What car for £4K - E36 M3?
What car for £4K - E36 M3?
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Discussion

rossw46

Original Poster:

1,293 posts

190 months

Sunday 6th October 2013
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Hello

I've pretty much decided on an E36 M3 Evo, estoril blue...

But am I kidding myself at this price, will I buy a munter, is there another option to be had for £4K, maybe 4 and a half ?

It will purely be a toy, and for this reason I'd like it to be RWD or AWD, more than 4 cylinders ideally, sound good and go well ( 300bhp plus would be nice). I'm not fussed about mileage, but good service history is a must ! Will see the odd trackday too.

Thanks

RemyMartin

6,759 posts

235 months

Sunday 6th October 2013
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I'd budget higher for a nice E36, certainly IME when looking last year. I went to view a couple of sub £5.5k cars and they were very sheddy.

You might get lucky and find that bargain though. £4k would get you an almost immaculate 328i Sport. Have a look on M3cutters. Most of the nice E36s that have been looked after will be on there.

TheLordJohn

5,746 posts

176 months

Sunday 6th October 2013
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You could have had the cleanest M3 Evolution cabriolet off me for £4.5k a matter of weeks ago.
Couldn't give it away.

Edited by TheLordJohn on Sunday 6th October 19:18

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

228 months

Sunday 6th October 2013
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Given the E46 M3 start at £5k is it worth saving up a few months and picking up one of them instead ? Much newer so fewer age related issues generally regarded as the best I6 M3 ever.

martin mrt

3,883 posts

231 months

Sunday 6th October 2013
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Welshbeef said:
Given the E46 M3 start at £5k is it worth saving up a few months and picking up one of them instead ? Much newer so fewer age related issues generally regarded as the best I6 M3 ever.
I'd far rather have a £5k E36 over a £5k E46

Unless you find a real hidden gem, a 5k E46 M3 is going to be a stheap

E30Addict

825 posts

202 months

Sunday 6th October 2013
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There are good E36 M3s to be had for less than £5k, but you may need to see some sheds before buying a gem.

My E36 cost me £4.5k. I bought it on 97,000 miles, with full BMWSH and BMW warranty still in place and it is in very good condition with no rust.

Buy a good one and you won't regret it!

exgtt

2,067 posts

242 months

Sunday 6th October 2013
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Welshbeef said:
Given the E46 M3 start at £5k is it worth saving up a few months and picking up one of them instead ? Much newer so fewer age related issues generally regarded as the best I6 M3 ever.
The E46's I've looked at under £6k generally need £1500 spending on em. Before sorting the rust spots. Its a minefield of worn bushes/tires/brakes/nangkangs/crash damage/ding bat owners etc. Stick to hunting a decent E36 op.

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

228 months

Sunday 6th October 2013
quotequote all
martin mrt said:
I'd far rather have a £5k E36 over a £5k E46

Unless you find a real hidden gem, a 5k E46 M3 is going to be a stheap
Fully agree my point being that if the bottom of the next gen is £5k and starting what £2.5k for E 36 M3's you might assume top end of the E 36 market is £6-7k maybe


But if OP prefers the look of the E36 so be it or if. £4.5k is his max budget them why not look at the 3ltrM3 non Evo? Plenty fast enough

rossw46

Original Poster:

1,293 posts

190 months

Sunday 6th October 2013
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies.

If I got a 328i, as good a car as I'm sure it is, I think I'd regret not going for the M3.

I'd love an E46, but agree with rather getting a £5K E36 over a similarly priced E46.

I could save a little longer and look for an E36 for around £5K, I've just got the itch and want to get something now, which isn't always the right thing to do.

I've never owned a RWD car though, although driven a few, and I'm fairly used to quick(ish) cars and very quick bikes, so am I mad if I get the M3?

g3org3y

22,509 posts

221 months

Sunday 6th October 2013
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Welshbeef said:
Given the E46 M3 start at £5k is it worth saving up a few months and picking up one of them instead ? Much newer so fewer age related issues generally regarded as the best I6 M3 ever.
Except that the E46 had rear subframe issues. If that hasn't been done already that's a 1.5k almost immediately. Seems more a case of when rather than if the subframe will crack.

deltashad

6,731 posts

227 months

rossw46

Original Poster:

1,293 posts

190 months

Sunday 6th October 2013
quotequote all
deltashad said:
Different, prefer a manual though, and not a fan of old mercs thanks - where did I put that flamesuit ?

Skyedriver

23,578 posts

312 months

Sunday 6th October 2013
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TheLordJohn said:
You could have had the cleanest M3 Evolution cabriolet off me for £4.5k a matter of weeks ago.
Couldn't give it away.

Edited by TheLordJohn on Sunday 6th October 19:18
Has it gone now?

TheLordJohn

5,746 posts

176 months

Sunday 6th October 2013
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Skyedriver said:
Has it gone now?
Went to a liar in North Midlands, claimed his Allroad was Immaculate/stunning etc - turned out to have a few small problems.
It was given away, pretty much, unfortunately.
It was cleaner than the Dakar Yellow £10k one 4* Classics recently sold.

edc

9,675 posts

281 months

Sunday 6th October 2013
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Early 2.5 or 2.7 Boxster? Not as much grunt as an M3 but great handling.

chris7676

2,685 posts

250 months

Monday 7th October 2013
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Don't discount a 3.0 model. I have driven 3 Evos and a 3.0 and the Evos felt a bit slower. I'm sure you could get a great car for your budget, they are cheap due to their age and the market.

rossw46

Original Poster:

1,293 posts

190 months

Monday 7th October 2013
quotequote all
chris7676 said:
Don't discount a 3.0 model. I have driven 3 Evos and a 3.0 and the Evos felt a bit slower. I'm sure you could get a great car for your budget, they are cheap due to their age and the market.
Cheers, if a good 3.0 pops up, I'll certainly consider it.

ArmaghMan

2,802 posts

210 months

Monday 7th October 2013
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Take a look at E39 M5s, there will be some at your price.
They tend to have been looked after.
400 brake as standard. Lovely big torquey V8.