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Thread: 1997 M3 coupe

  1. #1
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    1997 M3 coupe

    Well, I stumbled upon another M3. I was working on a clients property last month and saw a turd I think I can turn into a diamond. Cosmos black with black Vader interior, she’s been sitting for about 5 years now. The elements have not been kind needs a deep clean and the removal of some mice nests. Interior smells like a flooded basement, but’s it’s all there. I got a little more info on the car it was parked because owner got into a bad accident years ago (not in this car) and has a hard time driving stick now. Clean Carfax 100k miles. When I got to speek with the owner he said the car used to be supercharged. A little bit of a red flag maybe parked due to a bad head gasket there’s a lot of potential reasons. Anyway I need some advice on how I should prep to start a car that’s been sitting for over 5 years. I understand gas,oil,coolant and brake fluid should be changed. As far as starting the car I’m just trying to load it on a trailer you think it will be fine with out changing these things before I start it. I’m mostly concerned about the oil.

  2. #2
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    Oil,Coolant,BrakeFluid at proper levels ok just to start.
    Gas-definitely drain whatever junk remains in the tank,
    fill to a minimum level required to just start vehicle.

    I would pour a cap-full of kerosene into each cylinder,
    left to sit and soak at least overnight, followed by manually turning the crankshaft before attempting a start.

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jabronidubs View Post
    Well, I stumbled upon another M3. I was working on a clients property last month and saw a turd I think I can turn into a diamond. Cosmos black with black Vader interior, she’s been sitting for about 5 years now. The elements have not been kind needs a deep clean and the removal of some mice nests. Interior smells like a flooded basement, but’s it’s all there. I got a little more info on the car it was parked because owner got into a bad accident years ago (not in this car) and has a hard time driving stick now. Clean Carfax 100k miles. When I got to speek with the owner he said the car used to be supercharged. A little bit of a red flag maybe parked due to a bad head gasket there’s a lot of potential reasons. Anyway I need some advice on how I should prep to start a car that’s been sitting for over 5 years. I understand gas,oil,coolant and brake fluid should be changed. As far as starting the car I’m just trying to load it on a trailer you think it will be fine with out changing these things before I start it. I’m mostly concerned about the oil.

    Really depends on price. Any M3 below 4-5k with a clean title, decent paint, no rust, clean body, and decent interior is probably worth buying sight unseen.


    Worst case scenario is you need a new short block, or hell even a long block, and that will set you back $2500-2700, so you'll have a clean M3 for around 6k after you part out the S50 that you can sell for 1k-1.5k. Not really the worst place to be.

    To prep the car, I would remove and replace the air filter and inspect the intake as well as the MAF into the manifold.
    The gas should be drained, and new 93 octane should be put in. The fuel filter should be changed (good place to drain the gas from the tank) You can trigger the fuel pump relay and have the pump help it along if there is a ton in there, just be aware that sparks and gasoline don't play nice. They are on the same side of the car.
    New oil and filter.
    New brake fluid.
    *Fuel injectors should be cleaned, inspected or replaced
    *Drain the coolant, replace.
    *Cabin air filter.
    *Tires likely need to be replaced.
    *Diff fluid should be changed.
    *Transmission fluid should be changed.

    The *'d items should really be secondary items however. The first order of business would be to get the car started. I would only drain the gas due to the nature of water getting into the system. 5 years outside is not easy on gas tanks, and in all likelihood that is bad gasoline. Essentially I would only change the oil, oil filter, fuel filter, check the air filter for mice, and dump and replace the gas to get it started.

    As MIKYZZ4 said, I would crank it by hand a few times as well. 19mm socket on the crank. Car in neutral. Turn it clockwise while looking at the front of the car. I wouldn't do this dry however. Kerosene isn't a bad idea if you have the time, it's going to help unstick any of the rings that might be stuck, though I probably wouldn't do it. The angle of the engine, and the shape of our pistons would mean just a tiny bit of the ring actually sees any of the kerosene. Could spray something like WD-40 or engine fogger with a straw around each cylinder in a circle pattern so the whole bore gets some very mild lubrication.

    Best of luck.
    Last edited by Hova; 12-31-2018 at 01:46 AM.
    "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
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  4. #4
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    I told the guy 2800 if it runs and 1300 if it doesn’t. I’m worried about the electrical more then anything due to the rodent problem. I’m actually headed over there today to air the tires up. I will take some pictures and you can tell me what you guys think.

  5. #5
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    Sounds like fun. Agreed about electric given the nests you've found, but I gotta think a thorough visual will tell you the story (plus of course starting/turning on everything). Get the detailed pics posted, if theres no rust and no damage you're getting a great deal at those prices.

    Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk

  6. #6
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    MauiM3Mania is offline Observer/Master Skeptic Moderator
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  7. #7
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    02748D7E-5A6F-4E33-AACB-1C477E7C612B.jpg
    32DBC76A-7CB4-4F77-B153-B2B01AB76058.jpg
    F5D25B55-96F4-43CD-96B5-86FB596BF743.jpg

    Crappy pics was a little rushed with the situation the owner lost the keys so waiting until Wednesday to fire her up
    Last edited by Jabronidubs; 12-31-2018 at 09:18 PM.

  8. #8
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    RRSperry is offline Senior Moment Member BMW E36 M3 Expert
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    This is why they sell winches for trailers..

    But for $2K why not?
    No matter where you go, there you are...

  9. #9
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    Your going to love how I get this on the trailer if it doesn’t start. After looking over the engine bay and seeing how hokey that intake is set up is getting me a little worried haha. They just tossed the cruise control up into the corner too.
    Last edited by Jabronidubs; 01-01-2019 at 08:59 AM.

  10. #10
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    are slow.
    Well worth $2300.

    I had no problem getting an M3 onto a uhaul trailer with 3 people and a few small pieces of wood for the bottom of the ramp. Be aware of door and trailer fender.



    Perfect place to post the before/during/after:

    https://www.reddit.com/r/powerwashingporn/




    If you don't have the people, use the front tow hook, and a winch. If you don't have one, you really should invest in a cheap electric winch. Something like this has helped me countless times. I picked one up at Walmart a few years ago, and it was able to pull my 4WD pickup truck out of some slippery mud. You'd be surprised what enough pulleys can do.



    https://www.amazon.com/Master-Lock-E...electric+winch
    Last edited by Hova; 01-06-2019 at 09:48 PM.
    "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
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  11. #11
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    Updates on this?

  12. #12
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    Key finally came in today. This Sunday I should be able to get over there. Will get more pictures of the interior and body.

  13. #13
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    Ok guys I’ve been crazy busy with work haven’t had time to pick the car up yet. I will be hopefully picking it up this Sunday. Ok so car will not start, brand new battery new key get everything ready to start. I get the battery hooked up I notice right away the hazard lights are on. I think to myself maybe I hit the button by accident check it out switch must be bad. Ok next key goes into the ignition turn the key nothing ok to be expected cars been sitting for a while. What happens next was not to be expected I try to remove the key it’s stuck in the start position won’t budge. I got some pliers and gave her hell and got the key out. Go to try and start again key won’t even go into the ignition. I’m puzzled so I get a hammer and beat the key into the ignition I hear a pop key now slides in and out like it should. Go to try and start it now the key will not move forward to the run position. So hear is where I’m at. The steering wheel is not locked it spins freely with out the key in the ignition. The key goes into the ignition but won’t turn even though it worked before. Do you guys think the tumbler is shot or is the whole ignition system busted.

  14. #14
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    Just a tumbler me thinks. Don't let the small stuff discourage you!
    Those wheels are worth $. Looks to have Borla exhaust too.

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jabronidubs View Post
    Ok guys I’ve been crazy busy with work haven’t had time to pick the car up yet. I will be hopefully picking it up this Sunday. Ok so car will not start, brand new battery new key get everything ready to start. I get the battery hooked up I notice right away the hazard lights are on. I think to myself maybe I hit the button by accident check it out switch must be bad. Ok next key goes into the ignition turn the key nothing ok to be expected cars been sitting for a while. What happens next was not to be expected I try to remove the key it’s stuck in the start position won’t budge. I got some pliers and gave her hell and got the key out. Go to try and start again key won’t even go into the ignition. I’m puzzled so I get a hammer and beat the key into the ignition I hear a pop key now slides in and out like it should. Go to try and start it now the key will not move forward to the run position. So hear is where I’m at. The steering wheel is not locked it spins freely with out the key in the ignition. The key goes into the ignition but won’t turn even though it worked before. Do you guys think the tumbler is shot or is the whole ignition system busted.
    Seems like a little silicon or something could help out if you haven't broken the ignition. I don't know that I've ever heard of a hammer being used on a key!

    The steering wheel spinning makes me think something in there is likely broken.

    -Josh: 1998 S54 E36 M3/4/6 with most of the easy stuff and most of the hard stuff. At least twice. 271k miles. 1994 E32 740il with nothing but some MPars. 93k miles.

  16. #16
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    Yeah put on my Mchammer pants and destroyed the tumblr

  17. #17
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    On my E36, if you put the key in the "right" (actually wrong though) position it would go into what I thought was some anti-theft mode where the ignition cylinder would spin in 360's clockwise until you pulled out the key, jiggled the steering wheel, and put it back in. At which that point it would work right after every time. It didn't do this often, but it did do it for years, as long as I and the previous owner had the car for. Is it possible from sitting so long that whatever feature this is has gotten stuck and needs some lubrication? .... Or I'm absolutely nuts lol and I just happen to have a half broken tumbler for years!

    - - - Updated - - -

    I do agree though, if there is no serious rot... for that price, no way I'd turn up an E36 M3

  18. #18
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    Alright today was a success picked the car up got her loaded without a problem. Dropped the car back off at my place was still having the same problem with the ignition. I figured if it’s really broken the hammer can’t hurt anything so I beat on the tumbler from underneath. Turned the steering wheel it locked I thought I was screwed I put the key in turned it, it moved. I was pumped I hooked the battery up and your not going to believe this the car fired right up. I freaked out got super lucky with this. Here’s some photos from this morning

  19. #19
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    Great post. Excited to see more pics of this thing once you've cleaned it up a little bit.

  20. #20
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    Wow congrats on the quick start! Now never start it again until you do a full change of all the fluids!!!
    95 Cosmos

  21. #21
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    It’s been hard not too! Waiting for the weather to get nice to bust the power washer out. It’s driving me crazy seeing it in the garage filthy as hell. So my plan is to get the oil changed then drive it local for a couple miles. I’m being optimistic about the head gasket not being blown, but the smell and the condition of the anti freeze is not looking good. It has some sediment in there not really sure what it is but we will find out soon.

  22. #22
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    Got to work on the car a little bit this weekend started with the interior I took the seats out and pulled the carpet. Carpet is soaked I’ve had the car in the garage for over a month now trying to dry it but it needed to be pulled. Also bought new tires picked up a set of Michelin’s off craigslist for 300 bucks. Snapped a couple pics still not finished but looks better. The other M is feeling left out.

  23. #23
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    More pics

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