95 M3 Questions

[DoctorM3]

Hey guys, I had a few questions I wasnt too familiar with about M3's. I was looking to purchase another M3 after I sold my cosmos, and I ran into someone with a quite awkward M3. The sellers M3 is a 95 and is techno violet or purple whichever you choose, has CLOTH M3 interior... looks to me like the old series M3 interior, and its grey. The seller said they never changed the interior before and they were the 2nd owner, also they said that the car has about 290ish HP, and the car only has a strut bar. Ive heard somewhere that there was an M3 produced that has 290hp, and I know its not the lightweight M3 because it has a sunroof and all. Any one have any ideas? The price they are asking is great and I dont want to let this one slide. Thanks in advance!

[x2nervisx]

Lightweights only came in white but I doubt that it has 290 hp unless they have dyno results. As far as cloth m3 interior, correct me if im wrong but i think that was an option available from the dealer. Any pics of the car?

[DoctorM3]

Nope, no pics, the seller is 2 hours away from me. I did find out something interesting, I think it might be the euro edition of the M3. I believe in the states they called it M3 GT. Has more base HP, but I am not too sure about the cloth interior yet. I know you can tell it is the euro engine by something with the throttle body, if anyone can help me out so I can ask him, I would really appreciate it! Thanks.

[x2nervisx]

The euro engine has 6 individual throttle bodies instead of the US's 1 throttle body. I'm pretty sure that instead of a mpg gauge, the euro's have an oil pressure gauge in the gauge cluster. If the seller doesn't know if he has a euro engine or not, chances are he doesn't.

[M TOPLS]

On one of these forums, I've seen that techno violet color with the grey cloth interior and I think it was a Canadian M3. Don't remember what the HP was, though. If it's only 2 hours away, I'd go see it if I were you!

[DoctorM3]

The euro engine has 6 individual throttle bodies instead of the US's 1 throttle body. I'm pretty sure that instead of a mpg gauge, the euro's have an oil pressure gauge in the gauge cluster. If the seller doesn't know if he has a euro engine or not, chances are he doesn't.

Well, the seller is an elderly man and hasnt had the car for long at all, hes had it sitting in his garage for awhile, he was the 2nd owner. I drove it, and I know it was faster than my 95 M3 I had. I am going to give him a ring and ask him about the guage cluster. Thanks for the tip. Oh and yes, thats what it was, 6 individual throttle bodies. :)

And for the canadian M3, I believe they just classify it as the euro M3. I really hope it is, im anxious to get some clear cut facts if its a euro M3! I am going to go back Monday more than likely. Thanks for all the tips so far, if anyone knows more, please tell!

[ESMcBlurM3]

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb35/emcbane/HPIM1225.jpg
Does the interior look like that^?

[DoctorM3]

yes identical

[DoctorM3]

is that the interior from the euro m3?

[DoctorM3]

bump, is this the euro interior? if so im going to go ahead and buy it

[ESMcBlurM3]

is that the interior from the euro m3?

Nope, I just picked up this 95 M3 with the interior shown. I think it was a special order (or just a no leather option?). However, that's not to say that this is not the same interior that is on the Euro's. I simply just don't know if it is or not :dunno

I will say though, that I am amazed at this interior - the look, the feel, the upkeep...it's simply phenomenal. I can't count how many times I have been complimented on it by enthusiasts, as well.

[DoctorM3]

yea i love it, im going to find out tomorrow if it has 6 throttle bodies or not, because he told me it had about 290hp which right away makes me think it is in fact the euro m3... since he has no mods

[savage217]

I think you mean the color is daytona violet. Technoviolet was 96-99. Also like mentioned earlier, the Euro clusters have oil pressure gauges instead of the mpg as well as a 7k redline. On the u.s spec cars the redline start at 6500 and has a triangular arrow to 7k. If the redline doesnt stat until 7k and it has everything else people have mentioned, chances are it is a euro spec car. It could be a euro engine swap and cluster as well. Does it have clear parking, tails, and sidemarker lights?

[DoctorM3]

Well, i just spoke with him, the cars redline begins at 6.5 like the US model, but I think it might be a euro spec because he said it had roughly 290 bhp and said it was unlike other M3's. I just dont want to tell him it is a euro spec and him try to bump up the price. The car needs a bit of work but I think im going to buy it. I have the vin, is there any place that give like 1 free car report? Thanks.

[M3Alpine99]

You could have gotten that interior if you got an individual from the dealer...

[Volf]

I'm pretty sure you just hit a gold mine. Buy that car. Its got the euro motor in it. Change the interior if you don't like it. the engine alone is worth the price of putting in a new interior.

[HafaAdaiM3]

Well don't jump to conclusions now and just right out buy it. When you get a chance to go down there again, look for these things. Just keep a little checklist.

#1: Gauge Cluster - should have Oil Press instead of Miles Per Gallon and redline should start at 7K and go up.
#2: Engine should 6 single throttles (one individual throttle body per cylinder)
#3: Transmission should be a 6-speed

[savage217]

He could just have a bunch of engine mods and over exaggerating the hp number. If indeed it has 6 throttle bodies, it pretty much is guaranteed to be a euro spec engine. Does the valve cover have m power written into the block or is it a plastic piece? THis is what the euro spec engine looks like.

http://www.nexternal.com/bimmerworl/images/Euro321.jpg

[DoctorM3]

I will be going down there more than likely tomorrow, the guage cluster is redlined at 6.5 like the US, but the oil pressure im not too sure about, because I got on it, and I was paying attn to the RPM gauge; I also checked with him to make sure. The car definately had alot more "oomf" than my ex-95 M3 had. 2nd gear pulled alot harder than mine ever did. But as for the interior, I loved it, didnt express it to him, but I couldnt get over it. Euro spec or not, I am pretty sure I am going to buy it for the price. Thanks alot for allyour help guys, I will def find out if its the euro or not and post pics.

[Volf]

I will be going down there more than likely tomorrow, the guage cluster is redlined at 6.5 like the US, but the oil pressure im not too sure about, because I got on it, and I was paying attn to the RPM gauge; I also checked with him to make sure. The car definately had alot more "oomf" than my ex-95 M3 had. 2nd gear pulled alot harder than mine ever did. But as for the interior, I loved it, didnt express it to him, but I couldnt get over it. Euro spec or not, I am pretty sure I am going to buy it for the price. Thanks alot for allyour help guys, I will def find out if its the euro or not and post pics.

The easiest way to tell is pop the hood and look at the engine

[DoctorM3]

I will be, I am aware of how the euro spec looks like. Wether it is or is not, im buying it, I will post pics when I get it and clean it up.

[M3/4 LIFE]

bump for update ... did you buy this????

[Patrón]

Well don't jump to conclusions now and just right out buy it. When you get a chance to go down there again, look for these things. Just keep a little checklist.

#1: Gauge Cluster - should have Oil Press instead of Miles Per Gallon and redline should start at 7K and go up.
#2: Engine should 6 single throttles (one individual throttle body per cylinder)
#3: Transmission should be a 6-speed

my brother's 94 euro has 5psd.:)

[kutscher]

where in Ohio is it? If it's close I'll go look at it for you. I'd be $50 it's not a euro car though (you can't register a real euro here, so it'd have to be an engine swap), and the buyer just doesn't know much about it.

I would love to have the cloth interior. If you want to trade for black leather vaders you just let me know!!!

[ScotcH]

If it's in Canada and it's a 94 Euro, it has been salvaged multiple times ... still nice, but it would have to be REALLY cheap for me to buy it. It would be Daytona Violet btw for a 94/95

[Alan Coles]

my brother's 94 euro has 5psd.:)Patrón is quite right. All were 5 speed trannys.


Regarding the VIN, just go to: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do
put in the last 7 digits and it will tell you whether it's a US or Euro car plus when it was built.

All Canadian Euro E36 M3s are 1994 models. There were 45 built and I had the pleasure of driving #45 for about 1,200 miles. They have an identification/number plaque on the inside of the glove box. Cloth was standard on them, and leather was an option.

Unfortunately, many people like to repeat inaccurate information without getting their facts straight.
There is no oil pressure gauge in the Euro E36 M3, what you will find is an oil temperature gauge where the US model has the fuel economy gauge.


If it's in Canada and it's a 94 Euro, it has been salvaged multiple times ... still nice, but it would have to be REALLY cheap for me to buy it. It would be Daytona Violet btw for a 94/95ScotcH is quite correct that one of the violet 94 Canadian E36 M3s has been wrecked at least once or twice. Several of my friends saw it when it had an expensive off-track excursion several years ago. It is not the only violet Canadian 1994 E36 M3 however, so a thorough inspection is in order.

Anyway, even if it's a US 1995 M3 with a Euro Spec engine, that's worth much more than one with the original engine ($3,000-$5,000 more I'd think), so depending on the asking price and the car's condition, you'll have to decide. Euro Spec engines are about $6,000-$7,000 from BimmerWorld and others versus about $3,000-$4,000 for US spec E36 M3 engines.

[LuxoM3]

this thread is a hoax.

an evil hoax.

[reborn]

redline started at 6500, so it's not a canadian spec, right....

[DoctorM3]

Had the cash in hand waiting for him, he had to stay home and watch his sick kid. So, tomorrow.. I should be more than likely the new owner. Wether it is euro spec or not, im def buying it. I will try and have pics up in a few days, it needs a good cleaning and detail job. WTB suspension as well, if any1 has one for sale.

[BenMGP]

I thought you said he's an elderly man? He can't be too old if he's taking care of his sick child... unless his 30 year old kid still lives at home?

[Alan Coles]

...the seller is an elderly man...I drove it...I am going to give him a ring and ask him about the guage cluster...Oh and yes, thats what it was, 6 individual throttle bodies...

Had the cash in hand waiting for him, he had to stay home and watch his sick kid. So, tomorrow...


this thread is a hoax.
an evil hoax.It's a possibility. Certainly the messages are garbled. As BenDF said, things don't sound completely correct. On the other hand, it could be that DoctorM3 is quite young and thinks that anyone past their 20's is "elderly".


redline started at 6500, so it's not a canadian spec, right....That's correct (or at least not a Euro cluster). The Euro spec produced 283 HP at 7,000 rpm and redlines just north of 7,000 rpm (7,200 or 7,300 rpm, I think).

Regards, Alan

[DoctorM3]

Well, I am 19.. and to me elderly is 40's. Im just saying what he told me, he said his kid was sick and he couldnt meet up today, possibly a bluff, but I am supposed to meet with him at 3pm today, when he and his wife can come so he has a ride back home. Im just praying he doesnt have someone else wanting the car. Wish me luck today, im going to meet him after my exam :eyecrazy.

[DoctorM3]

this thread is a hoax.

an evil hoax.

Why would I be lying, and asking so many questions about an M3? Please keep your ignorant comments to yourself, I dont need to make a post regarding an M3 and ask specific questions, then lie about it. If you dont want to believe me, congrats.

[Alan Coles]

Well, I am 19.. and to me elderly is 40's. Im just saying what he told me, he said his kid was sick and he couldnt meet up today, possibly a bluff, but I am supposed to meet with him at 3pm today, when he and his wife can come so he has a ride back home. Im just praying he doesnt have someone else wanting the car. Wish me luck today, im going to meet him after my exam :eyecrazy.Wait till you get to your 30's, 40 won't seem so old.;) I guess my being in my early/mid fifties makes me ancient.:eek: I know it does to my 17 and 19 year old sons.

Anyway, good luck with things, just don't rush into the purchase. It's all too easy to have the feeling that you have to ignore warning signs to get that car that you just absolutely have to have. Take a deep breath and say to yourself:
If it's a Euro, and in good shape, it's worth roughly $24,000 - $28,000 USD. If it's a 1995 US E36 M3 with a Euro engine, and in good shape, then it's worth perhaps $$18,000 - $24,000 and if it's a 1995 US E36 M3 with the US engine and, as with the other two scenarios in good condition, it's worth $14,000 - $18,000.

If you've got that mindset going in you'll be able to make a less passionate more reasoned decision. Good luck.

Regards, Alan

[darkpoeticken]

I really doubt an M3 (Euro or otherwise) of 95 vintage is worth $28k with accidents...

[SQ Bimmer]

Wait till you get to your 30's, 40 won't seem so old.;) I guess my being in my early/mid fifties makes me ancient.:eek: I know it does to my 17 and 19 year old sons.

Anyway, good luck with things, just don't rush into the purchase. It's all too easy to have the feeling that you have to ignore warning signs to get that car that you just absolutely have to have. Take a deep breath and say to yourself:
If it's a Euro, and in good shape, it's worth roughly $24,000 - $28,000 USD. If it's a 1995 US E36 M3 with a Euro engine, and in good shape, then it's worth perhaps $$18,000 - $24,000 and if it's a 1995 US E36 M3 with the US engine and, as with the other two scenarios in good condition, it's worth $14,000 - $18,000.

If you've got that mindset going in you'll be able to make a less passionate more reasoned decision. Good luck.

Regards, Alan

I would never pay 14-18k for a 95 m3. Are you kidding?

OP - what's the asking price/mileage/condition?

[Alan Coles]

I really doubt an M3 (Euro or otherwise) of 95 vintage is worth $28k with accidents...Darkpoeticken, I wasn't meaning to convey that, and don't believe I did.

In all three scenarios I tried to qualify those rough price ranges stating that they were only for vehicles "in good shape".

I fully realize that depending on any possible damage levels a cars value can easily go from astronomical for extremely rare cars in excellent "as new" or better shape to virtually worthless for wrecks. That's why I was specific.

...If it's a Euro, and in good shape, it's worth roughly $24,000 - $28,000 USD...Additionally, these are only very rough "ballpark" figures as a quick guide to someone who it appears may be going to look at / purchase the car immediately.

Regards, Alan

[Alan Coles]

I would never pay 14-18k for a 95 m3. Are you kidding?...No, not at all. What's your point?

Just look at the 61 M3s circa 1995, currently available, on TraderOnLine.com. There's your answer.

What you or I would pay for one is irrelevant to what their market value is. Certainly, you paid much less for your 95 M3 "carcass", but I was referring to an M3 in "in good shape". Completely different.

TraderOnLine.com clearly identifies the average asking price to be in the mid $12k range which means that "good" examples will be more. If you bother to do a quick look, you'll see that most "good" ones are listed for between "14-18k".

That's the market place. You and I have nothing to do with it. There are tons of cars that I would never dream of buying at their market value, because they're not worth it to me. That's completely different from what the cars are worth.

Regards, Alan

PS - Just noticed in your tag image you're giving the middle finger to the M3 engine. I guess BMWs/M3s aren't worth much to you at all are they. Or perhaps it's just lame humour that's lost on me.

[darkpoeticken]

No, not at all. What's your point?

Just look at the 61 M3s circa 1995, currently available, on TraderOnLine.com. There's your answer.

What you or I would pay for one is irrelevant to what their market value is. Certainly, you paid much less for your 95 M3 "carcass", but I was referring to an M3 in "in good shape". Completely different.

TraderOnLine.com clearly identifies the average asking price to be in the mid $12k range which means that "good" examples will be more. If you bother to do a quick look, you'll see that most "good" ones are listed for between "14-18k".

That's the market place. You and I have nothing to do with it. There are tons of cars that I would never dream of buying at their market value, because they're not worth it to me. That's completely different from what the cars are worth.

Regards, Alan

PS - Just noticed in your tag image you're giving the middle finger to the M3 engine. I guess BMWs/M3s aren't worth much to you at all are they. Or perhaps it's just lame humour that's lost on me.


No no no, lets not turn another perfectly good thread into a flamefest.

The fact of the matter is that maybe where you live 95 M3's are worth that much, but when I ran a KBB it said a 95 M3 was about a $6000 deal. My car cost me $7400. Very few 95's in my area sell for much more than $10k these days. This is common in many parts of the US, but again it may be different in your market.

[DoctorM3]

Well the guy was asking 7, and I got him down to 6, he wouldnt go lower than that. The condition is awesome from the outside, needs a wax. The interior needs to be detailed, and the car has around 120k. I think it seems like a really good deal, considering I sold my cosmos with AA exhaust, AA intake, and 18" staggered wheels for 10k, and I only had 110k on it. Its 2:40 now, so Im just waiting on the call :buttrock

[Alan Coles]

No flamefest. Just stating that what you, I or SQ Bimmer, wish to pay or in fact do pay for something, isn't the market value of it.

The only true market value determinant is the market place itself, and this is typically best gauged by something like TraderOnLine.com. In my 40 years of buying cars in Canada and the US, I've personally bought and sold close to 50 cars for myself and seen plenty of KBB figures that just can't be had in the market place and some that can. In my experience TraderOnLine.com is a more accurate gauge of a vehicles value at any point in time. Most car dealers that I've know use it for determining what they're going to buy at. They typically use KBB to justify to customers the low values they allow on trade-ins. But when they're buying the tend to use TraderOnLine.com and it's hard-copy equivalent.

The 61 TraderOnLine.com listed 1995 M3s were from all across the US with the average price being $12,9xx. That's for everything from absolute junk to garage queens. So $14-18k is right in line for a good example across the country. That can be high for some ares and low for others, But if you look at the ones for sale most of the better ones are running around $16k. Is it higher than you or I would want to pay? Sure. Is it higher than what most good ones are going for? Likely not. You must remember that the majority of 95 M3s aren't in "Good" shape. Most have been run hard and many haven't been properly maintained. This brings the average price way down. It also means that there are deals to be had because there are good examples for $8-10k. But anything lower than that is a real sweetheart of a deal when you consider that the engine and tranny are worth $5K+ parted out. Diff, steering rack, rims and tires another $1-2K, and you've still got full interior, body, etc.

KBB list "Private Party" 1995 prices at $6,500 for a good 325is and M3s at $8,500.

As DoctorM3 mentions, he sold his with 110k (KBB list average 1995s at 94k) for $10,000. Glad to here you got a great deal on your M3.

When I bought my M3, 2-3 years ago the average asking price, for average M3s, was running at $16,000. It's now down to approximately $13,000. I'd think good M3s for $6-7k are an absolute steal in most parts of the US, and there's likely few here that would sell good examples for under $12-16K. Wouldn't you agree?

Regards, Alan

[NeonStatus]

Did you end up getting the car or not? If so post pictures of what it looks like.

[AvusBlua M3]

No no no, lets not turn another perfectly good thread into a flamefest.

The fact of the matter is that maybe where you live 95 M3's are worth that much, but when I ran a KBB it said a 95 M3 was about a $6000 deal. My car cost me $7400. Very few 95's in my area sell for much more than $10k these days. This is common in many parts of the US, but again it may be different in your market.


i just bought my avusblua 95 for $14...and that was a deal... im on the west coast tho...

[AvusBlua M3]

let us know if you got it!!!! we wanna see some pics! :) sick interior btw...i love that interior... its worth quite a lot too i believe... suade and cloth..sick

[08stawil]

I also want to see some pics

[Volf]

this thread is a mind fu*k

[M3/4 LIFE]

this thread is a mind fu*k


+1 ...

OP ... did you buy this ... did you even determine if it was a Euro????? I can't believe that you didn't look under the hood when you drove it.

[NeonStatus]

If you didn't buy the car pass the person's number to me. For that price I don't even care if it is the euro, but it would be a bonus.

[TAMUmpower]

The only way its got a 6.5 redline cluster and a Euro engine is with a swap of course. And then you dont know if the cluster was swapped from another US m3. Basically you dont know the true mileage of the car or the engine.

You sure it has 6 throttle bodies and just not 6 intake runners like a normal engine. no offense, I dont konw how car savvy you are. I can easily see the uneducated glancing at the US engine and going "yep....1..2..3..4..5..6."

[M3/4 LIFE]

BUMP FOR UPDATE!!!!!


+1 ...

OP ... did you buy this ... did you even determine if it was a Euro????? I can't believe that you didn't look under the hood when you drove it.

[lseguy]

Does anyone REALLY think that if this was true, and he purchased the Euro M3..he wouldnt have already posted in here?

Hoax

[Alan Coles]

Certainly sounds more and more like it. Or, should that be the lack of anything tangible makes it more likely.

With the sketchy back and forth info it could have been a young guy getting mixed up but the more one digs, the more the guy does sound fishy.

Mine is for sale in that price range...130k miles, 5 spd, sports pkg.

Well, i just sold mine Monday morning.. I had it put up on autotrader on friday, and he drove from wisconsin to buy it. Mine was clean title, nothing wrong with plenty of goodies on it, sold it to him for $9000 cash. Now all I have is my 02 IS300 turbod :O - I already miss my bimmer tho :(

...I sold my cosmos with AA exhaust, AA intake, and 18" staggered wheels for 10k, and I only had 110k on it...
----------------------------------------------------------------
This one was after he supposedly sold his 95 M3 for $9,000 in one post and $10,000 in another. That's the one that had 110,000 miles in one post and 130,000 miles in another.

I am looking for a set of e36 M3 springs, any decent-good brand will do, H&R, eibach, vogtland. Also, I am possible interested in a short shifter if any1 has one. I am looking to go pretty low on my M, I already have shocks. Thanks!Not sure why he'd be talking about his M when he supposedly sold it previously according to two previous posts in two separate threads.

Whether it's a hoax or not, it obvious this guy's not to be taken at his word and is wasting everyones time.

Regards, Alan

[kutscher]

what confuses the hell out of me is why anyone would even take the time to write up an elaborate hoax? What do they get out of it?

[IronButt II]

Maybe he's out in the driveway right now... waxing the purple dolphin.

:lol

[Alan Coles]

I'd like to think that he's on the up-&-up, but as for why people would waste so much time and energy, there's likely a 1,000+1 answers to that. The most realistic one being an immature mind with no life.

Regards, Alan

[Balthazarr]

And he has a Lexus IS300, turbo'd no less.
Maybe he's out enjoying himself in the M and no thoughts of posting here?.

[BenMGP]

And he has a Lexus IS300, turbo'd no less.


Sure he does! :smoke2

[Balthazarr]

Not sure why he'd be talking about his M when he supposedly sold it previously according to two previous posts in two separate threads.

Whether it's a hoax or not, it obvious this guy's not to be taken at his word and is wasting everyones time.

Regards, Alan

He was asking about suspension when pondering picking up the "euro spec".
Read his posts on page 1 or 2 where he talks aabout the seller's sick kid.
I have 30 posts per page.

[Alan Coles]

He was asking about suspension when pondering picking up the "euro spec".
Read his posts on page 1 or 2 where he talks aabout the seller's sick kid.
I have 30 posts per page.Ah. See that now.

Regards, Alan

[DoctorM3]

Well, much drama has been stirred up that shouldnt have. I appologize... I did twist up my old M3's info a little bit, and I admit it 100%. To make things clear, I did in fact have a 95 cosmos M3, i did sell it, it had 130k on it and I sold it for $10k (this is not a hoax), whether people wish to believe me or not, I have the VIN for proof if any1 cares. As for the daytona M3, it was NOT a euro after checking it out again, and YES it was a real deal. The deal never fell through unfortunately. As for my IS300, yes I do have a 2002 IS300 and YES it is turbo'd. If you would like proof of that I would be more than happy to show everything about it. If I could post pics I would of the whole cars process. Now, once again I am truely sorry for giving incorrect info about my OLD M3, everything else I have said was 100% true. The suspension post was about the daytona M3. I thought for sure the deal was gonna happen, but it unfortunately didnt. I have the shocks like I said, because I had purchased them for my old m3.

[armstr0ng]

Boooooooh! Boooooooh you doctorM3!

No, I actually don't care at all. Would have been cool though if it was a Euro. That's all I really cared to see. Lie all you want.

[DoctorM3]

Yea I wish it was a Euro, hell I wish the deal went through period.