Up to what year was the S50B30 M3 produced?

[Bleevin]

I have 3 questions I was hoping someone could help answer.

I was hoping someone could clarify what year was the S50B30 M3 produced till and what if any were the differences between the years?

The Japanese car auction model catalog lists the S50B30 M3 production year from 1994 - 1996.

I'm on the hunt for a S50B30 M3 and was wondering if I should expand my search to include the 95 & 96 years.

Thanks

[3MPowered]

Ok, I'm not one to spout the wonders of the search function here, but seriously? This info can be found on wikipedia.

The B30 stopped being produced in mid '96, after which the B32 took over the scene. I wouldn't look at importing the B32s simply because they cannot be put through Aircare (fellow Vancouverite here) and will fail automatically. Be very cautious when importing the Japanese M3s.

[Bleevin]

Ok, I'm not one to spout the wonders of the search function here, but seriously? This info can be found on wikipedia.

The B30 stopped being produced in mid '96, after which the B32 took over the scene. I wouldn't look at importing the B32s simply because they cannot be put through Aircare (fellow Vancouverite here) and will fail automatically. Be very cautious when importing the Japanese M3s.

Sorry I didn't communicate my thoughts properly. I understand that the B32's kicked in around 96 and I've lurked on these forums to read about the differences between the B32's and B30's. Granted I should have realized that the B30's were in production till at least 95.

My questions was more along the lines of are there any changes (good / bad) between the 94 - 96 years the B30's were produced. For example: maybe the 95 B30's had adjustable xenon lights, but the 94 didn't.

3MPowered - Can you explain why the B32's can not be put through aircare? Also I assume the B30 M3 (94 - 96) is capable of passing aircare, since you own one in Vancouver.

[3MPowered]

You are correct, the B30s can be put through aircare and [usually] pass. Mine passed, but for every one that passes at least 3 don't. 2 of my friends also own Euros and neither can pass aircare, I had to swap my cats onto one friend's car so that he could get by for another 3 years!

The B32s cannot pass aircare because they do not have OBDII ports (a requirement for all OBDII cars - '96+). Even if the car idles fine and has no emissions irregularities, because it cannot be tested, it cannot pass. Shitty, but, c'est la vie!

To answer your other question, sorry, I didn't know that's what you were reffering to. The answer is no, there are no differences between B30s of any year. In my searches I have seen the various changes that were made to the E36 over the years and nothing was ever mentioned about changes to the engine or suspension architecture. Most changes were things like trim options and exterior colour additions.

Out of curiosity, what is your price range that you'd be looking to pay for a Euro M3?

[Bleevin]

You are correct, the B30s can be put through aircare and [usually] pass. Mine passed, but for every one that passes at least 3 don't. 2 of my friends also own Euros and neither can pass aircare, I had to swap my cats onto one friend's car so that he could get by for another 3 years!

Is it a matter of just purchasing an OEM cat in order to pass aircare?



The B32s cannot pass aircare because they do not have OBDII ports (a requirement for all OBDII cars - '96+). Even if the car idles fine and has no emissions irregularities, because it cannot be tested, it cannot pass. Shitty, but, c'est la vie!

Good to know... I'm glad I insisted on only looking for a 3.0L M3.



Out of curiosity, what is your price range that you'd be looking to pay for a Euro M3?

The budget I gave the exporter was 800,000 yen CIF. Works out to be around 9,700 - 10,000 cdn depending on the exchange rate. I'm sure there are taxes etc that will have to be added. I specifically asked for an auction grade 4 or higher with less then 100,000km's.

So to answer your question... under 10,000 cdn, if there was one already in Van with the criteria's I mentioned above. Of course that range would change depending on the condition of the vehicle.

[3MPowered]

$10k won't buy you anywhere close to a grade 4 Euro unfortunately. I picked mine up for a little over $10K and it was in very rough shape back then. Don't get me wrong, you may get lucky, but I'd expect to pay closer to $15k for a very clean example. Even then though, you're taking a gamble on the car's history and essentially buying a car sight unseen, so there's really no way of knowing what you're getting into until it's too late. And after all is said and done, you still have no idea if it will pass aircare!

It's a bit of a ballache, but if everything pans out, you won't be disappointed ;)

And yes, most of the time the issue is just the OEM cats. In Japan, people tend to make short trips more frequently than longer trips, which prevents the cats from warming up and doing their job properly. After enough time, the built up carbon cakes the walls of the cats, rendering them useless. OEM cats are $3700, so a custom fabricated midpipe with California-sanctioned cats is usually the way to go (Cali has the toughest emissions requirements of all the states).

[Bleevin]

when I gave my requirements to the exporter that was the approximate cost he provided to me. He seemed pretty confident that he could find the car I want for that price. I guess we'll have to see.

But damn you're scaring me ;o).

[3MPowered]

Well it's better to be forewarned right? :)

If your exporter was confident then maybe I'm behind the times, back when I was looking $15k was not uncommon for a Euro.

[glycopene]

Bleevin your exporter is correct with his pricing info. I am also in the process of importing a euro m from Japan and my exporter is giving me what sounds to be similar info to you. My budget is also 10k CDN so looks like we may be bidding against each other.

3Mpowered- auction prices on e36 m3's have dropped quite a bit since you bought yours a few years ago. For example, a grade 4 Avus on alacantra with 102 km's sold for 385 000 JPY last month, (just before I started my search, I was choked to see I had missed it) which is about 9K CDN once you pay your exporter and shipping fees. As well, if I remember correctly from your thread you purchased from tyee imports? They are an importer/dealer so they have mark up on the cars they sell. In comparison, buying from an exporter you are only paying them, not someone in Canada.

Who is your exporter bleevin?

[Bleevin]

Bleevin your exporter is correct with his pricing info. I am also in the process of importing a euro m from Japan and my exporter is giving me what sounds to be similar info to you. My budget is also 10k CDN so looks like we may be bidding against each other.

3Mpowered- auction prices on e36 m3's have dropped quite a bit since you bought yours a few years ago. For example, a grade 4 Avus on alacantra with 102 km's sold for 385 000 JPY last month, (just before I started my search, I was choked to see I had missed it) which is about 9K CDN once you pay your exporter and shipping fees. As well, if I remember correctly from your thread you purchased from tyee imports? They are an importer/dealer so they have mark up on the cars they sell. In comparison, buying from an exporter you are only paying them, not someone in Canada.

Who is your exporter bleevin?

Yes it sounds like we will be bidding against each other. Or sharing the same container.

I'm working with Mark of Brave Auto International. So far very easy to deal with and has answered all my emails promptly. He's very quick at setting expectations.

Where are you getting the sold prices from? The auction system I have access to doesn't seem to provide that info.

3MPowered 15k seems to be about the going rate for a very clean Euro M3 if you purchase from a dealer in Japan.
http://exchange.goo-net.com/usedcars/BMW/M3/700957061320110716001/index.html

[3MPowered]

Bleevin your exporter is correct with his pricing info. I am also in the process of importing a euro m from Japan and my exporter is giving me what sounds to be similar info to you. My budget is also 10k CDN so looks like we may be bidding against each other.

3Mpowered- auction prices on e36 m3's have dropped quite a bit since you bought yours a few years ago. For example, a grade 4 Avus on alacantra with 102 km's sold for 385 000 JPY last month, (just before I started my search, I was choked to see I had missed it) which is about 9K CDN once you pay your exporter and shipping fees. As well, if I remember correctly from your thread you purchased from tyee imports? They are an importer/dealer so they have mark up on the cars they sell. In comparison, buying from an exporter you are only paying them, not someone in Canada.

Who is your exporter bleevin?


It's true the dealers mark their cars up a bit, at the time I wasn't comfortable sourcing my own broker or importing myself, and I certainly wasn't going to buy a car sight unseen (and I still wouldn't recommend it). Being able to drive the car and see what I was getting myself into was a huge benefit, and allowed me to make a connection with the car that I would have lost out on had I brought it in myself.

If you guys are able to attain your goal of bringing one in for $10k, more power to you. Had I known 2 years ago what I know now, I would have been much more cautious, especially given that most of these imports fail emissions testing.

[Bleevin]

If you guys are able to attain your goal of bringing one in for $10k, more power to you. Had I known 2 years ago what I know now, I would have been much more cautious, especially given that most of these imports fail emissions testing.

No doubt about it. I am very worried about purchasing a car without first inspecting it. Especially now that your friends are having such a hard time passing aircare. I did budget for an extra 5g's in repairs. I'm hoping that is enough for anything major right off the bat.

I did go through your car thread and it was very informative as to what could go wrong. But after testing driving a 94 Euro M3 that is for sale on craigslist, I was hooked.

[glycopene]

Yes it sounds like we will be bidding against each other. Or sharing the same container.

I'm working with Mark of Brave Auto International. So far very easy to deal with and has answered all my emails promptly. He's very quick at setting expectations.

Where are you getting the sold prices from? The auction system I have access to doesn't seem to provide that info.

3MPowered 15k seems to be about the going rate for a very clean Euro M3 if you purchase from a dealer in Japan.
http://exchange.goo-net.com/usedcars/BMW/M3/700957061320110716001/index.html

Mark from BraveAuto is a good guy and only exports quality vehicles. I have never heard anything negative about him, and he was actually my second choice for an exporter. I ended up going with Derek from Pacific Coast JDM for a couple of reasons, but would still use Mark in a heartbeat.

Both of these guys are on the JDMVIP forum (which you should check out, tons of great info on importing to Canada) and I have only ever seen good things said about them.

The auction tool that Derek gave me to browse shows sold vehicles up to two months old. Yours should have it as well. Click on any M3. There should be a button at the top that says "Statistics by Model." Click that, and it should give you a bunch of years to choose from and then you can see prices and pics of cars sold in the last few months.



It's true the dealers mark their cars up a bit, at the time I wasn't comfortable sourcing my own broker or importing myself, and I certainly wasn't going to buy a car sight unseen (and I still wouldn't recommend it). Being able to drive the car and see what I was getting myself into was a huge benefit, and allowed me to make a connection with the car that I would have lost out on had I brought it in myself.

If you guys are able to attain your goal of bringing one in for $10k, more power to you. Had I known 2 years ago what I know now, I would have been much more cautious, especially given that most of these imports fail emissions testing.

I agree with what your saying about not being able to drive a car first being scary, but based on the cars I have seen my exporter send to Canada make me fairly confident I will not get a lemon. Yes there is always a risk, but due to the fact that Derek is a "car guy", and will drive my car first puts my mind at ease a little bit.

Also, we don't have aircare in Alberta, so not having to worry about $3700 cats is nice.

[Bleevin]

glycopene - kinda funny how Pacific coast was my second choice and brave auto my first.

I did visit jdmvip but didn't read all the threads. I got onto the exporter review area and that helped me pick Mark.

I hope we both will be able to get the car that we want.

[3MPowered]

If you guys can, buy a car that's already been in Canada a while. There has been a few Euro M3s for sale locally in the past, a a few genuine Canadian specs as well. IMO it's always worth it to spend a little extra money on a car that you can be sure is sound than to gamble on a car you haven't seen or driven.

M3s are the sort of car that you can spend $5k or $15k on. Buying a $5k M3 and putting an extra $10k into it will not make it as sound or as clean as the $15k M3, so the extra money spent at purchase time is usually well worth it.

[Bleevin]

If you guys can, buy a car that's already been in Canada a while. There has been a few Euro M3s for sale locally in the past, a a few genuine Canadian specs as well. IMO it's always worth it to spend a little extra money on a car that you can be sure is sound than to gamble on a car you haven't seen or driven.

M3s are the sort of car that you can spend $5k or $15k on. Buying a $5k M3 and putting an extra $10k into it will not make it as sound or as clean as the $15k M3, so the extra money spent at purchase time is usually well worth it.

I totally agree with your statement. unfortunately I missed a couple of promising m3 and the only euro m3 for sale at the moment didn't seem worth while to get an inspection done (I didn't want to lowball the Guy).

[3MPowered]

It wasn't that Avus Can Spec one was it?

[Bleevin]

It wasn't that Avus Can Spec one was it?

No that one I missed.

This is the one I passed on.
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/bnc/cto/2941198057.html

This one seems to be in very good condition but he wants to trade only.
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rds/wan/3012306167.html



The auction tool that Derek gave me to browse shows sold vehicles up to two months old. Yours should have it as well. Click on any M3. There should be a button at the top that says "Statistics by Model." Click that, and it should give you a bunch of years to choose from and then you can see prices and pics of cars sold in the last few months.



Hmm... I still can't find that info. I'll have to ask about it.

[glycopene]

Yeah, I am open to buying one that is already in Canada if I can find one. My deposit is 100% refundable, so if I find one over here first I can always get my money back. Unfortunately, there isn't a whole lot for sale, especially in Edmonton. I don't know if I've ever seen a euro for sale locally.

Good luck in your search bleevin. Definitely check out jdmvip, tons of good info and import guides on there.

[JCooper]

If you guys can, buy a car that's already been in Canada a while. There has been a few Euro M3s for sale locally in the past, a a few genuine Canadian specs as well. IMO it's always worth it to spend a little extra money on a car that you can be sure is sound than to gamble on a car you haven't seen or driven.

M3s are the sort of car that you can spend $5k or $15k on. Buying a $5k M3 and putting an extra $10k into it will not make it as sound or as clean as the $15k M3, so the extra money spent at purchase time is usually well worth it.+1
I've experienced something similar too this for myself! Your better off buying the well maintained more expensive car now as appose to doing all the catchup yourself with the cheaper option!

[3MPowered]

Unless you're the kind of person that enjoys that sort of thing. I didn't buy my car with the mindset that it was an investment, I bought it and am building it for me. I don't want to talk in circles, but if you're the kind of person that enjoys working on a car and can budget for a rebuild, it could be very fun going into a purchase with little idea what you're getting yourself into!

[JCooper]

Unless you're the kind of person that enjoys that sort of thing. I didn't buy my car with the mindset that it was an investment, I bought it and am building it for me. I don't want to talk in circles, but if you're the kind of person that enjoys working on a car and can budget for a rebuild, it could be very fun going into a purchase with little idea what you're getting yourself into!
This is so true!

[Bleevin]

I'm hoping I have the time and ability to do some of the work myself. Which is one of the reasons I am purchasing a car of this age, once I find the right one.

[3MPowered]

This is so true!

You ought to know ;)

[JCooper]

haha, tell me about it... :rolleyes I enjoy every last bit of it too!