e36 M3 Purchase

[germanspec-joe]

howzit

I’m thinking bout buying a e36 M3 but I would like to know what the car is like on maintenance eg.
Service costs( Minor and Major)
Clutch overhaul
Radiator
Water pump
any other costs that i should be aware of as the car will be in use daily

Also please could ur’ll let me know what to look out for when viewing e36 M3’s.
Any comments, views or suggestions will be highly appreciated.

 

[M3power!]

I suggest checking youtube for the video on what to look out for. Detailed description. But vanos noise,back shocks (sometimes goes through the body), service history etc....

 

[msm]

If you provide a bit more specific info, that would be useful too. You can get a E36 ///M for R80k or R180k ... all depends on what you want

E.g. Are you looking for a 2 dr or 4 dr. What's your budget? What's your plan with the car - keep it stock, mod, etc? Are you looking for a cheap run-around and want to spend as little as possible to keep the car on the road, or are you prepared to pay for original (or decent aftermarket) parts, etc ...

 

[germanspec-joe]

@msm willing spend between R90k and R110k. Must be 2 door german spec. Want it to be stock. Just want to use it Friday to Sunday (Weekend car). I don't want a cheap run around cause that's not worthy of an M. Car will not be used for racing!

 

[msm]

@msm willing spend between R90k and R110k. Must be 2 door german spec. Want it to be stock. Just want to use it Friday to Sunday (Weekend car). I don't want a cheap run around cause that's not worthy of an M. Car will not be used for racing!

At least you got your priorities straight :thumb:

I think most of the stuff is covered in the other thread as far a checking a car goes. However, as far as budget is concerned, I think you might struggle a bit to get a clean original one for anything less than R140k. Anyway, go have a look at this one:

Mike Salt Auto Yellow M3

It seems that guys with clean cars are now starting to demand hectic prices for them. Also, please triple check the service history. I've heard of many guys turning back their mileages.

Also, speak to Sean at TuneTech (you can Google their details). He usually knows of guys who sell these cars.

 

[germanspec-joe]

Saw the car at Mike Salt. He had some really fine examples of these cars but his prices are way out of price range:bawling:. He seems to have agood relationship with SAVSPEED as alot of his customers cars are sold at this dealership. Will give Sean a shout.

 

[calypso]

Inner of rear fender lips will eventually start rusting if they not cleaned. But otherwise these cars dont rust unless they have been knocked.
Check for strange tire wear to show problems with suspension geometry.
I wouldnt buy one that has had many owners, and yeah full service history is a must, with someone reputable. Dont be shy to spend R10k a yeah on servicing to keep it tip top. I just changed discs and pads, that was R10k by itself.

 

[Technician]

i had to replace my clutch- can be anything from 9k onwards for parts and labour.
i have a good mechanic, family friend, that is also important.
dont be afraid to check the car out properly, pay to take it to a mechanic, do a diagnostic check, check everything on a lift, check suspension, bushes, exhaust, everything you can.
phone the dealers and get the full history on the VIN.

 

[thireshan]

http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=16052

 

[STREETRACER]

the germanspec 2 door is much cheaper to maintain then the 3.2.. you can get alot of spares at bemows , goldwagen and scrapyards, gumtree etc..

 

[Technician]

the germanspec 2 door is much cheaper to maintain then the 3.2.. you can get alot of spares at bemows , goldwagen and scrapyards, gumtree etc..

without causing an argument, i have to disagree in my opinion.
i don't think its cheaper or easier to find.
i don't know if other 2 door owners agree with me, but the 2 door parts are much harder to find than the 4 door, and hence the 3.0lt parts are harder to find than the 3.2lt parts.

whenever i try locate parts they have 4 door M3 parts only, or more often.

i've tried bemows, goldwagon and scrapyards to locate parts and its difficult, depending on what you want.

 

[thireshan]

the germanspec 2 door is much cheaper to maintain then the 3.2.. you can get alot of spares at bemows , goldwagen and scrapyards, gumtree etc..

without causing an argument, i have to disagree in my opinion.
i don't think its cheaper or easier to find.
i don't know if other 2 door owners agree with me, but the 2 door parts are much harder to find than the 4 door, and hence the 3.0lt parts are harder to find than the 3.2lt parts.

whenever i try locate parts they have 4 door M3 parts only, or more often.

i've tried bemows, goldwagon and scrapyards to locate parts and its difficult, depending on what you want.

I had a totally different experience with my 4 dr M,most times i would get the response,the stuff we have available is for 3lt motor or 2dr M3.

 

[STREETRACER]

Hahahaha I don't think they have either! The just soft soaping us! Lol

 

[UpNcOmiNg!]

I think you guys should be calling on behalf of each other, that way you both get what you looking for?!
Solved...Call me Columbo! hahaha :clap:

 

[Technician]

Hahahaha I don't think they have either! The just soft soaping us! Lol

ha ha- think you hit the nail on the head-
i would be happy to state that both are probably a bit more difficult to locate then expected.

 

[Phumi]

I think you guys should be calling on behalf of each other, that way you both get what you looking for?!
Solved...Call me Columbo! hahaha :clap:

imp:

 

[calypso]

No parts are hard to find. Just some are expensive.
I think George Smooth put quite alot of detail into a post saying that the 3.2 has double the sensors of the 3.0, and those sensors are getting very old now.

End of the day, if either properly brake, its gonna be expensive.

 

[PRAVEEN M]

howzit

I’m thinking bout buying a e36 M3 but I would like to know what the car is like on maintenance eg.
Service costs( Minor and Major)
Clutch overhaul
Radiator
Water pump
any other costs that i should be aware of as the car will be in use daily

Also please could ur’ll let me know what to look out for when viewing e36 M3’s.
Any comments, views or suggestions will be highly appreciated.

I have a e36 m3 for four years now,never had any problems with the car,my car is stock except the exhaust which is duel 63mm done by Kumaren at piper exhaust.they goods cars need to be serviced regularly.all i done was clutch which is R6500 FROM BMW .

 

[calypso]

Bah, its shock absorbers time for me. Here goes another R10k.
I cant cry though, the originals did 149000km.

 

[ivan2terrible]

mine's up 4 sale if u interested. Need 2 put deposit on house. Ivan0823525990