E36 M3 Mileage
Discussion
Hi, I'm looking at getting an E36 M3 coupe as my next car pretty shortly, but most of those in my price range seem to be pretty high milage. I was wondering what sort of mileage these engines/cars can cope with before they start wearing out, losing performance and such like. Many of the ones for sale are around 100k or easily well over, are these going to be ok to be caned pretty often, or am I going to start seeing problems, high oil usage and so on? Thanks.
The earlier non Evo cars with the 3.0 engine seem to be pretty bulletproof, and if properly maintained should do 200k without any major problems.
The later Evo cars with the 3.2 engine are generally more highly stressed, and as a result regarded as being slightly less robust, with the major problem being the double vanos variable valve timing going wrong.
The key to buying these cars is to avoid the tatty, cheaply modified, multiple owner cars with little or no service history, as they will just give endless expensive bother. Look at the owner as well as the car.
Best to spend a bit more and get an original(or close to it), unabused and properly maintained car, and keep it that way. A car like this shouldn't give any major trouble, and will always work out cheaper in the long term. There are still plenty good ones out there for reasonable money.
The later Evo cars with the 3.2 engine are generally more highly stressed, and as a result regarded as being slightly less robust, with the major problem being the double vanos variable valve timing going wrong.
The key to buying these cars is to avoid the tatty, cheaply modified, multiple owner cars with little or no service history, as they will just give endless expensive bother. Look at the owner as well as the car.
Best to spend a bit more and get an original(or close to it), unabused and properly maintained car, and keep it that way. A car like this shouldn't give any major trouble, and will always work out cheaper in the long term. There are still plenty good ones out there for reasonable money.
Edited by M5Dave on Thursday 22 March 18:05
These cars are generally fine at 100k, evo or not. Like said above, make sure its been serviced and you should be fine. I owned a mint 98 evo which had only done 62k, i managed to do a clutch , break 3rd gear and the vanos unit ! however, I was just unlucky !! I have just sold my non evo coupe for 4 grand , 140k on the clock and it still pulled like a train in every gear and never once let me down in the 12 months i owned it.
You will not buy a more complete car for the money
You will not buy a more complete car for the money
over 100k is fine on either car; that said, I would value a lower mileage M3 of either kind more, than a high miler equivalent, more so than compared with other cars. Not because the higher mileage cars are dodgy, but just on a car of that type, I would appreciate a less traavelled, potentially tighter, car.
Just to chip in my 5p on this...
I would say that a full service history is paramount with either E36 M3 you go for, either by BMW or one of the respected Indie's out there. Have a look on www.e36coupe.com for loads of info and some really knowledgeable chaps. I'm sure there's a guy who's running a '94 M3 with over 200k on it and he loves it
My Evo is a '99 model with 76k on it and its still drives nice and tight (so to speak!) and pulls like a train! Mine has had new rear suspension top mounts and the upgraded braided hose on the clutch which I believe are common upgrades on these cars but not expensive.
The Vanos issue gets allot of attention and I did allot of reading up on it before I bought mine. Its a strange one as some people will tell you its over rated as they're still on their original unit where as some are on the third or forth in their cars history. I'm sure they can be tested by BMW before you buy or you could look for a car that's got warranty on a recently replaced one.
I would say that a full service history is paramount with either E36 M3 you go for, either by BMW or one of the respected Indie's out there. Have a look on www.e36coupe.com for loads of info and some really knowledgeable chaps. I'm sure there's a guy who's running a '94 M3 with over 200k on it and he loves it
My Evo is a '99 model with 76k on it and its still drives nice and tight (so to speak!) and pulls like a train! Mine has had new rear suspension top mounts and the upgraded braided hose on the clutch which I believe are common upgrades on these cars but not expensive.
The Vanos issue gets allot of attention and I did allot of reading up on it before I bought mine. Its a strange one as some people will tell you its over rated as they're still on their original unit where as some are on the third or forth in their cars history. I'm sure they can be tested by BMW before you buy or you could look for a car that's got warranty on a recently replaced one.
I had the same 'issues' when I was looking for mine. Checked out a couple and although they seemed fast etc, wasnt what i expected. I then found the one I got, a '98 EVO, with one 68year old owner from new - everything had a BMW stamp and reciept for. However, the car had the vanos replaced at only 11K (got it with 93K), a whole new engine fitted by BMW, as Jezrider said, unlucky I guess?!?! However with the history and only one owner (who got rid to upgrade to a CSL) I got it anyway. Was such a different car to the others I tested. As the other guys said, I think its not just about milage, its about the whole 'package' history, owners etc. It easy to pick the first one you come across, but I would take you time and find one that really fits the bill!!
by the way, mine may be going up for sale due to a new addition to the household in the near future, not one that goes fast, just needs alot more maintance!!
by the way, mine may be going up for sale due to a new addition to the household in the near future, not one that goes fast, just needs alot more maintance!!
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