brand new owner

[m3f_m3Max97]

Hello fellow m3 owners. I am a 19 year old student at Cal State Northridge and I am in the process of buying a 97 dark green 4 door m3. I will post pics once I get the chance. I am getting it (with 86,000 miles) for an asking price of $12,900 from a wells fargo bank repo my family friend (a sheriff) told me to call. The carfax came back perfect and it looks to be well taken care of. I am taking the car to my buddy's dad's shop where they specialize in german cars. I would just like to know if there is anything anyone can recommend looking for with this car, and this milage. Also, just saying hi and I hope to acquire more and more information from this site as time goes. Thank you all.



-Max

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

Congrats.



Check your rear shock mounts, rtabs, radiator. Get a compression test and leak down test done.

[m3f_NakNak_97f9bfdd0e]

For that kind of price I would look very carefully at it. Although carfax might come up clean that does not mean that it has not been in some sort of minor accident. Make sure it hasn't been repainted in any spots or anything like that. Good luck.

[m3f_2k_889896e9da]

Welcome to the forum! Make sure to check all body panels exterior and interior, for BMW certified logos, and not DOT-R. If you find DOT-R, ask more questions. Good luck! :shiftdriv

[m3f_m3Max97]

Thank you for all the input. The reason that it is so cheap is because the bank repo'd it, so anything they sell it for is profit. I will be sure to check everything listed though. I would sure appreciate any other information that might be useful. I hope that this is the car I become satisfied with enough to own it over a year. So far I have owned a 67 mustang with a 390 ci v8 (only got like 6 miles to the gallon), a civic (go figure), and just had a focus (I still don't know what I was thinking with that). I know because of the mustang I will be able to handle the speed, but it is the overall package I am looking forward to. Now once I reach 100, I will be able to stop and/or turn and not worry about the tires falling off. I always research cars, pretty much constantly and I figured that this is a good place to start with this car. I will do some searching on the forum, but anything you want, just throw it all out here.

[m3f_salty_80d4b8491b]

At 19 and the path you are on, an F50 will seem Ho-HUm by your mid twenties!!

I think you will like the m3. I have been into cars full time since 1975 when I got my license. The m3 is my high water mark in terms of what I have owned, and unlike U2...I have found what I am looking for. I would still like more however....3.0 CSI, Ford GT40, Lotus Elise, Superformance S1, Toyota GT2000, Mitsu Lancer Evo, M5, E Type Jag

[m3f_SouthernCaliM3]

Congrats.....like everyone says, I'd be careful just because of the price, along with that kind of mileage. Just make sure you get EVERYTHING checked out before it's too late.



I definitely think that you'll enjoy the M3 right up there with the mustang....but I don't know about those two other cars. Take care of it, and it will take care of you. eace:

[m3f_m3Max97]

I'm not really "concerned" with the price because I know how this system works and I know that this family friend has bought his past cars from the bank for far less than blue book. I am more concerned with not being able to see the car (it is in south carolina) before I buy it. It has had only one owner and, it should just be common sense that an m3 owner would take great pride and care of their car (besides those rich teenagers that get them and crash them into a tree). I have to pay to have the car shipped, but luckily I have a shop to inspect it for free before I actually make a deal. They specialize in German cars, so I feel pretty comfortable but I still like hearing from people that actually own the car. If I was ever bored of a Ferrari F-50 I think I would have to be slapped in the face and drive a ford fiesta for a month. I am almost positive that this car will satisfy every need I will ever have for a car. I just never thought I would own one until I was 40.

[m3f_m3Max97]

Here are a couple pics of the car.

[m3f_PurpleM3Pursuit]

looks beautiful.. take care of her!