Buying an e36 me

[ryan8925]

Hey guys. Finally think i found an e36 m3 i want. 263k miles with rebuild S52, Machined Cylinder Head, New Valve Seals, All New Gaskets, New Chain. Anything i should be worried about?

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[Pelican Parts]

Check out the link below, pretty solid article on what to look out for.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/buying-maintenance/a29308/bmw-m3-e36-review/

[TostitoBandito]

Make sure the cooling system is solid, no leaks, and no cracks in the radiator neck
Check for oil leaks from valve cover and oil pan (should be fine if recently rebuilt)
Check the diff to make sure you don't hear any noises from it while coasting (bolts are known to back out inside it)
Make sure all the suspension bushings, ball joints, and motor/trans mounts are in reasonable shape, or factor replacement costs in if they aren't
Inspect subframes and control arms to make sure nothing is rusted/cracked and everything is straight

[RightYouAreKen]

With 263k miles, there is a lot you should be worried about. While the engine may be rebuilt, the whole rest of the car should have a thorough going over. I'd be worried about how much life was left in things like the diff, trans, window motors, sunroof motor, shock mounts, bushings, cooling system, etc etc etc.

[ryan8925]

Craigslist Ad
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/d/1997-bmw-e36-m3-estoril-blue/6460783295.html

Heres what im looking at right now

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[Team Neverlift]

Wow, that is incredibly overpriced for mileage, without working A/C in the So Cal market.

18k in receipts over 8+ years... I am sure a majority of that was the engine rebuild, and the rest general maintenance.

Why is it using oil weight for a S54?

[TostitoBandito]

Agree that the price is bonkers. Sure the engine was rebuilt, but the rest of the car has a lot of miles. For that price I'd expect more pricey performance mods like a BBK, engine mods/FI, or an upgraded diff. Or way lower mileage and an immaculate exterior/interior. Or a full-on caged racecar. Hell, mine is insured for 15K with 115K fewer miles and a comparable $ amount of mods minus the engine rebuild.

And the oil is strange. No idea why that would be used unless it's a full time track car (and even then that's probably thicker than you want or need in most cases).

AND the AC doesn't even work.

Unless you're looking at this to use only as a track car, run. Even then, many of the mods are more street than track focused.

[Ex36]

That's absurd. Watch Bring-a-Trailer auctions. Really pristine low-mileage examples (around 100K) hammer for around $15K--or less--usually.

[ryan8925]

Alright thanks guys. Im starting to get real impatient trying to find an E36 worth buying

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[Team Neverlift]

If I were looking to spend around 15k on an E36 M3... it would be Ryans M3....

https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/d/1998-big-duck-club-widebody/6497089572.html

[TostitoBandito]

If I were looking to spend around 15k on an E36 M3... it would be Ryans M3....

https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/d/1998-big-duck-club-widebody/6497089572.html

That's a pretty well-sorted track car, at a great price considering everything it has. Stripped, caged, fully upgraded/reinforced suspension, full aero, widebody, etc... Great deal for someone looking for a track toy that's still street legal enough to drive to/from the track (as long as you don't run slicks).

Anyways, it's a good point of comparison to that other listing, which seems like it kind of wants to be a track car (no AC!) yet is probably $10000 away from where that widebody is already at.

[ryan8925]

That's a pretty well-sorted track car, at a great price considering everything it has. Stripped, caged, fully upgraded/reinforced suspension, full aero, widebody, etc... Great deal for someone looking for a track toy that's still street legal enough to drive to/from the track (as long as you don't run slicks).

Anyways, it's a good point of comparison to that other listing, which seems like it kind of wants to be a track car (no AC!) yet is probably $10000 away from where that widebody is already at.But with that many miles? 228k seems like a lot esspecially sense the car has obviously been tracked

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[Team Neverlift]

That's a pretty well-sorted track car, at a great price considering everything it has. Stripped, caged, fully upgraded/reinforced suspension, full aero, widebody, etc... Great deal for someone looking for a track toy that's still street legal enough to drive to/from the track (as long as you don't run slicks).

Anyways, it's a good point of comparison to that other listing, which seems like it kind of wants to be a track car (no AC!) yet is probably $10000 away from where that widebody is already at.

Yep, that is why I posted it. And the fact that I would like to see it go to a good home. He is a member on this forum as well, so finding any and all history on it's progress would be simple. Ryan did a great job with it.

The aero, cage, and suspension would take you north of 10k in a heartbeat. I would say it is north of $15k for that other M3 to be prepped and maintained to the level of TV M3.

[TostitoBandito]

But with that many miles? 228k seems like a lot esspecially sense the car has obviously been tracked

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Mileage is more or less irrelevant on a track/race car, assuming everything is in good running condition. All the wear items on the car body/suspension have been removed or replaced, and the driveline gets very well maintained and probably not a lot of mileage. If you have to rebuild the engine at some point in the future, that's part of the deal. Because racecar.

That said, NA S52's are extremely durable and will take a lot of abuse on the road or the track.

[Team Neverlift]

But with that many miles? 228k seems like a lot esspecially sense the car has obviously been tracked

A cylinder leak down test performed during a Pre Purchase Inspection will detail any potential issues in the top or bottom end. An oil sample sent to Blackstone Labs for analysis will tell you exactly how healthy the motor and oil are as well, and if there is unusual wear or potential failure looming. Track guys must hold themselves to a much higher level of maintenance and preparation vs. the folks who only change fluids, brakes, and tires during their ownership.

[Grey Phox]

$14.5k for a 263k mile E36....lol






You can do a ton better if your willing to spend 15K on an E36.

[notMpowered]

What in God’s name is going on here. 15k for a 263k car? These cars are not THAT hard to find yet.

[m3luckyoo]

Before buying any e36 M3 (and sports cars in general,) I would advise to run it on your local dyno shop to make sure the engine is putting down healthy numbers. I put a fresh engine in my //M at Edge Motorworks and it ran $11k when it was all said and done (including a new cooling system/ clutch) 250 rwhp 237 rwtq w full bolt ons.