Need your help...E36 M3 Coupe or Sedan???

[Ted_E]

So my VW days are over, I'm finally getting rid of my Jetta GLI 16v and A3 Golf that I've had for pretry much forever. Time to move on to a better machine. I've always admired the M cars that BMW makes and plus I need a rear wheel drive car, but now that I've got my eyes set on a pre-owned 98-99 E36 M3 5-spd, one tough decision involves either Coupe or Sedan...The E36 is a car that I can afford and being that I am 23, single, no kids, I can deal with a Coupe but the Sedan is oh so nice and rare but I'd hate having to haul people around just cuz I have what they consider to be a fast car with 4-doors. Wish I could get one of each though haha! regardless of which one, Estoril Blue with gray interior is my pic! :D

[mike]

I would get the coupe as most four doors were autos for the wife to haul the kids in and are usually trashed, so finding a nice one in the colors you want will be hard. From a performance standpoint, a 95 OBD1 car is alot easier to get more power out of than a 96-99 car if thats what your after. I know people, at the dealer and elsewhere so PM me if you need some help finding one.
P.S. it could take months to find the right car but I did a little looking for you....
one but cerified cars in E36 are almost no existant due to the age and milage these things are starting to get to, these are what I found within 500 miles, A guy I know spent the better part of six months untill he found his.

Certified (http://www.bmwusa.com/cpo/detail.htm?VIN=EY81591&searchtype=cpo&bodystyle=All&series=M&transmission=Any&pricemin=0&pricemax=0&searchzip=90815&distance=500&page=2&sortby=&sortorder=)
Certified (http://www.bmwusa.com/cpo/detail.htm?VIN=EY82535&searchtype=cpo&bodystyle=All&series=M&transmission=Any&pricemin=0&pricemax=0&searchzip=90815&distance=500&page=2&sortby=&sortorder=)
Certified (http://www.bmwusa.com/cpo/detail.htm?VIN=EY80547&searchtype=cpo&bodystyle=All&series=M&transmission=Any&pricemin=0&pricemax=0&searchzip=90815&distance=500&page=0&sortby=&sortorder=)

[socal328]

coupe looks better imo. plenty of guys really like the sedan though, either way, you cant go wrong with an e36 //m3 :tup:

[Ted_E]

I know I can't go wrong with the e36 M3...just check my sig ;)

anyway, thanks a lot Mike for the help...I understand the amount of time required for getting the car I want but am willing to spend it. Most of my family members are BMW enthusiasts and spent almost a year for some to find their E36 M3, E34 M5, you name it...but it's worth it in the end. I'll contact you if I do need any help from the people you know. Thanks again and yes I know the 3.2L M3s from 96-99 are OBDII and thus harder to extract power out of but I am mainly after the low mileage that is hard to find in the OBDI cars, plus I really like Estoril Blue which is a 96-99 only color and also the interior/options were nicer in the later 98-99 cars. The car also came with a strong limited slip diff too I think. Anyway, is there going to be any insurance difference between Coupe or Sedan? I am 90% set on the Coupe for now ;)

[InfuzerM3]

Get the E36 Coupe M3. Definitly! Best car I have ever owned. Test drove a 4 door before buying my coupe. GET THE 2 DOOR! The 4 door doesnt feel as much like a sports car. :)

[Ted_E]

will do! :)

[318daily]

I vote for the sedan. :tup: The rumor is that the B-pillar stiffens the chassis, and the 4-doors just adds to the "sleeper" effect.

[bugzy]

Get the E36 Coupe M3. Definitly! Best car I have ever owned. Test drove a 4 door before buying my coupe. GET THE 2 DOOR! The 4 door doesnt feel as much like a sports car. :)
I want to change my vote. No on the coupe and yes on the sedan

[mike]

if you get a four door.....ad a blower then take of the M body pieces and put some 318i badges to complete the package the ins. break wil be negligable between the two as the VIN# will state ///M3

[Ted_E]

huh???

[InfuzerM3]

coupe :tup:

[909dub]

Doesn't BMW run Sedans in the Touring Cup races?

I thought they ran them because the chassis was stiffer. If that's true, more room/better handling= :tup:

[bugzy]

Doesn't BMW run Sedans in the Touring Cup races?

I thought they ran them because the chassis was stiffer. If that's true, more room/better handling= :tup:
That is true.
Volvo use to run the 850 Turbo/R/T5R in wagon form because the wagon form was stiffer chassis.

I know for the E36 chassis, they ran the sedans. Not sure about the E46

[Ted_E]

what's the weight difference on the two?

[NakNak]

Coupe, and the 4 doors are definatly not that rare.

[tony2tru]

I'd personally opt for a four door. Yes, a sleeper, and better insurance rates. :)

[Ivan]

2 door. It's more sporty :)

[Ted_E]

better insurance rates? Can it be that much of a difference between the two?

[Bimmer Pilot]

Coupe, and the 4 doors are definatly not that rare. They were only made in 97 through 98. Rare, no. Rarer yes. I prefer the sedan over the coupe, but I'd also prefer a wagon over a sedan. Talk about sleeper, I've been on the lookout for a Euro e34/M5 Touring :hitit:

[SELFatvi]

Now the E36 touring with M3 kit on it is awsome. Or the Aplina E36 tourer!

[scottn2retro]

I think for the daily driver, an M3 sedan is a great car and I may look for one down the road.

[JettaGLI6spd]

had an E36 Club Sport Coupe, the most fun car I have ever owned, u cannot go wrong with either version, but the sedan is sprung alot softer then the coupe

[mike]

http://www.buchloe-cars.ch/ALPINA%20Besitzer/sandor%20b3%203.2%20e36/B3_003.jpg

[Ted_E]

did they offer E36 wagons here in the US?

[mike]

no, for some reason they thought we wouldn't like them, or the E30 wagon either. Jack asses. I'm moving to europe where I can drive my euro's with wreckless abandon and buy cooler ones than here!

[Bimmer Pilot]

This is what I'm talking about...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/-Sonny-/Rob_Lev_UUC-m5_Tour.jpg

Rob Levinson's (UUC) M5

[Ted_E]

yeah yeah E34 M5 Touring!!! ;)