R32 Gts-t Or Bmw M3 E36?!

[joachimgjensen]

Hey guys,

I am currently being offered two great cars that are within my budget and i'm curious as to which one you guys would suggest. What I'm looking for is just a fun and fast car, but at the same time reliable.

The BMW M3 E36 is the 3.2l (96 model) vs. the R32 Gts-t (which is modded up, along with boost control)

M3 does 0-100 in 5.5 sec (approx)

Stock R32 does 0-100 in 6.5 sec (approx, however i don't know how the boost control will affect that, any ideas?)

Have not tried either cars yet, but would like to know what to look out for.

Also, just drove an R33 Gts-t modded up a few days ago and it was really nice, can i expect the same for the R32?

Thanks.

[GTR-N1]

M3 with its 6sp box on an engine that just had its capacity increased by 0.2l

Brilliant car!

...provided that...

a) services are done

b) nothing sinister shows up on fault codes on the DME

c) all your checks and balances show up good

d) electrics all work because on E36s, they were a common fault (even tail-lights failing)

Also check the computer and have a look at recent fuel consumption out of interest...

If it's about 22l/100Km, he's fanging it

If it's about 10l/100Km he's babying it lol

[joachimgjensen]

b) nothing sinister shows up on fault codes on the DME

Great, thanks a lot for your input, i'll keep those things in mind when checking the car out.

But what does DME stand for?

[Iron Chef]

Unless the M3 has 300,000km on the clock, I'd buy it over a 32 every day of the week. Listen to Terry's wise words

[GODZ1LLA]

You cant compare the 2 lol m3 all the way providein its ok...

You sure its the 3.2 evo version and not he 3.0?? guessing its the 5 speed and not 6?

Either way still a fine car make sure the power steering rack and the vanos has been changed though as from my understanding alot were re-called due to this......

[joachimgjensen]

I know that the M3 is a 96 model... and from 96 onwards, the E36's started the 3.2l 6-Speed versions. I'm not familiar with the evo version or what that is to be honest. But as far as i know, i don't believe it is an evo.

And if its no comparison, then that's what i wanna hear, then i know ill be making the right choice with the M3.

The M3 has only done 120,000km

[(OO)SKYLINE(OO)]

^^ GODZ1LLA

BMW E36 M3 (92 - 95 models) came with 3.0lt engines. Euro and USA

BMW E36 M3 (96 - 99 models) came with 3.2lt engines. Euro and USA

I think only the Euro 96 - 99 models were upgraded to the 6 speed manual and USA stayed with the 5 speed.

R32 GTS-T vs E36 M3 = To different cars, but are performance cars in their own way.

Eg. E36 for circut, R32 for drift... Both can be modded for what ever purpose you want.

A R33 GTS-T is a step up from the R32 GTS-T as it already has an extra 500cc so you will get a lot more torque / pulling power from the R33 GTS-T + it being modded.

I really do like the shape of the E36 M3 and R32. IMO till today it still a great looking car

The performance of the M3 is decent as you could put it up against a few V8's (in that time '96 - '99) and give'em a good run.

The R32 will have a different characteristic due to a smaller engine but the fun of the turbo kicking in.

I say test drive both and see what you think and make your decision from there.

I believe the R32 will be cheaper on parts and maintenance.

This might help...

M3 Evolution Imola Individual (M3 GT2)

The M3 Evolution Imola Individual was a limited-edition (200 units for Europe with part VIN WBACB5103-AN307--, 50 for the United Kingdom) car sometimes referred to as the M3 GT2.

The engine and performance characteristics of the car were unchanged from the 1996+ euro M3, and a special exterior and interior colour combination was once again chosen by BMW; Imola red (405) paint with Nappa leather & Amaretto seats in Imola red and anthracite seats.

It also included side airbags, the M3 GT Class II rear spoiler, front class II corner spoiler extensions, electric seats, and double-spoke polished alloy wheels.

Prior to the release of the Imola Individual there was a pre-production model made which was used as the basis of the special edition, it featured the Class II front and rear spoilers, special order Imola red Paint, special order Nappa + Anthracite Amaretta interior, SMG gearbox, GSM Phone Kit, headlamp washers and double-spoke polished alloy wheels.

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_M3#E90.2F92.2F93_M3

[joachimgjensen]

Thanks a lot (OO)SKYLINE(OO), yeah i will consider what you said when checking them out. I know the M3 will have great performance, but im also a fan of the turbo boost, so ill have to see when i try them like you said. And costs of having an m3 could be a pain in my ass, but ill have to see if it's worth it.

Anything i should look out for in the 32? any common problems i might face?

[Silvia GTR]

What about a 32 GTR? Unless I had bags of money to waste on servicing and parts, I wouldnt buy the BMW especially an older one.

The boost controller is going to increase 0-100 but it really depends on what turbo the car is using and the supporting modifcations

If you want a fun car, then a turbo one is what you should be looking at

IMO nothing compares to the feeling of boost

[_Ryan_]

Mate has an E36 328i, I have a modded GTST. grab the E36 M3!!!!!!

[Hiroshima Screamer]

What about a 32 GTR? Unless I had bags of money to waste on servicing and parts, I wouldnt buy the BMW especially an older one.

The boost controller is going to increase 0-100 but it really depends on what turbo the car is using and the supporting modifcations

If you want a fun car, then a turbo one is what you should be looking at

IMO nothing compares to the feeling of boost

im with you on this one i have a friend who specializes in BMW and even owns a couple he tells me maintenance wise they are a nightmare.

GTR V M3 would be a much better comparison and i think youll find the GTR will come out on top.

[ydr030]

my rb20 had no problems leavin a e36 behind.....

hahah a i was laughing the whole time

still am....

[(OO)SKYLINE(OO)]

Thanks a lot (OO)SKYLINE(OO), yeah i will consider what you said when checking them out. I know the M3 will have great performance, but im also a fan of the turbo boost, so ill have to see when i try them like you said. And costs of having an m3 could be a pain in my ass, but ill have to see if it's worth it.

Anything i should look out for in the 32? any common problems i might face?

No worries!

Things to look out for in the R32 is the same thing you would do with the M3, they are both over 10 years old and you will have to be on the look out for things that need to be changed.

There is a lot to list of what to look out for but your main concern is the engine condition, brakes, drivetrain, mechanics, electronics etc...

Japanese imports are bound to be thrashed, so the main concern for the R32 is the condition of the turbo. Get it checked out before you buy it or just wait till it goes and be prepared to fix it.

Either find a stock R32 or buy one that has work/upgrades done to it.

Preferably with low Km's and get your mechanic to check it out.

You'd figure an owner with the income to afford M3 would be a "more mature" (I am Stereotyping) baby the car and be in a very good condition, but you never know... You will still need to pay Attention to engine condition, brakes, drivetrain, mechanics, electronics etc.

Any car will last, you just need to keep up the general maintenance.

What about a 32 GTR? Unless I had bags of money to waste on servicing and parts, I wouldnt buy the BMW especially an older one.

The boost controller is going to increase 0-100 but it really depends on what turbo the car is using and the supporting modifcations

If you want a fun car, then a turbo one is what you should be looking at

IMO nothing compares to the feeling of boost

im with you on this one i have a friend who specializes in BMW and even owns a couple he tells me maintenance wise they are a nightmare.

GTR V M3 would be a much better comparison and i think youll find the GTR will come out on top.

Yes a GTR would be the better comparison to the M3 as they are more inline-ball with performance / handling.

[bozodos]

Something dosen't sound right if you're being offered an R32 GTS-T and a BMW M3 E36 for similar money. I love Nissans, but if the E36 was genuinely cheap then I'd be getting it in a heartbeat!

[GTR-N1]

Something dosen't sound right if you're being offered an R32 GTS-T and a BMW M3 E36 for similar money. I love Nissans, but if the E36 was genuinely cheap then I'd be getting it in a heartbeat!

...and at 120xxxKm !!!!!!!!!!!! That translates into ONLY 9000Km/year !!!!!!!!!!!!

[joachimgjensen]

Something dosen't sound right if you're being offered an R32 GTS-T and a BMW M3 E36 for similar money. I love Nissans, but if the E36 was genuinely cheap then I'd be getting it in a heartbeat!

Yeah i know what you mean, that was my first reaction. The M3 is for $7,500 while the Gtst is for $8,000.

But after doing some research i figured out why... An M3 back home in Europe (i'm from Norway), at that age, is very cheap back there, since it's from there. The only reason it's usually around $20,000 at least in Australia, is because of the trade and imports etc, and because they are modded to fit australian standards. However, importing the same car privately from south africa or asian countries will keep that original cheap euro price. since the guy who is offering me these two cars imports from japan, that would explain why.

But still, i gotta be careful especially at that price.

Why not gtr?! well, it'll cost me $10,500, which is out of my budget...

(reason for cheap prices is because i know the importer)

again, thanks for all the opinions!

How much cash am i looking at spending at fixing up r32 turbo?

[(OO)SKYLINE(OO)]

^^ You could probably buy a turbo off the forums, I have seen from about $500+ ... (2nd hand, hardly used, reconditioned)

You could recondition your old one $500 - $1000 (Approx).

[joachimgjensen]

^^ You could probably buy a turbo off the forums, I have seen from about $500+ ... (2nd hand, hardly used, reconditioned)

You could recondition your old one $500 - $1000 (Approx).

Yeah alrite, that isn't too bad. The thing is i'll have a 1 year warranty with the importer, so he'll fix stuff like that if it screws up during that time. Gonna try the r32 today, will see how it is!

Thanks again mate, really appreciate the help!

[bozodos]

The maintenence would be a bitch on the M3 but it would be a worthy opponent to a GT-R, probably would outclass most RB20DET Skylines though.

[Peter89]

modifying an M3 wouldn't be cheap and neither would maintenance. save up and get a GTR?