Hey guys, I'm just out of school and looking to buy an E36 m3. It's just barely in my price range and need to know if reliability could be a problem for me?? I have an 88 325i which is rock solid and hoping that the M3 will run the same but I need to know before I jump in feet first. Any common problems, etc I should look for or as about. And what should I be looking for when I go to buy one of these. Thanks very much for any help.
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Along the same lines, I had a Porsche 944S that spun a rod bearing that I will eventually rebuild as a track car, but in the meantime I am looking for a daily driver. I am looking at a 1996 Dakar Yellow M3 with 91K, asking price $15K at a local independent dealer. I've looked through the e36 M3 FAQ, but the maintenance and buying sections were somewhat scant. Other than the water pump issue, what other major mechanical issues should I pay attention to? What is the timing belt interval? How long does the clutch last? what about CV joints? What about rod and main bearings? -
Well. They dont' have timing belts, they have chains. Some of hte older m3s expereince bad chain tensioners, cauing bad noises in the front. Even their vanos units wear out.
Clutch: How do you drive? droping the clutch from 6k rpms all the time, won't last long. Typicaly, I want to say they'll last a good 80k under normal driving, even longer some times.
Not sure on the main bearings, my main bearing on my 22 yearold BMW is just wearing out now.. so that may be a clue, but thats old school engine work.
Thats all for now off the top of my head, but its been a loooong day...Comment
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[QUOTE=dark_sirius]Well. They dont' have timing belts, they have chains.
so what is the interval for changing them?
Some of hte older m3s expereince bad chain tensioners, cauing bad noises in the front. Even their vanos units wear out.
what is the vanos unit?
Clutch: How do you drive? droping the clutch from 6k rpms all the time, won't last long.QUOTE]
yea, that's fairly obvious. I mean under normal driving conditions (not track). My 944 turbo clutch went at about 95K and the 944S was replaced around 117K. quite a variable...Comment
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Check our FAQ section. There is a huge thread on buying used. It should help you out some.Comment
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If either of you are interested in a 95 with 45k miles, I posted about it recently. It is 15,900 asking which is a good starting price.Comment
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[QUOTE=dark_sirius]Well. They dont' have timing belts, they have chains.
so what is the interval for changing them?
Some of hte older m3s expereince bad chain tensioners, cauing bad noises in the front. Even their vanos units wear out.
what is the vanos unit?
Clutch: How do you drive? droping the clutch from 6k rpms all the time, won't last long.QUOTE]
yea, that's fairly obvious. I mean under normal driving conditions (not track). My 944 turbo clutch went at about 95K and the 944S was replaced around 117K. quite a variable...
To be honest, I haven't heard of a regular schedual for the timing chain, I can check at work though, I am sure someoen else here will know off the top of their heads.
I have read several posts here with people saying they got 110,000+ miles and they are still on their orignal clutch.Comment
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Check our FAQ section. There is a huge thread on buying used. It should help you out some.
Thanks for all the help so far guys but I cant find anything other than FAQ for the forum and posting messages and stuff under the FAQ section at the top. Where is the FAQ relating to the actual cars?? Link?? ThanksComment
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aston100 - sounds like a good starting point for your car. only problem is i need financing
whereabouts in houston/austin are you? i went to medical school in houston; can't say i miss the traffic, but there is quite a lot to offer
Hey Antz_Marchin; i just figured out where to find the FAQ (this board is a little hard to navigate - the screens are real busy). if you look in the box titled "BMW M3 Discussion" at the bottom of the box, it has a link for the BMW M3 FAQ....Comment
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Yeah, you can't use the shortcut to the FAQ...it doesn't work right. I just go to the main discussion board, and then you can find it. Or you can jump to it directly I think in the bottom right of this screen.
Jmitro: You can obtain financing from lots of aftermarket compaines...don't limit yourself to stealers
It may be hard because the car is older though...I'm really not on the up and up with buying older used cars.
I'm not in Houston or Austin right now...I'm in my third home of Ithaca, NY. My parents live in Spring in houston right now and they are in the process of moving to Roanke Virginia.
I'm going to start a job in New Jersey at the end of June. I bounce around a lot for school, home, and internships pretty much.Comment
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And for the extremely lazy: http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/forumdisplay.php?f=46
you should learn to find the FAQ section on your own though.Comment
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found it right after I posted.......thanksComment
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