I use pistonheads as a gauge for the number of E36 M3s for sale at any particular time. its now at an all time low (particularly low, its normally about 40) so they are getting rarer!
E30 M3 [86-92] (20)
E36 M3 [92-99] (25)
Anyway, Ive completely lost track of how many miles ive put on there but it should be easily be beyond 500 now. Its with me at work again today, im getting into bad habits of bringing it to work when i really dont have to, just becaue i fancy it.
It really is a hoot to drive when you want to put your foot down and the rest of the time its happy to dawdle about comfortably. it sounds amazing. i have heard the car drive away from me twice and it sounds brilliant, its close to qualifying for charitable status. when youre dawdling through town, the optimum upshift point is about 2200rpm due to the rasp you get from the exhaust at about that point.
people dont seem to pull out on you or cut you up, being bright red seems to have its plus points.
when you do put your foot down it is capable of asking some pretty big questions so im still taking it easy with the car. if youre not hamfisted with the throttle it doesnt feel like it needs TC at all.
it is difficult to describe the way it drives in terms of response etc. its not raw and darty like a car thats on coilovers with poly bushes etc it doesnt fidget on the road either. some modified cars feel like a hyperactive puppy, always darting about, always ready to go crazy. this car feels more civilised, but not docile. the bi ratio steering rack is possibly the reason for this but you get used to it.
the car communicates what it is doing well. when the rear is about to break away it may as well give you written notification. it couldnt be clearer, whether it is a shimmy or its about to go wild, there is plenty of warning. so it is capable of civilised and berserk in one tidy 90s german package with an excellent soundtrack and some form of 90s hero status.
i dont think i could be happier with it to be honest.
