E36 328i convert or E36 M3 German spec??

[osiris]

Hey guys,

I am currently looking around for a E36 M3 3.0 German spec M3, I haven't made my mind up yet if I wan't one 100% or if I wan't to buy my friends 328i Convertable, The roof going down is awsome but so is an M3.

Now the thing is I hear allot of bad things about the german spec M3 having a bit of a weak Engine and is known to pop allot sooner than a 328i engine, this is purely because the mileage they carry is often mileage that the engine has worked hard to get.

The 328i Convert I want to buy is an auto, and I have known the car for a few years and I know the owner of the car very well he is actually one of my best friends and he treats the car like his baby, The thing about an auto is that the mileage is usually cruising Mileage and nicely driven mileage especially in the case of this car.

The other pro of the 328i is that its a 1997, and I don't know when the last German spec M3 was made but I can't seem to find one newer than 1995 and I really would prefer something a little newer than 1993 - 1995.

What I would like to know from you guys is what are the pro's and cons regarding the german spec M3? Do they give allot of trouble? are they expensive to maintain? what would a motor rebuild cost if the motor did decide to pop?

A 4 door M3 is out of the question I don't want to ever own a 4 door car again, I can make a 316 look like a 4 door M3 and I don't like that. im not dissing the 4 door I just think a 2 door M3 is something special as its not something you can achieve with any E36 with regards to looks. I want something that looks different and has a bit of a special stigma attached to it. BTW I took a 4 door M3 for a spin this weekend just to get a feel for an M3 as I have never driven or been in one till this past weekend, and till this weekend my mind was pretty set on getting a 328i convertable now after driving that car I am now in two minds.

 

[StK]

What you mean by German spec...all M3's are german spec AFAIK from 1995 onwards the M3 became the M3 EVO which had 321BHP at the fly...but the engine was a lot more sensitive with the dual VANOS...the 3lt M3 engine is a lot more reliable but only gets 286bhp at the fly as stock....If I had the choice I would go for an M3 any day...better engine,better handling,better braking :thumbsup: The 328 engine is also as vulnerable if not more so than the M3 engine due to nikasil issues and once the head gasket goes or the head warps or cracks then its f*cked

 

[osiris]

AFAIK the german spec is the 2 door 3.0L and the engine is based on the M50 block and is a single vanos.

What do you mean by the 328i engine is vulnerable to the Nikasil issues? what is that? the 328i I am going for has an iron block so there is very little chance that the head is going to warp or crack., I know some came out with an alloy block and some came with an iron block.

I know what your saying about the 328i engine also being able to give problems but the thing is I am not getting the car from a random person, I know the car very well I know everything that has ever gone wrong with the car in its life time and its an AUTO so I know it hasnt been red lined as thats not really possible unless you sit there reving the shit out of it in park mode.


So when you say the M3 became the M3 EVO after 1995, this would be the reason why I cant find a single german spec 2 door 3.0L M3 that is newer than 1995? if this is true then I am kind of put off buying one as I really don't want a car from 1995, I want something from 1997 onwards at least, and as I said I won't buy a 4 door car so the 3.2L M3 is out of the question.

 

[StK]

1997 will be the 3.2l M3 evo....they came in coupe and saloon versions...dual vanos engine....They made loads more coupe's the saloons though so more chance of getting a coupe
The M3 engine based on the M50 block was actually the american version of the M3 AFAIK...it had less power due to the restrictive emissions laws there....The German M3 3l is an S50 block producing 286hp at the fly...You copuld also get an M3 convertable


If the 328 you're getting is an iron block then it would be worth getting although an iron block M52 engine is news to me........

 

[Fordkoppie]

I know this is an old thread but;
I would never say that i know enverything, but i am pretty sure about the fact that 3.2 (with the duel vanos) or "evo" 2dr coupes are hen's teeth in South africa.
Also not all 3.0 are german spec. One can immediately identify one by its seats.
I have only ever seen and heard about 1 evo 2dr in pta, which surely is not the only one but proves my point.
Almost all 3.2s were 4dr models in S.A

 

[Lev]

If the 328 you're getting is an iron block then it would be worth getting although an iron block M52 engine is news to me........

I did read that in the U.K you guys get the Alusil M52TU (if thats how its spelt) block only. My car is also an iron block.

But the choice of an M or 328i honestly 3.0 coupe is my choice.

But such is life. Buy whats suits you.