Car Throttle's main focus of attention has switched from the old Miata to the equally old E36 M3. We've never shared any videos of this project, but after seeing the E36 M3 Touring conversion halfway through this video, we decided you guys might want to check it out.
We know that watching a 9-minute video is probably out of the question for most of you guys. But if you're a fan of either the E36 or the E46, you should reconsider. Not because there are valuable technical bits, but because of the UK sales statistics.
Even though BMW kind of messed up this generation of the M3, the nameplate's cult status will live on for decades more. The E30 is an icon, but not a daily driver or a true performance car by modern standards.
But the E36 is almost as rare. In 1999, there were 1,700 E36s on the road in Britain. Today, that number has fallen to just 421, of which only 16 are for sale. Sixteen- that means the E36 is rarer than some Aston Martins or Ferraris.
Because there aren't enough of them, some people have taken to making their own M3, and halfway through the video, Car Throttle introduces us to a custom-made E36 Touring, or as the Americans call it "Wagon."
That car is just spectacular, a perfect replica of the coupe standing next to it regarding paint, wheels and body kit, but even more capable when it comes to the performance goodies.
Never meet your idols, says an old proverb. It's true that old M3s are brutes that are hard to live with. But thanks to the era of the internet, keeping them on the road and adding the right upgrades is easier than ever. Are you thinking of buying the E39 or E46? We know we are.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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