E36 M3 - Helpful advice required

[knowlesi]

I'm agonising on whether I should fulfill a lifes dream & buy an E36 M3, it's just the uncertainty of relability issues that is putting me off.

I currently have a Honda Civic Type R which is a company car, so the only costs to me is the tax I pay, so it is a very safe car to run in terms of expense. However the car is due for replacement in October & the only offers to me are all diesel!
The other sticking point here is the fact that my partner is 8 months pregnant and has just finished work to go on maternity!

So, my situation is this, my car allowance will cover the initial cost of the car & insurance (insurance is still £1550!!!), the only thing putting me off is the unknown costs from things going wrong, e.g. the vanos issues that are widely publised.

Is the Vanos such a problem on every M3, even those which have had it replaced in the past?
Another issue is the running costs, which you can't really get an understaning of until you have personallyowned the car for 12 months or so.

So really, I'm just after a little advice regarding Vanos/running costs and see what everyone else would do if they were in my situation.

I need to conclude this situation fairly quickly as it is beginning to frustrate the hell out of me. The thought of owning a car I have dreamed about as a kid is so exciting, but on the other hand the idea of being hit with huge bills and "I told you so" lectures from the Mrs scuppers the dream!!

I've had a look around, and there look to be a few decent cars around (I'm looking for what everyone wants really, an enthusiast owned car), is the risk worth it??

Any advice/help is much appreciated.

Dan

[belleair302]

Read this months issue of BMW Car magazine. There is a whole buying and running guide to E46 M3's! Problem solved.

Edited by belleair302 on Sunday 29th April 16:42

[m3jappa]

the vanos problem is over publicised imo.if your that worried get a nice 3ltr non evo.these also have a stronger gearbox which is cheaper to replace than the evo 6sp too.in the real world the performance difference is not a lot
3ltr will also be cheaper to insure too.
hth

[poshgit]

knowlesi

i bought an e36 m3 evo convertible after loads of searching - lifelong want for me too (after divorce and the Griff having to go!)

yes there are good and bad ones. Vanos is over hyped - people only know about it because of internet chatroom talk. (hope mine doesn't go now i have said that!) can be replaced repaired for around £1,800 now
most performance cars have expensive parts that might go wrong - you just have to live with it
you won't get anything that gives you the same bang for your buck so cheap, that is still incredibly practical.
i have a 3 and 5 year old - both their car seats fit fine in the back, and they love the fact that it is a convertible
go and join www.e36coupe.com loads of info on there
take your time and buy a good one.
if you are near watford you are welcome to a ride in mine

[tjw110]

I'm on my second E36 M3 convertible, I've never had a 3.0 non evo keep up (I've got a couple of mods) never had any machanical faults (Oh shit I've said it now) As said before, very practical, I fit both my kids in the back, push chair in the boot, 7400rpm & 325bhp!!! (mods)it delivers 33mpg @ 80mph on the motorway and when you drop from 6th gear @ 3000rpm to 4th not much keeps up. Take your time to find one with a good history, high spec, H/K, Electric seats, parking sensors, etc & treat yourself, theres not much around for the money that can keep up and fits 4.

The insurance is OK I pay around £550 for me & the wife. Servicing can depend on your driving style, but a good specialist will save you a bundle over a main stealer, I'm looking at £120 for oil (7-9k) £240 inspection I (15-17k) £400 inspection II (30k)

My only word of warning is watch the back end in the wet, no traction control, only the M-diff.. Really good fun when you want it, seriouly brown moments when you get a bit cocky!!!

Good luck, let us know when you get one

[steil]

I'd concur with the 'find a good one' - there are many for sale and it's not a cheap car to keep maintained in the way a 318 might be. There are many owners who have skimped on services, yet still try to describe their car as mint.

Personally have a 3.0 saloon - I preferred a 3.0 to a 3.2 as there's a touch less risk re. vanos, however the overriding factor was that it was a two owner car that had been meticulously maintained.

[M3John]

All i can say is that i agree with the statements above. VANOS issues are over hyped a bit to be honest. Mine has done over 100k now on origional VANOS and on a recent trip to the Nurburgring the car was pulling like a train well beyond the 155 mark.

Just be sure to search for a good one. Thats the one thing that i can't over highlight for you.

You will not be dissapointed !

Happy shopping for your dream car !

M3J.

[fastandcurious]

Brilliant cars! I've had two EVOs, A Saloon and a Convertible. I don't think you can get a better performance car which is as practical for the money. VANOS issues have never bothered me too much. Try and put some money aside in case it goes wrong. But it probably won't. I was impressed with my EVO saloon. It was so understated in Boston Green, people didn't see it coming (Including a a load of so called Jap performance cars at Santa Pod)
There are still quite a few low mileage E36s out there. Hope you find what you want! CRAIG

[m3psm]

I've had a 3.0 coupe for a few years now and echo what's been said above. The key is to finding a good car with history.

The only suggestion I'd make is for you to get a saloon. I've been putting our daughter in mine from birth and although there's space in the back for any size baby seat, it's a pain leaning over each time and it would be much easier to live with a saloon.

[Jam Rock]

^^plus they are the ultimate Q car! and look hard as nails! lol - supposed to handle better than the coupe too as stiffer chassis.

i would echo most of whats been already said, though i would say,dont let the vanos issue put you off an evo, as they are fantastic cars, and yes their is only a slight difference in performance, but the 6th gear is great for motorways and gives the car propper GT capability! I would say find yourself a nice unmolested, well looked after evo saloon, it will prob cost you less than a coupe and you can put the money you saved aside incase there are issues.


cheers Jam

Edited by Jam Rock on Friday 4th May 16:36

[fastandcurious]

Agree with you Jam on the saloon being a good choice. They tend to be in better condition on average than coupes. EVOs run the full //M spec. ie suspension, better brakes, sharper steering. 6 speed. Saying that, my wife's got the EVO convertible now, lovely car, roof down and all that but I still prefer my old EVO saloon as a drivers car.
Dare I say it on a BMW forum! I do my my roof off driving in a Griff. I'm off now, so not to upset Z3/Z4/M3/............Z8 drivers and the Missus!!!

Edited by fastandcurious on Friday 4th May 23:34

[knowlesi]

Cheers for the responses guys, didn't seem to get much of a response when I first posted last week, & had written the thread off, so I was pretty chuffed to see it at the top of the list this morning!!!

Since I posted last weekend, I've mulled it over, and chipped away at the missus trying to get her on side (which I think I've achieved) - just gotta watch it as she's commented on this search for a car being more important than the imminent birth of our child!! lol

Anyway, as I say, I've set my mind on getting one, just scouring all the usual haunts for a car that fits the bill.

I'm searching for the following: - Estoril Blue with Silver leather, 98 R/S, manual with a/c, roughly between 70-90k on the clock FSH obviously. Anything else after that is a bonus i.e parking sensors etc, although I'm not keen on the walnut trim.

2 further questions,
1) Is there anything else I SHOULD be considering that is a 'must have', possibly for re-sale purposes?
2) Can anyone recommend a specialist independent in the North West. I'm over in Bolton but originally from Manchester so either areas are handy.

Poshgit, appreciate the offer, and would love to take you up on a ride, but don't find myself in Watford to often, I'm a Northern Monkey!! Thanks all the same mate.

I have read to try a few cars before buying, so to know what to look out for, as some might be not pulling right etc. Busy searching for traders close by to test drive!

Should anyone know of a fellow PH member, or other well know forum who is considering selling and is similar in spec to the above list, and is in good condition etc then bear me in mind as I am genuinely in the market for an M3!!!

I've got insurance sorted - although I don't doubt I'm paying well over the odds (£1550) from Michael Ward Associates, but I've tried A-plan & Adrain Flux. I unfortunately went from my own policy (with a 1.5 year gap in between as I went travelling) to a company car, and have subsequently 'lost' my 3 years NCD as they have 'expired' so every quote I have had has been £3000 plus other than with Michael Ward.

Anyone got any pointers that could reduce my premium?

Anyway, that should do for now! As always any help appreciated

Cheers

Dan

Edited by knowlesi on Saturday 5th May 10:44

Edited by knowlesi on Saturday 5th May 10:44

[belleair302]

Specialist garages to contact would include Boundary garage in Loveclough, Lanc on 01706 215588, or Lewis Motors in Blackpool on 01253 344892 or start looking at some of the M3 websites available in the UK

[PAOLOH]

If you have a friend who owns a company, you could say, you'd been driving company cars for 5 years without accident. Most ins co. will give you those no claims years

[Jam Rock]

also Try BM tec in manchester, you should be able to google them, ask for andy, he is very good and knows bmw's inside out.


as far as reducing your premium, put your misses on the policy is one easy way, also the company car thing should get you a few years no claims, it worked for me!


cheers


jam

[feldspar]

Does this do it for you
www.britanniamotorsuk.co.uk/GetDealer.do?did=16295&pageid=1

[knowlesi]

Ha, cheers for the confidence Gazboy!!

Been looking around quite a bit, and have done a check on What Car Price Guide on autotrader. It seems that either the guide price is wrong £6,545 for a 98 S plate Evo with 60k miles, or the cars being advertised are over priced?

What do you guys think?

[rikroblou]

you can buy my e36 if you want as i dont use its
r reg 3.2 evo 6 speed 110k arctic silver black leather 4dr fast family ride also has no spoiler so you dont look like a nob replaced engine last year and vanos this year £5000 nice car

[spicjt]

Knowlesi,

Left you a mail mate, not sure if mine is what you are looking for but could be up for selling it.

Let us know mate!

cheers
Jase

[poshgit]

on the insurance topic - i drove a company car for years - so had no policy in my own name. i got the company to produce a letter (they will do it if you badger them enough) stating i had never had an accident etc. i took it to a variety of ins companies and finally one accepted it as worth a few years ncb - made a huge difference to the premium.

you will have to do a lot of legwork to find out which ins company will work for you. i must have made over 50 calls (this was the days before confused.co etc) but it could save you £££