I'm in a tough position.
I bought an E36 for cheap with my own money which has been my project car for almost a year now. It's been less of a daily driver since I've been working on it. My parents have gotten tired of me using their Camry because I have a car of my own. They said they'll buy me a new-er car so I have something to drive at all times. I love having a comfortable Japanese sedan as my daily driver while having a fun E36 to turn to. But lately my parents have been stressing the importance of me driving one car.
Going newer seemed like an easy decision until I started thinking about getting an E30 M3. So I have room for decisions. I can get a new car, but that leaves me with no money, modifications, or DIY projects. I can get a new-er car, like a 1999 E36 M3. It would be more reliable than my current car and would still be open to modifications once I get money again.
Then there's the option of buying an E30 M3. If I did, it would have to be completely mint. I would already be going against the whole purpose of my parents paying for my next car. Would I be sacrificing that much reliability for a classic BMW? If I bought an M with a rebuilt motor, healthy transmission, well kept suspension components, no electrical problems, and about 100k on the body, would it still require enough attention to piss off my parents? I think the sheer ownership of an E30 M3 would outshadow small reliability issues. Input please.

Dude you almost sound confused in what you would really like to own??
1) keep your project E36
2) drive a jap sedan
3) get an E30 M3
4) get an 99 E36 M3

Case in point here is WHAT IS YOUR MONEY LOOKING LIKE. How much on hand cash do you have, or you pursuing taking out a loan for whatever you plan to get? how much you plan on spending for this NEXT car you'd like to own? In either case if your focus is reliability, you can forget the E30 M3. IMO its not my first choice of car followed by the words "reliability". Elaborate on your budget then maybe some better help will chime in.

P.S> not a fan of mooching off parents (cuz of appreciation factor) but if mom&pop are footing the bill, I would go for the gusto and loose the project E36 car wasting time money and effort if you know youd rather have something reliable to drive THAT YOU LIKE (and stick to this mindset).

I would personally get a 98 or 99 E36 M3 and then sell the 325 project and give the money to your parents to help them pay for it or just save the money or use it on some mods for the car. I would NOT get an E30 M3 if you want one reliable car. Its more of a weekend car or track car because it wont be as reliable as the 98 or 99 M3. But thats my opinion being that ive own an E36 M3 and an E30 M3 and an E30 325is, I would definetly say just get a newer M3. Good luck in your decision.

A good solid e30 is going to cost you as much as, or more than a solid e36. I suggest that you want to stay with the e36 for a daily driver.

If they are stressing the importance of you driving "your own", "reliable" car. Do what they ask and are willing to help you with. get a low miliage E36, M if possible. Suggest you sell the project car to help pay for the M.:alright

to me it means driving the hell out of it, with minimal consequences...
but at the same time, investing lots of time and money to assure this can be an ongoing feat...
I love it

A truly low-mileage mint E30 M3 would be ~$20k. Do you know how to do valve adjustments? Do you know how to work a multimeter to troubleshoot electrical gremlins?

I spent more on my s14 then I spend on, well other things. That is one friggin expensive engine to maintain... If your strapped for cash, dont get an e30 m3.