thinking about getting an E36 m3 (95-99)
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From: NoVA
Haha, here are some things to look out for any E36 chassis BMWs (esp. M3s)
Maintenance:
It's a pain in the ass if you don't have some mechanical experience and it's expensive as hell if you don't have a indie mechanic. I have both so it works out pretty well for me. Some main things to look out for http://www.edgemotorworks.com/sindex.htm
In terms of maintenance, that's most of it.
Performance:
You will love it, especially after you do all the maintenace. Nothing drives like an E36 M3 after a fresh set of parts.
Reliability:
I've had no issues whatsoever.
Practicality:
It has a useable backseat and a big trunk. If I wasn't so worried about room and practicality, I would've bought an S2000.
Parts:
Most parts are expensive, so checking online is your best bet.
M3 Sedan Manual = RARE
M3 Convertibles Manual = rare
Maintenance:
It's a pain in the ass if you don't have some mechanical experience and it's expensive as hell if you don't have a indie mechanic. I have both so it works out pretty well for me. Some main things to look out for http://www.edgemotorworks.com/sindex.htm
In terms of maintenance, that's most of it.
Performance:
You will love it, especially after you do all the maintenace. Nothing drives like an E36 M3 after a fresh set of parts.
Reliability:
I've had no issues whatsoever.
Practicality:
It has a useable backseat and a big trunk. If I wasn't so worried about room and practicality, I would've bought an S2000.
Parts:
Most parts are expensive, so checking online is your best bet.
M3 Sedan Manual = RARE
M3 Convertibles Manual = rare
Honda Two Thhhhousand
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,197
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Fun cars , miss mine a lot. Just get on bimmerforums.com and you can get all the info you want from maintenance to aftermarket parts. Their E36 M3 forum is very comprehensive and a lot of the people are knowledgeable.
My opinion is to stay away from the high mileage ones. If you really want one sit around and search for the perfect one, it will pop up. Good luck and happy hunting.
My opinion is to stay away from the high mileage ones. If you really want one sit around and search for the perfect one, it will pop up. Good luck and happy hunting.
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 44,908
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From: Location Location
It's not that it's such a maintainance queen, it's the cost of it.
Brakes/rotors alone cost you $300 for regular parts. Struts/shocks cost you another 300-400 when it comes to replacing.
If you do get one, be sure to check out the electrical. It's hard to diagnose once you have electrical problems.
I have fun driving the car, prefer it much over most hondas, s2000 are good in handling, but no torque.
(I own an e36 for the last 4 years or so)
Brakes/rotors alone cost you $300 for regular parts. Struts/shocks cost you another 300-400 when it comes to replacing.
If you do get one, be sure to check out the electrical. It's hard to diagnose once you have electrical problems.
I have fun driving the car, prefer it much over most hondas, s2000 are good in handling, but no torque.
(I own an e36 for the last 4 years or so)
$300 if you buy from the dealer. $300 is comparable in cost to say a G35 in parts.
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my bum is on the swedish!
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 10,133
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From: San Antonio, Texas
Haha, here are some things to look out for any E36 chassis BMWs (esp. M3s)
Maintenance:
It's a pain in the ass if you don't have some mechanical experience and it's expensive as hell if you don't have a indie mechanic. I have both so it works out pretty well for me. Some main things to look out for http://www.edgemotorworks.com/sindex.htm
In terms of maintenance, that's most of it.
Performance:
You will love it, especially after you do all the maintenace. Nothing drives like an E36 M3 after a fresh set of parts.
Reliability:
I've had no issues whatsoever.
Practicality:
It has a useable backseat and a big trunk. If I wasn't so worried about room and practicality, I would've bought an S2000.
Parts:
Most parts are expensive, so checking online is your best bet.
M3 Sedan Manual = RARE
M3 Convertibles Manual = rare
Maintenance:
It's a pain in the ass if you don't have some mechanical experience and it's expensive as hell if you don't have a indie mechanic. I have both so it works out pretty well for me. Some main things to look out for http://www.edgemotorworks.com/sindex.htm
In terms of maintenance, that's most of it.
Performance:
You will love it, especially after you do all the maintenace. Nothing drives like an E36 M3 after a fresh set of parts.
Reliability:
I've had no issues whatsoever.
Practicality:
It has a useable backseat and a big trunk. If I wasn't so worried about room and practicality, I would've bought an S2000.
Parts:
Most parts are expensive, so checking online is your best bet.
M3 Sedan Manual = RARE
M3 Convertibles Manual = rare
h:
Thread Starter
my bum is on the swedish!
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 10,133
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, Texas
lots and lots of fail
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 23,004
Likes: 1
From: Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeetroit
Here's my viewpoint...
I love cars that balance performance with luxury/comfort. The M3 seems to be a moderately inexpensive way to get a really really good balance...and I was pretty set on one until I drove it. It just didn't really fit me, and it seemed very tough for me to spend $10k or so on a BMW with 150,000 miles. Yes, they have some maintenance issues, but it's no big deal.
Drive one...if you like it, get it. But as for me, I'm saving up a bit more cash for a TL 6-speed or an AV6 6-speed...the M3 just wasn't my thing. Maybe I need to drive a better maintained/cared for example, but it just didn't feel right. Beautiful cars for sure though, and pretty damn fast. The exhaust note is amazing.
I love cars that balance performance with luxury/comfort. The M3 seems to be a moderately inexpensive way to get a really really good balance...and I was pretty set on one until I drove it. It just didn't really fit me, and it seemed very tough for me to spend $10k or so on a BMW with 150,000 miles. Yes, they have some maintenance issues, but it's no big deal.
Drive one...if you like it, get it. But as for me, I'm saving up a bit more cash for a TL 6-speed or an AV6 6-speed...the M3 just wasn't my thing. Maybe I need to drive a better maintained/cared for example, but it just didn't feel right. Beautiful cars for sure though, and pretty damn fast. The exhaust note is amazing.
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I dont have a M but I can tell you they are costly to maintain. I've had my whole cooling system replace, my AC broke, I'm at 135k miles.
You might wanna look into a E46 330. those things are fast with 5spd manual.
You might wanna look into a E46 330. those things are fast with 5spd manual.
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: OR
i am almost in your same situation but a few years behind
i have an ek sedan
i want a bmw m3 4dr 5spd
i would get a si sedan if i could afford it
i will probably end up with a 2000 or so gsr 4dr in the next few years unless i can afford the si
the bmw just isnt relaible enough for me to have as my only car, and i dont have the experience or space to work on it myself, which is unfortunate because i would love to learn how and have the room to do so
when you pick up the new car are you parting your ek at all?
i have been admiring it for a while
i have an ek sedan
i want a bmw m3 4dr 5spd
i would get a si sedan if i could afford it
i will probably end up with a 2000 or so gsr 4dr in the next few years unless i can afford the si
the bmw just isnt relaible enough for me to have as my only car, and i dont have the experience or space to work on it myself, which is unfortunate because i would love to learn how and have the room to do so
when you pick up the new car are you parting your ek at all?
i have been admiring it for a while