sti-04!!

Hi chaps another boring threa but i am after some info
I have been offered one of the above by a friend who's business has gone belly up (poor sod)
Does anyone know what i should pay roughly
What power it has ie bhp, torque, 0-60 & 0-100 times
I am thinking about buying it for the missus but would like to get the ins & outs of it as i maybe even keep it for myself for the summer

Thanks in advance for your input

Ps what would it be like up against a MY04 sti (soon to have PPP)

sti-04!!

billythekid

I hate German cars, but credit where credit is due - the M3 is a great car.

Almost super car performance. (driven conv and coupe and have to say they are not slow!)

As for price, if its in really nice condition I would expect it to change hands for around 10k in the trade (edited - thats bollox - see my other post) . A mate of mine is a trader and has this exact year etc and paid about that - 45k miles on clock. (again bollox - his was 15k now I checked with him.)

Its getting into summer so prices are likley to go up a bit.

What is the exact spec - I will ask him for you.

billythekid

Just spoke to him on MSM - he said look at this link.

http://www.totalbmwmag.co.uk/Buying/BuyingJan02.pdf

sti-04!!

Billy - I just now its a conv, met blue with met blue mohair roof ??, hardtop, got s/s exhaust & green filter, only done 32k (was his w/end car), its in right good condition, FSH & cream (gimp) leather
I dont want to exploit his misfortune but he needs help fast & i can help fast
any ideas on BHP ???

sti-04!!

billythekid

Hi

I will get on the phone now.

BRB

BTK

PS - 320Bhp.

sti-04!!

Good man

Thanks

Stephen

crazyav

Have a look at www.bm3w.co.uk if you haven't already...UK forums for M-cars

Was looking at these myself but got kinda freaked out by the alarming no. of Vanos failures/engine rebuilds...have a read at the above forums though...you'll get some proper info there...

Crazyav

billythekid

Ok...

First - he said its either a 6sp manual or it could be SMG - if its SMG it will be worth an extra £1000 ish. Other than that they are all very similar. BTW he said the manual is best.

Any way he seems to think that its reasonably hard to find a 98 car with that low mileage, and at that mileage it should be in very nice condition indeed.

If its never been crashed or damaged and is a UK car he values it at approx £15k trade. He would have to see it first, could be worth as much as £17 or £18k or maybe as little as £12k, but he seems to think £15 is about right from description you give.

He said he would prob put on his lot for around £17999.

How much did he pay for it? (or did he have it from new?)

Freak

check the vanos (£2500 bill if it goes- and the majority need doing at some point)

Should be looking at least 17500- especially with lower mileage like that.
Cream leather is sought after on them too.
If it has a hard top then adda grand onto that price

321BHP
0-60 5.3 on book


The SMG on the E36s is sh*te- many many problems and very unreliable- i wouldnt touch an SMG E36 with a barge pole- and ive looked at loads.

Tiggs

looked at these last week- very rattly, scutte shakkeeeee......and i wouldnt go near one thats out of warranty unless it was very good money.

SCOOBNOV

If it's an EVO which it should be for that year, the spec is:

3.2 Litre
6-speed box
321 bhp (claimed)
I would estimate, 0-60 in under 6 secs
good for 155mph if you can find the roads!


Have been inot BM's for years and worked my way through most of the 3 series (e30/e36 and currently wife drives an E46 coupe) although have recently entered the world of impreza's and love mine to bit's.

Had an M3 Evo prior to the scoob and overall was a good car but no fun factor, yes it's extremely quick in a straight line and the torque is immense even at low revs, but IMHO, the handling was a major let down. BMW went soft with the Evo and tryed to make it appeal more to the creature comfort buyers by softening up the suspension and altering the whole feel of the car. The steering is somewhat wooly and has a dead feel in comparison the the impreza's and their is a large understeer presence.

My brother had a 3.0 litre 5-speed which they made upto early 96 which was IMO a much better car in all aspects.

But my wife loved it and I'm sure your's would as there is something special about the M3's.

Main things to watchout for are:

VANOS Problems, this is a major issue with the Evo's and they more often than not suffer from it, there is a VANOS unit which gets very noisy from the gears and can cause problems. BMW recodnised this and many were changed under warrenty, (the car I had had it done and I saw the bill, about £1600! of which half the dealer payed.) this is a must to get checked as if it has not been done you could be in for big expense!

Rear shock top bushes wear out quickly, (will hear a knocking noise under load from rear)

service history is a must with signs of regular oil changes, they are quite sensative to warming and cooling down and if this has not been done by the prev owner, could mean a worn engine.

They have BMW's legendary build quality and feel as strong as an Ox, especially on the limit where you can comfortably hold it at 120mph for a good time which is where it wins over the scoobs and makes it a good cruiser.

One last point is it's good if it has leather, from a re-sale point of view, mine had a suede alcantera interior which made it difficult to sell although the colour was Estoril blue which is the best IMO!

Good luck buddy.

sti-04!!

Billy - thanks M8, just had him on the phone, he is coming over in the morning for a sum a lot less than advertised !?!? just on dble figures & no more
Its a 6sp manual & minted
Going to have a serious think about this as i can either make some £££££ or i can keep for the summer & still get my money back either way it'll be sitting beside the sti at 10am.
thanks all for your input

sti-04!!

billythekid

Sounds like you could get a bargin then!! Nice one.

sti-04!!

ps colour is estoril blue & my friend has owned it from new so paid if i am right over 40k for it

just told the wife & i think the divorce is off haha

2morra is another day

Mark Miwurdz

Looks like you're all sorted now but don't pay a penny more for a car with SMG. It was an acquired taste and not looked on favourably by the trade. It's usually a good (gear) lever to get a few quid off.

Cheers
Kav