Younger audiences will not understand how cool the E36 M3 was and why it was a very significant car for 90’s kids. These days, fast and capable saloons are plenty. BMW themselves offer the M2, M3, and M4, Audi has a bunch of RS models, and I have lost count on what other AMG models there are now in addition to the C63, C43 and CLA45. Even unconventional car brands like KIA has a very capable Stinger. And this is before we start looking at modern hot hatches, which are just as fast and as practical as performance saloons.
Back in the 90s, the M3 was it. Audi had yet to release its RS models (with the exception of the limited edition RS2), Mercedes only had the C36 which, with its heavy weight and automatic gearbox, was a different animal from the raw, straight six, manual gearbox M3. Also do not forget that there was a vacuum between 1995 and 1998 in the production of the BMW M5, between the E34 and E39 models. So a 4-door M3 was literally IT.
Accordingly, I dare say most petrol heads from my generation would have had the M3 as their dream car at some point – I’m certain. It also had to be in Dakar Yellow – that colour simply defines the E36 M3; you think of the M3, you think of Dakar Yellow.
The E36 M3 was released in 1992 right after the end of production of the hugely successful and iconic E30 M3 which was produced from 1986 to 1991. Initially equipped with a 3.0 litre straight six naturally aspirated engine, the E36 set the precedent of the M3’s trademark straight six engine lineage, which is still the configuration today (the only exception being the E90’s one-off deviation to a V8 a few years ago).
After the first two years where production was only limited to the two door coupe, in 1994, BMW introduced the 4-door and convertible versions. In 1995, BMW gave the E36 M3 a facelift that saw the engine capacity being increased to 3.2 litre, the horsepower being increased from 296hp to 316hp, the manual gearbox going from 5-speed to 6-speed, and rather importantly at the time, the introduction of the SMG gearbox. The clutchless automated gearbox was praised for its speed in gearchanges while the car is at speed, but was also known to be awful when in slow traffic.
The car we reviewed today is a late model, produced in 1999, being the final year of the E36 M3’s production. It is a convertible with a six speed manual gearbox (thank God). Originally a UK car, this car is mint with only 6,000 odd miles. The generous owner gave me the keys for the weekend so for the first time I was able to spend proper time with a car that I am reviewing which is a refreshing experience.
With modern classics, you look for different things than the 70’s and 80’s cars that I normally review. You do not wonder whether the clutch would be light, whether the brakes will be adequate, or whether the gear changes will be precise. You know they will be. You also observe different things. Instead of listening to how the carbureted engine sounds like or what the old leather smells like, you instead notice things like the good build quality of modern classic European cars. The way the door shuts and the way everything in the interior is chunky and heavy gives you a very solid and well-built feeling.
As for the driving, modern classics have one of if not the best balances of technology and driving feel. Cars like the E36 M3 are quite capable with its 316 horsepower, faster than any of the other pre 80’s classics I have reviewed to date. However, they are still reasonably mechanical, with a lot less electronic gadgets and assistance than today’s cars. Steering feel, suspension feel, and handling all feel a lot more direct than modern cars. I once had a BMW 1M in white, which to me was one of the most beautiful modern cars made and I thought I would keep it forever as I can’t keep my eyes off it, even today. However, ultimately I had to sell it as while it was capable, it had no feel whatsoever. The steering was rubbish, the handling felt disconnected, and the throttle feels like a driving game; it was overall just very disappointing. Today’s M3 ranks higher in all those categories than my once-beloved 1M.
However, I find that while many of these performance modern classics have 300+hp, their power delivery technology is obviously lacking. Which means that it is harder to drive it faster than today’s performance cars or hatchbacks (which is a given). Modern cars, especially those sophisticated turbocharged ones, deliver their power so easily that if you mess up a corner, you can easily make up for the lost speed on the next straight. With cars like the E36 M3, you really need to keep your momentum in order to keep moving fast. Mess up one corner, as I did on the day of filming where I entered a corner in 3rd gear when I should’ve been in 2nd, and you immediately pay for it. On the next straight, I had to wait for a relatively long time for the revs to climb back up. This is not a bad thing. It is slower, but it is also more engaging.
All in all, I had a very good day with this beautiful Dakar Yellow E36 M3 which made me rather nostalgic. I am hugely grateful to the generous owner.
As always, thank you to the team for making this film.
Alex (http://www.taipanmedia.com)
Dave (Email: david@lemonadeandgiggles.com)
Adhiraj Rathore (IG: @supercarsofhongkong)
Ewan (IG: @_windee_)
Alex C. (IG: @nofishshark)
See our video review here: