RS Grant

Looking for a wee bit of help here as I have come across one of the above cars in my search for something fast.


What I'd like to know is, what are these like to live with day to day?? Running costs, servicing etc.


Its the 3.0 instead of the 3.2 EVO version, and I'm pretty glad of that, as there wont be any VANOS problems to look forward to. However, are there any OTHER problems that I should be looking out for??


Mileage is at 100k, but if its got a full history (BMW up to 75k, specialist after this) then I assume that there isnt a problem here. Last Inspection 2 was at 60k, is that right?? Would I be in for an expensive service soon??


What sort of price should this car be at, as the Autotrader On-Line Vaulation service only lists the M3 Evolution for valuation.


All help is greatly appreciated.


Cheers,
Grant

jameswrx

iTrader: (4)

I really liked my 3.0L M3. They go quite well, when I picked mine up my mate took me to get it in his 95 WRX. His car is running a few mods (inc decat system, remapped ecu etc) and 1.2bar, it feels a quick car. On the way home there was nothing between the 2 cars, from standing start up to 150 they were almost identical. The M3 doesn't give you that shove but they do move if you rev them. My M3 also had a slight missfire and went better still when a new set of plugs was fitted.

I'll try and answer some of your questions..

Day to day they are perfectly nice to live with, I loved driving mine. You do seem to get some filthy looks driving a car like that though, for some reason lots of people seem to have 'opinions' of M3 drivers (why I don't know). Handling they are a bit muted I'd say, slightly lacking feel IMO.

Servicing is expensive, mine was full bmw history and some of the bills in there would have you crying (well me anyway). Fuel economy wise.. probably the most economic cars I've had over the past 7 years (but then everything else has been modified and turbocharged), seems like a dream compared to my Mitsubishi Evo . This doesn't mean evryone will think they are good, but for the performance I think they are good on juice.

As for VANOS, I'm pretty sure the 3.0L still has it but just single VANOS instead of twin on the Evo. Just listen for a rattle on start up, if there is a slight one make sure it clears fast.

Get it inspected if possible (unless you want to get right under the car), check the exhaust system (especially the manifold as these are fookin expensive), cats can aparantly fall apart and rattle (not to sure on this), if it's a coupe check the windows drop slightly as the doors open and they should go back up again when the door shuts. Check front brakes aren't binding (take for sedate run and check wheel heat, also if brakes are really sharp with a tiny touch this is another sign), check condition of rear springs (as they corrode and snap), they are m3 specific and again expensive.

Gutmann pug

RS Grant ......I spoke to my Dealer mate the other day as I was looking at one for sale on the scoobynet board. Very nice EVO low miler.
My dealer mate reckons the arxse has dropped out of the M3 market at the moment and he can pick up good cars for between £6,500 and £7,500.

Will get flamed for having said it but thats what he told me and I have no reason to doubt him. He has done me proud in the past

Gary

jameswrx

iTrader: (4)

Agree with Gary on the '**** dropping out' quote, but then again it has for anything.

I sold my 96 N reg Daytona violet, 90k leather fsh for £7500 back in early summer. I've seen decent looking evo's for sale for £7500 now, and 94, 95 3.0L's for as low as £5500.

scoobfan

Go to www.e36coupe.com all your questions will be answered there !

andy_w

I bought one about 6 weeks ago - paid £7k for a 94 'M' with 76k miles. It doesn't have leather, but other than that it's in great condition for a 10 year old car ... the alloys have been refurbed and look like new, plus it's got clear indicators and the hella angel eye lights - makes the car look a bit more modern.

Not sure about the running costs, but I don't expect it too be too bad. I'll be taking mine to a BMW specialist, rather than a main dealer. Just got my insurance renewal notice in yesterday - £470. Fuel is better than a scooby or my previous car, an Audi S4. I get around 27mpg, mostly around town ... I'd expect >30mpg on a long M-way run.

Sounds like the car your looking at might be due an insp 2 soon ... maybe even overdue one! Check the service lights when you turn on the ignition.

Also, price will depend alot on condition ... at that sort of age, you will find some rough examples about, so a mint one will command a premium. I could have found cheaper ones, but in the end I was happy paying £7k for the car given it's condition. I considered quite a few different cars after I sold my Audi, and I reckon the 3.0 M3 is a great combination of performance, value, quality, with (hopefully) reasonable running costs.

As above, check out www.e36coupe.co.uk

cheers,
Andy

andy_w

Here's a pic of mine

mc5

Changed my scooby for one in the summer. Jameswrx is spot on in his description. I average 23-24mpg, insurance is cheaper, servicing is scary if you use BMW. At that mileage check the cat as these are close to a grand and suspension components. Engines and drivetrain are very strong.

Only thing I miss about the scoob is the chuckabilty as the M3 is 200kg heavier and the steering I find quite slow and will probably go back to a scoob eventually.

Its probably the best car for the money with a fantastic engine and build quality.

RS Grant

WOW...

Thanks to everyone for the response, much appreciated!! Andy, you car looks to be really clean.. good deal for 7k mate.

Sounds like as long as there is a complete history then there shouldn't be a problem.

Out of interest, how much is an Inspection 2?? What does it entail, is it the cambelt service??

I got an e-mail this morning and the guy told me that he is after 8.5k for the M3, which seems pretty over priced to me.... by at least a grand I reckon??

Cheers,
Grant

andy_w

What year is the car? 8.5K is absolute top money for a 3.0 M3 - it would have to be absolutely minted, low miles, high spec etc...

You can get a decent 3.2 Evo for that money! There was a black Evo for sale on here a couple of months back (95 N, 100K miles) that I just missed out on - I think that went for around 8k.

misty

When I was getting rid of the scoob, I'd looked at a 97/p M3 evo 4 door, 1 owner 43k miles, boston green, silver leather, FBMWSH It was up at £10995. I got the EVO cuss I wanted cash and the BMW for the scoob and he wouldn't do the deal. Picked the EVO up, when I got home there was a message on the phone "my boss says he'll give you £1k plus the BMW"!! to late the EVO was on the drive.
dave

RS Grant

Its a 1995... 3.0 model.

I thought that was a bit rich, as M3 EVO Convertible's with reasonable mileages are going for 8.5-9.5k.


Cheers,
Grant

stone-islandM3

8.5k -9k is achievable for an excellent well-cared for car.

Yes,for the same price you could get an early Evo but with the probs with the vanos (going and sometimes more than once) the 'enthusiastic' 321bhp quoted and the fact that at the same price the Evo will have higher mileage you need to drive them both and see which you prefer.

The 3L is recommended as the more durable and tuneable engine with a different torque curve, not all or nothing.

I've had my 3L just over 2 years now. Costs so far:

Boring stuff;
New rad £300 from specialist
New front discs & pads - covered by dealer under warranty
New lower engine tray £150
New rear bushes £160 from specialist
4 new 235/40 Vredestein Ultracs , £98 a corner

Not so boring;
Supersprint decat section
Supersprint stainless steel backbox
k&n filter
Various ACS interior parts

Dont bother with main dealers unless you got warranty-they did my 2nd insp 2 at £750 and ballsed it up royally-had the car 4 days in total. A good independant will be better-just had an M-specialist do oil service on mine at cost of £80 compared to quote of £140 from BMW!!!

On the real roads in the real world there is no benefit of the Evo over the 3L, I've certainly not been caught or overtaken by one.

midget1500

2 friends had them. one EVO, one not. no difference between them!

Freak

buy a late (like 1999/2000) e36 328 sport coupe with the M tech pack on

Almost as fast, almost as powerful, and better looking if you have the BBS rims on (like me ).Bodywork is identical, and so is the rest of the spec

The simple reason i recommend one is the running costs are a hell of a lot less, and they are holding their value much better than the M3.

For 8.5k you can pick up a lower mileage T plate fully loaded 328 sport coupe in an M/individual colour....

History is vital

midget1500

yeah, a friend also had the 328 - quick!

RichA

100bhp difference between the M3 and the 328. You can't say it's almost as fast - my 205GTi is almost as fast as the Ford GT, but only when compared to walking...

Don't get me wrong - the 328 is a lovely car, but it's in a different league to the M3.

--Rich

jameswrx

iTrader: (4)

Yeah sorry Freak, can't agree there (apart from the cheaper running costs)

mozzaITA

My cousin had an m reg 3.0L and it was amazing, ultra reliable in 2 years all he had to do is change 1 light bulb!

stone-islandM3

MTech kit isnt the same as the M3 kit-different rear, diff spoiler and diff front bumper.

The split rim BBS wheels on the 328sport are nice wheels and better IMO than say the 10 spoke M3 wheels but nowhere near as nice as the 5spoke wheels.

The drive of the M3 and the 328 is completely different. Also, 328s prior to mid1998 will have nikasil engine which can be as expensive if they go as the dual vanos on the Evos.

Dont get me wrong,I'm not slating the 328 as its a great car and fast too but it isnt an M3 and whilst some people say its nearly as fast as an M it isnt and isnt the same driving experience.

John