BMW M3. any advice

[Addsvr6 0]

As above really, looking at 95 - 98 model, things to look out for , minus points etc etc. I know the stuff about the twin vanos thing on the 321bhp model. cheers in advance

[matth76 1]

What's the twin vanos thing? How much you willing to spend? I don't know much about what to look out for but I'm sure there's some M3 forums somewhere. Very good engine. Most powerful normally aspirated 6 cylinder engine I think too. I would check that it has a full service history vital, by a good garage with no service gaps otherwise walk away. Check with the garage that did the servicing (tell them you are about to buy the car and lie and say you about to continue using them to service the car) and ask what work is likely to need doing in the near future - do this before you make an offer.

Didn't the facelift model come in around 98, E35 model? I might be totally wrong!

[aad 0]

I've seen a v plate e36 m3 cab. e46 was the change over.good cars but they tend to have alot of owners.

[Ciaran 4]

some had a fault with the engines and needed recalled so worth finding out what the fault was and if it's been corrected

[mk3anni 0]

Nothing to speak of except the vanos unit you've mentioned and that the 6 speed box on the evo is known to be weak.

I've been looking at the M3's myself recently!!!

[Addsvr6 0]

cheers guys, info appreciated. trying to find one under 100k is not easy!!

[mk3anni 0]

theres a nice looking low mileage soft top on piston heads.

[Addsvr6 0]

is that the £5700 ish one?? Missus likes the soft top but i'm not so sure....

[hvr6 88]

Mark here, had the black E36 M3 on the rollers on Sun. Everything you need to know can be found at e36coupe.com

This is my second E36 M3. I've purposely avoided the Evo due to the VANOS issue. I've had 2 ZM Coupes, one of which had the VANOS done twice under warranty in the space of 12 months, although I'm sure some of this was down to Main Stealers cashing in on a known problem and taking the p*ss out of BMW UK . These both had the Evo engine.

Very difficult to find a good 3ltr now though, much easier to get an Evo. They come up for sale on the forum regularly, however usually at a slight premium as most of the owners on the site cherish their cars in much the same way as owners on here. One advantage is that you can 'view all this user's posts'; can give some useful insight!

FSH is pretty vital, although I wouldn't restrict yourself to BMW only; there are many highly reputable specialists around such as Cooks Ferry Engineering, PMW in Chelmsford, A1 BMW Spares in Woolmer Green. Ask on the e36coupe site for known places in your area.

E46 was launched around '98, although of course the cabriolet E36 ran on for a couple of years and the M3 ran to '99. BMW always do it this way; note the E46 M3 is still the current model 'til next year although the E90 coupe is now available to buy.

Good luck, find a good 'un and you won't regret it (h)

[Jk* 0]

Check out www.e36coupe.com they will answer any questions you need answering, oh and say hi from me!

[Addsvr6 0]

cheers hvr6, will check out the classifieds on that website.

[matth76 1]

What is the twin vanos issue? Is this something to do with engine management or the engine itself? The latest E46 with the two lots of twin exhaust pipes (which the earlier E36 model doesn't have) looks perfect. I didn't realise the E46 went as far back as 98.

Are they all 3 litres with 320bhp, or is that the E36, not the latest E46? I thought the E46 had around 340-360bhp? What is the Evo model? Any resources on the net to show the different models/history/year of mfr etc?

Good luck in your search adds

[matth76 1]

If you do go for the later model you need to check it's had the S54 recall done (very important). Applies to the later 2001-2003 manufactured E46's. The recall seems to only apply to M3's with the S54 engine..

http://members.roadfly.com/jason/m3engines.htm

[aad 0]

What about a nice 330i sport?230bhp.

Then your getting a e46 they look nice.

[Jimbo 0]

Hi Matth76

93-96 M3 (E36) 3.0 286BHP 5 speed

96-99 M3 (E36) Evolution 3.2 321BHP 6 speed

99-06 M3 (E46) 3.2 341 BHP 6 Speed

Makes the VR6 174 BHP look quite poor to be honest!!!!

[Addsvr6 0]

Been looking at loads, decided the old ones just look....too old. Cant afford a new shape one so might have downgrade to say a 328ci....hmmm...choices, also fancy a accord type r....what else?? car MIGHT sell tonight so need to make some quick decisions.

[matth76 1]

Been looking at loads' date=' decided the old ones just look....too old. Cant afford a new shape one so might have downgrade to say a 328ci....hmmm...choices, also fancy a accord type r....what else?? car MIGHT sell tonight so need to make some quick decisions.

[/quote']

How much you willing to spend Adds?

If you like the Jap cars what about an Impreza STI Type R (the 3 door model) - can be had in very good condition for around £8-9k, 1999 year 50k miles on the clock and with 280bhp standard and 0-60 in 4.6 secs and 0-100 in 12!!! If I had the money it would be a contender. Or if you have a bit more then the mark 4 R32 can be had for around £12k these days, no where near as quick but very exclusive

Or for £4k you can get a 1998 Nissan 200sx 70-80k miles (with 200bhp standard but very easily tunable as its a 2 ltr turbo). With a bit more money you can get a lower mileage newer 200sx. Very rare cars so you will have to look hard for a good value one, but they are out there.

Supra Twin Turbo for around £8k, bit older at 1995/96 M/N reg but very very reliable 3ltr engine with 320bhp. But you have to look hard to find a manual though.

Good luck mate.

[Addsvr6 0]

had a scooby, goddamn money pit!! all the other jap stuff no good as I have 3 kids, missus dont mind what I have aslong as everyone fits in!! The only downside to th Vr is the limited space in the rear and when trying to get the youngest in her car seat looking like a prat with my arse stuck out the car, really could do with 4 dr. Got offered a type ra 3dr but it was white.NO.

[dstyrrell 0]

AddsVR6,

Is your VR the charged one on Ebay???

Can i just ask why do you want to get rid of it ???

I think that it looks a awesome VR and i was just wondering what has put you off???

Dave

[Addsvr6 0]

Yep thats mine, originally put it on cos it was free and wanted to value it for my insurance, kind of went crazy after that 118 watchers, 1 bid of 6k!! In my little world of debts,xmas,kids etc money talks i'm afraid. As of this moment it didn't meet reserve (which i put high cos i didn't want to sell it originally) 2 offers i'm considering now its finished and today took to the garage to get bearings done. If i keep it great, if i sell it....oh well.

[mike 6]

Evo 6 V reg 8k(ish) better than a scooby

[Eat this 2]

Yep thats mine' date=' originally put it on cos it was free and wanted to value it for my insurance, kind of went crazy after that 118 watchers, 1 bid of 6k!! In my little world of debts,xmas,kids etc money talks i'm afraid. As of this moment it didn't meet reserve (which i put high cos i didn't want to sell it originally) 2 offers i'm considering now its finished and today took to the garage to get bearings done. If i keep it great, if i sell it....oh well.

[/quote']

i know somebody selling a passat vr if your intrested?

[Addsvr6 0]

Like evo's but realistically only can afford early ones and dont want import as for passats, while my step dad has one know what i mean. Will probably go back to a oct vrs or a accord typr r if i can find one or a decent beemer or...really not that much choice. Maybe i'll love my vr again after it comes out of the garage.

[Eat this 2]

how can u not love a charged vr6??

u need a doctor lol

[Addsvr6 0]

tbh i get bored real quick with cars, missus reckons i'm having a mid life crisis, and the evidence says she's right!! 4 cars this year, bmw,172,scoobie and now this.