Here's Why the E36 BMW M3 Is Now an Enthusiast Favorite

Doug really do be single-handedly increasing the value of older sports cars 😩

Thanks doug, the price of my e36 just doubled!

I've been advocating for this car for 20 years. The most underappreciated M3.

90's BMWs were nice. "Ultimate driving machine" wasn't just a tag line because they had handling to match good styling. Plus the lack of garbage (electronics) kept weight down and driver involvement up. The M3 could carry 4 and outrun a vette when the road starts changing directions. Just a nice all around car.

I bet I'm not the only one who wants the old score presentation back. Where Doug explained his reasoning for the individual scores in the different categories.

"some people say the US version has advantages, I don't necessarily see them" - from a factory standpoint, yes. the tuner/aftermarket scene is where they lay. head studs and turbo these USDM motors can make 600rwhp on a stock bottom end, with a piston and rod over 1,000 wheel, pretty much a euro 2JZ. they are very reliable and can take insane abuse, and up until the last year or so, could be had for under $6,000. beautiful Car though! the Euro spec cars are a masterpiece.

Thiissss is a "dream car" back in th 90's when I was a younger 😄

When I bought one of these last year (97 3/2/5) I initially had the same reaction to the mirrors. I've since gotten used to them, but a lot of that is because they are properly adjusted. I read an article once about how race car drivers "wing out" the side mirrors for visibility and it changed my life. No one needs to see the side of their own car in the mirrors, and adjusting them out effectively removes blind spots and makes these tiny little mirrors plenty useful. Instructions: driver side - lean your head against the window and adjust the mirror to where it's juuuuust past the edge of the car. passenger side - lean your head over the center console and adjust it the same way. Whoever ends up reading this and choosing to do it will really appreciate how well this works.

I have a 1996 318IS. Got it from the original owner...a little old lady from San Diego. Bought it with 87K. It now has 127K. Slow as molasses but still fun to drive and just feels so good. Old school good. There's just something about the steering feel of the e36, M or not.

US E36 M3's are fine -- and cheaper to maintain than their euro counterparts. I'm so happy I bought mine 4 years ago and happier still that people are waking up to how fun they are to drive and own. 240 hp in a relatively light car with fantastic feedback is more than plenty to keep you smiling on your favorite backroads.

16:58 Important to note, though, that -- like the stoplights on my 87 E24, and most other Bimmers of the time, *the brake lights are not running lights*. They are Stop-ONLY, so it's completely unequivocal whether you're stopping or not, in any lighting condition. I liked that a lot, a long with the yellow turn signals.

That design is a timeless beautiful piece of art

One of my favorite all time Beemers! Awesome car

E36 US M3/4/5 (yes sedan) here and the car is amazing! Have owned it for many years and have loved every moment of it. Best upgrade I ever did was a single stage clutch and a braided steel clutch line. This really opened up the car and it drives so well. Revs like a champ and destroys the twisty roads and corners. Get one! I highly recommend it.

I daily drive a 99 Coupe. Love everything about it. Specifically I chose it over all other generations of the M3 primarily on style and rawness of the driving experience. Also the interior is ergonomically perfect to me. Feels so light and nimble.

Doug's channel is now the official Cars and Bids pre sale review site. It was inevitable. LOL

The manual rear air vents should make a comeback in the coupes, such a nice feature to have!

Door card separation/glovebox sag, as are present on every e36. Love to see it. This thing is amazing

I've always thought the e36 was the best looking m3 out there

These E36's has always been very popular amongst car enthusiasts, here in South Africa and are also very sought after if you can find a "clean" one. They regularly get sold here for way over market value, since finding a "clean" M3 E36 is so rare here. Very good review as always Doug.