Classic M3 - Maintain or Modify?

[The Lad]

Hey all,

Long time BMW fan, but brand spanking new to BMW Fanatics :rollsmile:
I'm giving serious thought to buying a '98 E36 M3 sedan that I stumbled upon.
This is one of those real gems that are tough to come by:

Low mileage, FSH, no modifications, 2 owners.

This wouldn't be my daily driver, more of a guilty pleasure to keep in my garage and take out for a drive whenever I'm in the mood (which could turn out to be more often than I planned!).
I guess I just wanted to open this up to a discussion and hear what some peoples opinions are: do I go ahead and plan a custom build with this car, or keep it original?

Given the nature of this car, I see it as a real "classic sports car". I would love to keep it on tip top shape and keep it as stock as I possibly can. But then I get to thinking, I know it has the potential to be ten times the car it was when it rolled off the production line by pumping money into it, possibly even boosting it.

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

 

[Crash_Nemesis]

Nothing wrong with modernizing the car... as long as its not crazy JAP shit and neon lights and stupid electrics...

There is always a line when it comes to these things, but I would do it.

 

[The Lad]

Nothing wrong with modernizing the car... as long as its not crazy JAP shit and neon lights and stupid electrics...

There is always a line when it comes to these things, but I would do it.

Agreed. Looks-wise, I wouldn't change a thing. BMW got it right with the bumpers on the M3. I just debate color coding the black plastic strips along the side (given that it's a white car).
And probably a wheel change as well. My head is just in two places about this right now...

I kinda like the idea of having a fully original M3 :inlove:

 

[Raybimmer]

Buy eeeeeeett then keep it stock standard . Buy a e36 328 , add turbo and as Sav says now we are in Ferrari eating Territory .

 

[THE ONE]

Dude , dont do anything to it, keep it like it is, i have a clean 95 german spec m3 and its stock stock like it came from bmw, you will always get you money back if not more and you can drive it as hard as you can with out worrying if it wont brake.

bottom line is, keep it stock, you wont be sorry...:ty:

 

[The Lad]

Buy eeeeeeett then keep it stock standard . Buy a e36 328 , add turbo and as Sav says now we are in Ferrari eating Territory .

Yeh, you're right...decent E36's are not TOO hard to find. With a bit/lot of money it can be a real beast. I know a guy who's got a Savspeed 325i turbo (also E36) and yeh, it will roll over just about anything!

---

Dude , dont do anything to it, keep it like it is, i have a clean 95 german spec m3 and its stock stock like it came from bmw, you will always get you money back if not more and you can drive it as hard as you can with out worrying if it wont brake.

bottom line is, keep it stock, you wont be sorry...:ty:

I've gotta say, I think you're right. The ONLY thing I don't like about this particular one is the wood finish on the gear knob and passenger-side dash. Do you think it's wrong of me to source replacements for that? And, honestly, I'm not talking about a flea market replacement part, but something original.

 

[Sith]

Buy it, and....keep it stock, keep it stock, and........keep it stock.

 

[Crash_Nemesis]

When I say modernize it... I mean, interior upgrade. Leave the exterior as is... New leather or new OEM BMW steering wheel, new carpets, maybe Carbon Fibre Trim, but thats about it...

 

[zaleonardz]

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

 

[moranor@axis]

like you say... you have a future classic... if you going to boost the crap out of it and change almost everything on the car whats the point of starting with an M3 when you can use a 328i and get the same results?

 

[rick540]

Leave it 100% stock.

Take my word for it, I am in the middle of de-pimping an M5 and taking it back to original, and what a mission it is in terms of cost and effort!

One day soon I will be in the market for an E36 M3 as well and from my own perspective I will never even consider one thats been modified in any way at all.

 

[Clownshoe]

The Lad has asked the age old question... and i think it all comes down to what you like. I could buy a pristine 507 and slap a jap body kit and stretched tyres on 21 inch rims... and no-one can stop me.

But when you have an original classic and you like it. Leave it standard. Times change and carbon fibre will date but original is always good. You can always be proud of the lady in the garage still looks the was she was meant to look. Not mutton with a lamb upgrade.

The temptations will be strong... the carbon fibre beckoning... the shiny inlet manifolds and bling banana branched irresistible... but the M3 is an awsome car... anything else takes away from the awsomenesses of it.

 

[Major]

E30's are classics, E36's are still spring chickens.

It's your car, at the end of the day. You'll upset a few purists if you paint it pink, put the French flag on it and put a Nissan motor in it, but who's to stop you. You only want our opinion because you're undecided, but I think you made up your mind when you bought one in excellent, original condition.

 

[sclass]

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:

 

[Sankekur]

I would say keep it original, OEM+ :=):

 

[Raybimmer]

Was this post originally on the ST forum ?:roflol:

 

[zaleonardz]

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:

 

[Henry330i]

Keep it stock! I for one drool over stock iconic cars more than modded ones. That's Just me.

Agreed with some of the other guys if your cash is burning a hole in your pocket get a 328i and mod it to the hilt.

Don't change a M3 from class to ass.:fencelook:

 

[M3power!]

standard... i love mine the way it is...got a nice interior done but old one was wearing off. :thumbs:

 

[Psymon69]

Ill say keep outside just as is. even the wheels are VERY hard to beat. inside just keep things tasteful and motor wise do the normal stuff for tuning a N/A car.