The DEFINITIVE e36 vs e46 DRIFT CAR Discussion. A Guide To Which Is Best To Build and Why.

In this video, we discuss what versions of the 1992-2005 3 series are the best to build and why. We lay down the facts on which cars are the most reliable, make the best power, and what’s the best bang for the buck when building a drift car.

Obviously there is much more to the discussion and we could talk all day, but these are the BIG points to hit on and understand.

[kurzjames]

A tip that a lot of people don’t know:

You can use a 92-01 Toyota Camry ball joint as a trailing arm bushing replacement. It’s a sealed spherical bearing and it only costs like $20. Fits perfectly in an E36 or E46 trailing arm pocket. Part number K200786. You’re welcome

[virtualcrewdrifts]

Your BMW vs SChassis video is what made me look into a bmw chassis when I knew NOTHING about drifting. Bought an 05 325i for $1, 500, drove it home, and started drifting with it bone stock. Spiraled into the SBC swap madness it’s become. I tell everyone you’re why I have a bmw lol. It was sick to finally learn from you at the class at Kilkare as well 🤘

[kaupokuiv]

This has been one of the most informative videos I've watched about E36s and E46s. I bought a 318i a while back thinking I could turn it into a drift car but have since bought a 328i to replace it. After watching this I'm glad I did

[altiusp]

Price-wise e36/e46 are starting to cost almost as much as e9Xs. Will be interesting to see if we start seeing more of those...

[mr_mic]

Here in Europe prices of E36s and E46s are unfortunately rising exponentially: a 318is in great condition with a rust-free chassis and an healthy engine is gonna be around 5k (obviously they can be much much cheaper in worse condition)

[Stickz]

This video was very informative. Been building an e46 drift car myself and I feel reaffirmed. Congrats in Monroe btw, I went the last 2 years- it's always a blast watching you go full send!

[ShiningPancake]

You guys in the US have it real good! You only have to give a lil bread and butter to get an e36/e46.
In Germany the 325/328/330 are costing about 12k to 17k. For one in decent condition.

[robertshollar]

Great advice from both. The 330zhp was one of my best loved cars ever. The e36 is easy to mod but the e46 feels better out the box. If I can add 2 cents... My clutch fan and AC was a bottle neck so at some point better cooling happens once you remove the exploding clutch fan. My e46 m3 that I bought in 2006 is still in my garage... Best chassis ever

[JaywithdaK]

“E36 Sedans and coupes are the same just have different body parts”

Kinda like Chelsea and Chelsea 😂😂

You guys keep killing it as always.
I love your channel been watching for a while

[Bullchiton]

I have had an e36 m3 for 12 e36 prices are just dumb

[Nathan_Johnson]

I agree with what your saying about buying the right spec. I bought a worn 325i for 3k cause it was manual with a black sport interior. After 3.0 liter swapping it I realized I’d need a zf trans just to slide it around in the dry then I’m spending all this money to turn it into a 330 when I should’ve just bought one. Oh well live and learn I guess

[Chattsteezy]

Just a note to add about the clutch fans, MAINTAIN YOUR MOTOR MOUNTS. Clutch fans don't fail unless your mounts do. Learned this the hard way after signing up for a drift clinic 4 hours away from me right after I bought my e36. My day ended two hours in.

03' 330's had 6spds too btw! Factory ZF's

[JustASimpleGuy]

The service Chelsea(s) does for the community is insane he doesn’t keep shit secret just gives u all u need to have fun and be competitive or whatever we need that back in the community

[Freedo]

shout out corey ellis from the haze drift team for getting the dorman rebuildable driveshafts to be a thing. $600 for a brand new ZF driveshaft with swappable Ujoints and stronger all around with a warranty is a hell of a deal. also perks of e36 M52 is how tuneable the stock ECU is. im on 3 seasons of 11psi of boost in mine on stock ecu, pump gas and just studs and a fresh stock head gasket

[TheLoydal]

I love my e36 328 and I wish I had not sold it. This confirms why I loved it so much. Thanks for the video

[KARR]

You two covered most everything, e36 shocks towers are definitely a issue! I tell everyone I meet that decides they want a e36/46 to replace entire cooling system as first mods! What I am starting to notice is some oem new e36 parts are going bye bye, discontinued. Like S chassis so many oem parts are discontinued now. I also don't see e36 in junkyards as much anymore which is a bad sign, they are disappearing.

[eboy]

Great info. I'm from the Philippines and I have a 316i. I turboed it then problems happened when the ECU got wet. Next engine was a M50b25tu and I supercharged it making around 300hp. It hydrolocked in a flash flood. Finally I bought an S52B32 and also supercharged it and bought everything M3 like the drive train etc. It was very expensive since I had to ship parts from the USA to the Philippines. But now I'm happy with a reliable daily driven 400hp car. I don't need more than that.

[codylarson]

No better dude for this vid
Miss ya being in the PNW man

[zachr]

Bought my e46 323i in 2019 for 1700 only because the other variants at that time and even still are going for 5-9k in my area for beaters. I’ve done all of the subframe repairs/reinforcements, PSM arms, angle kit, coil overs, with plans of trans and diff/axles swap, hand brake next. Then later on put a super charger on it while keeping everything as factory as possible for sake of reliability.

[scottex.]

didnt take notes but i'll 100% remember this for when ill buy an e36. Loved the video