questions about older m3

robr

robr

Legendary Member
Joined
31 July 2001
Messages
5,194
Location
Boston, MA
I'm just starting to do my research on the M3 forums, but I know a lot of people here have owned them. It looks like my NSX may possibly be sold soon and I'm looking for a replacement vehicle. I need back seats for the kids (sigh). I'm checking out cars.com and there are quite a number of 1999-2000 M3s for $16K-$22K. I checked the M3 for sale forums and people are asking WAY WAY more there. I'm just wondering if anyone has advice on these cars... maintenance issues, things to watch out for, etc. Hell, look at this one:

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detai...g|Q-descending|X-popular|Z-01950&aff=national

99 convertible M3 SMG for $16K. 80K+ miles on an Acura obviously doesn't bother me, but should it on a BMW? I also have heard good things about the SMG, but perhaps that's only for the E46?

I dunno how the hell I'll ever replace the NSX with a vehicle with a backseat that's as fun to drive with a quality feel, I'm just doing my best working within my budget of low $20K. Option B was a used 04 TL but that's simply not in the same performance class as the M3.
 
1995-1999 = E36 M3, no SMG option in the US, SMG 1 elsewhere.
2001+ = E46 M3, SMG II (much improved)

I have owned (5) M3's, all 1995's, and they're great cars... maintinance is comparable to the nsx, with one of my E36's reaching 160k miles before I sold it. Common issues on the E36 are bushings and vanos, a PPI goes a long way, as with any car.
 
scorp965 said:
1995-1999 = E36 M3, no SMG option in the US, SMG 1 elsewhere.
2001+ = E46 M3, SMG II (much improved)

I have owned (5) M3's, all 1995's, and they're great cars... maintinance is comparable to the nsx, with one of my E36's reaching 160k miles before I sold it. Common issues on the E36 are bushings and vanos, a PPI goes a long way, as with any car.
Click to expand...

Thanks, misinformation on the SMG then searching cars.com. Several E36's were listed with SMG.
 
otto_joe said:
Take my advice: DO NOT SELL THE NSX! I've been there and done that. :smile:

Otto
Click to expand...

Show me how to stick a back seat in the NSX and put two child seats in and I'm with ya :). If I sell the NSX, I'll be back when finances allow.
 
robr said:
Show me how to stick a back seat in the NSX and put two child seats in and I'm with ya :). If I sell the NSX, I'll be back when finances allow.
Click to expand...

You don't. You drive a beater 4-5days a week and then the one drive a week you get in your NSX is extra special. :biggrin:

Not having the option of driving the NSX is painful. It may be a week or two before I get to drive the NSX but knowing she's waiting in the garage is all worth it.

Otto
 
If you plan on getting an E36 M3 get a stick, run way from SMGI if you want to drive the car and don't visit it jacked up at the dealer. Else make sure that the owners treated them like a sports car should be treated the S50 don't forgive, so get the later S52 3.2 liter.

Good luck, you're going to purchase a great car.
 
Ski_Banker said:
Definitely a big step up in price, but maybe an M5? Seems like people really love that car, and can be had for $45k. Might be able to swap your NSX even.
Click to expand...

Definitely out of my price range. My 91 NSX is on the market for $24K (needs about $2-3K in transmission work to replace the synchros so the price was reduced accordingly).
 
I've owned 2 95 M3s..both modified my current heavily modded w/ sc, gearing etc. Out of the box, I think the E36 M3 is one of the best bang for the $$ on the market. It has great steering/road feel. It is a very reliable car...not as many electrical gizmos/gremlins a la the E46 BMWs. As you are probably aware the 95 is the only OBDI (easier to mod) E36. Sedans were released 97 or 98 and up. HP #s are a little misleading compared to the E46 because the E36 is lighter and more of an animal.

Jeff
 
Racerxjling said:
I've owned 2 95 M3s..both modified my current heavily modded w/ sc, gearing etc. Out of the box, I think the E36 M3 is one of the best bang for the $$ on the market. It has great steering/road feel. It is a very reliable car...not as many electrical gizmos/gremlins a la the E46 BMWs. As you are probably aware the 95 is the only OBDI (easier to mod) E36. Sedans were released 97 or 98 and up. HP #s are a little misleading compared to the E46 because the E36 is lighter and more of an animal.

Jeff
Click to expand...

Thanks, I was not aware at all about ODBI vs II ( I mean I'm aware of what they are, just not the year the M3 switched and mods hadn't occurred to me). I typically think the newer the better (there are even some E46 in the mid-20s on cars.com). Interestingly enough, I dont see any pre 1998 cars on cars.com or autotrader.com. I find that sort of odd.
 
Last edited:
A couple of helpful sites in case you haven't checked:

roadfly.com
bimmerforums.com

For mods: bmpdesign.com turnermotorsport.com
A friend and good $$ @ supremepowerparts.com (Eric)

If you want to "update" the car a bit add the euro glass headlights w/ HIDs...makes a huge difference. It is also relatively easy to work on.

Jeff
 
An E39 M5 is not a $20k car, it's a $30-35k, up to $45k car depending on year, perhaps mid to high $20k's for a bad example.

If you're looking at an early to mid 90's M5, the E34 M5, it's a great car (I had a 1991 3.6L M5) but the maintinance costs are higher than an nsx (regular valve adjustments), and if something goes wrong with the S38 it can get real expensive real fast.

The E36 sedan is the way to go, it was discontinued for cutting into M5 sales, and fits exactly into your needs... certainly you should at least test drive one, and take it from there?
 
E36 M3 was the 3rd car (FYI, 1st NSX & 2nd ITR) I have ever loved since I know about cars.

To date, I own a 1995 E36 M3 5-Spd which was newly bought by my eldest brother, then sold to my other brother, then sold to me. Therefore, I don't quite see it as pre-owned for that matter :biggrin:

Reason for mentioning its history is that my brothers are car fanatics and they take care of their cars very well.

In saying so, the only minor problem I noticed when I took over the car was the lack of response on the suspension. Oh well, I guess a 10 year life span for suspension is acceptable so I put on a set of PSS9 and the M3 is simply back to its prime (if not better). I have also put on an E46 M3 Steering Wheel (the extra buttons are useless, of course) to enhance the overall driving experience :wink:

Most importantly, the heart of the machine is still running strong. Although mine is a Euro-Spec with more power but there shouldn't be any difference in terms of reliability with US-Spec Engines.

I wish I am not so bonded to this car (as holds to much sentimental value to the 3rd car I've ever set my eyes on) so I can sell it and get an R34 GTR. That would be quite a nice combo with the NSX.
 
Well, I'm getting closer. I think the NSX is sold, just waiting for the paperwork from the buyer's bank to show up :(. Makes me feel kind of sick actually. This was one amazing car.

In the meantime I've looked at M3 coupes and M3/4s and I don't think there's going to be enough room in the back seat for a comfortable family trip with 2 baby seats, so I'm looking at 97-00 540i's now, after spending two weeks of taking notes all about M3s and what to look for. Makes the NSX seem so simple to learn about :).
 
robr said:
Show me how to stick a back seat in the NSX and put two child seats in and I'm with ya :). If I sell the NSX, I'll be back when finances allow.
Click to expand...

Get a R vented hood and stick the kids in there. :biggrin:
 
robr said:
I'm just starting to do my research on the M3 forums, but I know a lot of people here have owned them. It looks like my NSX may possibly be sold soon and I'm looking for a replacement vehicle. I need back seats for the kids (sigh). I'm checking out cars.com and there are quite a number of 1999-2000 M3s for $16K-$22K. I checked the M3 for sale forums and people are asking WAY WAY more there. I'm just wondering if anyone has advice on these cars... maintenance issues, things to watch out for, etc. Hell, look at this one:

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detai...g|Q-descending|X-popular|Z-01950&aff=national

99 convertible M3 SMG for $16K. 80K+ miles on an Acura obviously doesn't bother me, but should it on a BMW? I also have heard good things about the SMG, but perhaps that's only for the E46?

I dunno how the hell I'll ever replace the NSX with a vehicle with a backseat that's as fun to drive with a quality feel, I'm just doing my best working within my budget of low $20K. Option B was a used 04 TL but that's simply not in the same performance class as the M3.
Click to expand...

My buddy is selling his m3 it only has 54k miles on it and it runs perfectly. You have never seen vaders (m3 seats) in such exelent condition. Here, check it out


http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=213002354&dealer_id=58965793&car_year=1995&model=M3&num_records=&make2=&start_year=1981&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&search_type=both&distance=10&make=BMW&color=&min_price=18000&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=92653&advanced=&end_year=2007&doors=&transmission=&max_price=22000&cardist=0

And if you want. Let me know and I can get beter pics for you
 
Well he is "asking" for that price. which means he is open to offers.
 
scorp965 said:
An E39 M5 is not a $20k car, it's a $30-35k, up to $45k car depending on year, perhaps mid to high $20k's for a bad example.

If you're looking at an early to mid 90's M5, the E34 M5, it's a great car (I had a 1991 3.6L M5) but the maintinance costs are higher than an nsx (regular valve adjustments), and if something goes wrong with the S38 it can get real expensive real fast.

The E36 sedan is the way to go, it was discontinued for cutting into M5 sales, and fits exactly into your needs... certainly you should at least test drive one, and take it from there?
Click to expand...

Accually my buddy that is selling his e36m3 just bought a blue e39 m5. and wow... that thing is amazing. on the freeway it is untouchable:biggrin:
 
NSX_BOB said:
Accually my buddy that is selling his e36m3 just bought a blue e39 m5. and wow... that thing is amazing. on the freeway it is untouchable:biggrin:
Click to expand...

Certainly, it's a torque monster, but I wasn't trying to say the E36 M3 was a better performer, I was saying, with a strict $25k budget, there was no way he could get a clean E39 M5, but he would be able to pickup a premier example of an E36 M3/4 - if the budget is not strictly $25k, by all means, there are faster cars out there, including the E39 M5, but my caution was to not rush into a bad M5, and to not let a few cheap examples make him feel the market was lower than it actually is.

The E39 540i is a completly different car from the E36 M3... despite being completly different cars, intended for different markets, these often are compared with eachother - only you can make this choice, I would recommend driving examples of both, and deciding what's more important to you... one is a fun, tossable, great handling vehicle, with a backseat, and the other is a full-size sedan and a freeway cruiser.
 

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