Learn me on 95 M3s right quick

[Bear Grylls]

A lady totaled out my Z3 on Monday and the insurance company offered me a very handsome offer for it.

I happen to work in the car industry and work for a very large dealer having access to all auctions.

Low and behold I find an all original 1995 M3 silver over dove grey, sun roof delete, 5 speed. 123k miles

Very clean.

Being familiar with the M54 family and the E30/E36 chassis what oddities does the S50B30 offer up?

Im not holding my breath on what the car will go for but hopefully I can get it at a decent price.

[Smoky540i]

I only have an M50 325i but I think these engines are pretty durable. Just don't want to overheat them. They have a basically bulletproof iron block

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[Smoky540i]

Also they're not drive by wire like your Z3 was, sorry for your loss btw

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[rajicase]

Don't over heat it or money shift it and itll last 250k+

They are really solid/reliable cars if taken care of.

[mboor]

Don't over heat it or money shift it and itll last 250k+

They are really solid/reliable cars if taken care of.

what he said.

The s50/s52 engines in the e36 m3's are virtually bullet proof if you keep up on maintenance and don't over rev it. S50's have single valve springs and slightly different cam profiles, and of course diff fence in displacement, but other than that they ar pretty much identical.

[JEC928]

Faks:

1995 is a unique 1-year only E36 M3: (US spec) 3.0 S50b30tu OBD1 motor that is basically a stroked and rev-limit-raised version of the pedestrian but reliable and torquey 2.5l M50b25tu mill.
(Euro spec) 3.0 much different special motor with ITBs and sweet longtube headers.
The '95 M3 also has unique suspension geometry that was was changed for the 96-99 OBD2 M3.

The entire car except:
- motor & DME
- exhaust
- trans
- driveshaft
- dif
- suspension (all control arms, dampers, springs, top mount plates, hubs, bushing mounts)
- brakes
- bumpers & sideskirts
- seats
- gauge cluster
- wheels
- badging
- optional trim
is identical to a pedestrian 94/95 325is coupe.

Back in the day, the '95s were highly prized by ppl wanting to modify as OBD1 used to be easy and fun to tune.
Nowadays not many tuners have Windows XP laptops and chip burners, because OBD2 is far easier to remote tune with modern software tools.

In any case, the aftermarket for E36 M3s is vast and ranges from CAI to exhaust to supercharger to turbo to weld-in cage and $$$ pro racing suspension. Furthermore they make excellent balanced street-and-track cars that respond very well to modifications and tuning... and have a backseat!

[ChuckDizzle]

If the car you found comes with a solid maintenance history, then there shouldn't be any unexpected surprises. Turn key, enjoy the drive.

[bluptgm3]

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

http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=15

[verobeach97]

Why not go for 3.2L later version instead


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[bluptgm3]

While MY 95 was produced from mid 1994 thru early 1995, 3.2l 1996 examples might be easier to find with the mileage cap you are looking for.


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[Bear Grylls]

The one I found just happened to be at an auction.

1995 Arctic silver, dove interior, Coupe, 5-speed 123k miles

Went for 11k at a dealer auction. I thought 6k would steal it all day long. I can't see it retailing for anything OVER 10k but what do I know

[CblockM3]

Damn that brought ALOT of money for auction, wonder if there was a bidding war or if was just insanely clean?

[Bear Grylls]

Damn that brought ALOT of money for auction, wonder if there was a bidding war or if was just insanely clean?

It looked nice for the year and miles but it's not like it was an LTW or anything. It didn't even have a sunroof. Craziness

[sportmpower]

I was at Manheim Riverside and saw the car in person. Was going to bid up to $8K originally, but once I gave it a good look over, I found paint work. Worst thing was that the dove vader seats were re-dyed. I then said to myself I would bid up to $7k max.

If you Google the vin, you'll see it was offered by a used car dealer on a lot for $10,500 and obviously it wasn't retailed. It went for 11k on-call today, meaning the seller didn't list a selling price or he put it in for more.

[Bear Grylls]

I was at Manheim Riverside and saw the car in person. Was going to bid up to $8K originally, but once I gave it a good look over, I found paint work. Worst thing was that the dove vader seats were re-dyed. I then said to myself I would bid up to $7k max.

If you Google the vin, you'll see it was offered by a used car dealer on a lot for $10,500 and obviously it wasn't retailed. It went for 11k on-call today, meaning the seller didn't list a selling price or he put it in for more.

Ah that explains why those seats looked so clean. Yeah I did the same thing I thought the seller originally listed it for 12.5 then dropped it back to 10.5

That's funny.

[rajicase]

No sun roof is actually really rare/desirable.

- - - Updated - - -

11k sounds kinda absurd though..

[JEC928]

Dang... must've been a bidding war.

Or it's getting listed for $15k as the lowest priced item in a used exotic showroom somewhere.

No sunroof is pretty dang rare, but IMO noticeable paintwork + dyed seats + 123k <> $11k in 2017.

[Bear Grylls]

Dang... must've been a bidding war.

Or it's getting listed for $15k as the lowest priced item in a used exotic showroom somewhere.

No sunroof is pretty dang rare, but IMO noticeable paintwork + dyed seats + 123k <> $11k in 2017.

Very true.

I did find a 99 Schwartz metallic with Modena interior 140k miles for 8500.

Gorgeous combo. If anyone near Mesa,AZ wants to check it out.

[sportmpower]

Very true.

I did find a 99 Schwartz metallic with Modena interior 140k miles for 8500.

Gorgeous combo. If anyone near Mesa,AZ wants to check it out.

Haha that one sold at Adesa LA for $6,200, I was there.. Engine ran rough, maybe bad coils or sparkplugs. Needs new valve cover and oil pan gaskets. Driver seat is torn. It's all stock except the mickymouse dual exhaust setup which resulted in a hacked up rear bumper.

[Bear Grylls]

Haha that one sold at Adesa LA for $6,200, I was there.. Engine ran rough, maybe bad coils or sparkplugs. Needs new valve cover and oil pan gaskets. Driver seat is torn. It's all stock except the mickymouse dual exhaust setup which resulted in a hacked up rear bumper.

Ah I knew it. I called him out told him you probably got it for 5500 or 6. They fixed the exhaust and rear bumper but the rest looks like shit still.

[sportmpower]

Ah I knew it. I called him out told him you probably got it for 5500 or 6. They fixed the exhaust and rear bumper but the rest looks like shit still.

$8.5K is what I would be asking for it too maybe $9K. Don't forget he had a $350 auction buyer fee and another $400 transportation cost from Ontario, CA to AZ on top of the $6,200. Of course I would have at least fixed the rough idle first.

If I were you looking for an E36 M3, I would check craigslist, offerup or any other site locally. Good luck with your search.

[Bear Grylls]

$8.5K is what I would be asking for it too maybe $9K. Don't forget he had a $350 auction buyer fee and another $400 transportation cost from Ontario, CA to AZ on top of the $6,200. Of course I would have at least fixed the rough idle first.

If I were you looking for an E36 M3, I would check craigslist, offerup or any other site locally. Good luck with your search.

I'm well aware of that, auction fee for Adesa shouldn't have been that high but I really only mess with Manheim and Smart Auction.

I found one a bit nicer up in Iowa, evergreen over some weird brown I've never seen

[notMpowered]

You aren't getting a nice e36 m3 for under 10k anymore.

[Bear Grylls]

You aren't getting a nice e36 m3 for under 10k anymore.

Nice is a relative term, which for me means, clean title that hasn't been rebuilt and hasn't been raped out by some kid.

I expect to put some elbow grease in only spending 6 to 7k

[notMpowered]

Fair. At 6-7k not rebuilt, you are likely looking at near 200k/auto/vert or any combo of the 3. I'd shoot for a well maintained high milage one though out of those.