Thoughts on M3 for sale

[m3f_hambone64]

What about a 1 of 38 '99 Hellrot w/ Sand Beige coupe?



http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/4308664507.html



Looks like scratches in the paint and numerous black moldings could use some clean up or a layer of SEM trim black paint. Might be worth taking a look at in person.

Hadnt seen this one... will take a look at it, thanks!

[m3f_hambone64]

Daytona is a love or hate color. I actually dig the color but hate 95s (the only year Daytona was offered.)


The interior in that car looks ratty at best.


I'd try to look for a 96+ that's bone stock.

excuse my noobness but i know the engine changed in 95 from a 3.0 to 3.2 and gained a few ft/lb of torque, but besides that why are 95's different?


edit: after a short google search i found this. anything not mentioned?


http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...-Noob-Question

[m3f_badgtho]

excuse my noobness but i know the engine changed in 95 from a 3.0 to 3.2 and gained a few ft/lb of torque, but besides that why are 95's different?


edit: after a short google search i found this. anything not mentioned?


http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...-Noob-Question

Here are the basics:


95s are an obd1, 3.0

They have a different suspension geometry, different diff and tranny. You can read "different" as lesser than a later car.


They have a shittier interior and the 95 door panels are more prone to de lamination. Also The seat leather is different depending on color.


95s are not pre tapped for an x brace


95s have e30 style hvac controls. I actually think that's a plus.


95 is the only year for Avus or Daytona unless it's an individual package. Some 95s have no clear coat. (Red/yellow depending on build date.)


95s lack front strut tower reinforcements. Most 95s lack rear floor reinforcements.


Some 95s are affected by an issue with the valve retainers that can cause the valves to fall into the cylinders.


95s are the only year of the automatic option in a coupe.


95s are the only year where the front bumper mesh is painted body color.


95s are the only year where tilt wheel was available. This is cool but it's only on very early cars.


95s are the only year with smooth body mouldings. Again this is cool but only on very early cars.


By the numbers there are more 95s than most other years. Especially when you consider that all 95s are coupes. Because people will blindly love what they have for no good reason, this is a tough battle to fight. There are always more 95 owners.


95s are cheaper all things being equal.


I could go on and on. Some differences are big. Some are small. Some might matter to you. Others may not.


Those who've owned both typically prefer a later car. Most who have done their research also choose a later car.


I personally prefer a 98.5 or 99. Why? I like the 3 spoke, the rear headrests, i like that a lot of kinks were worked out. When I had a 97 I always wanted a 99.

[m3f_hambone64]

Here are the basics:


95s are an obd1, 3.0

They have a different suspension geometry, different diff and tranny. You can read "different" as lesser than a later car.


They have a shittier interior and the 95 door panels are more prone to de lamination. Also The seat leather is different depending on color.


95s are not pre tapped for an x brace


95s have e30 style hvac controls. I actually think that's a plus.


95 is the only year for Avus or Daytona unless it's an individual package. Some 95s have no clear coat. (Red/yellow depending on build date.)


95s lack front strut tower reinforcements. Most 95s lack rear floor reinforcements.


Some 95s are affected by an issue with the valve retainers that can cause the valves to fall into the cylinders.


95s are the only year of the automatic option in a coupe.


95s are the only year where the front bumper mesh is painted body color.


95s are the only year where tilt wheel was available. This is cool but it's only on very early cars.


95s are the only year with smooth body mouldings. Again this is cool but only on very early cars.


By the numbers there are more 95s than most other years. Especially when you consider that all 95s are coupes. Because people will blindly love what they have for no good reason, this is a tough battle to fight. There are always more 95 owners.


95s are cheaper all things being equal.


I could go on and on. Some differences are big. Some are small. Some might matter to you. Others may not.


Those who've owned both typically prefer a later car. Most who have done their research also choose a later car.


I personally prefer a 98.5 or 99. Why? I like the 3 spoke, the rear headrests, i like that a lot of kinks were worked out. When I had a 97 I always wanted a 99.

great post... thanks

[m3f_badgtho]

great post... thanks

Not a prob. I think what can usually be said is that one should buy the newest example they can.

[m3f_Wyattfahrenholz]

Here are the basics:


95s are an obd1, 3.0

They have a different suspension geometry, different diff and tranny. You can read "different" as lesser than a later car.


They have a shittier interior and the 95 door panels are more prone to de lamination. Also The seat leather is different depending on color.


95s are not pre tapped for an x brace


95s have e30 style hvac controls. I actually think that's a plus.


95 is the only year for Avus or Daytona unless it's an individual package. Some 95s have no clear coat. (Red/yellow depending on build date.)


95s lack front strut tower reinforcements. Most 95s lack rear floor reinforcements.


Some 95s are affected by an issue with the valve retainers that can cause the valves to fall into the cylinders.


95s are the only year of the automatic option in a coupe.


95s are the only year where the front bumper mesh is painted body color.


95s are the only year where tilt wheel was available. This is cool but it's only on very early cars.


95s are the only year with smooth body mouldings. Again this is cool but only on very early cars.


By the numbers there are more 95s than most other years. Especially when you consider that all 95s are coupes. Because people will blindly love what they have for no good reason, this is a tough battle to fight. There are always more 95 owners.


95s are cheaper all things being equal.


I could go on and on. Some differences are big. Some are small. Some might matter to you. Others may not.


Those who've owned both typically prefer a later car. Most who have done their research also choose a later car.


I personally prefer a 98.5 or 99. Why? I like the 3 spoke, the rear headrests, i like that a lot of kinks were worked out. When I had a 97 I always wanted a 99.

I just want to know what in the hell would make them think "yeah this telescoping steering wheel is super nice, let's get rid of it".


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[m3f_EricSMG]

Having owned many 97-99 cars, and recently acquiring a 95, I would say that the only practical difference worth noting is the powerplant. The character differences between the two motors really make for a substantially different feel from behind the wheel - some better, some worse. All other differences are inconsequential.



From this, I would say that you want the nicest car you can find long before you want the newest car. You can change motors and suspensions relatively easily. You cannot make a shitty car nice easily, if at all.



Perfect world? Clean 99 coupe or 98 sedan.

[m3f_englishtom1596q]

saw that one too... honestly I cant stand the color haha

i'll agree…i greatly dislike Violet no matter how rare it is.

[m3f_enderw88]

95s are not pre tapped for an x brace

Not correct in all cases. Mine was.

95s are the only year with smooth body mouldings. Again this is cool but only on very early cars.

And damn near impossible to find. You order the part number for the smooth molding and get the textured one.

By the numbers there are more 95s than most other years. Especially when you consider that all 95s are coupes. Because people will blindly love what they have for no good reason, this is a tough battle to fight. There are always more 95 owners.

Blind Love, exactly!

[m3f_enderw88]

I just want to know what in the hell would make them think "yeah this telescoping steering wheel is super nice, let's get rid of it".

"Hey Hans, this part costs $10.00 per unit. No one will complain if it is gone, and we don't have to lower the price. Instant $10.00 per unit profit increase. let's go to Oktoberfest."

[m3f_Magic M3]

Mine is tapped for X brace too!



Also mine does not have body colored mesh in the bumper, always wondered what it would look like in Avus....

[m3f_SIDEWAYS]

"Hey Hans, this part costs $10.00 per unit. No one will complain if it is gone, and we don't have to lower the price. Instant $10.00 per unit profit increase. let's go to Oktoberfest."

Haha, well played...love the Oktoberfest part.



BTW, for Wyattfahrenholz's reference, telescoping is different from the tilting feature badgtho mentioned.

[m3f_egebhardt]

Hambone,


This is my criteria......

No verts

No autos

No salvage

No 95s

No funky colors

No Lux editions

No rust


If the body and engine and tranny are OK, you can fix the rest.

Fixing the rest requires other things you may or may not have.


To fix.....

Time

Money

Tools

Garage

Experience

Motivation


You can get along without all those things, but it's harder.

Good luck! Feel free to call 650-308-9008 or mail me.

I'm in San Mateo and I know about a lot of cars in the area.

[m3f_hambone64]

Just called the guy about the car that was originally posted. Asked about he headgasket and he said it was changed by the PO due to wear? He said it was just a regular maintenance thing and it wasnt that the car overheated... does that sound like a possibility?

[m3f_hambone64]

Hambone,



This is my criteria......

No verts

No autos

No salvage

No 95s

No funky colors

No Lux editions

No rust



If the body and engine and tranny are OK, you can fix the rest.

Fixing the rest requires other things you may or may not have.



To fix.....

Time

Money

Tools

Garage

Experience

Motivation



You can get along without all those things, but it's harder.

Good luck! Feel free to call 650-308-9008 or mail me.

I'm in San Mateo and I know about a lot of cars in the area.

I'll definitely send you a text, thanks for the offer man!