E36 M3 Buying Advice Required Please!
Discussion
Hey guys,
After changing my mind about 900 times over what car to buy I have FINALLY decided on an E36 M3 Convertible. I wanted an E46 M3 Coupe at first, but was told £5000 E46 M3's are dogs, so then opted on a 330CI Convertible but then decided I wanted an M3 over an E46, and that the only solution was to opt for the E36 M3.
Having owned a 323i Convertible a few years back, I enjoyed having my ugly bonce on show during those few days of summer we get, so decided on a convertible E36 M3.
Now, what one do I go for??? From what I can tell, the 'one' to have is a late model 1998/1999 Evolution model with 6 speed manual gearbox and the 321BHP 3.2 engine. Is the 3.0 that much 'less' of a car and what are the body differences between a standard and an Evolution? Are ALL Evo's 3.2's?
Any help and advice would be brilliant thank you!
After changing my mind about 900 times over what car to buy I have FINALLY decided on an E36 M3 Convertible. I wanted an E46 M3 Coupe at first, but was told £5000 E46 M3's are dogs, so then opted on a 330CI Convertible but then decided I wanted an M3 over an E46, and that the only solution was to opt for the E36 M3.
Having owned a 323i Convertible a few years back, I enjoyed having my ugly bonce on show during those few days of summer we get, so decided on a convertible E36 M3.
Now, what one do I go for??? From what I can tell, the 'one' to have is a late model 1998/1999 Evolution model with 6 speed manual gearbox and the 321BHP 3.2 engine. Is the 3.0 that much 'less' of a car and what are the body differences between a standard and an Evolution? Are ALL Evo's 3.2's?
Any help and advice would be brilliant thank you!
There are different schools of thought, but IMO the Evo is the one to go for, plenty of decent enhancements and slightly quicker. All Evos have the 3.2 engine.
I've got a 1999 Evo convertible, one of the last E36s ever made. There's not a massive difference in spec between early and late Evos.
Have a look at my garage, there's not too much major to trip you up these days but if various things haven't been changed yet then they will need doing soon. VANOS isn't necessarily the nightmare it's perceived as- Worst case scenario is £850.
Convertible tops are very complex with lots of sensors and are quite highly strung, but fairly easy to diagnose. Mine died completely a while back and it turned out to just be a tiny microswitch on the boot lock which was loose. D'oh!
I've got a 1999 Evo convertible, one of the last E36s ever made. There's not a massive difference in spec between early and late Evos.
Have a look at my garage, there's not too much major to trip you up these days but if various things haven't been changed yet then they will need doing soon. VANOS isn't necessarily the nightmare it's perceived as- Worst case scenario is £850.
Convertible tops are very complex with lots of sensors and are quite highly strung, but fairly easy to diagnose. Mine died completely a while back and it turned out to just be a tiny microswitch on the boot lock which was loose. D'oh!
Darren,
my 1999 Evo convertible is about to go up for sale if you're interested. It's done less than 42,000 miles with full history, a few choice mods, and a very very rare colour. It's as close to mint condition as you're ever likely to find too, genuinely fantastic throughout. One of the last of the E36 models (registered September '99) and it's a 6 speed manual.
I'm selling it because I bought my Corvette late last November, and I was planning on waiting until Spring before advertising it. Lately I have seriously been considering keeping it as I really do like it, but truthfully I can't justify it as I have too many toys. I don't know your budget but mine is one of the best and lowest mileage ones around and I will be looking for £7000 plus, but it's worth every penny and I am open to sensible negotiation. I am in Somerset, in the Weston / Burnham area so not too far from you. There is a picture in my profile along with a link to more pictures.
If you want to know more or fancy having a look at the car then feel free to send me a PM.
my 1999 Evo convertible is about to go up for sale if you're interested. It's done less than 42,000 miles with full history, a few choice mods, and a very very rare colour. It's as close to mint condition as you're ever likely to find too, genuinely fantastic throughout. One of the last of the E36 models (registered September '99) and it's a 6 speed manual.
I'm selling it because I bought my Corvette late last November, and I was planning on waiting until Spring before advertising it. Lately I have seriously been considering keeping it as I really do like it, but truthfully I can't justify it as I have too many toys. I don't know your budget but mine is one of the best and lowest mileage ones around and I will be looking for £7000 plus, but it's worth every penny and I am open to sensible negotiation. I am in Somerset, in the Weston / Burnham area so not too far from you. There is a picture in my profile along with a link to more pictures.
If you want to know more or fancy having a look at the car then feel free to send me a PM.
Edited by RedBull on Monday 4th March 06:27
Edited by RedBull on Monday 4th March 06:30
Chompeur, sounds like you have the car I'm after then, lol. Want as late a model as possible and it HAS to be the 3.2 Evo. Redbull, your car sounds great but is out of my price range by a few grand sorry mate. Ideally looking to spend about £4500 for a decent one, can this be done???
Here are a few on eBay that have caught my eye:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-M3-Evo-3-2-Convertib...
This one in particular because it only has 77,000 miles on the clock, but it is a 1996 and I'm after a late model circa 1999.
This one looks good:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-M3-3-2i-Evolution-19...
I want a car with less than 100,000 on the clock really, or is it better to find a higher mileage one that would have had EVERYTHING that can go wrong go wrong and therefore have been fixed already, lol
Here are a few on eBay that have caught my eye:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-M3-Evo-3-2-Convertib...
This one in particular because it only has 77,000 miles on the clock, but it is a 1996 and I'm after a late model circa 1999.
This one looks good:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-M3-3-2i-Evolution-19...
I want a car with less than 100,000 on the clock really, or is it better to find a higher mileage one that would have had EVERYTHING that can go wrong go wrong and therefore have been fixed already, lol
Darren156 said:
The second one you highlighted was SMG, despite them claiming it's manual, given the choice you don't really want first generation of SMG gearbox. Have a look on M3 cutters, or the PH classifieds, slightly better chance of finding a good one.
Do NOT get a SMG. lol.
I made the mistake of getting one in my 99 M3 Evo convertible too.
Spent more time off the road than on it and pretty much would jam in gear, refuse to select gear, go into safe more. Every time I turned key I was fearful of another error code.
Spent about 3.5k on SMG repairs etc in just over a year of ownership until I had to get rid of it because total money pit.
I made the mistake of getting one in my 99 M3 Evo convertible too.
Spent more time off the road than on it and pretty much would jam in gear, refuse to select gear, go into safe more. Every time I turned key I was fearful of another error code.
Spent about 3.5k on SMG repairs etc in just over a year of ownership until I had to get rid of it because total money pit.
Don't be too hung up on mileage. There are a few very low mileage examples but you will end up paying a premium, and it doesn't necessarily mean they will be any less troublesome, the same faults will occur, etc.
Mine has average mileage, some would say high at 115k. However, most of the previous owner's massive miles were on long motorway trips between home and work. So it drives like a much "newer" car, very tight.
A marked contrast between the high owner, generally battered previous model I bought!
Mine has average mileage, some would say high at 115k. However, most of the previous owner's massive miles were on long motorway trips between home and work. So it drives like a much "newer" car, very tight.
A marked contrast between the high owner, generally battered previous model I bought!
To be fair I've had a few E46s, both with 130K+, an E39 with 170K and a couple of E36's with 120K plus on them and they all drove brand new. Not sure why I'm after a low mileage example on that basis then, haha. If a higher mileage example comes along for a lot cheaper then if all is well I'd snap that up.
Looks a good one:
http://www.hammertoncars.co.uk/cardesc/bmw-3-serie...
http://www.hammertoncars.co.uk/cardesc/bmw-3-serie...
Edited by BlackPorker on Tuesday 5th March 09:15
Blackporker, that's actually really nice, I do prefer the Techno Violet and Azurus Blue (Think that's spelt right, lol) of what I think are the Evo colours, but for an asking price of £1500 LESS than the 3.2 Evo models I actually might consider a 3.0 Manual.
Thing is, I'm after a car to keep for about 5 years, and don't want to lose any money on it if I can help it. I've ALWAYS wanted an M3, and now I have the funds to be able to get one I want to make sure I get a great one and not an average one. Surely the E36 M3 can only appreciate in value over the next 5 years rather than depreciate? (He says crossing his fingers lol)
If I did get an early 3.0 model is there anything to watch out for over the 3.2? Or are they basically the same car with the same engine? Minus 200cc and 40BHP or so? Also, does anyone know what sort of performance differences there are between the 3.0 and the 3.2?
Thing is, I'm after a car to keep for about 5 years, and don't want to lose any money on it if I can help it. I've ALWAYS wanted an M3, and now I have the funds to be able to get one I want to make sure I get a great one and not an average one. Surely the E36 M3 can only appreciate in value over the next 5 years rather than depreciate? (He says crossing his fingers lol)
If I did get an early 3.0 model is there anything to watch out for over the 3.2? Or are they basically the same car with the same engine? Minus 200cc and 40BHP or so? Also, does anyone know what sort of performance differences there are between the 3.0 and the 3.2?
That's quite interesting then. Thing is, my old E36 328i Sport Coupe was a FAST car, as was my 330CI Manual E46 Coupe. So, if I found THOSE cars quick, the 3.0 M3 will still blow me away with its extra 100BHP on top of the 328i, so I may not need to opt for the Evo... But there's something about the look of the Evo that appears 'better' to me???
The 3.0 M3's tend to be more of sheep in wolfs clothing as they could just be a 318i with a set of wheels and mirrors bolted on, lol. Whereas when you see a true Evo M3 in a bright colour you know it's an M3. (Or a decent replica, lol)
I think I'm talking myself into a 3.0 now, as for upto £2000 less its even more of a car for the money than the Evo perhaps...? Ugh, my heads spinning, lol
The 3.0 M3's tend to be more of sheep in wolfs clothing as they could just be a 318i with a set of wheels and mirrors bolted on, lol. Whereas when you see a true Evo M3 in a bright colour you know it's an M3. (Or a decent replica, lol)
I think I'm talking myself into a 3.0 now, as for upto £2000 less its even more of a car for the money than the Evo perhaps...? Ugh, my heads spinning, lol
If the evo 3.2 is running ok but under power, check throttle cable.. probably stretched or needs adjusting.
there are other issues like broken vanos solednoid connections, which can be easily removed/ replaced and soldered back. A garage will tell you the whole vanos unit is broken.
Ive ironed all these niggles/ wear and tear out on mine, and its a serious machine now. Never had it on a rolling road but it kept up with a new focus RS with a stage 3 re-map @420bhp.
Happy days.
The vanos thing is slightly over hyped on the web (an thats coming from someone who's had one fail)
It's also not the cripplingly expensive fix it once was as people are rebuilding them rather than going to BMW for a new one.
My advise with Evo's is to have the uprated bottom end bolts fitted.
It's also not the cripplingly expensive fix it once was as people are rebuilding them rather than going to BMW for a new one.
My advise with Evo's is to have the uprated bottom end bolts fitted.
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