M3 - 3.0 or 3.2 ??

[redgriff500]

Hi,

I am looking for an M3 to use as a second car and have read various articles which contradict each other.

So which one is best and why ?

Is the Vanos something that WILL go wrong ?

I have found decent 3.0 at £5 - 6,000 and 3.2 £7,000+

Thanks

[stub]

3.0's are older but seem to be a little more reliable than the later S50 & S54 (EVO) engined cars.

I seem to remember Evo mag did a very good buyers guide to the E36 M3.

I'd think buying a car of this age is better on condition and provenance than model.

[M3john]

Hi there redgriff500 VERY good choice in a second car,

VANOS units are a problem with the M3's, the only thig with Evo models is they have two rather than one like on the 3.0, so it's twice as expensive when they go wrong. But i must honestly say that mine still runs and drives like a dream...and its done nearly 96,000 mls now. I think this is down to very perticular maintenance, namely the oil filters in the VANOS being changed quite regular. So i could say that it runs against the grain.

As with all cars spend to the maximum of your budget as these cars are usually driven quite hard. They are generally bombproof mechnically but look for any shoddy body work due to an over ambistious driver. Also check the inside of the front wings, should be nice and straight, if not this is also a sign of hard driving.

I've owned mine now for nearly two years and i still look forward to the next drive. It still manages to suprise me even now with its power and good turn of speed. Its one of the few cars that manages to do just about averything....The school run, track days, trips to the golf club (with your friends and their clubs in the car) etc etc...

Feel free to drop me an e-mail if you'd like to know more as i know that other questions pop into ones head when talking to somebody else, namely another owner.


Happy motoring!!

John.

[redgriff500]

Thanks for the replies.

After searching this forum I found several good BMW sites and most seem to say that there isn't any real difference between the 2 models except for the 6 speed box which is notchy and that the vanos on the 3.0 doesn't go wrong...

Also that the Evo is a more sanitised drive.

I must admit I prefer the Estoril blue (Evo only) and would rather get the 'best' model and am fairly sure that the Vanos issue has been overstated in general... probably only affects 10% ?

Comments ?

[hursty25]

Hi RedGriff500

I would go for the Evo, you'll always wish you had if you don't. As long as the car you buy has had the Vanos recall there shouldn't be a problem.
Mine is forsale and is in fantastic condition, plus it's had the Vanos recall and for peice of mind the car still has 4mths to run on an aftermarket warranty.

www.pistonheads.com/sales/69269.htm

Regards
James

[BiggusLaddus]

There was never an actual recall for the vanos units themselves though, as BMW refuse to admit that there was any kind of design fault (despite the fact that it only seems to affact the double vanos of the 3.2, and not the single vanos or even the later model double vanos'). And looking through various owners forums, i would suggest that the percentage of vanos units replaced is far higher than 10%, probably closer to 25%

But in saying that, I have only heard of 1 or 2 cases of total vanos failures. It could be that many cases of replacements are due to local bmw dealers being over cautious when they hear a 'grumbling' vanos unit.

It is something that should be thought about though, as it would cost in the region of £2000 to sort out if the vanos unit did need replacing.

[m3john]

BiggusLaddus said:

bmw dealers being over cautious when they hear a 'grumbling' vanos unit.

Very very true but if you do go to view a car don't be put off by an engine that grumbles or sounds like it has a slight rattle because this is a characteristic of the large 6 pot M double VANOS units.

[oola]

redgriff - Forget the regular 3.0 and the Evo and go for a M3 GT!

Fantastic car, with as much power as an Evo (they rarely made the quoted 321bhp!) and the added kudos of being built for homologation purposes.

I've had mine 6 months now and although its having some serious money thrown at it to bring it up to date, it'll be running rings round E46 M3's (on track) by the end of April.

[redgriff500]

Thanks for the replies...

I'll go and look at a few.

Sorry won't consider the GT as it was only in green IIRC and my 328 is green...

and I hate the colour !

[m3john]

redgriff500 said:

Sorry won't consider the GT as it was only in green

And you'll find them in red also mate.