Need quick education on 1995 BMW M3

[myhui]

I am looking for a short term commuter car for no more than 6 months.

Are any of you folks very knowledgeable about this early M3 model?

If any of you know of a BMW enthusiast maybe we can arrange a deal where I take a 10% loss after 6 months and sell it to him then.

This 1995 M3 on ebay motors seems like a reliable car.

08/07/1994 CA 30 Motor Vehicle Dept. ODOMETER READING FROM DMV
09/07/1994 SAN DIEGO, CA Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE (Lien Reported)
08/13/1996 SAN DIEGO, CA Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
02/09/1999 EL CAJON, CA 33,445 State Agency PASSED EMISSION INSPECTION
02/16/1999 CA 33,474 Motor Vehicle Dept. ODOMETER READING FROM DMV
03/19/1999 SAN DIEGO, CA Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE
REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL (Lien Reported)
07/30/1999 CA 40,679 Motor Vehicle Dept. ODOMETER READING FROM DMV
08/19/1999 CA 41,756 State Agency PASSED EMISSION INSPECTION
10/13/2000 SANTA MARIA, CA Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE
08/08/2001 CA 56,805 State Agency FAILED EMISSION INSPECTION
PASSED EMISSION INSPECTION
07/31/2003 CA 74,351 State Agency FAILED EMISSION INSPECTION
PASSED EMISSION INSPECTION
12/01/2004 CA 86,472 State Agency FAILED EMISSION INSPECTION
12/04/2004 CA 86,621 State Agency PASSED EMISSION INSPECTION
01/14/2005 CA 86,000 Motor Vehicle Dept. ODOMETER READING FROM DMV
01/26/2005 SANTA MARIA, CA Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE (Lien Reported)
02/03/2005 SANTA MARIA, CA Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
08/03/2005 SANTA MARIA, CA Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
11/13/2005 SANTA MARIA, CA 88,232 Dealer Record VEHICLE IN DEALER INVENTORY
01/09/2006 CA 88,511 State Agency PASSED EMISSION INSPECTION
01/28/2006 SANTA MARIA, CA Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE (Lien Reported)

Mileage Chart:

08/07/1994 30
02/09/1999 33,445
02/16/1999 33,474
07/30/1999 40,679
08/19/1999 41,756
08/08/2001 56,805
08/08/2001 56,812
07/31/2003 74,351
12/01/2004 86,472
12/04/2004 86,621
01/14/2005 86,000 not included in rollback calculation
11/13/2005 88,232
01/09/2006 88,511

 

[scorp965]

It looks beat up... it's got an ebay grille badge, the front lip is missing, the interior is (very) dirty, the front underpanels are missing, the driver-side front fender liner is gone, the fog lights are gone, driver-side corner is askew...

If I had to guess I would say the car has a front-end accident, due to the misaligned and missing front end parts. You could verify this, by looking for 'DOT-R' stickers on these front-end panels, there should be a VIN sticker on each front fender, the hood, the doors, the trunk, the front bumper, etc.

1995 M3's are great, reliable, fun cars... if you can find a good one. The trouble is it's next to impossible to find a good one anymore, most of them were snagged by delinquents 3-5 years ago and are now wrecked and rebuilt, or raced out.

 

[DocL]

I'd ask the seller one simple question: Why is there an anti-freeze bottle hidden in the trunk? :biggrin:

 

[scorp965]

I'd ask the seller one simple question: Why is there an anti-freeze bottle hidden in the trunk? :biggrin:

Perhaps a damaged radiator, as a result of a front end collision? Maybe the jb weld is holding :biggrin:

 

[Big_D]

Why are you looking for a BM trouble U?

I would by an early Prelude instead.

 

[scorp965]

Why are you looking for a BM trouble U?

I would by an early Prelude instead.

I have owned several 1995 M3's, they're fantastic cars.

 

[Racerxjling]

I actually have a brother in law who is EXTREMELY anal about his car. We both own 95 M3s. He is selling his and car is located in Anaheim, CA. I don't want to post it for sale her since it is not allowed so I will PM you the details.

Thx

Jeff

 

[ANYTIME]

I have owned several 1995 M3's, they're fantastic cars.

When they are running/not in the shop. I would only keep one under warranty (did just that) Higher mileage ones are scary!

 

[scorp965]

When they are running/not in the shop. I would only keep one under warranty (did just that) Higher mileage ones are scary!

I had an E36 3-series with 167k miles on the clock, none of my M3's were under warranty, it's just a matter of caring for the car, and finding a good local independent (as with the nsx).

 

[Racerxjling]

I have owned 2 95 M3s and still own a SC'd M3 w/ exhaust/3.2 motor upgrade/ltw flywheel/3.45 diff...car put down 333 rwhp on 91 pump gas.

My first 3.0 l motor grenaded due to poor tuning. Car runs strong. M3s have great road feedback in stock trim.

Jeff

 

[mystican]

Just like any other high perf car...BMW REQUIRE proper maintainence...my best friend used to work at independent BMW shop in Savannah, GA...the horror storied were unbelievable...and a lot of them were from the local BMW stealer!!!

Any "M" car, per my friend, "M stands for Money!"

Good luck!!!

 

[BD]

as stated by Road And Track: 1995 M3 is a great value, but is known for Valve Timing failure.

DON"T DO IT.

 

[myhui]

All right, folks. I WON'T BUY IT. Period.

Thank you for your feedback.

I like to learn as much as possible about each car I own, so I tend to trade cars very infrequently.

Imagine if I sunk $400k into a Ferrari. I would have to take a 3 month sabbatical from my full time job to visit Maranello to attend their mechanic's training course

and then another $500k to equip my personal garage just to be able to service that one personal car myself.

So, since I'm not even half familiar with that NSX I have up on stands in my garage, I better not divert my attention to any other car.

Come to think of it, maybe I enjoy fixing the NSX just as much as driving it. The more I disassemble it and look carefully at its design, the more I appreciate the amount of refinement it represents.

 

[myhui]

The more I disassemble it and look carefully at its design, the more I appreciate the amount of refinement it represents.

Except ... that timing belt should have been split into two belts, one for each bank, each as short as possible. This very long belt configuration is just a bad compromise ...

 

[fkong777]

I had a M50 525i which is a smaller bore and detuned version of the M3 engine. The engine is very reliable. The only weakness is the waterpump fan clutch and Radiator which is scheduled to be replaced at about 100K miles. If you change out the cooling system parts it will run like a champ.

Intake boot and MAF sensor can be on its way out too look out for that.

These are all DIY repairs very easy to do.

Chassis wise on a E36. the front lower control arm bushing and rear subframe bushing should be looked at.

 

[K2]

When they are running/not in the shop. I would only keep one under warranty (did just that) Higher mileage ones are scary!

E36 M3 are great cars. Driving sensation is like driving an NSX. O.k almost

I don't know about buying a warranty for these cars. Parts are fairly reasonable and many knowledgable guys to work on them.

I am lil biased toward BMW's

Should drive it and talk to guys who own them and ask why they still own them.

Good luck

K2

 

[EIFFEL]

Known problems for 95 M3's are. Cooling system(radiator, thermostat, waterpump) VANOS. ( replace every 100k and forget about it), Motor mounts/rear trans. mount. Worn suspension(Blistern works great), lower control arm/radius rod bushings. Rear Diff. coming apart from abuse. Take care the above and don't misshift. You can have a great car! I owned a 95 M3 for 3 yrs before I bought my NSX. When I sold it, I got more than what I paid for it. Keeps great value.