Discussion
Guys,
Today i have viewed and purchased a 1995 3.0 saloon with 114k. Avus blue with sports black leather.
The paintwork is immaculate and has no dents or scratches etc in.
The arches are pretty mint and not a trace of rust.
The only rust I could find was light surface rust on the jacking points.
Interior is good, no major rips or tears etc. Bolster on drivers seat is good.
Engine starts fine. Its lumpy and missed a bit to start with but once run upto temperature was fine.
The guy has owned it since 1997 and he assures me the car has been well serviced. It has FBMWSH to 90k and nothing after but he promises me it has been done. I get the feeling he has some family issues and arguments with an ex wife. The car does drive nice, pulls straight, no noise at all through the drive train etc. I had a look under and noticed new rear front wishbone bushes, and springs.
The few problems I have found are:-
One of the headlight washers is missing.
The air con works but needs a re-gas to be ice cold.
Brake Disks are warped, shudder when braking.
The clutch travel seems poor, maybe im not used to an M car but the bite is very low down and it feels spongy, the clutch pedal also rises higher than the brake pedal.
There is a banging noise (sorry to be vague!) coming from underneath when the engine is running, as soon as you give it some revs it disappears. Its not from the engine area and doesn’t sound like big ends or anything like that.
The smile it gave me when I drove it and that feeling of being in an M Car was too much to resist.
No point to this post other than to share my excitement. Picking it up next week.
Anybody want a decent 328i sport??
Best Regards,
Ashley.
Today i have viewed and purchased a 1995 3.0 saloon with 114k. Avus blue with sports black leather.
The paintwork is immaculate and has no dents or scratches etc in.
The arches are pretty mint and not a trace of rust.
The only rust I could find was light surface rust on the jacking points.
Interior is good, no major rips or tears etc. Bolster on drivers seat is good.
Engine starts fine. Its lumpy and missed a bit to start with but once run upto temperature was fine.
The guy has owned it since 1997 and he assures me the car has been well serviced. It has FBMWSH to 90k and nothing after but he promises me it has been done. I get the feeling he has some family issues and arguments with an ex wife. The car does drive nice, pulls straight, no noise at all through the drive train etc. I had a look under and noticed new rear front wishbone bushes, and springs.
The few problems I have found are:-
One of the headlight washers is missing.
The air con works but needs a re-gas to be ice cold.
Brake Disks are warped, shudder when braking.
The clutch travel seems poor, maybe im not used to an M car but the bite is very low down and it feels spongy, the clutch pedal also rises higher than the brake pedal.
There is a banging noise (sorry to be vague!) coming from underneath when the engine is running, as soon as you give it some revs it disappears. Its not from the engine area and doesn’t sound like big ends or anything like that.
The smile it gave me when I drove it and that feeling of being in an M Car was too much to resist.
No point to this post other than to share my excitement. Picking it up next week.
Anybody want a decent 328i sport??
Best Regards,
Ashley.
Yes, it was like a sharp knock knock knock coming from the gearbox area.
On the move the car runs fine and there is no noise in the drive train and the gearbox and diff are silent.
This is my only major worry i have to take a gamble on.
Although i have not left a deposit just a gentlemans agreement to collect next week . . . . .
Any fellow M3 owners in Cumbria want to come and take another look with me?
Ash.
On the move the car runs fine and there is no noise in the drive train and the gearbox and diff are silent.
This is my only major worry i have to take a gamble on.
Although i have not left a deposit just a gentlemans agreement to collect next week . . . . .
Any fellow M3 owners in Cumbria want to come and take another look with me?
Ash.
hehe 
Not picking the car up until next wednesday so no pics yet.
This knock is worrying me a bit - my only major concern.
I revved the car hard all the way to the limiter and it felt quick and there was no nasty noises etc, it ran really well so i assumed its nothing major.
Now my mind is running wild and scaring myself s
tless!
Not picking the car up until next wednesday so no pics yet.
This knock is worrying me a bit - my only major concern.
I revved the car hard all the way to the limiter and it felt quick and there was no nasty noises etc, it ran really well so i assumed its nothing major.
Now my mind is running wild and scaring myself s
tless!A135TAS said:
Ive paid 2.5k for the car.
Then even if the car needs 2k or so worth of work you really shouldnt worry. The lack of service history might worry me though, but presumably the price reflected that. Did you ask where he had work done?
The knocking could be anything from a gearbox/exhaust/suspension mount to a much more serious problem. But thats the gamble you take with a cheap as chips M car and no inspection done.
If everything is sorted for under a grand then you will be laughing.
Neil
Neil,
Thats exactly my thoughts. The car has been bought as a project/fun car and i dont need it everyday. I think in general he has driven it hard (aint they all been?!) but its been looked after.
I called BMW late this afternoon and luckily the guy i spoke to remembers the customer and the car. Apparently he is a bit of a charachter but the guy at BMW was saying the car has had all servicing done and anything thats needed doing was done - money no object. He also said around the time they last saw the car in 2003 he was going through a nasty divorce and hid the car from his ex wife!
Im a bit concerned about the missing history but from looking at the cars suspsions bushes, oil etc there is no way its not seen any mechanics hands since 03, 30k ago.
This knock is the only major thing on my mind - like you guys state its a gamble. We will have to see if it pays off!But i will be picking your brains next week when i collect
Thanks,
Ashley.
Thats exactly my thoughts. The car has been bought as a project/fun car and i dont need it everyday. I think in general he has driven it hard (aint they all been?!) but its been looked after.
I called BMW late this afternoon and luckily the guy i spoke to remembers the customer and the car. Apparently he is a bit of a charachter but the guy at BMW was saying the car has had all servicing done and anything thats needed doing was done - money no object. He also said around the time they last saw the car in 2003 he was going through a nasty divorce and hid the car from his ex wife!
Im a bit concerned about the missing history but from looking at the cars suspsions bushes, oil etc there is no way its not seen any mechanics hands since 03, 30k ago.
This knock is the only major thing on my mind - like you guys state its a gamble. We will have to see if it pays off!But i will be picking your brains next week when i collect
Thanks,
Ashley.
A135TAS said:
No Judder at all. They guy stated its been doing it for many years.
So worse case scenario cost wise???
Ive paid 2.5k for the car.
TBH this would worry me - not just not knowing what the knocking is, but the fact it's been doing it for many years but the owner hasn't bothered to find out what it is. Sounds like it hasn't been properly loved.So worse case scenario cost wise???
Ive paid 2.5k for the car.
But, if overall it looks good, and at £2.5k you're paying bottom dollar, even if it costs another £1k to sort it still isn't bad value.
If you change your mind a friend of mine is selling a similar car 'cept it doesn't have leather.
It is however, in very good condition with excellent history and some nice extras.
M3 Coupe
91,000 miles
3 litre
Avus Blue
Grey cloth interior, Vaders, alcantara bolsters and headrests front and rear, cloth centers, very clean. Grey tailored matts x 4
Sunroof
ITG panel filter
B & W chiptuned
De Cat
DTM Scorpion back box, stainless steel
New bilstein shocks front and back with eibach springs, lowers car about 15mm, not to low for speed humps
New powereflex bush's on rear trailing arms, rear anti roll bar and front swingarms
New top mounts front and rear
Recently re furbished wheels, BMW MOTORSPORT written around the middle, black centers, polished rim, 7.5" front, 8.5" rear
All good tyres, Khumo ecsta, 235 rears, 225 fronts
New hi spec 4 pot callipers on the front, with new ebc discs, pads, braided hoses and 5.1 fluid, RED. Rears painted RED to match
I've had this car for 2 years and loved every minute, it's been garaged or coverd since i've had it and is in very good condition. Its history is dealer or specialist and i have a big folder of receipts, and lots of history.
private plate: M3 SFY
location: oxford
6 months tax
12 months M.O.T
£5,800
If you want to see pics log on to my forum www.whiterabbitracing.co.uk/hutch and look at the for sale section.
It is however, in very good condition with excellent history and some nice extras.
M3 Coupe
91,000 miles
3 litre
Avus Blue
Grey cloth interior, Vaders, alcantara bolsters and headrests front and rear, cloth centers, very clean. Grey tailored matts x 4
Sunroof
ITG panel filter
B & W chiptuned
De Cat
DTM Scorpion back box, stainless steel
New bilstein shocks front and back with eibach springs, lowers car about 15mm, not to low for speed humps
New powereflex bush's on rear trailing arms, rear anti roll bar and front swingarms
New top mounts front and rear
Recently re furbished wheels, BMW MOTORSPORT written around the middle, black centers, polished rim, 7.5" front, 8.5" rear
All good tyres, Khumo ecsta, 235 rears, 225 fronts
New hi spec 4 pot callipers on the front, with new ebc discs, pads, braided hoses and 5.1 fluid, RED. Rears painted RED to match
I've had this car for 2 years and loved every minute, it's been garaged or coverd since i've had it and is in very good condition. Its history is dealer or specialist and i have a big folder of receipts, and lots of history.
private plate: M3 SFY
location: oxford
6 months tax
12 months M.O.T
£5,800
If you want to see pics log on to my forum www.whiterabbitracing.co.uk/hutch and look at the for sale section.
I don't think so. It's got some useful mods, had some expensive works done. It could probably be £5k on the nose but what seller has ever put their floor price on the advert! e36s in good shape are getting rarer - the 3.0s even more so. I think we'll see a settling of prices now. Good money for the good ones and crap money for the stters.
with regards to the OP. I would run a mile from any M3 priced at just 2.5k. Fast.
tters.with regards to the OP. I would run a mile from any M3 priced at just 2.5k. Fast.
E36GUY - you have taken the words from my mouth.
I went back today to view the car and this time didnt let the M Car stuff rule my heart over my head!
I found loads wrong that i didnt notice yesterday.
The whole engine underneath is caked in oil and there was oil leaking from the oil rad.
The drivers side has a brand new wishbone and track rod end but not on the passenger side.
The drivers door does not shut properly, you have to slam it.
I dont think the air bag system is working right, the light is all over the place.
The car has had a total respray - to a very high standard, its been stripped and done properly by the insurance company. I found out someone keyed it. It does look stunning but do i want to own a car driven by mentality like this?
I went to start it and it was flat, needed jumping!
I could not get that knock to happen. I did not drive the car but let it warm up ticking over. Yesterday after a hard drive there was definetly a horrible mechanical knock - something is wrong for sure.
So i have walked away.
I have a really nice 328i sport and it will do for now. Im going to up my budget to 5k and go looking for a minter, even better a garage that knows these cars and will take my 328i in part ex maybe. Kill two birds with one stone!
Thanks for all the help guys, i think this forum made me think twice and go back to look again!
Ash.
I went back today to view the car and this time didnt let the M Car stuff rule my heart over my head!
I found loads wrong that i didnt notice yesterday.
The whole engine underneath is caked in oil and there was oil leaking from the oil rad.
The drivers side has a brand new wishbone and track rod end but not on the passenger side.
The drivers door does not shut properly, you have to slam it.
I dont think the air bag system is working right, the light is all over the place.
The car has had a total respray - to a very high standard, its been stripped and done properly by the insurance company. I found out someone keyed it. It does look stunning but do i want to own a car driven by mentality like this?
I went to start it and it was flat, needed jumping!
I could not get that knock to happen. I did not drive the car but let it warm up ticking over. Yesterday after a hard drive there was definetly a horrible mechanical knock - something is wrong for sure.
So i have walked away.
I have a really nice 328i sport and it will do for now. Im going to up my budget to 5k and go looking for a minter, even better a garage that knows these cars and will take my 328i in part ex maybe. Kill two birds with one stone!
Thanks for all the help guys, i think this forum made me think twice and go back to look again!
Ash.
Well i have bought another one.
Im quite glad i viewed this original car now as it made me realise what not to buy! Ive viewed a few since and they were all dogs.
Spotted one not that far from me and set of with total sceptical frame of mind but it was a stunner! Not a dent or mark anywhere, no rust and a comprehensive service history.
Its also a coupe - going to collect it next weekend!
WOOHOOO IM an M owner!
Im quite glad i viewed this original car now as it made me realise what not to buy! Ive viewed a few since and they were all dogs.
Spotted one not that far from me and set of with total sceptical frame of mind but it was a stunner! Not a dent or mark anywhere, no rust and a comprehensive service history.
Its also a coupe - going to collect it next weekend!
WOOHOOO IM an M owner!
A135TAS said:
Well i have bought another one.
Im quite glad i viewed this original car now as it made me realise what not to buy! Ive viewed a few since and they were all dogs.
Spotted one not that far from me and set of with total sceptical frame of mind but it was a stunner! Not a dent or mark anywhere, no rust and a comprehensive service history.
Its also a coupe - going to collect it next weekend!
WOOHOOO IM an M owner!
Congrats,Im quite glad i viewed this original car now as it made me realise what not to buy! Ive viewed a few since and they were all dogs.
Spotted one not that far from me and set of with total sceptical frame of mind but it was a stunner! Not a dent or mark anywhere, no rust and a comprehensive service history.
Its also a coupe - going to collect it next weekend!
WOOHOOO IM an M owner!
Welcome to a whole new world of financial pain
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