How does this M3 look?

[m3f_ramnazeri]

Should I still check it out and check all the paperwork from the work done, all the body panels and carfax? Or should I just drop it and search for others?


Sorry if its getting repetitive, its just hard to pass up a pretty unmolested e36 m3 with those low miles, with it being right in my price range.

[m3f_englishtom1596q]

no harm checking it out. I wouldn't call it unmolested though.

[m3f_ramnazeri]

no harm checking it out. I wouldn't call it unmolested though.

Right. Molested but not enough for mental scarring hahah. I will try to check it out soon and report back

[m3f_crqflier]

Should I still check it out and check all the paperwork from the work done, all the body panels and carfax? Or should I just drop it and search for others?


Sorry if its getting repetitive, its just hard to pass up a pretty unmolested e36 m3 with those low miles, with it being right in my price range.

Well... Pretty unmolested is probably a stretch with this rig.


With that said, I'd check it out so you at least have a comparison when another comes along. Who knows. Maybe it's great. Doubtful. But maybe.

[m3f_englishtom1596q]

Right. Molested but not enough for mental scarring hahah. I will try to check it out soon and report back

get some pics of it

[m3f_WestCoastin]

Check it out, it's good experience. See if you can get a test drive. Then you'll have a better idea of what you do or do not want or what you are willing to deal with.

[m3f_Roland H]

Seems odd to spend 7+ grand on repairs to then only list the car for 8+ if the car just needed maintenance.

Not necessarily. I just sold my M5 [today] and spent a lot more on repairs than what I sold it for.


Also just bought an Audi and got receipts that totalled up to $3000 more than what I paid for the car.


Just because you dump a ton of money into keeping the car nice, it doesn't mean the value will go up.

[m3f_WestCoastin]

Not necessarily. I just sold my M5 [today] and spent a lot more on repairs than what I sold it for.

You repaired it to sell it or are you adding up all your repairs and are comparing that number to your selling price? I think there is a big difference between the two situations.

Also just bought an Audi and got receipts that totalled up to $3000 more than what I paid for the car.


Just because you dump a ton of money into keeping the car nice, it doesn't mean the value will go up.

That's my point. I see no point in wasting money on repairs that you wont get back in the sale of the car. Spend 7 grand to maybe make 1? Id rather sell a car as is at a lower price and net everything. To each their own though.

[m3f_Roland H]

You repaired it to sell it or are you adding up all your repairs and are comparing that number to your selling price? I think there is a big difference between the two situations.

A little bit of both.



Owned it just short of three years (35 months), drove it a total of 2000 miles.



I would have broken even or probably would have made money if I had just parted it out when the head gasket blew but I wasn't really interested in parting out an already rare car.

[m3f_RND1]

Should I still check it out and check all the paperwork from the work done, all the body panels and carfax? Or should I just drop it and search for others?



Sorry if its getting repetitive, its just hard to pass up a pretty unmolested e36 m3 with those low miles, with it being right in my price range.

Seems like you're getting reasonable responses from the owner so I would definitely check it out. Doing an inspection 2 makes sense, but replacing the valves does not. He's either mistaken or he's not telling you the whole story - nobody has valves replaced because the car was sitting for a while.



I would be happy about the $4K paint job as long as they did good work - look for overspray and tape lines. Are the vin tags still intact etc. Honestly the only thing that doesn't make sense is his low asking price. If you had $7K in recent paint and mechanical work, would you only be asking $8700? I wouldn't.

[m3f_TomS2]

Should I still check it out and check all the paperwork from the work done, all the body panels and carfax? Or should I just drop it and search for others?



Sorry if its getting repetitive, its just hard to pass up a pretty unmolested e36 m3 with those low miles, with it being right in my price range.

Definitely check it out, and check out others. The more cars you check out the more you know. the more you know, the more likely you are to get a good car.



I test drove a 98 M3 with 77k miles at a BMW dealer, and two days later bought my 95 with 181k miles from a private individual. The 95 had more power, tighter suspension, etc. Testing the 98 confirmed that he high mileage car was an overall better car.



Similar thing happened when I bought my M Roadster. I looked at one with 65k miles and a desperate seller. I then looked at mine. I was going to lowball the desperate seller at 10k. I then added up what I would pay to have it brought into the condition of my car, and overpaid for my car. It probably was cheaper in the long run to overpay.

[m3f_WestCoastin]

Check out this one too... minimal listing but looks ok.


http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/4349357413.html

[m3f_ramnazeri]

Check out this one too... minimal listing but looks ok.



http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/4349357413.html

As rare as fern green is, I just don't think it looks that nice on an m3



Also, I can't justify buying it (even though it's a bit high for me) and then either powdercoating it or plastidipping it because I know there will be an enthusiast searching for a fern green e36 m3 that I have painted over.



Thanks for the searching, it honestly helps so much.



I did find this one as well that I know has been put up a couple times http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/4351588342.html

[m3f_propchef]

Pm 12v to see if he knows that 95. Looks familiar with the custom kick panels. He does custom electronic work in the bay area and may know that car. But, it looks priced high for the issues it has.


Sent from my kitchen using old Twinkies

[m3f_ramnazeri]

Pm 12v to see if he knows that 95.

I did, and he said he's never seen it