So I am going to purchase my first M3 this week (hopefully). And was wondering if it is worth getting it checked out by my local BMW dealer? They want $90 to check it out...but they don't do a compression check (they want another $150). So my Question is, that is the basic inspection something I can do? And if so what should I look, listen for? And is the compression check that important, the BMW rep said that it is not, because the computer will tell them if any thing is wrong. By the way the M3 has 68K miles and has had the engine replaced by Bavarian Engine Exchange about 10K miles ago. Thanks for any input:thumbsup:
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If I were you I would get the compression check in addition to a regular check. In the long run, $150 isn't a big deal, especially considering the costs you can get into if this car turns out to be in bad shape. I bought my '95 about 2 years ago with only 43K on it and I have already had to put close to $3000 into the engine for regular maintence.
As an aside, I would suggest asking around for a capable independent BMW service center in your area. It's been my experience that the dealers overcharge, and often don't have the skills to work on, dare I say it...older cars. They see E60s and Z4s all day and rarely an OBDI car as most are out of warranty. Find an independent BMW mechanic that specializes in M cars and take it there. Mine drives a euro e28 M535i and supercharged M coupe. :beer: -
You gotta wonder about cars with new engines so early in their lives...but I guess you can look at this two ways.
If the engine was new when it was put in, how bad could the compression POSSIBLY BE.
On the other hand, you might not trust the car at all because it had the engine replaced so any extra tests are very very necessary.
I don't think I would throw caution to the wind on a car like this, so I'd get as many diagnostics as possible.
It will save you headaches in the long run.Comment
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I'd vote to have any checks you can done on it... a new engine at 58k worries me too...Comment
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How the hell do you blow up a M3 Engine lol They're very solid... somebody had alot of talent.Comment
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GET ALL THE CHECKS DONE BY THE DEALER...COULD SAVE YOU BIG $$$$$Comment
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Thank you so much for your input. By the way the engine way blown by the guys daughter, he says she was going down the interstate and missed a shift and put it in third! She must of been going pretty fast to do that kind of damage.Comment
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Wow...that musta hurt! That being the case, I would get the car very thoroughly checked out. Every dime you spend for precaution can save you tons of money in the long run, plus finding any problems will allow you to negotiate the price down somewhat. How much is the seller asking anyways? An engine replacement because of mis-shift would make me nervous, and this should translate into one of two things:
1) A low, low selling price on the car, or
2) Look for another car with a less questionable history.
It all kinda depends on how much you want to put into the car for maintenance versus how sure you are that nothing will go wrong.
Personally I paid $200 for the BMW dealer's "142-point" inspection. Supposedly this is the same thorough inspection their CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) cars go through. I also paid an additional $80 (maybe on the low side) to get it compression and leakdown tested. They gave the option of a "Visual Inspection" for $100, but that didn't impart confidence, so I opted for the more expensive, more thorough inspection. FYI, I was looking into (and incidentally bought) a 97 with 42,000 miles on it that was darn near perfect, and I still paid to have all this done.
And at a minimum I would do compression and leakdown because this gives you a general idea about the engine's condition.
Either way, good luck and let us know what you decide!Comment
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"How the hell do you blow up a M3 Engine lol They're very solid... somebody had alot of talent."
I've heard of a lot of blown engines. Evidently, it's quite easy to put the car into second when aiming for forth, and third instead of fifth. I've never experienced a mis-shift though. Thankfully!Comment
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That's why I'm going to do a UUC Evo 3 and tranny mount!Comment
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Bavarin (http://www.bavengine.com/)give's two year unlimited mile warranty(5 year warranty total) on there engines, so if you have the paper work with the car, you should be fine. Do both tests to ease your mind. Does the guy/girl have the maintance records, if so, go ask the tech at the place that did the last inspection if he found anything that needs to be fixed that wasn't, will take a bit of time from you but you would be assured of your puchase after that. Check out the place that did the install to. thats what I would do, your money your car.Comment
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Btw you can put this car in what ever gear you want no matter how fast you are going, Race trying to win miss shift, blown engine. Engine from BAV 5,3xx.Comment
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Originally posted by E36Pilot
"How the hell do you blow up a M3 Engine lol They're very solid... somebody had alot of talent."
I've heard of a lot of blown engines. Evidently, it's quite easy to put the car into second when aiming for forth, and third instead of fifth. I've never experienced a mis-shift though. Thankfully!
Actually my Dad did just that on his M3. It was a little over a year old, his "weekend car". Anyway he never gave me many details because I think he was too imbaressed. All I know is some punk on the freeway was trying to toy with him, he dropped it to 4th, or so he thought and hit 2nd, BOOM. and this is an older guy, very conservative! Thousands of dollars later he got it put back together but it never seemed to be the same, it leaked fluids. I would be really skeptical of a car with a blown engine history. The moral of the story, Be carefull!
On that note I am looking for an M3 myself and wondered if anyone had any thoughts milage. Where would you draw the line. I was looking at a couple with 80-90K miles. Am I looking for trouble or are these engines strong enough to go for ever, dare I say it, like a Honda?! Any advise would be appreciated.Comment
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I don't think mishifts always = blown engine though.
The pistons may collide with the valves, but it isn't like you need to replace the entire engine.
It happened to two guys on these forums at least. There are probably more, but I can't think of it.
The best thing anyone can do is put new tranny mounts in the car. For 70 bucks, you can't get better insurance against a misshift.Comment
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"I have already had to put close to $3000 into the engine for regular maintence. "
Please elucidate.
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