I had a 97 4 door M3 and a 95 M3 Lighteeight. I regret selling the Lightweight with only about 5500 miles. I still have the second smaller wing that came with it, the second oil pan and all the decals just in case I get another one or the one I owned. I also have original exhaust because I put in a Supersprint exhaust with headers and DTM tips. i loved that car. You have cool taste in cars.

 

I miss my 04 e46 me.. Cb w cinn int.

 

Also took this path, with a few other fun cars slotted prior....

e86 Z4M
Clio RS200
e92 M3
GT3 997.1

 

Bought a new E36 M3 in '97. It was a great car.

 

I had a Laguna Blue 2001 E46. Sold it for a '98 C4S. Have a '11 GT3 and now I'm thinking it may be too track focused for my use. Looking forward to seeing more info on the '14 M4 before deciding to sell the GT3.

 

As little love as the e36 gets in comparison to, say, the e30, it is the best package of any M car to date.

None of its successors could capture its allure. The day I need my own DD, I'll get a 3/4/5 alpine white/modena.

 

i never owned a bimmer, but a guy i knew ran an e36 and we had many great stoushes on track.
a solid/reliable performer.

 

E46 m3 to .1rs. Now bmw and porscheless. RS was by far the best car ever

 

no one goes from gt3 to bmw. i will send you some medication. you need help!

 

I understand your point, however the wild card is sport bikes. I'm a track day instructor and have been doing track days on bikes since I sold my C4S back in '04.

I've done a DE in my old RS4 at PIR and at least in that car it was a pretty tame experience. Doing a DE in my GT3 has some appeal albeit limited. I'm already dialed with bikes, the learning curve is much higher for bikes than cars and it took me a while to get where I am. Also the costs associated in doing DE's in cars compared to track days on bikes is much higher, and for what? For example:

Bike: '12 KTM RC8R Race Spec ($20K MSRP)
Suspension work: closed cartridge inserts for forks, stronger rear spring, $1400.
Gear: helmet, leathers, back protector, boots and gloves, roughly $2400. Lasts a couple years.
Tires: Dunlop UK N-Tech slicks $538 mounted. They last a good 5 track days.
Brake Pads: $120. They last all season. 16 track days for me.
Oil change: after every 4th day, $80-$90.
Brake Fluid: change half way through season $12-.

To conclude I just come from a different perspective and one that I'm wondering where it will lead to. I drive my truck as a DD. It's a nice truck, boring to drive but I need it to tow my bike trailer. Love my GT3 but it's a little bit of a pain and I admit kind of a waste to drive on surface streets so its use is limited. A new M4 with a twin turbo straight six sounds like a great daily driver that I could enjoy on some back roads once in a while.

 

E46 M3 CB 6sp
Tck
GC sway bars
Lightworks tfx retrofit
Volk, ssr, zcp, oem 18, oem 19, Rennen wheels
Cf CSL trunk
Cf CSL diffuser
Scorza exhaust

Way too many memories to list here but it was a great worry free experience. Did over 40 track days with it and it never complained one bit.

I was sad to see it go but the day I handed over the keys I put my deposit down on a .1 997 gt3.

 

oh, you are one of those big ball motorcycles guys. you guys are nuts. i dont have the skills or the guts to do that and am way too old to learn... with KTM or duc, no need for sissy GT3. i only wish i learned how to ride when i was in my 20's. big boys ride real toys. i envy you

 

I still own an RS and an M3 E92 comp

 

You're never too old to learn, only too old to mend...

I'll be 43 in two weeks so I don't feel all that young anymore. One of our instructors is 73 years old and he's pretty quick. Former airline pilot I think. He got into bikes after he retired so He hasn't been doing it his whole life.

 

Had silver 1995 M3, 2003 M3 Vert and 2005 M3 Comp Package. Then got my 2005 GT3. Can't go back!