Whos got the highest mileage E36 M3?

[cb535]

Who is running the highest mileage E36 M3 out there?

Please post your year and mileage and any major work done...

[gnarfy]

Who is running the highest mileage E36 M3 out there?


E36 or E46 ???

Bimmerforums - The Ultimate BMW Forum > Bimmerforums BMW Cars > M3 Series (E46) > Whos got the highest mileage E36 M3?

[bimmerman1]

97 M3, 88000 miles, no major work excepts performance mods.

[Nick MD]

There has to be someone over 200k. My roommate's car is in the 140's.

[Zoso]

I saw some 200+K 95 M3s on autotrader for about 11K.

I only have 59K on my 98. I think I've put like 2 or 3 K on it this year!

[dak656]

~260,000 on mine.... only major work was replacing the lifters, other than that, been pretty minor. p/s pump about a year ago. still on the original clutch. engine has never been removed from the car. zero gearbox/diff problems. other than that, just the usual wear/tear parts (dampers, brakes, tires, etc etc etc).

I haven't seen anyone with higher mileage than mine.

[jtkkz]

My '98 M3 is defnitely far from high mileage.
It only has 19,600 original miles.

[Makr]

260K, thats awesome. :buttrock

85,000 on my '95.

[Cobainm3]

163k, only paid $8300

[ParadigmGuy]

I almost bought this (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2487746486&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT) M3 a few days ago. I'm looking for a good condition high mileage M3. I'm just not sure I like the 4 doors.

[ACS S3]

1994 325is With 75000 Miles Is That High?

[Hammdy]

1994 325is With 75000 Miles Is That High?

No that's low.

[M3Blurr]

146,000 on a 98 M3 2dr. Mostly highway. Bought it with 34,000ish and have not done any major repairs, just basic maintenance such as most of the suspension.

[DominikM3]

I almost bought this (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2487746486&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT) M3 a few days ago. I'm looking for a good condition high mileage M3. I'm just not sure I like the 4 doors.

that is crazy
:eyecrazy

[incubus]

that is crazy
:eyecrazy

Yup! :eek

[tribe]

203k miles on my 95 M3. Just a spring chick compared to 260k!

Bob

[LexdiamonNYC]

124k on my 99 :D

[clumpymold]

Why is it that whenever these threads come up, people INSIST on posting their sub-200k mileage numbers? He's asking for the HIGHEST mileage E36 M3. Not NON-M3s or anything less than 260k since that's the highest posted. :dunno

And dayam, 260k?! That's insane! Any pictures of it and the engine?

Please don't post here if you've got less than his or it's some 1993 318 or something. You're just making this thread unnecessarily long. :(

I'm actually also wondering who's got the highest mileage/year. Most higher mileage M3s seem to be 1995s. Any 1996+?

[stupenal]

Why is it that whenever these threads come up, people INSIST on posting their sub-200k mileage numbers? He's asking for the HIGHEST mileage E36 M3. Not NON-M3s or anything less than 260k since that's the highest posted. :dunno

And dayam, 260k?! That's insane! Any pictures of it and the engine?

Please don't post here if you've got less than his or it's some 1993 318 or something. You're just making this thread unnecessarily long. :(

I'm actually also wondering who's got the highest mileage/year. Most higher mileage M3s seem to be 1995s. Any 1996+?

watch out, its the post-content nazi! :rolleyes

haha but seriously - why all these posts about cars with sub 100k when you KNOW that its not the highest? i agree with clumpy....this thread is like dedicated to those special m3s that really are the "ultimate driving machine" and not the "ultimate garage queen."

[JM3]

i agree, anyone under 200K miles needs to make their own post. you contribute nothing and waste bandwith

[dak656]

I'll go take some pics of the car tomorrow, after I wash it since it was rained upon all day....

[CosmoE36]

Why is it that whenever these threads come up, people INSIST on posting their sub-200k mileage numbers? He's asking for the HIGHEST mileage E36 M3. Not NON-M3s or anything less than 260k since that's the highest posted. :dunno

And dayam, 260k?! That's insane! Any pictures of it and the engine?

Please don't post here if you've got less than his or it's some 1993 318 or something. You're just making this thread unnecessarily long. :(

I'm actually also wondering who's got the highest mileage/year. Most higher mileage M3s seem to be 1995s. Any 1996+?


because for some odd reason people seem to think that bragging about the lower milage cars they have makes them feel better... at least thats my understanding.. :confused

[AudiSnawb]

My 97 M3 had 158K when the transmission went, and I traded it in... not too high, but not low :)

[r6jon]

97 M3/4, Cosmos black/black leather

118k on the clock and running strong!

[dak656]

Back to the point of this thread.... can anybody beat me? I was a bit off, I thought I had the 258k oil change to do, but it was 255k, current actual mileage is 255,130something.... I'll take some pics today

[HellBilly]

yay i get 3rd place, 166k on my 97' Nother major has ever gone wrong. at 130k the valves/seals/retainers/springs were replaced, just so it would last well over 250k and to help restore some power

[QWKBMW]

About to hit 190,000 miles.....

97 M3

[dak656]

Here ya go....

[dak656]

a couple more...

[clumpymold]

yay i get 3rd place, 166k on my 97' Nother major has ever gone wrong. at 130k the valves/seals/retainers/springs were replaced, just so it would last well over 250k and to help restore some power

Um, I HIGHLY doubt that since I've seen at least 3 or 4 with over 200k. :nono

And why are people STILL posting sub-200k mileage cars? Even after several posts requesting NOT to. :dunno

Start your own thread guys. :mad

[clumpymold]

Here ya go....
That's one sweet HIGH mileage car. What year is it? 1995, right? I think it'd be cool to see a high mileage (200k+) on a later model M3 (like 1998 or 1999). Talk about high miles/year!

Oh, I noticed something interesting. My car temperature gauge doesn't have a mark for the center. It has two marks on either side but nothing in the center. Anybody else notice that?

[dak656]

'95. upgrade list: masr anti-roll bars, koni SA dampers, h&r sport springs, conforti chip, tckr bolt-in roll bar w/removable x-brace, bbs ch wheels w/s03's, oem brake rotors that are drilled (by me), working on my own aly strut bars (should be back from anodize next week)

[clumpymold]

'95. upgrade list: masr anti-roll bars, koni SA dampers, h&r sport springs, conforti chip, tckr bolt-in roll bar w/removable x-brace, bbs ch wheels w/s03's, oem brake rotors that are drilled (by me), working on my own aly strut bars (should be back from anodize next week)
You drilled your own rotors? Any problems with that? Why didn't you just buy x-drilled ones from Great Lakes. It only costs $300 for all four rotors, Axxis pads and sensors. :dunno

[dak656]

Because I work for a race team, and I have access to a machine shop, and drilling rotors is easy.... no problems at all, have slotted rotors myself also, I like doing things myself, that way I know it's done right. That's the reason I'm making my own strut bars, I know they'll be light, and just for the satisfaction that comes from doing something yourself and knowing that it works properly

[clumpymold]

Because I work for a race team, and I have access to a machine shop, and drilling rotors is easy.... no problems at all, have slotted rotors myself also, I like doing things myself, that way I know it's done right. That's the reason I'm making my own strut bars, I know they'll be light, and just for the satisfaction that comes from doing something yourself and knowing that it works properly
Oh, I see. But I've just heard so much about cracked x-drilled rotors. Especially those that were drilled after the casting process. :dunno

Oh, and I TOTALLY agree with you on doing things yourself. I did every mod on my car myself (except tint and alarm). I like knowing that I did it and not someone else. But I recently took my car to a shop for the first time before my trip up North (from LA to SF) and it wasn't that bad. He let me watch all while he worked on the car and it was pretty cheap. I'm actually thinking of bringing my car to him in the future to avoid any headaches. :)

[eneyeengee]

Back to the point of this thread.... can anybody beat me? I was a bit off, I thought I had the 258k oil change to do, but it was 255k, current actual mileage is 255,130something.... I'll take some pics today

DAKM3 your car's interior and exterior looks amazing after 255xxx miles!

-david

[RRdawho?]

While I might not be the highest mileage car, its a good number and my interior has 0 cracks or streching, beat that :devillook

Oh and it dynoed at 220 hp/220 tq w/ just intake exhaust.

For you content nazis out there, I wont even bother posting my mileage just to urk you :D

[cb535]

dakM3....255k...very clean looking car for the mileage...

im looking for my first bmw...E36 M3 specifically....went to a dealer a couple of months ago...the sales guy told me that the older bimmers...(mid-late 90s) tended to have major problems once you start getting into the 80k-90k mile range...he basically told me to get the newest one I can afford...

sounded strange to me then that you couldn't get 200k out of a bimmer without having major work done....good to know that these cars can run for a while....thanks for the posts...

[dak656]

My family has a long, long history of high-mileage bmw's with little to no major maintenance issues.... dad had a 1984 533i that ran to almost 300k, only required maintenance was a new head gasket at ~200k. Then there is my M3, we've had a high-milage 2002. Compared to the domestic cars we have, the BMW's outlast them several times over.

The $tealer you talked to doesn't have a clue. If you get a car that has been properly maintained, you won't have any problems, even upwards of 150k. Stick to the Roundel classifieds and people on this board, and you'll likely find a well cared for car. Look for service records, and if you don't know much about the cars, find someone local who does and have them drive it and give you their opinion.

[cb535]

So 255k seems to be the highest mileage E36 M3?

Anyone else with over 200k miles without having major work done on the engine?

[Phantom]

DAKM3,
I'd be interested in hearing about your driving and maintenance practices with your M3, tips for those of us interested in longevity. Any particular preventive maintenance techniques?

Wash and Wax interval
Oil change interval and oil type
Engine warm-up technique
Daily driving (hard launches, hard braking, engine braking, rev-matching, gentle braking, coasting to stops, easy acceleration, etc)
Track events and frequency

[Phantom]

/\ Bump

[M3conner]

I think I got everyone beat 😂 I have a 1997 e36 m3 with 308k. Still in better condition than most too!

[propcar]

That's awesome... I'm nearing 200k - still on original clutch.

[AJLM34A]

This cluster is out of a wrecked 97 M3 I bought at the end of 2016. The engine and trans had matching VIN stickers.

691864

[KimoSabe]

97 with 312xxx. 100% original paint with one small dent. Bumpers could use a new repaint tho. No rust OG CA car. Head gasket done at 200k and just rebuilt diff.

[crazn]

Very cool to see this thread come back alive. Those with 300K miles, very impressive. I have "only" 183K miles on my '98 and still feels strong (and overall in very excellent condition). Looks like I have some catching up to do...

[cypher448]

aren't there people on this board with over 500k miles? I know I've seen that thread before...

[blckstrm]

This stupid pandemic has totally ruined my plans to hit 300k. I haven't put 3k miles on the car in the last year, and I normally clock 12-15k.

I'm never gonna make a million miles :'(

[Renoir]

Will be at 139k by tomorrow!

[Takumi788]

80 more miles until 200k. Had the head refreshed at 180k but still has an untouched bottom end. Sees track abuse regularly and hasn't given me issues in a while. Loving this car.
693512

[drc164]

Crossed 325k this week. 15 years as daily driver. Love the car but easier to work on before the three little dudes came along. Working on it this weekend; aux fan, belts, differential fluid. These forums played a big role in keeping it on the road. Old cars are good excuses to buy more tools. Cheers!

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