s so much more bang for your buck. I’m in the US where the M3 got only a 240hp motor. My 328is makes about 220hp. Car also came with the same Bilstein B12 pro kit on yours.

[billywhizz]

I have a 1999 E36 318is I bought for £200 five years ago. I've fitted lowered and stiffened springs and shocks plus a full polybush kit and a £25 eBay Scorpion back box.which sounds awesome, and a half leather sports interior for £60.Much as I love the sound and power of the 6 cylinder cars the M44 is a hoot and should not be overlooked.

[lonesoldier]

I have a 318is with a 3.45 45% 2 way LSD and will eventually be swapping in an 11.5:1 M54B30 with the head port matched to an M50 manifold and tuned on either a Haltech or Link ECU. Long tube headers, high flow cats, twin pipe exhaust, Scorpion muffler. Bilstein B8's, King Springs lowered, all 'round new bushings (not poly), DBA T2 rotors and Bendix Ultimate pads. 17" replica style 167 rims that I'll be replacing some day after the swap with Bimmerworld TA5R rims, wrapped in I don't know what high performance tyre yet.
Seen your nightmare with the M54 threads stripping out and already made sure mine are good by re-torqueing the head back to spec again.
I love the E36. I'll have spent as much building this thing to what I want exactly as I would've spent buying an M3 anyway, but it's worth it to have spent a small fraction of that overall cost to have bought a 318is to start off with, wet my toes and drive it, then slowly build it up and feel it get better and better each time it rolls back out of the garage.

[domtoretto]

The e36 chassis is very capable.
Back in the day I would've said m3 for sure. But they cost so much now . You can do just as well if not better with a modded 328.

But the m3 will hold its value more.

[Phantom_Aspekt]

My first car was a cheaply priced very tired looking 1993 manual E36 325i coupe but I absolutely adored it regardless of the fading paint and dents, It was very reliable and put a smile on my face every time I drove it. Had it for two years, the only things I needed to address was a clutch (my god, that was more than I paid for the car), tyres, suspension and brakes, it never let me down the old girl. 8 not so great cars later (various 90s Falcons & Commodores a 2005 Astra and a 2009 Mondeo)
I couldn't resist the urge to get back in the drivers seat of an E36. I found a beautifully looked after 1991 manual 325i non vanos slicktop sedan that had a full genuine M3 kit installed including the style 24 wheels and an M-Tech 2 steering wheel. I just had to buy it, fast forward 4 years and she's still my pride and joy but now with some coilovers to really liven up the feel of the car, I wouldn't trade her for anything!

[seigma]

One thing that was a game changer for me was the financial appreciation: a stock or lightly modified M3 is always gonna appreciate, while modifying a normal E36 requires lot of cash that you will probably never get back, once you start putting together the costs of engine mods, differential, exhaust, intake, you'll realize an M3 would have been a better choice

[madforce]

just bought a dakar yellow 1993 3.0 m3, always wanted one when i was younger but wasnt in a position to have one before now, great driving wee car with plenty of punch out of the box

[TheAllElectric]

Love your channel Mate. Easy going and enjoyable to watch. Building my own e30 with US spec e36 M3 drivetrain right now. Building cars is to rewarding.

[jamesclarke]

I've owned my 328i for a few months now, and by God every time I drive the thing it puts a smile on my face. I have to say though it for sure scares me when driving in the wet- been a few times where the back end kicks out around a corner without much pressure on the throttle at all, thankfully I can gauge where that limit is now (I'll rue saying that...) Does anyone have any advice for improving the grip on these? I see so many E36s ruined after a drift gone bad, and I want to go in the opposite direction to that. My plan is to get a decent set of HSD's to replace the lowering springs the previous owner put on them, should I be looking into poly bushes, sway bars, staggered wheels, etc too? Please forgive me if I'm talking out my arse, just would appreciate some advice from the BMW oracles!

[Prvost]

Heard the same opinion on vaders before, you’re not the only one.

[garrydiggins]

I’ve got a m3 evo and yes I totally agree about the seats I was thinking of taking mine out putting them in the loft wrapped up and getting myself some nice bucket seats but I do like the look of the vaders

[Sam-wnhk]

Well said. I am modifying mine it's everything you said, I am enjoying the journey (most of the time overall), just can't wait for it to be finished. You have been a great help. Thanks.

[whitty]

Hi Pamo, Love this video .It is not only informative but entertaining .
I have three slicktop E36 coupe . I love each of them .None are M3 . The 92 318is now has Ls1 with Tremec, M3 210mm LSD rebuilt with 3.63 ratio . BC coilovers, upper and lower braces, staggered M3 wheels, Vaders . It is always exciting to drive .
Next is a stock 97 328i individual, manual . Modified with audio system only .
Then lastly a stock 98 318is auto, daily. Only modified with cruise control, reverse camera and ICE .
Never having driven an M3 can't compare .
The amount of time and money spent is something i don't worry about . The building of the car brought great personal satisfaction. Just like you said in your video .
If anyone is looking for money wisely spent, buy an well maintained M3 . Although i have never driven an M3, I am sure they are, like you said, a great car even when totally stock .If you are looking for an outlet to express your mechanical creativity and love working on BMW E36 cars, modify.
I love the sound your M3 makes .
Thanks very much for the time and effort to make this video.
Warm regards from Aussie .

[rrpfl]

My dream spec e36 - m52b28 with solid lifters, race camshafts, all the bells and whistles to make it 100hp per 1l
+ hardcore weight reduction to get it close to 1000kg weight.
+ high end coilovers and all the chassis/suspension mods.

[domtoretto]

Look at the test data for the stopping distances. The m3 is up there with modern performance cars.
That said stock pads are always a compromise. A track spec pad really changes things up

[rrpfl]

I like that m52b28 is decent bit lighter than s5x engine, because of aluminum engine block.

[lukehumphrey]

It still amazes me how good the e36 really is, particularly on circuit which is probably why they are still so popular! Some poly bushes all round and some proper coilovers make these a quick car. You mentioned the shit brakes for the m3, I tried 330 set up on mine and they were better but not amazing, I now have a 4 pot brembo caliper set up with 325mm discs and pagid rs29 pads and it has transformed the braking performance of the car. Love the content, awesome you have both cars 👌 if you were to change one thing about the m3 other than brakes what would it be?