M3 Worth Buying?

[arsenutsjr]

Well i have recently just sold my 328 and i am looking to buy another e36. I am not going to make the mistake again of buying a 325-328. Unfortunately my budget is slim i have about 8000 to spend. I have found one M3 in FL not to far from me. The only problem with the car is that it had 205,xxx. I was thinking of offering the guy 6500-7000 for the car. The car is in pristine condition inside and out. He claims that it is all highway miles and it was never beat on. Here are some pic.

Tell me what you guys think. Good deal?

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=237569716&dealer_id=61887901&car_year=1996&model=M3&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=200&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=BMW&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=33919&advanced=&end_year=2008&doors=&transmission=&max_price=10000&cardist=102

[FSUhorizon]

Well i have recently just sold my 328 and i am looking to buy another e36. I am not going to make the mistake again of buying a 325-328. Unfortunately my budget is slim i have about 8000 to spend. I have found one M3 in FL not to far from me. The only problem with the car is that it had 205,xxx. I was thinking of offering the guy 6500-7000 for the car. The car is in pristine condition inside and out. He claims that it is all highway miles and it was never beat on. Here are some pic.

Tell me what you guys think. Good deal?

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=237569716&dealer_id=61887901&car_year=1996&model=M3&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=200&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=BMW&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=33919&advanced=&end_year=2008&doors=&transmission=&max_price=10000&cardist=102

Nope. I can show you 3 nicer cars. Have MSN or yahoo messenger?

[chefsboss]

too much for those high miles man!

[Toddlovesm3s]

thats way too much for a car with that many miles

[AJ M3]

It looks like its been repainted (just guessing from looking), the front bumper doesn't line up, and its got a trailer hitch? If its been properly maintained with proof and you negotiated a little.. it could be a deal

[Zubehor]

Nope. I can show you 3 nicer cars. Have MSN or yahoo messenger?


too much for those high miles man!


thats way too much for a car with that many miles

Whats too much money? The owners asking price of $8750 or the OP proposed offer of $6500?
I agree almost $9k is a hefty price to pay for it but $6-7k is fair if the car checks out ok.

[FSUhorizon]

Whats too much money? The owners asking price of $8750 or the OP proposed offer of $6500?
I agree almost $9k is a hefty price to pay for it but $6-7k is fair if the car checks out ok.

You don't understand the market in Florida. Which is not a criticism. I don't know the market for these cars in California. :stickoutt You can get a 100k mile M3 in good shape, clean title for around $9k in Florida.

I spoke with the OP privately and showed him four nicer cars all with 60k to 120k less miles and all within $2000.00 of this car.

[Zubehor]

Sounds like they are a little cheaper down there and with your help he should be able to pick up a nice car.

[BayAreaE36]

find one for 2-3 grand more and less miles

[CMG]

He should be able to find one with half the miles at the same asking price if he's patient.

[arsenutsjr]

Thanks FSUhorizon for helping me out. I contacted one guy and he's sending me some pictures tonight hopefully. It's Boston green with around 130k on it for $8000. I'm still really curious as to how the car looks and runs. He also listed it has some performance upgrades.

[DrLivingston]

Theres a 1995 M3 around me for like 7 with 175k on the clock. Seems very negotiable If I don't pick her up I'll let you know :) The market for E36 M3's in general has plumeted but I think like all things has a bottom point. These cars cant go much further south in price. So patience is the key. With a new generation of M's out now and E46 dropping and the economy and gas and well everything else this is the best time to buy basically anything.

[FSUhorizon]

Theres a 1995 M3 around me for like 7 with 175k on the clock. Seems very negotiable If I don't pick her up I'll let you know :) The market for E36 M3's in general has plumeted but I think like all things has a bottom point. These cars cant go much further south in price. So patience is the key. With a new generation of M's out now and E46 dropping and the economy and gas and well everything else this is the best time to buy basically anything.

The main issue with that car is the owner says the "whole front suspension needs to be rebuilt." I'm guessing probably $1k to $1.2k for that with new struts, FCABS, tie rods, etc. And that's one of the cars the OP and I talked about.

[DrLivingston]

Well you have to remember the price range he's in. If a car is good to go as a DD some issue will be coming up very soon if not already there if the owner lets you know or not. If you had everything in tact and low miles then your back up in the 10-13k range. You may need to put some suspension in but even yet you get to choose your product and start modding it the way you want with stuff it already needs :)

[FSUhorizon]

Well you have to remember the price range he's in. If a car is good to go as a DD some issue will be coming up very soon if not already there if the owner lets you know or not. If you had everything in tact and low miles then your back up in the 10-13k range. You may need to put some suspension in but even yet you get to choose your product and start modding it the way you want with stuff it already needs :)

Hmm, there are deals out there, Mr E30 M3 for an E30 325... :) My 97 was 9500 with 82k miles almost a year ago. No wrecks, no stories, clean carfax, etc. The ONLY issues my car has was a cracked center console trim and an issue with one of the fog lights.

[Volf]

w/ the e36 M3 market these days you're better off getting a high mileage higher priced one to greatly reduce the chances some idiot kid got a hold of it. Same can be said for the e46 M3. Start scooping them up before they fall even further into the price range of idiot kids.

[Jrdeamicis]

The main issue with that car is the owner says the "whole front suspension needs to be rebuilt." I'm guessing probably $1k to $1.2k for that with new struts, FCABS, tie rods, etc. And that's one of the cars the OP and I talked about.


320 For the LCA
40 For the bushings
300 for the struts
70 for the sway bar links
200 if you want new strut mounts.
100 in random crap and tools.

Sounds about right on.

[arsenutsjr]

Well the one with 205k on it was sold.. so now it's back to looking. I really need a car and soon. The one guy with Boston green still did not contact me. I really don't want to go back into an 328.. And it's to late to stop the sale on my car.

[Jrdeamicis]

Craigslist?

[arsenutsjr]

Tried that... I actually found this car its not an M but it something for now. I was originally planning on keeping my car then next year making payment on an e46. But my car has been giving me alot of problems. So im selling it.

http://images.craigslist.org/010203010307011614200802182b1c3f6fb9167a44f400b213 .jpghttp://images.craigslist.org/010108010206011602200802194b6fb34f0da635dcae00144c .jpg

59k
Chip and M3 fixings.. (exhaust, moldings, ect
Yes or no?

[XanDer]

57k miles for 5500... Sounds like a great deal! But then again it is April fools...

[arsenutsjr]

LOL well the car was listed feb 19th

[FSUhorizon]

LOL well the car was listed feb 19th

I like both of the Cosmos cars. Any luck with those two?

[FSUhorizon]

Tried that... I actually found this car its not an M but it something for now. I was originally planning on keeping my car then next year making payment on an e46. But my car has been giving me alot of problems. So im selling it.

http://orlando.craigslist.org/car/578884555.html

Yes or no?

I'd bet $10.00 that's a 1994 M Tech. The $5500.00 isn't a bad price IF it has the original interior in good condition, clean carfax, etc.

[arsenutsjr]

I'd bet $10.00 that's a 1994 M Tech. The $5500.00 isn't a bad price IF it has the original interior in good condition, clean carfax, etc.

That's what im gonna check next.. I really don't want to spend the money on the carfax tho. I'm gonna take my time because my last 328 had terrible interior...Im thinking about offering him 5000??

Next time your online i have a question for you.

[kyles328]

That's what im gonna check next.. I really don't want to spend the money on the carfax tho. I'm gonna take my time because my last 328 had terrible interior...Im thinking about offering him 5000??

Next time your online i have a question for you.

You really should get a Carfax. then you'll know for sure if it wasn't in an accident. Shouldn't be too hard to find someone who has a subscription and ask them to run the VIN for you.

But otherwise it's a good looking car for 5500. Hope it works out.

[stupenal]

I picked up my m3/4/5 back in Sept of 2006 with 212k miles. Original owner, highway miles (do the math...has to be highway mileage). Exterior in very mint condition, interior not too bad (drivers seat bolster).

Car came with all books and records to boot. Good thing about higher mileage cars is that you know the owner had to take care of the car somewhat to even get to past 200k miles. Also, you know most things will need to be replaced. It's been fun learning how to DIY all the repairs so far - a weekend project. Expect to drop a good amount of money in parts, a ton more in labor. M3s can make it into very high mileage without much trouble, but they'll need a good amount of loving to get up there.

[e36m3_858]

It looks like its been repainted (just guessing from looking), the front bumper doesn't line up, and its got a trailer hitch? If its been properly maintained with proof and you negotiated a little.. it could be a deal

Those damn stock front bumpers don't line up on 90% of the e36s. One of the main reasons I got the Rieger kit.
OP the car looks good especially the paint if it hasn't been repainted, talk him down to mid 5k or so if those miles don't scare you.

[FSUhorizon]

Those damn stock front bumpers don't line up on 90% of the e36s. One of the main reasons I got the Rieger kit.
OP the car looks good especially the paint if it hasn't been repainted, talk him down to mid 5k or so if those miles don't scare you.

That car is sold. The best deal I showed him is sold. Couple of other good prospects in the area. All three are Cosmos. I'm sure he'll keep everyone posted. I'll post some teaser shots of the three:

95 M3 coupe, 80k miles, totally stock

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/fsujbp/M3/95M3coupe.jpg

99 M3, ugly red pinstriping, needs new headlights 96k miles.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/fsujbp/M3/99M3coupe.jpg

95 M3 coupe, 140k miles, vaders look clean. Wheels are horrible.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/fsujbp/M3/95M3coupe2.jpg

[DotheM3slide]

that 99 was stolen and has a rebuilt title... not good for resale which is what he was talking about.

[FSUhorizon]

that 99 was stolen and has a rebuilt title... not good for resale which is what he was talking about.

I keep telling him to run a carfax before he travels to see the cars. Good to know that one can be eliminated.

[CMG]

I keep telling him to run a carfax before he travels to see the cars. Good to know that one can be eliminated.
Seriously, if he's too cheap to pay $30 for a carfax, he's too cheap to be owning an M3.