e36 M3: Remind me what I'm looking for?
Discussion
Now that our T5 does all the towing/family duties, my commute into London has dropped to once/twice per week, I fancy getting back into an e36 M3 coupe. These really are thin on the ground currently but I've found an artic silver one I like the look of. I'm not 100% on the colour as it's silver on silver and my preference is silver on estoril blue but it does look sharp.
So remind me what I'm looking for please:
The car has had an underbody treatment, I think it was Dinitrol but can't remember exactly. It's also having a few new bushes and new discs and pads all round as part of prep by the dealer.
Dealer came across well on the phone, knowledgeable about the car as it was supplied by them to the previous owner. He also had the initial report the mechanic made when it came into the dealer as px. Dealer owns an e36 M3 himself and his dad's GT2 is up for sale there also.
Tyres are Pilot sports all round which is a good indicator of something.
Cons listed by the dealer were headlining adhesive needs attention, I've some across this before. Front end has some stone chips but nothing serious.
Big history file, I'll see if the brake lines have had any attention.
What else am I looking for?
So remind me what I'm looking for please:
- Rust. Drain holes on around the boot. Arches front and rear. Around the windscreen if a screen replacement was bodged.
- Recent Vanos service
- Clutch. Weight and bite point.
- Air con
- Windows dropping properly when doors open and close
- Damp in boot spare wheel well. Anywhere else?
- General condition of leather
The car has had an underbody treatment, I think it was Dinitrol but can't remember exactly. It's also having a few new bushes and new discs and pads all round as part of prep by the dealer.
Dealer came across well on the phone, knowledgeable about the car as it was supplied by them to the previous owner. He also had the initial report the mechanic made when it came into the dealer as px. Dealer owns an e36 M3 himself and his dad's GT2 is up for sale there also.
Tyres are Pilot sports all round which is a good indicator of something.
Cons listed by the dealer were headlining adhesive needs attention, I've some across this before. Front end has some stone chips but nothing serious.
Big history file, I'll see if the brake lines have had any attention.
What else am I looking for?
All the things you've mentioned. The front wings rot at the bottom, this can spread underneath but sounds like it's been protected. They can also rot around the boot. Has it had bearings and rod bolts. Will likely need lots of bushes refreshing if they haven't been done already which they should have been by now. Has the the suspension been refreshed, dampers/springs. Great cars if you get a good one. Love mine a lot.
I was unsure about artic silver on silver but it looks fantastic in the flesh. And it is in great condition. Hopefully a few months of bill free motoring. Only thing it needs is an armrest, I’ve never seen one without an armrest. Perhaps the BMW business cassette player could do with updating too.
Glad to have helped sort any confusion.
I too was surprised at the subtle difference in the silvers. Arctic Silver has a depth/solidity to it and I much prefer it. The below photo is not great but should be a similar shade to yours OP
Apart from reminding yourself how enjoyable an E36 is to drive do you have any other plans?
I
I too was surprised at the subtle difference in the silvers. Arctic Silver has a depth/solidity to it and I much prefer it. The below photo is not great but should be a similar shade to yours OP
Apart from reminding yourself how enjoyable an E36 is to drive do you have any other plans?
I
It'll be my daily so I plan to really just enjoy it. I like to keep cars as close to OEM as possible so I'll keep it maintained and that's about it. Having said that, I'm looking at a Pioneer AVH Z7100DAB which is a single DIN pop out touch screen Apple CarPlay HU so I have hands free phone, audio and navigation.
It currently has a business cassette player with a 6 disc auto changer in the boot. I can't see my Dreamscape 21 tape set keeping me entertained for long.
It currently has a business cassette player with a 6 disc auto changer in the boot. I can't see my Dreamscape 21 tape set keeping me entertained for long.
There is a time and place for old rave tapes.... I was more of an early Eclipse man.
If its a daily the the ICE upgrade makes sense. From my experience decent CD43's are hard to find anyway. I'm just adding 6x9 rear speaker adaptors and Alpine replacements (OEMish)
I suppose the only other things I would do would be the CDV delete and check the geometry.
Good luck and keep us posted.
If its a daily the the ICE upgrade makes sense. From my experience decent CD43's are hard to find anyway. I'm just adding 6x9 rear speaker adaptors and Alpine replacements (OEMish)
I suppose the only other things I would do would be the CDV delete and check the geometry.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Yep there is a huge difference when a Beemers suspension geo is not right. First thing I check after experiencing a poorly set up E30 a number of years ago.
I did not do anything with my first E36 CDV, but disliked the mushy biting point on the clutch. As I had to replace clutch on current car I put HEL clutch hose on to replace the CDV, but there are even easier ways around the issue. Combined with a couple of bushes in the gear linkage etc the gear change is great! It even feels like the car picks up speed quicker when you first do it as the carc appears to bog down less. BMW pandered to drivers who could not change gear properly! Anyway loads of info on other PH threads I am sure, and all recommend this to improve the driving. At least there is a throttle connected by a cable - the last 3 series to have this.
I did not do anything with my first E36 CDV, but disliked the mushy biting point on the clutch. As I had to replace clutch on current car I put HEL clutch hose on to replace the CDV, but there are even easier ways around the issue. Combined with a couple of bushes in the gear linkage etc the gear change is great! It even feels like the car picks up speed quicker when you first do it as the carc appears to bog down less. BMW pandered to drivers who could not change gear properly! Anyway loads of info on other PH threads I am sure, and all recommend this to improve the driving. At least there is a throttle connected by a cable - the last 3 series to have this.
Nice. e36s are lovely cars to drive and walk the fine line between being modern enough to drive every day and old enough so you can feel what they are doing. I have been driving my lowly 323 cab a lot over the last week as my e46 is off the road. One way of keeping the OEM stereo is fitting a Parrott car kit - usual USB/Bluetooth stuff on a small discrete screen.
Other thing I would suggest checking rust-wise is of course the jacking points - pop the covers off, have a look inside (and pack with grease to stop future corrosion).
Was looking at e36 M3s the other day, they are rather unloved but I love them. It may be sacrilege but I'd have one over an e30 M3 every time.
Other thing I would suggest checking rust-wise is of course the jacking points - pop the covers off, have a look inside (and pack with grease to stop future corrosion).
Was looking at e36 M3s the other day, they are rather unloved but I love them. It may be sacrilege but I'd have one over an e30 M3 every time.
Thanks chaps, some lovely examples above.
Picked her up last Saturday and haven't stopped grinning. I am absolutely thrilled with it and it's in mint condition. The jacking points were cut out and welded 2 years ago and the whole underside was coated in dinitrol.
The dealer I bought it from has done all bushes front and back and discs and pads all round. Pilot sports all round with 7mm of tread. Paintwork is phenomenal for 21 years old, a few stone chips on the front but not a single parking dent. All the other usual rust locations were treated 2 years ago.
Added the Pioneer HU above, it's okay, not the prettiest but it provides the functions I need from a daily. Bought a second hand arm rest with centre console and fitted that. No further plans other that to just enjoy it.
I've bought a few cars over the years from dealers, in my limited experience it's unusual to find a dealer with social skills, product knowledge and an eye for detail. Shout out to the dealer Andy at Walkers Autotech in Billingshurst. They have some great stock (came close on pick up to asking about a 911... but didn't).
Picked her up last Saturday and haven't stopped grinning. I am absolutely thrilled with it and it's in mint condition. The jacking points were cut out and welded 2 years ago and the whole underside was coated in dinitrol.
The dealer I bought it from has done all bushes front and back and discs and pads all round. Pilot sports all round with 7mm of tread. Paintwork is phenomenal for 21 years old, a few stone chips on the front but not a single parking dent. All the other usual rust locations were treated 2 years ago.
Added the Pioneer HU above, it's okay, not the prettiest but it provides the functions I need from a daily. Bought a second hand arm rest with centre console and fitted that. No further plans other that to just enjoy it.
I've bought a few cars over the years from dealers, in my limited experience it's unusual to find a dealer with social skills, product knowledge and an eye for detail. Shout out to the dealer Andy at Walkers Autotech in Billingshurst. They have some great stock (came close on pick up to asking about a 911... but didn't).
Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff