Pittys sti

Does anybody no what the differences there are between the E36 M3 convertible and the E36 M3 evo convertible? I no the normal M3 is 286bhp and the evo is 320ish. But is it noticable on the road? Does anyone no of any videos of both of them together or have any performance stats for both?

Also other than perfomance are there any other differences? Might be selling my v7 sti to buy one. Can't afford the petrol using mine!

Simon 69

And you think that a 320bhp M3 will be cheaper to run, in some way.....?

pauld37

.......and insure?

p1prodrive

iTrader: (3)

theres not that much difference mate, also e36 m3 is (5 speed) and e36 m3 evo (6 speed)

NAY93WRX

iTrader: (3)

Can't speak for the M3 evo but a friend had an e36 M3 until 3 months ago when he went backwards over a bridge into a car writing it off

went like sh*t off a shovel though

Pittys sti

It does sound strange I no. But owner reviews all report combined mpg of around 26-28 and better again on a run. A friend of mine has a normal M3 and his is considerably cheaper to run than my STI.

Pittys sti

I no normal M3's are quick. I always gain 3-4 car lengths of the mark and then it seems pretty even all the way. Would be interesting to no what would happen with an M3 Evo though.

340BHP-WRX

iTrader: (6)

My old E36 M3 3.0 had a few mods and was running 316bhp-up from 286bhp.

I could easily get 30mpg-35mpg on the short 10 mile journey to and from work up the motorway.

That car cost me LOTS less to run and insure than my scoob and was more reliable

Here's a short clip of my M3 running up Santa Pod: YouTube - My BMW E36 M3 @ Santa Pod-Ultimate Street Car '06

Also,the M3 Evo is quoted as 321bhp but it isn't that much-usually only makes around 290-300bhp on the Dyno. There really is no difference between the 3.0 and the 3.2 on the road.
The 3.0 has a stronger engine(single vanos) and a stronger gearbox.

Pittys sti

Thanks mate. I've been told that 3.0 M3's quite often give nearly 300bhp read outs at standard but BMW down played it to make way for the evo. Not sure if thats true or not. 30-35 mpg sounds great to me. Currently getting 18-22 out my sti on most journeys!

340BHP-WRX

iTrader: (6)

Yeh most standard M3's give around 290bhp. Mine just had an Induction kit,full stainless exhaust with de-cat and it was chipped-went very well

cossie01

Having owned both, I can tell you the 3.0 is the far better car.

Much nicer to drive 5 speed is just right, the ratio's on the WEAKER 6 speed box are all wrong.

Also there is a weird device fitted to the clutch to stop you hammering it in 1st, cuts the power

The twin vanos on the 3.2 evo is crap, they will all fail at some point and at 2k or there abouts for a new unit fitted it's not cheap, so will go after only a couple of thousand miles, others will do over 100k.

On the road there is no noticable difference in power, except a 3.0 will pull away faster from the lights as it doesn't have anything limiting the power in 1st gear.

Hope that helps.

Oh and M3's cost alot less to own and maintain than any turbo car i've had.

Just don't take them to bmw for the servicing and it will be a very cheap performance car.

Pittys sti

Thanks for the advice. Looking like the 3.0 is the better option. Cheers