An automatic e36 M3?

[demq]

This morinig I was over my local dealership to have the valves adjusted, and when I was walking around their parking lot and looking with hungry face on the COOL CARS they sell, I noticed an e36 with M3 badge on it, front lip spoiler, M wheels, steering wheel, but an AUTOMATIC TRANNY ....
Are there such M3s or it was just a 330 or something like that with all the M stuff on it????
Just wondering...

 

[mikev]

I question someone about there M3 auto on the board a while back. There were NO euro auto M3's but apparently some US ones were made.

 

[Wadula]

sorry but the E36 M3 was actually produced and soled in europe with automatic tranny. you can still buy plenty of them as used cars in the market. actually the late E36 M3 already had SMG

 

[junglestylz]

There was quite a lot of Auto M3's out there. They actually produced more of them than they were going to because there was a market for them. It is sort of like the four door M3

 

[demq]

Guys, thanks a lot for the info

 

[mrferg]

I don't get it, if you buy an M3 you must get the manual! It is like buying a McLaren F1 with a 3spd automatic, the two don't mix. If you can't drive a stick buy a Neon, sheesh.

 

[codex57]

I don't get it, if you buy an M3 you must get the manual! It is like buying a McLaren F1 with a 3spd automatic, the two don't mix. If you can't drive a stick buy a Neon, sheesh.

Actually, you don't want an automatic Neon. They came with 3 speed autos for the longest time (might have finally changed it this year, not sure). I can't believe Chrysler still uses 3 speed automatics. Our 2000 Caravan has a stinking 3 speed auto.

 

[jrt67ss350]

Our 2000 Caravan has a stinking 3 speed auto.

Man, that's sad. I always thought that the Neon's only had 3 speeds because they were cheap cars. I can't believe that a 2000 Caravan doesn't have an overdrive tranny.

 

[Militant-Grunt]

There was quite a lot of Auto M3's out there. They actually produced more of them than they were going to because there was a market for them. It is sort of like the four door M3

there was a 4 door? i thought all the ones on ebay were fake m3s!

 

[Average Jae]

logic of people w/ money.. what can you do? as car manufac, if there is a demand, they should meet it, even if it's dumb or not..

i thought when porsche first came up w/ the tiptronic i thought it absurd, but there will always be those that elect for autos..

 

[mikev]

sorry but the E36 M3 was actually produced and soled in europe with automatic tranny. you can still buy plenty of them as used cars in the market. actually the late E36 M3 already had SMG

what years were they made or was it for all of them. bear in mind i tend to generalise and when i say Europe i usually mean England (maily cause iv'e heard the stories of the, well, "less educated" US citizens ability in geography.) I've never seen an auto M3 over here at all, must be very rare, and there are none for sale that i can see online or at dealers.

 

[Wadula]

As far as i know the automatic was used since the car's introduction in 1992.
the SMG box started in 1995 when the M3 got the new 3.2l engine for 321 hp.

 

[skandalous]

there was a 4 door? i thought all the ones on ebay were fake m3s!

mmm, I love the 4-door M3's. I would buy one if I had money. I think they're very unique.

 

[Big Daddy]

there was a 4 door? i thought all the ones on ebay were fake m3s!

1997 M3 Four-Door, very much in demand. I'd own one!

 

[carcus]

Some good info:

http://caranddriver.radicalmedia.com/member/curIssue/nov_95/shorttake.html

http://www.bmwpartx.com/warranty/m3_automatic-parts.html

http://www.bmwworld.com/reviews/m3_automatic.htm

http://www.canadiandriver.com/testdrives/02m3_smg.htm

http://www.newsargus.com/newsport/jimscars/BMWM3.html

Just some nice info on the topic.

 

[NZL]

If SMG auto trannies are good enough for Formula 1 cars... they're good enough for me!

 

[Debbb123]

I just bought an M3 CONVERTIBLE..AUTOMATIC.... THIS CAR IS AWESOME! FAST ENOUGH FOR ME, I LOVE IT!

Debbie

 

[carcus]

I just bought an M3 CONVERTIBLE..AUTOMATIC.... THIS CAR IS AWESOME! FAST ENOUGH FOR ME, I LOVE IT!

Debbie

Any pics.....would love to see some pics. M3 A4 are pretty rare....especially verts.

 

[nadroj]

i would still prefer a cluch pedal and the shifter. i guess i like haveing more control over it. i donno

 

[mikev]

If SMG auto trannies are good enough for Formula 1 cars... they're good enough for me!

But it'll be a more interesting race when the full manual rule comes back in!!!! 2006-7 i reckon??