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Thread: What to know when buying an E36 M3?

  1. #1
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    Question What to know when buying an E36 M3?

    Hey, I searched this topic, but couldnt find really anything...

    so I know a buncha ppl are gonna say, "stop being lazy and search it.."
    so if ur one of those ppl, just dont post...

    ok, so, what do i need to know about buying a used E36 M3...
    im thinking about a 99 or so, definately above 97...
    I live in Vancouver Canada, so what do I need to check out when testing these babies...
    Im thinkin im gonna do some test drivin this weekend as theres a bunch for sale... so..?

    In addition, anyone in Vancity wanting to get rid of a M3, lemme know...

  2. #2
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    stop being lazy and search it

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  3. #3
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    Gah, I would have loved to ask the same question. Where the Fook is your sticky on this subject?

    I feel ya Vitamin. Just spend some time around here. Lots of time. Don't just jump into one. In that case, you won't find yourself wishing for another color or something stupid you will always regret.

    |dirty | bav |

  4. #4
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    There are 2 kinds of BMW owners.

    a) The kind that take care of their meticulously.

    b) Then kind that drive it into the ground then clean it up and sell it.

    Have them show you receipts, because there will be some, trust me.
    Last edited by revenson10; 03-02-2005 at 06:54 PM.

  5. #5
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    dude I know there are threads on this!! I looked at them all a year ago when i got my M, lazy ass
    keep looking

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by revenson10
    There are 2 kinds of BMW owners.

    a) The kind that take care of their meticulously.

    b) Then kind that drive it into the ground then clean it up and sell it.

    Have them show you receipts because there will be some, trust me.

    I 100% agree on that.

  7. #7
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    Ya know, someone should write a sticky on this one day. It sucks for noobs to spend hours searching and learning what can be contained in one sticky post.

    I'll save you some time, althogh this isnt really complete. Anyway, to me, buying used E36 was like buying almost any other used car with a few specifics to E36s, marked with an (*) Make sure you get it checked by a mechanic. as they mentioned above the 2 kinds of drivers....

    Interior:
    Alarm, Does it have one and does it function properly?
    Do Interior door locks pop up properly?*
    Are leather seat bolsters worn to hell? Good luck finding one where they are not!*
    Spare tire used?
    Split folding rear seats?
    Air still blows cold?
    Carpet mats have torn connectors (new style doesn't use them)*
    Does steering wheel squeak?*
    Clutch squeak?*
    Does window squeak on roll up*
    Are all the other body squeaks tolerable?*
    All lights work?
    onboard computer present?
    Gas tank indicator ever have problems?*
    Other Options you want there?
    Sunroof noise?
    Sunroof fabric properly set in place?*

    Exterior
    Weather stripping worn faded badly?
    Under body panels missing?*
    Road rash on rims?
    How was car washed and waxed?
    Collision ever?, of course check this by looking for DOT parts and don't EVER trust that scam carfax
    License plate screw dings on front and back bumpers (I HATE these)
    Side door dings?
    Paint condition?
    Window chips fixable or not serious?

    Mechanical
    Rear shock mounts replaced when?*
    All stock? Mods?
    Water pump replaced (older E36s)*
    O2 sensor replaced?*
    Rear trailing arm bushings replaced?*
    Compression numbers decent?
    A slew of other crap - just take to a mechanic (your $120 bucks is well spent)

    Other stuff....
    All records available?
    How many owners?
    Leased vehicle ever?
    Garaged?
    Primary climate driven in - Snow, rain, or pretty california weather...:-)
    If it has LOW miles, was it in storage - Long storage implications include fuel lines, exhaust and oil corrosion.


    I am not even into them as much as some of these guys, so they can add if they want. I am sure i missed a ton of stuff.

  8. #8
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    And never buy without inspection

    m3forum made this part of their FAQ:

    http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=17582

    I'd add one thing -- don't buy the car if you don't have a mechanic you can trust. Won't have any $$ left if you bring to dealer for service.
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  9. #9
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    Sold: E36 M3 Next: E46 M3 or B5 S4
    Quote Originally Posted by revenson10
    There are 2 kinds of BMW owners.

    a) The kind that take care of their meticulously.

    b) Then kind that drive it into the ground then clean it up and sell it.

    Have them show you receipts because there will be some, trust me.
    c) Do not clean it up, and waste your time as you go drive to see the trashed M3 (about 5 cars I looked at before buying mine had this situation)

  10. #10
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    Sold: E36 M3 Next: E46 M3 or B5 S4
    Quote Originally Posted by Vitamin~J
    i knew that was comming... good one... hehhee...
    Lol, your a smartass... I would run a Carfax (better than nothing). I would have the car inspected, by someone who works with lots of BMWs. Next I would look for service records, and stay away from sellers who either did not service the car or are trying to cover something up. If the car looks bad from the start, I would not bother unless you plan to spend lots of $$$ (in most cases).
    =BA= wrote this:
    Problem area's:

    -Waterpump (shoud be replaced by a 97+ one)
    -radiator (often cracks)
    -RSM's, usually worn out
    -Rear shock's, usually worn out after 50K miles
    -RTAB, usually worn out
    -Rubbers rearwindow's, worn out after a few years, but cheap fix
    -Glovebox lid not fully closing, all E36 get this, easy modification at the TMS site
    -Vanos rattle. Not necesarily bad, all M3's more ore less have this. Very expensive fix though.

    Good luck with your search...

  11. #11
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    Is there anything specific to the 95 era M3's?

    (this thread came up while searching :P)

  12. #12
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    Sold: E36 M3 Next: E46 M3 or B5 S4
    Other than the common E36 problems, I would take more care in making sure the water pump has been replaced on the 1995s.

  13. #13
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    Buy the latest Bimmer issue. It has a thorough E36 buyers guide. Although it was written for 3-series models, a lot relates to M3's.

    On a side note. Flicking people off doesn't help you win brownie points. We try to keep it respectful and civil here. If someone rubs you the wrong way, respond in a mature manner.

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by madmguy
    dude I know there are threads on this!! I looked at them all a year ago when i got my M, lazy ass
    keep looking
    i thought i told people like you not to bother posting?

    some people are just thick...

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by kaiservon
    Buy the latest Bimmer issue. It has a thorough E36 buyers guide. Although it was written for 3-series models, a lot relates to M3's.

    On a side note. Flicking people off doesn't help you win brownie points. We try to keep it respectful and civil here. If someone rubs you the wrong way, respond in a mature manner.

    already bought it actually... and, i was just being sarcastic, its tough to tell i guess when someone is writing... some people are very disrespectful on this forum, and i aim to not be one of em...

    i was just responding in a sarcastic way to his sarcastic comment...

  16. #16
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    Thanks to everyone who responded seriously to this thread!

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by Vitamin~J
    i thought i told people like you not to bother posting?

    some people are just thick...
    you seriously needed to search.... just do a friggin search & i bet you about 10 pages of stuff will pop up showing you everything you've ever wanted to know... all you're doing is wasting forum space & pissing people off by asking the same crap that everyone's seen over & over again. just do a SEARCH

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  18. #18
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    2 rules for buying an M3 follow them and you will be safe.
    #1 20.00 get Carfax so you can search each VIN !!!
    #2 Call BMWAMERICA and have them search the vin for maintenance records, the more they have on the car the better and also search for ext warrenties.

    Drive it and listen to it, M3's are beat on !!!! Don't be foolish to think differ.
    Mine has 123k and it still purrs and I still beat on it, I respect it and take care of it and it performs like no other.

  19. #19
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    The M3 I have now (which I'm selling...but not in a rush to sell) is the third M3 I've owned, and they've all had common issues. I've owned:

    * 97 5spd sedan, silver, <40K miles
    * 97 5spd sedan, techno, <60K miles
    * 98 5spd sedan, cosmos, <60K miles

    The silver one was too new to have a headliner sag problem, but the techno M3 had the headliner replaced under warranty by the last owner, the black one I have now needs a new headliner.

    All three made a very annoying whistling noise from the center A/C vent when the A/C was running and I was driving at around 70mph on the highway.

    I've replaced the rear shocks and strut mounts in the black one, something that was on one of the lists above.

    I think BMWs are better than average cars but for the pricetag they sure do have an awful lot of niggly problems, particularly with "fit and finish." BMW build quality doesn't compare to a Lexus, for example.

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