About to buy an e36...what to look for

[m3f_Haywood]

Hey guys. Close to buying a 1997 e36 with 81k miles. AW with black interior. The car is in great shape with a couple of nicks, but to be expected from almost 20 year car. The owner has all the records for oil changes and shows many repairs such as hoses, toe links, etc. I do plan to bring it to a dealer for a PPI. Are there things I need to be aware of? Thanks for the help.



BTW, I also own a 2013 e92 M3.

[m3f_M_Parallel]

You had me on AW on black. Coupe, sedan, vert? Manual, auto?

[m3f_fiveightandten]

In the sticky threads at the top of the page:

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=300562


It's a bit outdated, but should have the info you're looking for.

[m3f_Haywood]

You had me on AW on black. Coupe, sedan, vert? Manual, auto?

Ha! Thanks. Coupe, 5MT.

[m3f_Haywood]

In the sticky threads at the top of the page:

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=300562



It's a bit outdated, but should have the info you're looking for.

Thanks. I'll check it out.

[m3f_tripitz]

Rust. Under rocker panels. Battery compartment. Everything else can be fixed/repaired.

[m3f_Haywood]

Rust. Under rocker panels. Battery compartment. Everything else can be fixed/repaired.

Thanks. I'm getting a PPI done at a BMW dealership tomorrow.

[m3f_Haywood]

Guys,



Got the PPI back. I'm concerned about a few items. Let me know your opinions. Would you still buy this car?



FAILURE OF MID- DISPLAY COMPUTER - FAIL - FAILURE OF MID- DISPLAY COMPUTER REPLACEMENT OF BASIC BOARD COMPUTER MID DISPLAY UNIT $603.63



CENTER FACE VENT IS BROKEN - FAIL - CENTER FACE VENT IS BROKEN REPLACEMENT OF CENTER FACE VENT $233.63



REAR C PILLARS DISTORTED, DONT FIT CORRECTLY - FAIL - $370.00



BOTH REAR WINDOW FRAME SEALS FAILURE - FAIL - RUBBER FRAME SEALS ARE DETERIORATED REPLACEMENT OF BOTH REAR RUBBER FRAME SEALS $657.93



DRIVERS WINDOW REGULATOR BINDING - FAIL - SEVERE AT THIS TIME BUT WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO WINDOW GLASS MALFUNCTION) REPLACEMENT OF WINDOW REGULATOR $527.93



SHIFT KNOB IS BROKEN - FAIL - $200.00



This is the stuff that really concerns me below:



Cooling System Components - CAUTION - MINOR WATER JACKET COOLANT LEAK- CYLINDER HEAD GASKET. CAN EVENTUALLY LEAD TO INTERMITTENT /PROGRESSIVE COOLANT LOSS REPLACEMENT OF CYLINDER HEAD GASKET. $3,813.40



Suspension Components - CAUTION - Control arm bushings worn Replace front thrust arm bushings $468.72



Drive Shaft Components - FAIL - Right outer CV/drive axle boot is cracking RIGHT REAR OUTER AXLE BOOT IS SPLIT OPEN Replace right drive axle CV boot REPLACEMENT OF RR OUTER AXLE BOOT $808.47



Additional Suspension 1 - PLAY IN TIE ROD ENDS REPLACEMENT OF TIE RODS $834.97



Now, this could also be that the stealership wants to make some money, but they are a pretty reputable dealer in Alexandria, VA.



Any help is greatly appreciated.

[m3f_Doghouse]

Looks like some regular deferred maintenance and cosmetic issues.



Is the "mid-display computer" the OBC? If so a reman can be had for $100.



The big question is the head gasket.



I wouldn't immediately pass on the car because of that but the seller would need drop the price to address it, and the other things.



IMO this biggest thing with these cars is the body. No rust, no accidents, original paint.

If the body is 100% I would take a car that needs a bit of mechanical sorting if the price was right.

[m3f_Haywood]

Looks like some regular deferred maintenance and cosmetic issues.



Is the "mid-display computer" the OBC? If so a reman can be had for $100.



The big question is the head gasket.



I wouldn't immediately pass on the car because of that but the seller would need drop the price to address it, and the other things.



IMO this biggest thing with these cars is the body. No rust, no accidents, original paint.

If the body is 100% I would take a car that needs a bit of mechanical sorting if the price was right.

Thanks. Great opinions. The rest of the PPI was good. No oil leaks, good brakes, exhaust, hoses, tranny, spark plugs, etc, were all good. There isn't any rust and it has a clean Carfax. I also do work on my cars, so the suspension stuff I could probably do myself. The head gasket is the big issue for me.