Classic M3 - Maintain or Modify?

[calypso]

Cosmetically, I would keep it stock. Mechanically, there are a few things which are abit better then what is OEM. I like to think of my car as stock, but there are a few things that have been changed to make it original, but abit better then stock. Alot of which is parts that Im sure BMW would have used if they had them at the time. Only thing you can see different on mine is the coilovers, but i still have the original spring and struts in the garage incase I feel like a change.

 

[sclass]

This begs the question 'how stock is stock' and where is the line drawn?

 

[Fordkoppie]

OEM+ FTW!
I feel you ruin the efforts of the motorsport division when you add any means of boost to the "S" prefixed engines

 

[The Lad]

Guys, thanks so much for all of your responses.
I must be honest, I joined this site thinking I was going to get the majority of people telling me to drop money on it and get it on the cover of a mod magazine, but I guess I should have known better! This is a BMW enthusiast site after all, and I think just about all of you share the same sentiment as me: why change perfection?! raise:

As you say, the decision is mine in the end, but I don't deserve to be shot if I replace the wood-finish gearknob and passenger side dashboard insert, do I...?

*looks for validation* hahaha:rollsmile:

 

[Yuvan]

........
I dunno, what are your thoughts? Is it sacrilege to butcher a nice clean M3, or is it purely "modernizing" an already-awesome car?

My opinion, keep the car stock and enjoy the raw naturally aspirated power that was crafted by the BMW ///M division!!

 

[Doomsdaya]

As you say, the decision is mine in the end, but I don't deserve to be shot if I replace the wood-finish gearknob and passenger side dashboard insert, do I...?

I'm also not a fan of the wood insert & gearknob but that power delivery will make you forget about it and eventually it will grow on you.

If there is one thing I would change that would be the deck and cd shuttle :shakehead: who uses cassettes anyway :mmm:

 

[Yuvan]

As you say, the decision is mine in the end, but I don't deserve to be shot if I replace the wood-finish gearknob and passenger side dashboard insert, do I...?

I'm also not a fan of the wood insert & gearknob but that power delivery will make you forget about it and eventually it will grow on you.

If there is one thing I would change that would be the deck and cd shuttle :shakehead: who uses cassettes anyway :mmm:

True.... Hey you sorted out your starting issues???

 

[Doomsdaya]

True.... Hey you sorted out your starting issues???

Yeah I did, thanks Yuvan. Problem was the positive terminal wasn't tightened properly & terminals in the boot is a :argh: to get tight.

 

[STREETRACER]

Boet awesome cars drove one for 3 1/2 years.. They are cheap sports cars at R100'000 but as expensive as an classic ferrari if it breaks. Fuel pump R10'800 at agents. Clutch R8500.. Not to talk about the vanos if that goes. Boet I'll anyday advise a person to buy that car but only if he can afford it! The cars are 12years old and will begin to pack up part by part.. Both those owners drove the living day lights out of that M3.. So its not normal freeway low mileage..

 

[Prego]

I agree with you guys - I have a 95' e36 m3.I have been itching to modify
it after owing it for a few weeks,but then realized you cant change perfection

 

[M3west]

keep it stock dude.....totally agree with subtle hidden upgrades but you owe it to her to keep the stock look...:thumbs:

 

[sclass]

You are absolutely right I am...

And it is a decision that I seriously regret, and if I can go back in time and slap myself silly before I bought them I would have.

I am going to have to replace my discs again, at R2,500 a disc because of those EBC red's...

Dude,

That car is a work of art, it really is beuty.

I say leave it stock standard, as is...

Maybe some tiny cosmetic mods, but I would not go overboard, and I would keep the guys out of that engine bay. If you want something beefed up, go buy another with a roll cage in it and go ape, but if its unmoslested, keep her that way.

I am exceptionally proud of the fact that I own a stock standard M5, and its the first thing I tell people when they ask me about the car.

Just my 2 cents worth

Aren't you running EBC redstuffs? :fencelook::fencelook:

Tjo that bad?!

 

[The Lad]

Well, I'm gonna post pics soon. Busy going ahead with the deal as we speak, I'm too amped! I've always been a huge fan of the E36, and to own a mint M3, well, my life is now complete haha