2004 M3 and E36 323i Shed
Discussion
I thought I would start a thread about my experiences with a 2004 M3 and latest purchase, a 1998 323i in sumptuous turquoise and brown.
I bought the M3 last May. It's a manual in silver grey with black leather. Overall it was in great condition with lots of history, it did however have a few common cosmetic blemishes after 96,000 miles, like lacquer peel on the rear wheels and a very small area of bubbling paint on both rear arches.
I decided I could live with these issues in the short term and focused on enjoying the car over the summer, spending my cash instead on a big service including all fluids, belts, water pump pulley, filters and brake pipes/fluid. Don't know what it is about this era of BMWs and brake pipes, both my previous E46s and E39 needed theirs replaced. For anyone interested, the above service at an Indy in York cost £399 in labour. The genuine BMW parts I shopped around for myself cost £150. MPG has been around 28, insurance has been only a fraction more expensive than my previous E39 528i SE for a 27 year old.
I also put a pair of part worn Michelin Pilot Sports on the rear (matching the fronts). They had over 5mm of thread and cost me approx £100. Add to that a new rear outer lamp as the existing one had lost a few LEDs, £97 from ebay.
With winter approaching I decided that I didn't much fancy using the M3 as a daily. I'm not blessed with a garage so looked around for somewhere to store it. I managed to rent a garage just a 5 minute walk away in Harrogate for £60 a month and put it in to hibernation.
Although I use the train to commute I still needed something for getting around so went shed hunting on ebay with a budget of £500. I may be a bit unusual in that I secretly get more excited about buying cars at this end of the market than say the M3. After some false starts, I came across a tidy looking 98 323i. From a shed buying perspective it had all the signs of a diamond in the rough:
- 187,000 miles (but documented oil changes every 5k and lots of bills)
- The spec that taste forgot (Turquoise with tan leather, but genuine Alpina front and rear spoiler)
- Unflattering pictures (hadn't been cleaned but on the drive of a nice house in a well to do area of Cheshire)
- Ad itself didn't mention any of the amazing service history or the fact that it had only had 2 owners. It was only when I called and spoke to the guy (who was a utter gent) I learned all this.
I put in a bid of £500, won it for £470 and got on the train to Knutsford. After picking me up at the station and having a good chat about the car with the owner over a thoroughly agreeable cup of tea, I handed over the cash and headed home. The car has faultlessly wafted me all over the place during winter.
I have now grown rather attached to it. Chicks really don't seem to dig it though, can't think why. No amount of me talking about the excellence and smoothness of the M52 detracts their focus from the turquoise and brown elements. In fact on an all important second date I was asked only half jokingly to arrive at the restaurant in the M3 or in a taxi. Mean.
Regardless, I have decided to treat it to some love at the same time as the M3 gets it's spring service. I had a weeks holiday booked so requisitioned my folks garage and set to work.
- New thermostat and seal (temp gauge was a little flaccid) £6
- 7 litres of oil and a filter £25
- new rear shocks and top mounts £61
- pair of front pads £14
- wiper blades £4
- treated some areas of corrosion with krust and touch paint using a
BMW kit I found in the glovebox.
- good wax and polish outside and treated the leather.
- took a fag lighter to map pocket nets on the back of the seats. These get really frayed but if you go over them with a flame for a second it burns it all of without causing damage.
- fixed the rattling rear spoiler with the addition of a performance orientated wood screw.
As for the M3, it's only done 4000 miles since it's last oil change but ECP had a deal on 6L Castrol Edge for £62, add £8 for an OEM filter from ebay and it's almost more expensive not to change it. I also changed the rear pads myself for a fresh set of Mintex items for £22.
Now to address the wheels and arches. Hoping to get the wheels booked in soon at a place locally that seems to do a decent job of replicating the polished look for around £400.
The corrosion to the arches may be covered by BMWs 12 year warranty that came in for 2004 MY cars. The car has now been inspected at my local dealer but things have gone awfully quiet. It's been 5 weeks and still no word! Would be good to know if anyone has been through the warranty process and can share their experiences?
Pictures below of the E36 all cleaned up. I will post up some of the M3 when I'm finished with its spring clean.
Edited by Neil1b24 on Friday 3rd April 12:23
Mr Tidy said:
I sense another N/A Straight 6 addict! Congratulations!
Which is great as there is none anymore, so enjoy!
True. It seems the first question asked now regardless of your choice of car is "How much mpg do you get?"Which is great as there is none anymore, so enjoy!
Having a NA V engine fuelled by petrol be it 6,8, 10 or 12 is now becoming a rarity in spite of the fact they sound great and go great and feel great. I mean, I thought that was the point?
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