Is it worth taking a punt on a £2k e36 M3?
Discussion
The last couple of days I have been looking around the different sites for cars for sale. I was initially looking at mk2 ph2 clio sports and E46 325/328/330 coupe/saloons but, have been really surprised at the amount of e36 M3's for just over £2k. Would I be mad or if anything majorly went wrong I could make that back breaking it? What do you think? I have other cars so, the odd garage day wouldn't be the end of the world.
You wont get an evo for 2 grand but the non evo ones are solid cars and they can take a hell of a lot of abuse. Just get one with as much history as you can find, get it home and give a service or at least an oil change.
There are plenty of spares on ebay and at BM breakers.
You wont regret it.
There are plenty of spares on ebay and at BM breakers.
You wont regret it.
Don't really see too much of a downside because, like you said it should break for that much anyway. Especially if you have other cars to use anyway. If you can take it apart yourself and don't mind the potential of having your cash tied up for a couple of months I don't really see the risk
Double VANOS 3.2 litre engine instead of the standard 3.0.
If it was my money I'd really check out what to look for on these, pricey cars and, as such, pricey to run. I know of people who've had crippling bills running them (not including the oft talk to VANOS issue)
It maybe that buying one in great condition for £4,000 (they certainly appear to be out there) will be much cheaper in the long run than a £2k snotter
If it was my money I'd really check out what to look for on these, pricey cars and, as such, pricey to run. I know of people who've had crippling bills running them (not including the oft talk to VANOS issue)
It maybe that buying one in great condition for £4,000 (they certainly appear to be out there) will be much cheaper in the long run than a £2k snotter
Chris_w666 said:
When you say punt what do you mean?
If you need the car and you can't afford much more than £2k then I wouldn't even try.
If you have a bigger budget, don't need a car daily, or are prepared to throw in the towel if anything big goes then why not.
I have a few other cars and could sell them all and get quite a decent car but, I didn't get my driving license until I was 21(i'm now 24) so, I feel I have missed out so, I like having a few different cars at once. You probably wouldn't believe some of the bargains I've picked up in the last 3 years and some money pits... I just want to drive as many different cars as possible. Until I can actually afford to buy a few really good expensive cars I think I will also try have a few older good cars rather than 1 average newer car.If you need the car and you can't afford much more than £2k then I wouldn't even try.
If you have a bigger budget, don't need a car daily, or are prepared to throw in the towel if anything big goes then why not.
Friend of mine did something similar a few years ago with an E36 M3.
He wasn't exactly a pauper, currently has an S2000, a MINI Cooper S and an Evo 6.
He had to sell the M3 within 6 months as it was giving him such horrendous bills.
As it was said to me then, and a few other people have said also:- "If you couldn't afford to run it when it was new, don't try to run it now."
I realise that's not always true, but there is that temptation to buy something which is a lot cheaper than when it was new.
He wasn't exactly a pauper, currently has an S2000, a MINI Cooper S and an Evo 6.
He had to sell the M3 within 6 months as it was giving him such horrendous bills.
As it was said to me then, and a few other people have said also:- "If you couldn't afford to run it when it was new, don't try to run it now."
I realise that's not always true, but there is that temptation to buy something which is a lot cheaper than when it was new.
depends on how confident you are with doing your own servicing. If you go in eyes open, in the knowledge that bits and pieces will need attention, such as bushes at this age then you'll be fine, it's hassle but an easy job to do yourself, but will cost hundreds in a garage.
It'll need constant attention, so don't expect it to just work indefinitely but if you keep on top of things it should be very doable. And it'll be worth a lot more in a few years time if you do a good job of sorting it out!
It'll need constant attention, so don't expect it to just work indefinitely but if you keep on top of things it should be very doable. And it'll be worth a lot more in a few years time if you do a good job of sorting it out!
8400rpm said:
As it was said to me then, and a few other people have said also:- "If you couldn't afford to run it when it was new, don't try to run it now."
I realise that's not always true, but there is that temptation to buy something which is a lot cheaper than when it was new.
Not quite right though is it. I mean, the running costs of a £15k E46 M3 and a £30k E92 M3 are probably pretty similar - say £250/month. I realise that's not always true, but there is that temptation to buy something which is a lot cheaper than when it was new.
But the cost of financing £15k is half the cost of financing £30k.
shalmaneser said:
depends on how confident you are with doing your own servicing. If you go in eyes open, in the knowledge that bits and pieces will need attention, such as bushes at this age then you'll be fine, it's hassle but an easy job to do yourself, but will cost hundreds in a garage.
It'll need constant attention, so don't expect it to just work indefinitely but if you keep on top of things it should be very doable. And it'll be worth a lot more in a few years time if you do a good job of sorting it out!
I'm not very hands on myself but, a guy who does work for me has looked after all the small things needing done on my cars for beer money and his brother who is a mechanic does any of the major work for not much more. If I ever had to use a £40+ an hour garage I certainly wouldn't have more than 1 car. Also I use a great website webiste ( www.1stchoice.co.uk )that sends out your request of a part to 100's of scrappies.It'll need constant attention, so don't expect it to just work indefinitely but if you keep on top of things it should be very doable. And it'll be worth a lot more in a few years time if you do a good job of sorting it out!
Gizmo! said:
8400rpm said:
As it was said to me then, and a few other people have said also:- "If you couldn't afford to run it when it was new, don't try to run it now."
I realise that's not always true, but there is that temptation to buy something which is a lot cheaper than when it was new.
Not quite right though is it. I mean, the running costs of a £15k E46 M3 and a £30k E92 M3 are probably pretty similar - say £250/month. I realise that's not always true, but there is that temptation to buy something which is a lot cheaper than when it was new.
But the cost of financing £15k is half the cost of financing £30k.
Fuel, servicing, insurance, repairs, tyres, brakes, parts etc. are running costs, I would categorise anyway.
It's a lot of car for £2-3k.
I used to have an M3 Evo around 18 months ago I blew the bottom end for the second time and sold it for spares for £2250.
They guy I sold it to said that as spares he'd get around £6-7k from an evo even if it did have a blown bottom end so I doubt you'll end up loosing out.
I used to have an M3 Evo around 18 months ago I blew the bottom end for the second time and sold it for spares for £2250.
They guy I sold it to said that as spares he'd get around £6-7k from an evo even if it did have a blown bottom end so I doubt you'll end up loosing out.
andye30m3 said:
It's a lot of car for £2-3k.
I used to have an M3 Evo around 18 months ago I blew the bottom end for the second time and sold it for spares for £2250.
They guy I sold it to said that as spares he'd get around £6-7k from an evo even if it did have a blown bottom end so I doubt you'll end up loosing out.
Did the bottom ends spin a shell? It's the only thing that really puts me off getting an Evo, that and the price/availability of good second hand engines. Herd ARP rod bolts sort it but it's not a straighforward job?I used to have an M3 Evo around 18 months ago I blew the bottom end for the second time and sold it for spares for £2250.
They guy I sold it to said that as spares he'd get around £6-7k from an evo even if it did have a blown bottom end so I doubt you'll end up loosing out.
Would you have another?
8400rpm said:
Friend of mine did something similar a few years ago with an E36 M3.
He wasn't exactly a pauper, currently has an S2000, a MINI Cooper S and an Evo 6.
He had to sell the M3 within 6 months as it was giving him such horrendous bills.
As it was said to me then, and a few other people have said also:- "If you couldn't afford to run it when it was new, don't try to run it now."
I realise that's not always true, but there is that temptation to buy something which is a lot cheaper than when it was new.
What's more expensive on an M3 to maintain/fix than it is on a 328i or even a 318??He wasn't exactly a pauper, currently has an S2000, a MINI Cooper S and an Evo 6.
He had to sell the M3 within 6 months as it was giving him such horrendous bills.
As it was said to me then, and a few other people have said also:- "If you couldn't afford to run it when it was new, don't try to run it now."
I realise that's not always true, but there is that temptation to buy something which is a lot cheaper than when it was new.
If you have the disposable funds getting around then go for it.
Even if it fails the MOT it will be worth at least that for parts when you break it up.
People will always want one as a track day project and wont care if it ends up with shagged brakes and tyres.
People will always want the bodykit and interior and wont care in the engine has grenaded
...... people might even want to banger race in a bit of style.
In many ways its a good thing that I don't have acres of space to fill as I'd have one in a flash to mess about with. Unbelieveably good value for money.
Anyone want to link to the story about the se7en style car made from a dead BMW?
Even if it fails the MOT it will be worth at least that for parts when you break it up.
People will always want one as a track day project and wont care if it ends up with shagged brakes and tyres.
People will always want the bodykit and interior and wont care in the engine has grenaded
...... people might even want to banger race in a bit of style.
In many ways its a good thing that I don't have acres of space to fill as I'd have one in a flash to mess about with. Unbelieveably good value for money.
Anyone want to link to the story about the se7en style car made from a dead BMW?
300bhp/ton said:
What's more expensive on an M3 to maintain/fix than it is on a 328i or even a 318??
I think the engines on the 'M' series are a little more fragile than the standard engines.For instance, part of the M3 service schedule is re-torquing of conrod bolts amongst other things.
This is an expensive job.
300bhp/ton said:
What's more expensive on an M3 to maintain/fix than it is on a 328i or even a 318??
Anything that is unique to the M car, and not all of it can be scinically accused of being down to overpricing. A £2000 car might appear to be a bargain proposition, however if the intention is to keep it on the road and it needs 4 dampers, 4 discs, and 4 tyres for the next MOT, then you can double that budget straight away .......... and you haven't even lifted the bonnet yet!!!!
exgtt said:
andye30m3 said:
It's a lot of car for £2-3k.
I used to have an M3 Evo around 18 months ago I blew the bottom end for the second time and sold it for spares for £2250.
They guy I sold it to said that as spares he'd get around £6-7k from an evo even if it did have a blown bottom end so I doubt you'll end up loosing out.
Did the bottom ends spin a shell? It's the only thing that really puts me off getting an Evo, that and the price/availability of good second hand engines. Herd ARP rod bolts sort it but it's not a straighforward job?I used to have an M3 Evo around 18 months ago I blew the bottom end for the second time and sold it for spares for £2250.
They guy I sold it to said that as spares he'd get around £6-7k from an evo even if it did have a blown bottom end so I doubt you'll end up loosing out.
Would you have another?
I'm actually thinking about buying another evo at the end of the year as I want something which is fun, reasonably economical, can tow and would be able to do the odd sprint and I can't think of anything which fits the criteria much better.
If I buy another one the first job would be to have the uprated ARP bolts fitted, wouldn't bother running one without them.
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