'E36' is a bit of a general statement. Its like saying 'clio' you can get everything from a 1.2l to a 182hp just like you can get a 1.8 3 series up to an 3l M3.
If you knew what e36 you were comparing the 172 to then the discussion may be a bit deeper.
A 325 or a 328 with an m3 back end and some trick suspe sion mods would be a very well sorted track car.