Hopefully, a new M3 Owner soon.

[Bushhy]

EDIT!!!!!!!!!!!

After looking some more, i found this BMW(http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/4665590972.html). Isnt an M3, but looks better than the last, a little cheaper, and i believe i can probably get him down a decent amount. What do you all think about this one? Please let me know! Thanks!



__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________

So basically, i found a M3 (http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/4691223958.html), and went and saw it today. Got the guy down to $4400, and i could take it home.

I want to know what to look for if i go back. Engine Bay looked insanely clean, and other than the seats it was good.

He told me that the exhaust is hanging, and damn was it loud when he revved. The car had 250k miles, and he said there was engine tick, but i didnt hear it when he showed up.


I want to know if $4400 is a good deal, if not what should i look for.

Thanks for all the help in advance

[The sage]

i bought a 1997 coupe from a dealer in my area in far better shape for $3500. only had 140k miles. that car is rough.

[RRSperry]

Man, you and I have very different understandings of insanely clean...lol

anyway, there are several videos on YouTube on what to check when you are looking at an E36. Also stickies at the top of the page.

[Bushhy]

It looked much cleaner in person. He probably cleaned it before.

[Slashms3]

I wouldn't pay a red cent over $1500.

[technoMyviolet3]

Definitely do not get that for $4400. How long have you been looking? Keep your search up, I'm sure something better will come along for that price.

[MauiM3Mania]

OP. If the exhaust was loud, that's probably why you didn't hear the tick. Get a stethoscope to verify the source.

I want to know what causes a back seat to get trashed to such an extent. The fact it's been on the market for 25 days would be a flag for me. 265K is getting up there as well. I'm with the others that suggest you look more.

[EricP]

250k miles, an engine tick and a destroyed interior..... $2000-2500 car max?

[RightYouAreKen]

Man that car is rough. You should be able to find one in much better shape for close to the same money. What's your budget? If you can, I'd try to spend just a grand or so more...you should be able to find something that doesn't look like it's been inhabited by tigers and with less than 200k miles. If they treated it that badly, I don't wanna know what maintenance they skipped. That thing could easily cost you $3k in repairs in the first year, and you'd still have a car with a toast interior and a million miles.

[E36 Em Tree]

Car looks trashed to me. Def seen its better days.

[TriniSpeC]

Someone who would drive a car with a seat like that has neglected the car. Pass on this one.

[E36BMW3series]

You got him down $500 and it sounds like a deal? I thought 500 was the CL minimum on a car.

If you're looking for a racecar and to strip the interior with the understanding that the motor may need gone through soon, sure go for it. As a daily driver take a big ole pass.

You can pay an extra 2k now and get one with a good history that's well put together, or you can pay it later and still have a turd.

[tock172]

So basically, you found 'a M3,' saw that it was a BMW and made an offer?

Sorry, but right now you're giving me the impression that you don't know your asshole from a hole in the ground. You might want to consider a vehicle a bit more within your (financial and mechanical) means.

[flyfishvt]

That car is a turd. Find another

[DunkM]

Although I agree this car is not worth the money. I have to say trying to find an e36 m3 for under 4 grand is impossible around Atlanta. People see the m badge and just pay whatever is being asked for the car. M3s are stupidly overpriced. So in conclusion, I feel the ops pain.

[Bushhy]

Would you all think this one would be better After looking some more, i found this BMW(http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/4665590972.html). Looks better than the last, a little cheaper, and i believe i can probably get him down a decent amount. What do you all think about this one? Please let me know! Thanks!

[DunkM]

Edit: never mind. I still don't like the fact that they put that large of wheel on there, but those are at least a decent brand. (As far as I know). I still feel uneasy about it. If you are local, you could take a look. What I would suggest is take someone who doesn't like bmws, or your significant other who doesn't get emotional about cars. So that they can point out the things you glaze over cause it's so "cool" this is based on personal experience...

[maxpaur]

op, you can find so much better cars for the money. A 328i should be bone stock, one owner, less than 100k for 4 grand. gl

[technoMyviolet3]

Would you all think this one would be better After looking some more, i found this BMW(http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/4665590972.html). Looks better than the last, a little cheaper, and i believe i can probably get him down a decent amount. What do you all think about this one? Please let me know! Thanks!

It doesn't look like you're the best car shopper...

[esp42089]

It says everything that the 328i has an M3 badge on it. You need to pitch in more money or find a different type of car to buy. Your budget will not allow you to be happy with an E36.

[DunkM]

Guys. Please show me some Bmws in Atlanta that you can find for that cheap. 3000 dollars bought me 94 325i convertible with 175,000 miles.And 4000 got me an e46 323i that needed a clutch and the entire cooling system. At least give this guy some slack, a clean e36 starts at 5000 around atlanta. There is somebody selling a 95 bmw m3 for 3000 dollars. It has a blown head gasket and probably a warped head. Oh, and no door panels...

[e30jrosso]

Guys. Please show me some Bmws in Atlanta that you can find for that cheap. 3000 dollars bought me 94 325i convertible with 175,000 miles.And 4000 got me an e46 323i that needed a clutch and the entire cooling system. At least give this guy some slack, a clean e36 starts at 5000 around atlanta. There is somebody selling a 95 bmw m3 for 3000 dollars. It has a blown head gasket and probably a warped head. Oh, and no door panels...

I'm not here to bash the OP, I understand that in certain markets the demand is high and so is the price. Why not look outside of the Atlanta metro area? Charlotte isn't too far(actually a quick CL search shows Charlotte is looking a bit pricey as well), maybe some of the Florida cities? I'd look even further out till I found a car that was right for me. I know that is a big issue and risk a lot of people aren't willing to take, but for the right car with the right seller I'd at least consider a one-way plane ticket. I haven't been in the market for an e36 M for a few years but if you're not looking to spend $8-10k I think you're going to have to find an example with higher mileage. OP, keep at it, neither of the two listings you've posted look like a car I'd want to spend the coin on.

[EricP]

$4300 for an M3 badged 328 with a dented in rear panel... probably $1500-2000 worth of body damage right there correct?

Sorry you are having trouble in your search. If you want to spend about twice as much maybe I can help out you....

[KnudsonsM3]

If you can't afford to buy a $5,000 car, then maybe you shouldn't own a Bmw in the first place. These cars aren't cheap to maintain.

[DunkM]

E36s are very easy and cheap to maintain. And very diy friendly. And the e46 is not really harder, but just more frustrating. (All the extra electrical sensors.) That being said, it's not a matter of how you can afford, it's how much you are willing to spend. I'm sorry. I love the e36, (it's my favorite 3) but spending 5000 on a 20 year old car that doesn't have any special features, and still needs work just doesn't seem right. I owned my black 325i for over 5 years, I may have put 3000 dollars into, which included a set of 16" wheels and a hardtop. That's about 50 dollars a month...