Steve Whitehorn

iTrader: (13)

Hi
I friend of mine is buying an E36 M3 convertable. I asume the later EVO version. Did they do the EVo as a convertable?
I known this has been done before but can anyone just give me a run down of the things we need to look out for on a used M3.

I seem to remember something about the Vanos going. What exactly is the vanos?

Thanks
Steve

Dark Blue Mark

Vanos is the more complex version of Honda's VTEC, and I think they were repairing them under warranty from memory, so check its been done. They certainly did the EVo as a convertable.

MB

Freak

One of the BMW mags this month has a full buying guide.. (i think its total BMW)
Yep they did the EVo as a convertible
stunning cars- but servicing and bills can be astronomical.
All Evos will need the vanos doing at some point, and its a big big bill

I so very nearly bought an m3 evo convert (on a T plate) the other week, but its the vanos and servicing (plus insurance!) that put me off.

towzer

I had the VANOS go twice on my E36 but fortunately it was covered under warranty, otherwise it would have cost £2500. I remember having the steering column 'fixed' as a part of a service, apparently it was a known problem and there was a quiet recall but I can't remember the details.

Great car in a straight line though.

Phil

stone-islandM3

As mentioned, the biggest woes on an Evo is the vanos which is dual on the Evo and single on the 3L pre-Evo E36 M3. A poll on another forum quoted 45% of evos had had this replaced and of those over half had had it done more than once. Big thing is to buy an Evo with BMW warranty, £1500 average per time.

Both Evos and 3Ls were done as coupes, saloons and convertibles.

Checks are really full history done on the nail-specialist independant or BMW.

Other checks are as E36s-at around 80,000 miles things get a bit 'loose' so check suspension, shocks, mounts, rear bushes. Check hpi history and check for bodypanel gaps or mismatched colours indicating crash repair. Check that the instrument cluster is the right one and also look for signs of interior wear not in keeping with the mileage shown.

HTH, John

Senior_AP

Nothing better for the money. Its faster than pretty much anything and quality is second to none in that price range.

Good in a straight line.....quite handy on non-straight roads as well. Its not an Impreza so it doesn't drive itself though.

Steve Whitehorn

iTrader: (13)

Thanks for all your help
Steve

Avi

I'm still looking for an early one, lots of clocked one's about (the one's i've seen)

If anyone knows of a 94 ish one for about 8k, let me know.

Ta

Andy

Rich and Mini

Vanos is the biggest worry, but there are some other bits to keep an eye out for. Rear top shock mounts, rear trailing arm bushes, window regulators and front lower ball joints are all fairly common to go, although all relatively inexpensive to fix.

There was a steering spindle recall on the E36, most of them *should* have been done ages ago, although another batch of letters were sent out around 4 months ago, so there should be very few left around on the original.

Buy one with full BMWSH or you may live to regret it...

Rich

Freak

Rear top mounts cost £12 each and take an hour to do- just done one myself. common problem

Front ball joints arent too expensive, especially if its in for a service anyway

Plenty of Independant BMW specialists about too which are cheaper on labour but stil use genuine parts

You can spot if it has had the steering recall change by the big sticker on the steering column in the engine bay- cant miss it. if it hasnt been done it wont be there.

stone-islandM3

Try the BMWCC forum, there were a couple of enthusiast-owned pre-evo 3L models at around that price.

Rich and Mini

Yep, rear top shock mounts with the gaskets/nuts/washers are about £15 each, trailing arm bushses £9 each, front lower balljoints are £17 each with the nuts and regulators are about £65 each, including the nuts/bolts to replace the rivets, and the white sliding pieces as originals will probs be knackered.

Discs and pads aren't too expensive if they need replacing, clutches can be expensive if it's an SMG 'box ( about 5 hours labour plus £140 for the clutch kit ).

Can't think of anything else that's overly common on them at the mo...

Rich

PS - if it drops any oil, walk...

gatman

i had an 3 litre M3 n reg it had the vanos done with a bmw receipt it had full bmw history and i sold it in oct 03 for 10,000 it had covered 85,000 i tell you what mate for the money as long you check out the basic details in buying a used car they are fantastic! high miles wouldent put me off just make sure it has all the proper inspection services and you will be fine. they are quite tuneable too.