Is the BMW M3 E36 good for drift?

Yes, it is a community favorite with the more powerful S50/S52 engine (240-321 HP). The problem is price: a clean M3 E36 starts at 25,000 USD. For a first car it is overkill.

Is a BMW 318 good for drift?

Yes but less so: the M40/M42 4-cylinder makes 115-140 HP, so you will work the car harder to hold slides. It is the cheapest entry option in Argentina (4,000-7,000 USD). If you can stretch to the 325 or 328, better.

What about the Nissan 350Z?

Heavy, long wheelbase, naturally aspirated engine. It works for drift, but it is not ideal for learning. If you are already a driver and want an accessible Nissan in Argentina, it is an option. As a first car, there are better choices.

What about the Toyota AE86, Mark II JZX or Soarer?

Unicorns in Argentina. The AE86 is a pure collector car, and the JZX models (Chaser, Mark II, Cresta with 1JZ-GTE) are rarer than the S15. Beautiful, but with no practical availability.

Is a Ford Sierra worth it for drift?

Yes, and it is an underrated local option. It was built in Argentina, so parts and shops exist and prices are accessible. Most owners swap the engine. Not the first choice, but a legitimate one.

Should I buy a built car or build it from scratch?

To start, already built. Buying an E36 with a locked diff, dialed-in suspension and proper tyres saves you 6-12 months and usually costs less than building one. Building from scratch makes sense once you know exactly what you want.

2026-05-231 min readUpdated: 2026-06-24

BMW E36 vs Nissan: Which Car to Buy for Drift in Argentina

By Dmitrii McCarthy

BMW E36 vs Nissan: which to buy for drift in Argentina

This article is currently available in Spanish. A native English version is coming soon. The short answer: in Argentina, the BMW E36 (328i, 325i, 323i) wins for a first drift car against Nissan S13/S14/S15. Reasons: availability (40-80 BMW units listed at any time vs 10-25 Nissan), price (BMW ~8-15k USD drift-ready, S13 ~12-25k), maintenance (BMW parts in any European-experienced shop, Nissan SR20DET needs JDM specialist with imported parts), insurance (BMW cheaper), and resale (BMW sells in weeks, rare Nissan in months). Nissan is the right answer for committed competition pilots, JDM enthusiasts with imported parts access, or build budgets above 30k USD. Otherwise, BMW E36 is the realistic first car.

Before you buy anything: book a Drift Intro class at $300 USD and drive the BMW E36 first. Better to spend 300 USD to know than 10k USD to regret. For the full Spanish comparison see the Spanish version.

Frequently asked questions

Is the BMW M3 E36 good for drift?: Yes, it is a community favorite with the more powerful S50/S52 engine (240-321 HP). The problem is price: a clean M3 E36 starts at 25,000 USD. For a first car it is overkill.
Is a BMW 318 good for drift?: Yes but less so: the M40/M42 4-cylinder makes 115-140 HP, so you will work the car harder to hold slides. It is the cheapest entry option in Argentina (4,000-7,000 USD). If you can stretch to the 325 or 328, better.
What about the Nissan 350Z?: Heavy, long wheelbase, naturally aspirated engine. It works for drift, but it is not ideal for learning. If you are already a driver and want an accessible Nissan in Argentina, it is an option. As a first car, there are better choices.
What about the Toyota AE86, Mark II JZX or Soarer?: Unicorns in Argentina. The AE86 is a pure collector car, and the JZX models (Chaser, Mark II, Cresta with 1JZ-GTE) are rarer than the S15. Beautiful, but with no practical availability.
Is a Ford Sierra worth it for drift?: Yes, and it is an underrated local option. It was built in Argentina, so parts and shops exist and prices are accessible. Most owners swap the engine. Not the first choice, but a legitimate one.
Should I buy a built car or build it from scratch?: To start, already built. Buying an E36 with a locked diff, dialed-in suspension and proper tyres saves you 6-12 months and usually costs less than building one. Building from scratch makes sense once you know exactly what you want.

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