Automatics in E36 M3's

A good friend is looking at a '98 Convertible with an automatic. It's just a second car for he and his fiance. I recommended a manual but the verts are more often auto than manual, and his fiance doesn't want a stick. With that said....

I have limited knowledge of the E36's in general, but how were the auto's in these things? Do they last, or do they typically explode after 100k miles? Most of the verts he's shown me seem pretty cared after. I think because they were auto and covnertibles, they escaped some of the hooning.

Anything else they need to look for. I think most of the examples they've seen have 90-120k on the clock, to give you an idea.

I guess I just don't get that kind of car. If they just want a nice clean e36 BMW convertible they can get a really clean cruiser 325 for less money.

I think it's the power, the M body kit/wheels/etc. And also I'm sure it may hold value slightly better? I don't know I guess I would also prefer an M over a 323 or whatever too if I were them

It's a GM transmission; the main issue seems to be that BMW gave a bad recommendation on fluid change intervals. If the fluid is changed regularly, it should be OK. Trouble is... most aren't.

I have an e46 330ci (coupe) as my DD. Its the steptronic. Its great as a DD. I took it to the track a few weeks ago since my track car was having suspension issues. Due to work levels I did not have time to fix the problem and did not want to waste a track day.

The auto-stick function was very easy to drive on track. I was impressed by the cars HIGH abilities being totally stock. Except for tire limitations of grip the car was well composed and held its own in a higher run group.

I have new found respect for modern automatics that can be manually shifted. Now I am looking for an SMG wheel to add paddle shifters to the mix.

My 99 e46 328i should have the same GM auto that the 98 M3 has. I have 196K on it with no issues. Good thing is that it just takes regular 'ol Dexron fluid too.

Those transmissions are pretty decent for reliability.

I think an auto convertible is fitting. A true driver's BMW would have a steel fixed roof and no sunroof either

I would get a 328 vert, do the intake mod, and add the Mtech kit (it may already have the kit installed from the factory)

You will get 90% of an M3 without the woes.. and really, a convertable M3 is only 90% of an M3 anyway due to chassis flex

I don't totally disagree with you. But I know he has his mind sort of set on the M, and also, while he is a borderline car guy, he wouldn't go through the effort of those mods or adding anything that is already on an M.

And honestly, I took a quick look just now on Cars.com and the 323/328 cabrio's really don't differ a whole lot in price from their M3 siblings. Same mileage and all. If there were a price difference, I think I would agree on that more. But if they're the same price, why not just go for the M?

I'm watching this thread with interest, I've played with the idea of getting the the wife a E36 convert.

So did the other 3 series models also have a GM transmission?

SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: So did the other 3 series models also have a GM transmission?

BMW transmissions vary wildly from model to model and year to year. Some have ZF, some have GM. You can see a mostly-complete breakdown of which models have what here:

http://www.bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/Tranny/SD92-113.pdf

And also, auto E36 M3s have a ZF 5HP18 transmission. Why is everyone here saying it's GM? Only non-M cars had the GM tranny. I guess that's one M3 caveat, if the ZF trans takes a crap it'll be a LOT more expensive to service than the GM box.

SlickDizzy wrote:

SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: So did the other 3 series models also have a GM transmission?

BMW transmissions vary wildly from model to model and year to year. Some have ZF, some have GM. You can see a mostly-complete breakdown of which models have what here: http://www.bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/Tranny/SD92-113.pdf

Well I didn't word myself correctly, sorry. What I meant to ask is Do all the E36 3 series have GM transmissions.

Thanks for the link, that answers my question.

My mistake, I was thinking of the regular E36s when I said it was a GM transmission. Missed that the M cars got a different unit.