E36 3.0l Or E36 3.2l Which Is Better

[MadBMW]

Hey guys, I am wondering what the major differences/problems between the two motors are. Will I have more problems with the 1995 3.0L or should spend the extra to find a 1996 or newer M3?
Thanks MADBMW

[Chant]

Originally posted by MadBMW@Feb 13 2005, 04:25 PM
Hey guys, I am wondering what the major differences/problems between the two motors are. Will I have more problems with the 1995 3.0L or should spend the extra to find a 1996 or newer M3?
Thanks MADBMW

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If it were me i would go for the extra and get the 3.2L. That is what i have in mine and it ROCKS! it throws you back into your seat when you take off but you don't lose any control. Mine is a 98 M3 3.2L with ASC. i dont' know that much about the 3.0 cause before that i had a 2.5 still a good engine but no where near the power of the 3.2. Just my two cents.

Chant

[3serbmdubya]

3.0... same hp but smaller size. could do more stuff to it too.
IMHO

[POWER///M]

The 3.0 is lighterand a lot easier to tune to get more horsepower. The 3.0 came on the 95 and under. They will be cheaper because there older and have more miles. The 3.2 is what I would choose. Good luck!

[MadBMW]

I found a great link for this topic
http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=15#colors

[red325ix]

The 3.0 is OBD1. In 1996 everything went to OBD2 and and certain restrictions forced the engine size to increase to maintain the same amount of power. You cant chip an OBD2 M3, only shark injector will work.

[Cellardoor]

Go with the 3.0 the reason BMW moved up to 3.2L is to keep up with strict emissions laws, that extra .2L is used to recyle exhaust fumes to help cut down on heavy polution. So the extra .2 isnt very benifical, not to mention as Red325ix said OBD1 much easier to mod.

-Hutch-

[MadBMW]

Originally posted by Cellardoor@Mar 10 2005, 08:55 PM
Go with the 3.0 the reason BMW moved up to 3.2L is to keep up with strict emissions laws, that extra .2L is used to recyle exhaust fumes to help cut down on heavy polution. So the extra .2 isnt very benifical, not to mention as Red325ix said OBD1 much easier to mod.

-Hutch-

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But the 3.2 has the dual vanos, which as far as I know is more reliable, right

This is not making my choice any easier. used There is a 95 M3 with 80K for $14200 and there is a 97 M3 with 68K for $17000 with a cold air intake and shift kit. I like the both, but the 95 doesn't have the digital climate control and the 97 has the spoiler that I don't like. Well I will test drive both and then start a poll.

[M3tuck]

Originally posted by MadBMW+Mar 11 2005, 03:54 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MadBMW @ Mar 11 2005, 03:54 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-Cellardoor@Mar 10 2005, 08:55 PM
Go with the 3.0 the reason BMW moved up to 3.2L is to keep up with strict emissions laws, that extra .2L is used to recyle exhaust fumes to help cut down on heavy polution. So the extra .2 isnt very benifical, not to mention as Red325ix said OBD1 much easier to mod.

-Hutch-

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But the 3.2 has the dual vanos, which as far as I know is more reliable, right

This is not making my choice any easier. used There is a 95 M3 with 80K for $14200 and there is a 97 M3 with 68K for $17000 with a cold air intake and shift kit. I like the both, but the 95 doesn't have the digital climate control and the 97 has the spoiler that I don't like. Well I will test drive both and then start a poll.

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[/b][/quote]


The 3.2 (evo) does have dual vanos but this is the unreliable one, the 3ltr has single vanos and is reliable. In my opinion I would look around for a good 3ltr variant, performance wise they are very similar, however the evo is said to handle better then the 3ltr. I had to make a choice a while back between the two and went for a Clean, low mileage 3ltr.

[e36_m3_Turbo]

the dual vanos didnt hit the US til e46

[bmwforumerm3]

Originally posted by red325ix@Mar 10 2005, 08:47 PM
The 3.0 is OBD1. In 1996 everything went to OBD2 and and certain restrictions forced the engine size to increase to maintain the same amount of power. You cant chip an OBD2 M3, only shark injector will work.

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haha
Im sorry but thats bull shit. Dinan chip will work on OBD2, AA chip will work,alpina chip.....Sorry your wrong.


I have a 3.2 1997 m3. And I know for a fact thats untrue.

[bmwforumerm3]

Sorry 1 more post.

On my 97 m3...the climate control is more of a bitch. You need to get it serviced every 2 years. Its all looks. Yes it looks nice but its nothing but cash money bling for the climate control.It also takes up some engine space in your cabin bay on the top left looking from where your grill is.

the 97 i believe your looking at has ASC as well. Thats really fun I must say. Which the 95 does not have.

[MadBMW]

Originally posted by bmwforumerm3@Mar 11 2005, 11:09 AM
Sorry 1 more post.

On my 97 m3...the climate control is more of a bitch. You need to get it serviced every 2 years. Its all looks. Yes it looks nice but its nothing but cash money bling for the climate control.It also takes up some engine space in your cabin bay on the top left looking from where your grill is.

the 97 i believe your looking at has ASC as well. Thats really fun I must say. Which the 95 does not have.

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Well the 3rd one (97 M3 68K) is sold already. So the search will continue.

[red325ix]

Originally posted by bmwforumerm3+Mar 11 2005, 11:05 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bmwforumerm3 @ Mar 11 2005, 11:05 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-red325ix@Mar 10 2005, 08:47 PM
The 3.0 is OBD1. In 1996 everything went to OBD2 and and certain restrictions forced the engine size to increase to maintain the same amount of power. You cant chip an OBD2 M3, only shark injector will work.

[snapback]308473[/snapback]

haha
Im sorry but thats bull shit. Dinan chip will work on OBD2, AA chip will work,alpina chip.....Sorry your wrong.


I have a 3.2 1997 m3. And I know for a fact thats untrue.

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[/b][/quote]


So you phyically removed the old chip from the ecu and replaced it with a Dinan Chip? I always thought that 96 and up vehicles had to be flash programed? Here is an exampled of the programer:

[B_w.]

you put chips on obd1 cars and shark inject obd2 cars.

Dinan chip will work on OBD2, AA chip will work,alpina chip.....Sorry your wrong

sorry but that wont work