Quote Originally Posted by wannab20hatch
the wife says to get a coupe since we dont have kids and dont plan on having any for a while.
First thing is check insurance comparing all of them.

For $8k you can get an M3 seriously in need of maintenance or an extremely nice 328i with all preventive maintenance and mods done and a few grand left over.

I can just about guarantee you whatever e36 you get it will need maintenance, especially rear trailing arm bushings. BMW uses all natural rubber bushings which deteriorates infinitely faster than urethane or polyurethane. Replacing them all will make it a completely different car.