Good afternoon all, long time lurker here. I am looking to get a used car that is a good balance of fun, fast, reliable, efficient, good in auto-x, and reasonably comfortable for the 5 hour drive down from school. I am looking to get input on y'all's experiences with either platform.
My fun car for a while has been a lightly modified E46 325i, which I really enjoyed for the driving feel and mile-burning pace. It could comfortably achieve 30 mpg cruising at 80mph all day. One aspect of the car that I always liked slightly less was the dearth of power. Unfortunately I lost the car in a wreck, and am now looking around for a good replacement. I have narrowed it down to the E36 M3 (probably S52 powered), or a 1993-1996 6MT 'Vette. I could go for a C5 instead but the C4 just has more cool factor for me. I love the torque of the motor, and I hear the suspension is actually really capable. If I could find a good LT4 car that would just be the icing on the cake. The BMW is nice because I already know the platform somewhat, and two extra seats and a better driving feel are a huge plus. I am aware of the big maintenance issues on both, (opti, steering wheel column, VANOS, subframes, cooling system) but the E46 really taught me that there's always small stuff too. If I were to buy either car, mods would stay minimal: coilovers, intake, tune, headers, and in the case of the C4 an LT4 Hot Cam.
Your experiences and/or input will be greatly appreciated!
Not to point out the obvious, but both of the cars you're considering are approaching 30 years old. Well maintained examples will cost as much as more modern options, and poorly maintained cars could become an unreliable money pit. I'd recommend driving as many examples of each as you can before comitting to buy a specific car so that you can better sort the basketcases from the good candidates.
It depends on whether you want a cheap looking interior or one that looked upscale before it fell apart. 
The BMW will be easier to get in and out of and feel more like a practical everyday car, but as long as you don't mind the gymnastics to get in and out, the C4 will be quite livable too. This could well come down to the condition of the individual cars. I've owned both an E36 and a C4, although not the versions you're looking at.
At least you took the "reliable" comment back--that's a sign of good intent. Just take the "small stuff" comment for either car and multiply by 10. Decide how much "fun" that will be, based on momentary aesthetic requirements. Both could be excellent to drive, and both can have huge tires--check Vorshlag's site for some of the best examples.
I must be getting old as I can't imagine buying either. Too old, too many problems. That said, to me it's going to come down to the nicest one you can find of either car. I pray whatever it is treats you better than I expect it to.
I owned a nicely modified 1999 E36 M3 and it was very fun. Very capable for what you want. But it was always needing something, and that was when it was 8 years old with 80k miles. Left me stranded twice! Now, I can't imagine any of that has improved.
I love the way C4s look, always been my favorite Corvette. Never driven or owned one, so can't comment there.
I would consider an E90 sedan over either of those. The sedan looks better than the coupe IMNSHO and can easily serve as a practical, everyday car. The normally aspirated models are simpler and more reliable. The 335 models make a lot more power, but have more issues (leaky injectors, bad coils, and worn turbos). Pick your poison
Also keep in mind, a C4 footwell is not very spacious. Add a third pedal and it's awfully crowded down there
I have a e36 m3/4/5 as does my brother, and my dad has a 96 corvette.
none of us have ever had issues that have left us stranded, and both cars are cool in their own way.
I think the e36 is much better as a daily driver - easier to park, easier to navigate sharp approach angles, more easily accessible storage (especially the e36 sedans vs coupes). But the vettes feel more special to me.
I've put thousands of $$ into mine to semi-restore and am considering maybe selling just because I don't drive it as much as I should!
E36m3 all day. As long as you understand the interior will need multiple days a year of restoration activities, the mechanicals are easy to stay on top of and are really a pleasure to wrench on. A c4 engine is a nightmare to work on from my past experience, and the suspension, drivetrain underneath can be similar levels of nightmare. Cant imagine daily driving a low slung, rear seater like the vette, the forward visibility and higher seating position make the e36 much easier to steer to random apex'es on the way to work or in a parking lot. Steering/braking feel have no comparison, and the lower toque of the e36m3 makes it more fun to wring out on ramp racing.
On the flip side, think the Vette will be easier to find a more budget friendly example for reasonable dollars. The e36m3 has started to be enjoyed by collectors for the tossable nature of its chassis and great steering/brake feel.
docwyte
UltimaDork
3/17/24 9:56 a.m.
I've had two E36 M3's and really enjoyed them. I wish I'd kept my last one, but I don't have the room/funds to hang onto cars. They're so easy to work on, parts are readily available, they punch well above their weight in track/auto-x performance and are just fun to drive around town. That said, they fall prey to OGCS (Old German Car Syndrome), my last one the hvac would just stop working randomly. Pop the hood, check out the fuse, which would be fine, swap it for another fuse, plug it back in, hvac would work again. Stuff like that, which isn't a big deal, but on your DD becomes very annoying...
I've had two '95 M3's. Yes.
I have owned multiple examples of both. The E36 M3 is the better choice. As mentioned already they are easier, to work on, are more practical, and I can't believe I am saying this given the e36's penchant for interior immolation, have a much nicer interior.
Buy the nicest example of whatever you choose you can afford. Trying to restore a ratty one is a terrible idea, trust me...
A four-door E36-chassis M3 would make a sweat daily.
David S. Wallens said:
A four-door E36-chassis M3 would make a sweat daily.
The A/C isn't THAT bad.
I've owned both and I prefer the e-36 sedan over the coupe. (until you want to flare the rear fenders)
I've owned two e36 M3s (both were s50) and a few other e46 models (two sedans (ZHP), two wagons). I loved all of them. I'd certainly pick one over a C4.
Since you know the e46 platform well, would you consider another one? I find them more attractive and they are newer. The interiors were nicer too. If you performed the 3-stage manifold upgrade along with a tune, you'd have a nice bump in HP. Lastly, the e36 M3 values have certainly been creeping up.
seems like the money for an e36 M3 in poor condition would get you a C4 in very nice condition. While most examples of both have been abused by their 7th owners for a good while now, I do see more unmolested C4s. Maybe the corvette owner stereotypes are good for something
dyintorace said:
Lastly, the e36 M3 values have certainly been creeping up.
Which is why e36 325i sedans are in a sweet spot right now. Really not hard to get M3 power out of them, if you find a really good condition one, worth buying and converting to an m3 suspension. Personally, I like the e36 325 s54 combo for a $15k speed demon over a stock e36 m3 (i know s54 isnt cheap, chill out). All other m3 specific items are cheap and easy to bolt on and go.
Olemiss540 said:
dyintorace said:
Lastly, the e36 M3 values have certainly been creeping up.
Which is why e36 325i sedans are in a sweet spot right now. Really not hard to get M3 power out of them, if you find a really good condition one, worth buying and converting to an m3 suspension. Personally, I like the e36 325 s54 combo for a $15k speed demon over a stock e36 m3 (i know s54 isnt cheap, chill out). All other m3 specific items are cheap and easy to bolt on and go.
I agree. A non-M e36 or e46 with mods would be my choice for a dual purpose street/track car. I'd choose a sedan over coupe for both. In fact, I'd actually choose a wagon then a sedan then a coupe for both. A S54 powered e46 wagon would be awesome!
