1998 BMW E36 M3 Sedan - POV Driving Impressions

Had a great time driving @M-t3ch 's '98 E36 M3, go check out his channel for more videos on the car.
The audio in this video was recorded with in-ear binaural microphones, headphones are highly recommended!

Here's the equipment I use (with affiliate links):

I'm also the producer for the Winding Road YouTube Channel:

Thanks for watching!

[defaultname]

This is a great format. Interviewing a very knowledgeable owner about a car that they've done lots of work on. Really helps gives us some good info and perspective for each car.

[SerPurple]

Total 90's icon! I think he did a great job being on camera, you can tell he really enjoys his car and is extremely passionate about it!

[richardflechs]

Easily one of the best BMWs ever. From the smoothness, the styling, the sounds it makes, it’s such a legendary car.

[willvanhouten]

A note on the discussion about VANOS: VANOS is not infinitely variable VTEC. VTEC Adjusts valve lift, VANOS adjusts valve timing. VANOS is basically BMW's name for VVT. BMW does have variable valve lift on some cars though, it's called Valvetronic and it is on the N62, N52, and N55 engines on E90 & E60.

[harrybuhse]

This was an unexpected amazing video. I listened start to finish and the time flew by. His ownership experience really resonates and you can tell how much pride he has in it. It's refreshing since usually the cheaper buy-in enthusiast cars aren't shown the proper care they deserve. Kudos to him and great job showcasing his car!

[dfk]

This model, the E46 and E 90 were peak 3 Series BMW's in my opinion. The newer ones are so big...

[spike]

There is a reason why M3's are legendary in enthusiast circles, that's also the same reason why so many e36's are sitting at 150k+ miles and are beat to hell, because people have driven the absolute hell out of them.

[badluckdaniel]

every bimmer head should try drive this! this one is like a silver bullet, looks like a great machine

[verdict]

Loved this owner perspective and driving review! E36 M3 is one of the greats.

[HeyCoolStoryBabe]

Man turned off the warning messages so fast lmao straight embarrassed the poor boy 😂😅

[FM-xrnj]

This was my first favorite car. I'll always love the E36 M3

[cartastrophe]

Sweet car, enjoyed the guys input about the car. Always interesting to see the issues behind enthusiast cars.

[nicktune]

VANOS is variable valve timing. VTEC is variable valve lift which wasn’t in any BMW engines until the N series engines which introduced valvetronic (variable valve lift).

[kevinpraditra]

Absolutely love the sound of these motors!

[bassandtrebleclef]

I'm a huge fan of this era M3, too. First BMW I got to experience, so some of it is personal nostalgia. That said, I've had a chance to drive E46, own an E91, have driven the F30 and the newest M340i. For fun to drive, there is something very old and new about the E36 - it rattles because build quality wasn't stellar, but the driving experience is very cool. It's the most direct/handshake driver to car of all of them. Loved the E46 and thought they were the best in terms of interior quality and design and overall 'tightness'. My E91 represents the last of the old school thinking for 3 series - manual transmission, inline 6, non-boosted, non-idrive, heavy, direct steering cars. The F30 was terrible. The cost cutting was all over that car. The M340i is incredibly capable, but going from that immediately back into my E91.... the slower car was the better car.

[TheTopher]

12/97 production date, full option car, Arctic Silver on schwarz (black)
Engine: Dinan intake, Rogue Engineering Dual muffler catback, RK Tunes 93 Octane tune (manual swap cel removal)

Transmission/Clutch Operation: Manual swap (paired with native manual m3 3.23), Fx stage 2 clutch kit (14lb steel flywheel with kevlar sprung clutch disc), clutch delay valve delete, stainless steel clutch line, AKG Brass clutch pedal bushing, Turner shifter rebuild kit, Dinan short throw shifter (~20% shorter throws), shift detent and shift pin upgrade

Suspension: H&R sport springs with e36 323i rally edition spring pads in the rear (more ride height), Koni shocks, Ground Control street camber plates, reinforcement plates on front strut towers (stacked for ride height), ECS rear shock mounts, Eibach sway bars, X brace, Turner Motorsport street rear camber arms

Bushings: AKG 75D subframe bushings, AKG 75D diff bushings, AKG 95A rear trailing arm bushings, AKG 95A front control arm bushings with
Bushings: AKG 75D subframe bushings, AKG 75D diff bushings, AKG 95A rear trailing arm bushings, AKG 95A front control arm bushings with factory 96-99 M3 control arms

Alignment Specs:
Front: .07 toe in, -3 camber
Rear: .12 toe in, -2 camber

Brakes: Hawk HPS 5.0 front pads, OE textar rear pads, stainless steel lines

Cosmetic: Depo Euro style glass headlights, euro clear turn signals all around, later style M3 3 spoke steering wheel, metal shift knob (don't know what brand, would love someone to comment if they know), Type 1 spoiler (factory M3 style), Pioneer head unit, staggered M Contour Wheels (style 23)

[TurboRC]

I really love how the early models are so analog in they way they drive! Truly an amazing car.

[CuriousGeorge]

Very fun format! I love the way the engine/exhaust sound--just loud enough to be fun, changing tone with revs like a trumpet. What a pleasure. Thanks!

You doing this with a 356 owner would be a dream come true. 🙂

[ak]

When I was a kid, my dad's boss had an e36 in ultraviolet and for some reason or another, my dad had it for a weekend. I was utterly obsessed with it. Would love to own one.

[shahrukhbakar]

We have a 1993 325i 5MT and the engine is absolutely bulletproof. What a car.