Buying my first M3!

[riley111]

hey guys, I've been recently looking at buying a a 3.0 94 M3 (as im on my probationary license here in Australia i'm not not permitted to drive a 3.2).
I was wondering as to what to look for when inspecting these cars and just general cost of ownership and advice on the pros and cons etc. Thanks guys:):)

[Pelican Parts]

Hey Riley - E36 M3s are excellent, very fun nimble cars. I number one thing I can recommend is that you get a full PPI report before considering the car. This will give you all the info you'll need to see if it's a worthy investment or not. General cost of ownership won't be too bad because part prices have come down dramatically and there a lot of second-hand products that won't make a difference but will save you money in the long-term. I'm also attaching a link to our site's DIY tech articles on the E36 platform. Please let us know if you have any questions and post a few photos of the M3 if you decide on it.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techarticles/tech_main_e36.htm

[newman995]

CHECK FOR RUST. Check everywhere. It is so annoying to fix and can get expensive. I wouldnt worry too much if its just surface rust or in a place that isnt structural. Post pics if the deal goes through!

[Ateyourv8]

Good choice!
Check for cracks in rear subframe mounts and sway bar mounts. Also in the trunk, peel back the carpet on the rear shock mounts and check for cracks around the shock mounts. You can do some searches to see what I’m referring to. Check for any signs of previous damage or accidents. Don’t be afraid to negotiate if you find anything you don’t like.
Its a very fun car and you’ll love it and hate it at the same time lol. It’s even funner if you enjoy/ don’t mind getting your hands dirty. It’ll teach you a lot. Hope you get it and in for pics! Good luck!

[Ajcanadian]

Good choice!
Check for cracks in rear subframe mounts and sway bar mounts. Also in the trunk, peel back the carpet on the rear shock mounts and check for cracks around the shock mounts. You can do some searches to see what I’m referring to. Check for any signs of previous damage or accidents. Don’t be afraid to negotiate if you find anything you don’t like.
Its a very fun car and you’ll love it and hate it at the same time lol. It’s even funner if you enjoy/ don’t mind getting your hands dirty. It’ll teach you a lot. Hope you get it and in for pics! Good luck!


That is one good tip^ Plus the shock mounts love to go bad. My car's one was bad. One more thing that is prone to go bad on these cars is the heatercore. Turn the heat on and then park the car and see if there is any coolant under the middle of the car. Something the PPI in my case didn't bring up nor did I notice this before but it is getting remedied today