Will this be an expensive fix? (E36 M3 Cab) - Viewing 2Nite

[akurei_2000]

I'm off tonight to look at a '97 E36 m3 Evo Cab in silver with a blue hood, its covered 85k, with the Vanos replaced May 08.

It looks ok in pics i've seen, have just had a chat with the owner and he said the alarm box has stopped functioning recently, the passengers door only unlocks with the key (are the two related? hmmm) and there's a small rust bubble on the rear arch (although i cannot see this in the pics)

Just wondering how expensive alarm problems would be to fix (might go for new aftermarket alarm + tracker anyway after purchase) and how expensive it might be to repair a rust bubble in the arch if caught early enough.

other than the aforementioned points the car looks pretty clean so hit me with the worst case scenarios.

cheers oh wise ones ;-)

[f13ldy]

A new alarm (Toad/Clifford) will set you back around £200-400 dependent on spec + the tracker.

The rust bubble also depends on the severity but I wouldn't expect it to be more than £150 maximum.

Get £550 off the car and you'll be laughing, it however it is the alarm box at fault and nothing more sinister.

[akurei_2000]

Cheers man, its an Egay auction so price is basically whatever it ends up at i guess.

Can anyone give a rough guide for price for a car with this description?

"1997 BMW M3 Evolution Convertible 6 speed manual

In silver, with rare contrasting blue convertible roof. Unmarked light grey leather interior.

MOT until December. Taxed until August.

85,000 fully documented miles with full BMW history until 79,262 miles, then a full service at 83,500 by my local man (book is stamped). All service lights showing green. New Vanos fitted May 08 (still under warranty) and new front discs and pads and springs all round fitted last month. New rear window also fitted at the same time. HID light upgrade also carried out.

Bodywork is in excellent condition with just the usual odd stone chip here and there..There is one small blemish on the nearside rear arch and a rubbing mark under the bootlock caused by sweaty fingers over the years.... The convertible roof is in good condition with no tears, rips or repairs. Wheels are the original staggered fitment. All 4 tyres are good.

Interior is finished in light grey leather and is virtually unmarked. The seats are manually adjustable and have the extendable thigh support. The car is fitted with a Pioneer Ipod compatible CD player/tuner although I do have the original BMW unit for the purists.

In essence, this is a excellent original low mileage example of BMW's flagship sports convertible. "

cheers

[mat205125]

f13ldy said:

.... if however it is the alarm box at fault and nothing more sinister.

I'm always very nervous with "minor electrical Gremlins", and the root cause of the problem might just be something simple and cheap, where as it might also be just the tip of the iceberg of a huge amount of problems looming around the corner.

[Travis Mcgee]

akurei_2000 said:

Just wondering how expensive alarm problems would be to fix (might go for new aftermarket alarm + tracker anyway after purchase) and how expensive it might be to repair a rust bubble in the arch if caught early enough.

my thoughts are always that if the cost of these repairs was quite low, then surely the seller would sort them, because he can then ask a better price for the car and not have say negative things about the car in the ad. Also and IMHO, I would be wary about buying a car like this on Ebay, there's a lot of crap out there. Genuine seller, who knows the value of his car and has nothing to hide, probably wouldnt use an auction site. They would just advertise in the classifieds at the price they know they can get for it.

[David111]

I agree with Travis that it is a complex car to buy over e-bay and would make me wonder why not traded or sold privately. If it was a minor problem it would have been in the sellers interest to fix it surely?

[anonymous-user]

Travis Mcgee said:

akurei_2000 said:

Just wondering how expensive alarm problems would be to fix (might go for new aftermarket alarm + tracker anyway after purchase) and how expensive it might be to repair a rust bubble in the arch if caught early enough.

my thoughts are always that if the cost of these repairs was quite low, then surely the seller would sort them, because he can then ask a better price for the car and not have say negative things about the car in the ad. Also and IMHO, I would be wary about buying a car like this on Ebay, there's a lot of crap out there. Genuine seller, who knows the value of his car and has nothing to hide, probably wouldnt use an auction site. They would just advertise in the classifieds at the price they know they can get for it.

True, but there aren't many second hand cars out there (if any) that are perfect. You should always expect to have the odd thing here or there to fix, otherwise we'd all be buying brand new.

[akurei_2000]

Cheers to you all for the advice decided to let this one slide for now, really looking for a car with only a few things to do - fixing spots of rust, non working locks and alarm problems just doesnt appeal.

I want a car i can buy and enjoy for a few weeks before looking at the work needing doing (and i'll be damned if i'm buying a convertible M3 with no alarm! insurance company would laugh me out the door!)

Gonna take my time and try to find a perfect example i can be proud of and enjoy for many years to come.

p.s. crikey - performance is hot with these things aint it - had my first real blast over the flatlands nr norfolk last night - still grinning!

[MPWR321BHP]

I bought a 97 Coupe wioth rust bubbles on arch, only a couple, it turned out it was rotting from inside to out, and therefore needed to rear ach lips, they were about £70 and needed £500 for fitting and painting, you could alsways bodge it, but why risk the dreaded rust coing back IMO