Looking for an E36 M3, hints tips?

[parc77]

HI,

Been looking for a little while now, as plenty of dogs out there, always wanted one but now I have less cash to spend on luxuries (like most I'm sure with the present financial situation).

Im currently driving around in an e46 318i and after have had a couple of modified Mini Cooper S' and an RX8 I'm bored stiff with the car I have.

I know there are the 286bhp and the 321bhp(evo) versions, vanos issues on a few, rusty rear arch and boot, any other things to look out for?

Im not going out to get a 50,000mile mint one for £8 or £9k looking more at 5 to 6 k, dont want something thats had 17 owners and patchy service history.
Are cars that have 100-120k on the clock assuming good service history and looked after going to be ok for a good while? I do less than 5k a year.

Any advise would be much appriciated

[CRACKIE]

£5k~£6k will get you a very good E36 M3 ; choose a good one and you won't regret it. Most consider the 5 speed gearbox in the original 3.0 car better than the EVO's 6 speed but IMHO the EVO is as good or better at everything else; apart from being newer machines, Evos are noticeably quicker, steer / handle better and they use less fuel. Vanos condition should be one of the major factors to look at when choosing an EVO but the problems tend to be exaggerated and experts like Mr Vanos in Darlington have a great reputation for being able to sort them out for sensible money.

I'd try and find a car which has had new suspension fitted ~ an EVO on original shocks is likely to be very 'tired' by now; many E36 M3s have had their suspension replaced by coilovers or Bilstein / Eibach setups. Some crave originallity but I don't agree; the Bilstein B6 dampers on mine made a big improvement.

You mentioned rusting rear arches and boots, in addition check for.

1. Broken brake light switch.
2. Oil pressure sensor not working.
3. Window mechanisms on coupes.
4. Rear shock mounts.
5. Split/cracked exhaust manifold flexijoint.
6. Perished gearbox mounting / worn propshaft coupling.
7. Oil leak from rear of engine block.
8. Sticking / badly adjusted throttle cable.
9. Clutch biting point very low.

Hope this helps.

Edited by CRACKIE on Monday 7th March 10:35

[parc77]

Thanks for this, helps alot, at 30 something and a low risk area my insurance co insist on a tracker grrrr!
Will be looking at condition, service history, owners etc....100,000miles plus to high? or about right for the price range I'm looking at?

[EarlOfHazard]

If you get the evo, make sure the vanos is made by Rolls Royce, and not BMW, it's a stronger unit.

[parc77]

Cheers

So a new vanos for either Evo or non evo would cost?
As regards suspension replacement ££?

[CRACKIE]

Refurbed vanos is in the region of £750 exchange I think, £750~£800 Bilsteins ~ £1500 for good adjustable coilovers i.e KW.
Try to drive as many examples as you can to compare their relative merits and get a feel for how a good one behaves ~ there are some great examples in the £5k~£6k range at the moment. The S50 engine is strong and durable and high mileages will be fine if the car has been maintained correctly. 100k~120k is certainly not an issue and is still relatively low mileage considering an E36s age.

I'm in a slightly awkward position here so I should point out my EVO is currently for sale on PH. I'll try to keep any bias to a minimum.

Mine's the one from the 'E36 M3 EVO upgrades' thread on PH.
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0... M3 EVO upgrades

Edited by CRACKIE on Monday 7th March 16:56