I know I'm probably going to catch hell for this one, but I found a black, 96 M3 with low miles at a local dealership. I'll called today and they said that they want $23,000 for it. I figure that I can probably get it for $21,000. The car looks perfect except its missing the front badge. Have any of you guys ever drove this model M3, and if so what are your thoughts. I'm very scared to get rid of my lightning since I have been spoiled with its huge amounts of torque. However, I am very ready to get back into a manual sports car. If only they made the lightnings 6 speed. Thanks for any input, Mike

 

If you did you should really consider a 2002 instead because they produce much more power then the 1996 version.

 

Ditto to what DonKingKong said. A 96 is a dog compared to the current M3.

 

I'm trying to stay around the 20k/25k price range. I wish I could find a 02 at that price. A couple of other cars I was looking at were the Audi S4 and the Supra turbo. Too bad there are no low mileage Supra Turbos in the country under 30k.

 

As the adage goes: "You get what you pay for."

Coming from a Lightning, I think you'll be very disappointed with an E36 M3.

 

Hold on to your L. If you were trading for an '01 or newer M3, or even a Eurospec E36, I'd say go for it. They're only 240hp as well. I'd make sure it's a real M3 too. I think there's more fake M3's floating around than fake L's.

 

Thanks for the advise guys.

 

Check it out very careful. Many wrecked and fake m's out there. Watch the miles also. Not cheap to repair. I have had a couple of E36 m3's. Fun cars, but you do get what you pay for.

 

Ive driven one, they are very nice to drive if i had the money id prolly get a new one with more power

 

I woulld say stick with the lightning. Unless of course it was a new M3 or a Euro Spec M3 this are pretty hard to come by too. My friend brought one in a year or so ago and it took him a lot of time to get it. .

 

With the power and torque you are use to you will not be happy with a pre 01 M3 unless it is supercharged of course. If you want a ^sp. sports car I would get the last of the 02's Z28's around. Their power output is way underrated, plus they are offering $3000 rebate right now! I think you will be happy with the output since you are use to a V8 engine, plus they breath really good in the top end.

 

Stick with the lightnig you will be very dissapointed with am3 of that age even if its supercharged it still wont be as fast as the ligthning, but it will; handle with the best of them. the only only bmws that will not be a down grade on power i would have to say the m5 & the z8

 

If it was a new M3 I would say sure what the hell, but not an older one.

 

I agree with everyone else...if it was the newer one yeah, but 96, no.

Daniel

 

Guess I don't agree with anyone else. I wouldn't take one over my Lightning even if it was new. Hey but that's just me.......