#TBT: Which BMW M3 is best for track and street, E30, E36 or E46?

Per
By Per Schroeder
Aug 1, 2024 | BMW, BMW M3 | Posted in Shop Work | From the Oct. 2004 issue | Never miss an article

Unless you’re into experimental industrial music, you probably wouldn’t want to listen to a violin concerto next to a busy freeway. It just wouldn’t sound very good. You need the proper location to enjoy the sweet music that a violin can make—a quiet concert hall, for example.

Most things in life work best in the appropriate environment, where strengths are played to …

This content is available for GRM+ members and Grassroots Motorsports magazine subscribers only.

You can read it for free in 64 days or subscribe to GRM+ to read right now.

Subscribe now

Already a member?

Login to read

Join Free Join our community to easily find more BMW and BMW M3 articles.
Comments
mikerunt
mikerunt GRM+ Memberand New Reader
8/1/24 4:22 p.m.

E90m3?

codrus (Forum Supporter)
codrus (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
8/1/24 5:39 p.m.
mikerunt said:

E90m3?

The article is from 2004.

 

Gearhead49
Gearhead49 New Reader
8/1/24 6:55 p.m.

My net having owned an E36, an E46 and lots of time on track in the E30 is the E30 has the best initial turn in of all of them but the engine is uninspiring. The E36 drove "small" and the 46 drove big. I think the E36s make the best looking track cars. Put the motor from the 46 into the 36 and rock. 

Sparkie
Sparkie New Reader
8/4/24 12:31 a.m.

In reply to Gearhead49 :

So, what you're saying is, you need a Z3 3.0i... Front suspension from an E36, rear suspension from a 2002/E21/E30, and the M54B30 engine from an E46. Is that the magic formula? 😉 lol

You'll need to log in to post.

Our Preferred Partners
1ujMjNr9p6dn5dj4MlHqHVWezbPXgKPtomK2e12UXZgWxM0EPexFoRnzjDSpfCIY