what are some key things t look for when buying a E30 M??

[Dakar95M3e36]

I am interested in purchasing an E30 M3. What are some key things I should look for before making a purchase?
Which years are better, if any?
Maintenance to look for?

Any help would be great?
Let me know if you have one for sale.

Thanks Harlan

[Bry]

I'll reference you to some of our old threads that has some buying tips:

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=34431
http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=26063
http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21442
http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20772


Some informative sites:
Here is one with the production detail on the E30 M3's
http://www.bimmers.com/m3/spotter/years.html

If I could have, I would have probably gotten the 89. This year has a better style radio, without a fader switch. Really, there are not many differences, the above site sums it all up. The aluminum control arms on the 90 and 91 were nice (you can always change the 88 and 89 steel ones to the aluminum ones), but they both had airbags.

Main thing to look for - make sure the car has been cared for. If it is in poor shape, then it will most likely cost a lot to fix up. Usually the more expensive cars will be in a lot better shape.

When looking, don't look at just the cosmetics, as the cosmetics are much cheaper to fix than mechanical problems, as the S14 motor has quite costly parts. Just make sure that the car has been cared for, and see if the owner has any record books of the cars maintence.

Make sure to check for rust. Key areas are on the bottom portion of the drivers door, right under the windshield (if the windshield has been replaced, there could have been some damage that caused some rusting, and check in the trunk, under the battery, around the rear lights, and around the licence plate.

What are you looking for this car to be? Daily driver, weekand driver, track car, occasional auto-x car? If you have any questions I'd be glad to answer them for you.

[Dakar95M3e36]

Thanks for the reply Bryan, I'm looking use as daily driver.

[Bry]

I would highly suggest that you take the car to a mechanic who knows about this car, and have him look it over. You can save yourself a LOT of money this way!

The E30 M3 is a very reliable car, if taken care of. Preventative maintence is the key to having a car that doesn't fall apart. I do a yearly maintence of all of the oils, and I keep all of the parts in tip top shape. If you get a nice car, usually all you will have to do is routine maintence. Before I bought my car, I looked at three really bad M3's which looked pretty good, but they were a mechanical nightmare!

[Dakar95M3e36]

What's the best year to get?

[Bry]

I got an 88, and my only problems with it is that it comes with the steel control arms (I'm switching out to the aluminum control arms next weekand hopefully), it had ellipsoids (until I got Cibies) which is good, and it has the older style radio with the fader. I would say the 89 is my favorite year, because it didn't get the airbag yet (too much weight, plus an ugly steering wheel), it had the newer style radio, and it had the ellipsoids. The 91 and 90 had airbags, and sealed beams, which I wouldn't want, but they did come with sealed window glass in the rear (good to keep the water from dripping down the side after washing the car), and the aluminum control arms.

I really didn't have much of a choice on the year, as I couldn't find too many for sale in the area where I live, so I was more worried on price, maintence etc.