New to the M3...

[dohermst]

he guys, I'm looking to get a 1995 M3 and have some questions maybe one of you could steer me in the right direction... and I did the a search already

1) Build date... prior to 10/95 was there an issue with weak valve retainers? should I stay away from m's prior to that build date or was there any recall to fix the problem (if that was the problem)... OK, nevermind on this one, found it...

2) Lux package vs sport package, could someone explain the differences? are there stiffer springs in the sport? (I prefer stiffer) if so how can I identify them?

3) what else should I look for besides the normal problems that the 3 series has (cooling etc).

Thanks and sorry for another repeat post... I'm sure all of this is covered already...

:beer

BTW, obviously this is one of my 1st posts... little background on me.. live in CA and currently have a 93 325is for the last 2 years and have delt with several of the normal problems that the 3's have, just want to make sure I look for the other problems that the '95 M3 might have that I'm un-aware of.

[shim]

1) you've already got the answer

2)there are no differences performance wise, they are all cosmetic differences (i.e. side skirts, front grill, interior wood pieces, no vader seats, etc)

3) search harder!!

[dohermst]

3) search harder!!



Hey thanks for part of the answer... besides the CABS & RTAB's, cooling problems, vanos rattle and the crappy electrical that comes with the 3 series... is there nothing else? I'd like to hear from the guys who actually work on their own cars and not send them to a shop.

[Jim Bassett]

Sounds like you've pretty much got most of it. The M3s, especially '95s, have an issue with lifter ticking after hard/spirited driving (auto-x/track/etc), due to either oil starvation in the valve train and/or oil foaming (I've heard of both). Keeping the oil level at the MAX mark on the dipstick helps, and it cheaper than a baffled oil pan or dual pick-up oil pump :)

If you track the car at all, be prepared to replace the head gasket. For some reason, the '95s tend to be weak in this area (my mechanic had 3 in his shop at one time for this, and every '95 M3 race car I know have has gone through this).

And if you're familiar with working on the 325is, everything's pretty much in the same place :) (Except for really major, or messy :) , jobs I do most of the work on both cars myself.)

Hope that helps,
Jim Bassett
1998 M3/4
1993 325is #44 JP

[dohermst]

Cool, thanks!! so the head gaskets fail, has anyone analyzed them to find out why? and are the new ones gonna fail like the orginal? or have they been updated?

I'd expect that a forced induction motor would have a greater chance of failing... do you know what head gasket they use to overcome this? (probably should ask this over on that forum...)

I have no problem diving into the motor, just want to know what to look for when I'm searching. Thanks again.

[Jim Bassett]

Cool, thanks!! so the head gaskets fail, has anyone analyzed them to find out why? and are the new ones gonna fail like the orginal? or have they been updated?
There's apparently an updated one available from several vendors (BMP, VAC) that is not prone to failure like the OE one.


I'd expect that a forced induction motor would have a greater chance of failing...
No doubt.


do you know what head gasket they use to overcome this? (probably should ask this over on that forum...)
I have NO experience with forced induction.

Jim

[RotaryBzzz]

If you found two identical cars with either lux or sport. Choose the sport...they will retain their value better since there's more demand.

If I'm not mistaken, its a difference in:

Front mesh gill
Front lip
Side Skirts
Vader Sport Seats
///M interior stiching - front & rear seats
Non-wood interior
Black neoprene center console alcove


Um, i think that's it
-----------------------
Can someone tell me if Vader's have a lower sitting position that the Lux seats????? :help

[shim]

Can someone tell me if Vader's have a lower sitting position that the Lux seats????? :help
i would think they are the same :dunno

[biggafigga]

http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=14

[dohermst]

Cool, thanks for the info, now I know what to look for... I definately want the sport package

[gobuffs]

Cool, thanks for the info, now I know what to look for... I definately want the sport package

There is no such thing as a sport package on an E36 M3. You could say the M3 is the sport package of the 325.