1997 BMW M3 Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Absolutely LOVE this car... Great acceleration, great handling, a blast to drive. Stand on the brakes, and it will stop on a dime and give you change. Most repairs are fairly inexpensive, but maintenance items (brakes etc) are generally more expensive than on some other cars. Currently getting 21-23mpg around town, but it has a misfire. When it is running correctly, I get 22-25mpg. Not bad for a car that has a fun factor this high, and will run circles around a lot of the cars out there today.Aug 16, 2010

I'll just start with the cars biggest flaw, its the US Version. The "other" E36 M3 came from the factory with about 317 hp whereas the US cars only topped out at 240. This car has it all, performance from a 3.2 liter smooth inline 6, brakes that will stop you on a dime and a suspension that will out handle some new high end cars and on my car....4 doors. Just keep in mind that this car is pushing 10-15 years old and may not run circles around your average Subaru Sti or Mitsu Evo. It is still a lot of car for a new and inexperienced driver though. There is still a large aftermarket, but it is a BMW so performance upgrades are more expensive and usually yeild low HP gains unless you go forced induction. Definately one of my favorite cars I've owned close behind the E30 M3 Jan 07, 2010

This is the 3rd BMW e36 chassis I owned. This vehicle replaced the '98 M3 which was in questionable condition (peeling clearcoat, etc.) that I used to own primarily as track car. Despite, I liked the dynamics of the e36 M3 so much I decided I wanted a keeper in good condition and colour combinations. I picked this car up the week of Christmas and was extremely happy with its overall condition: paint still shined, no signs of body repair work, the full grain Nappa leather was still supple, all the supension bits felt tight, the engine sounded good, tires/rims were balance and round, and the low sub 90k km mileage, etc., and, above all, what a kick to drive a "Helrot" (Hell Red) colour sports car! I thought I would be keeping this car forever. The next few weeks I installed all the track bits (removed from my '98 M3) and gave this car what it deserved as the ideal track machine. Typical of any e36 chassis, this car can be pushed to its limits easily because it allowed mistakes to be made and was extremely forgiving. It always mildly understeered in turns and the rear will never snap out no matter how you "lift". I could not remember any "white knuckle" moments negotiating this vehicle on the tracks, even when its brakes faded at the bottom of Turrn 4 (left downhill sweeper that reaches 160 kph at the bottom when the car needs to slow to 65 kph for the tight "Moss Corner" hairpin) at Mosport when I put the car sideway to scrub speed and ended up in the gravel run-off space just a few feet from the cement barrier! Everything just happened in such controlled "slow motion" (very little polar motion) I was calm enough to keep the engine running and check my mirror to allow the few cars to pass before pulling back onto the pavement and continued on to the back staight before the mandatory "pit-in" after being "off". May be it was the lack of "drama" I finally decided it was too boring to drive on the track and I took a short leave so I could think long and hard what its successor would be. The most memorable moment: chasing a bright red Ferrari F355 down the back straight at TMP, engine screaming the creamy snmooth straight-six song, knowing there was no doubt I would reel in my prize in front of all those who watched at awe - triumph of the "Helrot"!Jul 22, 2009

The e36 M3 is an excellent car unfortunately I rushed into buying one, and ended up buying an M3 that had been abused buy its previous owner. It is the best handling car that I have ever driven. The engine is fun, likes to rev, and has decent power at every rpm. The Styling is kind of bland compared to the other M3's. Vader seats are very comfortable and they hold the driver in place. Buy one with complete service records, and have it inspected by a well known BMW Specialist before you buy one. Don't buy it if it has ever overheated. Use a Waterpump with a metal impeller, and maintain the cooling system religiously to avoid major headaches later.Jun 23, 2009

This is as of yet the best thing i have ever driven. The E36 M3 is hands down the best looking generation of M3, including the new E92. Drove it on Gingerman Raceway in South Haven MI and it was extremely planted in the corners, i was able to catch and pass many cars (subaru Sti, lotus elise, etc) that should have outperformed me based on power/weight ratio. i had an upgraded sport suspension and track tires but the car was otherwise completely stock. unfortunately the car was rolled on the track and totalled a few years ago otherwise im sure it would still be going strong.Nov 21, 2008

Not much I can say about this car that hasn't been said a million times before me. Good pick-up with phenomenal handling. My car has aftermarket wheels and Triflow Exhaust so it's a bit extra fun. Sounds good and looks great. I've owned a C4 corvette, a 5.0 mustang and two 3-series BMW's and this car is easily the favorite of the lot. It's totally usable and performs like a true sports car. Jul 02, 2008

The 2nd generation M3 from BMW putting out 240 hp and roughly the same in torque. At roughly 3100 lbs, it churns out a 0-60 time of roughly 5.5 seconds. This particular model year (1997) only comes with a standard transmission and the infamous "vader" seats. With a nearly 50/50 weight distribution, this car handles amazingly. Great track car right out of the box. ;) Mar 30, 2008