E36 M3 Evo, any experiences?

[Wolvo-Oleg]

I had an itch for an E36 before I got the LCR, and its come back with a vengeance!

The idea of insuring an M3 on a classic policy is starting to appeal to me, and I'm thinking I fancy a bit of RWD action.

Any LCR owners with experience of them care to give me their opinions on replacing my Stage 2 LCR with one?

 

[nally270lb.TQE]

I don't have an LCR however my mate had an e36 m3 and it was an amazing piece of kit. I drove it a few times and I have never driven anything more enjoyable. They can be costly to repair though , check the vanos isn't rattling as that's expensive. The fuel consumption isn't bad. Open up the bonnet and if you drop a peanut into it , it won't hit the floor ! Lol. What you running on your LCR ?

 

[Wolvo-Oleg]

Cheers mate. Think the VANOS is a bit hyped up, and it seems a lot cheaper to repair than people will have you believe (£350 for an uprated item)

The thing is, I was going to have a 328 Sport before the LCR, never planned to have one to be honest! But I have a real soft spot for the E36, and the M3's seem a real bargain, not far off a straight swap.

Plus I currently pay £1600 a year to insure the LCR with all mods declared. The M3 applies for classic insurance now, and with me turning 25 next year I think that work out a big saving.

My LCR is a stage two Revo on 75K, although it doesn't have a TIP and FMIC, so I presume it'll be just shy of 280bhp. Give or take a few.

 

[Slimy]

Check that classic car insurance, even if its old enough its still up to the insurer to determine whether its a 'classic' or not. A bloke off another forum bought an old volvo on the same theory, had to go with regular insurance which was very high because the car had no security compared to modern cars.

 

[Wolvo-Oleg]

Check that classic car insurance, even if its old enough its still up to the insurer to determine whether its a 'classic' or not. A bloke off another forum bought an old volvo on the same theory, had to go with regular insurance which was very high because the car had no security compared to modern cars.

Cheers mate, I've read various reports of people getting them on a classic policy so must be something in it?

I turn 25 next year anyway so would probably be cheaper either way

 

[nally270lb.TQE]

I know it's not extortionate to change it but I am saying if you want a good example it's the same with any older car, you would rather spend more on a car that's well maintained and not have to fork out for parts 1 month after purchase. I love the 36 think it's much better looking than all that came after! If I had a choice mate I would go for m3 . To give you some idea I got quoted 1350 quid on a p reg e36 that was 2 years ago , I was 26 with 2 years no claims , no points, paying a 500 quid excess, garaged in a low crime area limited to 10000 miles a year.

 

[mty12345]

They're nice cars but showing there age now, my brother's got an L reg E36 M3 and it isn't by any means reliable. Something goes wrong with it once a at least once a month and there's no OBD connection for diagnosing faults either!

 

[Wolvo-Oleg]

Cheers man

Yeah, I sorta get a bit put off by the amount of poor M3 reps around, every E36 out there seems to have a few M3 parts on it haha! Although I'm slowly seeing less and less around which adds to the appeal!

I think they're maturing really well, and the interior still seems a lovely place to be!

Agree on shelling out for a nice one too, although 4-5k seems about right for a nice one, would liek to think I could still get 4k for my LCR too.

 

[Wolvo-Oleg]

They're nice cars but showing there age now, my brother's got an L reg E36 M3 and it isn't by any means reliable. Something goes wrong with it once a at least once a month and there's no OBD connection for diagnosing faults either!

Ah right, did he do much shopping around when he got it? Could just be a friday car haha!

 

[yellonvi-R]

Well i had an lcr 210 and ive had the evo m3 cant compare the two because the m3 its an absolute brute! Hopefully youve driven rear wheel drive before loads of power loads of fun! Watch out for rattling vanos check if its ever been replaced. But id recomend one any day.

 

[yellonvi-R]

P.s get a full manual not smg.

 

[mty12345]

Yh they're well built in terms of the interior and body. The engine in my brothers one still pulls great when it's running too. He paid 4.5k for his about a year ago. FSH shopped around a fair bit but he does drive it hard,lol. It's a great drivers car being RWD and that but it does lack the refinement of my LC. The 10 years between them definitely shows in that respect.

 

[mty12345]

some of the best low milage ones sell for upwards of 10k! so i guess you get what you pay for tbh. His had 130k on the clock when he bought it

 

[m0rk]

Most classic policies (like the ones I've had) require a second car, and want let you use it for commuting or business - and the trick is seriously low mileage.

 

[Wolvo-Oleg]

Most classic policies (like the ones I've had) require a second car, and want let you use it for commuting or business - and the trick is seriously low mileage.

Hmm, that's interesting. Certainly worth investigating, thankyou.

From what I've seen 5k is considered the 'right' amount to pay for a well looked after one, that's about what I'd pay


Cheers for the info with Vanos, have been looking into it, decided it's a small worry when compared to the rods and turbo risks attached to the LCR

and yes, would be my first RWD car, do it once, do it right and all that haha!!

 

[yellonvi-R]

Oooooo see you in the morg ;( nah im sure your not stupid so just respect the beast especially in the wet....

 

[mty12345]

Yh my bro's is a monster in the wet or even worse the snow,lmao. She's great fun when you've got a wide piece of road to play with though.

 

[Jason-R]

Nice car, owned one for a year and engine is fantastic but be warned they are heavy cars and when they let go (and they will) they give you very little warning. Good fun if you like that sort of thing but I personally found it disturbing how easily it would kick the tail out. Sold mine as it cost a fortune to run, rarely got mpg into double figures. Everything cost a fortune to fix too. Cheap car to buy but not cheap to run is what I'm saying! Good luck

 

[Jason-R]

They're nice cars but showing there age now, my brother's got an L reg E36 M3 and it isn't by any means reliable. Something goes wrong with it once a at least once a month and there's no OBD connection for diagnosing faults either!

But there is a very annoying on board computer which tells you in detail what is currently faulty every time you turn the sodding ignition on. Ah happy memories

 

[paradigm]

I came within a gnat's testicle of swapping my LCR for an E36 M3 EVO cabriolet about 3 years ago, the deal fell through and I still regret it to this day!

I've owned a "sorted" E36 325i Sport and even that, with it's paltry 192BHP was a more "involving" drive than the LCR.

I'm actually doing similar to yourself and find me lusting after E36 M3 EVOs every week, the only thing stopping me at the moment is I can't bring myself to own 3 cars, none of which the girlfriend can get insured on!