Looking at an E36 M3, but.....
Discussion
Seen a seemingly lovely looking 1998 E36 M3 with 31,000 miles (!) for £6750. Does this seem good value, or even too good to be true?
The car was supplied with the SMG gearbox, but has recently been converted to 6-speed manual due to lots of problems with the semi-auto. Any potential pitfalls in doing this?
It also has a scorpion stainless exhaust. Are these any good? Do they change the sound of the car?
Thanks.
The car was supplied with the SMG gearbox, but has recently been converted to 6-speed manual due to lots of problems with the semi-auto. Any potential pitfalls in doing this?
It also has a scorpion stainless exhaust. Are these any good? Do they change the sound of the car?
Thanks.
Sounds to good to be true.
Linky?
I have a scorpion exhaust on mine and it sounds fabulous. It is a little boomy at motorway speeds but not so much as to really grate.
That sort of money would normally get you a 80-100k mile manual example. For that price and with that (alleged) mileage I'd think there is something amiss.
Linky?
I have a scorpion exhaust on mine and it sounds fabulous. It is a little boomy at motorway speeds but not so much as to really grate.
That sort of money would normally get you a 80-100k mile manual example. For that price and with that (alleged) mileage I'd think there is something amiss.
Headline of the ad says 7750, text says 6750. I've been in contact with the guy and all seems OK...hmm.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/356136.htm
ETA: 6750 is apparently the correct price.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/356136.htm
ETA: 6750 is apparently the correct price.
Edited by evenflow on Wednesday 30th January 10:19
evenflow said:
Headline of the ad says 7750, text says 6750. I've been in contact with the guy and all seems OK...hmm.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/356136.htm
ETA: 6750 is apparently the correct price.
Does he know his stuff?http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/356136.htm
ETA: 6750 is apparently the correct price.
Edited by evenflow on Wednesday 30th January 10:19
What's the history of the car?
An SMG failure (most likely cause for the swap) at that (alleged) mileage would ring alarm bells and have me questioning how the car was treated in other respects.
Also, who has done the swap? Chap may be selling becuase the conversion has been less than successful...
It looks clean but is the least desirable colour. I would be checking its history thoroughly though as one with milage like that should be more expensive.
Get it inspected. Number 1 priority
Get it HPid
Get the chassis number and reg number and call BMW Customer Services on 0870 5050160. They will be able to tell you where and when it's been serviced within the BMW network then you can call the individual dealers and check what work was done as well as cross checking that with what it says in the service book.
The conversion from SMG shouldn't be a problem. Lots have been done but I guess where and by whom is a major factor.
If any of the above does not pan out walk away. You don't buy an M3 on milage. You buy it on condition and history.
Get it inspected. Number 1 priority
Get it HPid
Get the chassis number and reg number and call BMW Customer Services on 0870 5050160. They will be able to tell you where and when it's been serviced within the BMW network then you can call the individual dealers and check what work was done as well as cross checking that with what it says in the service book.
The conversion from SMG shouldn't be a problem. Lots have been done but I guess where and by whom is a major factor.
If any of the above does not pan out walk away. You don't buy an M3 on milage. You buy it on condition and history.
ASBO said:
evenflow said:
Thanks for all the tips and advice guys. I shall endeavour to dig its history up...
I'm not even sure it's that (can't really tell at work).E36GUY said:
It looks clean but is the least desirable colour.
I can't tell - is it Boston Green?I'd rather have this
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/129354.htm
or this
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/259386.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/129354.htm
or this
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/259386.htm
That's charming isn't it? You've expressed an interest in the car, it's had the box changed so you are understandably and rightly wary so have asked some very appropriate questions but seller gets narked and doesn't want to give you the chassis number so you can check the history. Walk away.
I don't think evenflow has done anything wrong..
He's clearly interested in a car but has some concerns about it as it's had quite a bit of work done and the mileage is extremely low for a car thats almost 10 years old.
There is a fair bit of knowledge about M-Cars on this forum so if he's not sure then there is no harm in asking.
Unfortunatly there are quite a few E36 M3's with questionable historys around these days so it's only prudent that any buyer checks the car out as much as he/she/it can.
As for calling you "bent" I can't see that phrase used anywhere except your posts.
He's clearly interested in a car but has some concerns about it as it's had quite a bit of work done and the mileage is extremely low for a car thats almost 10 years old.
There is a fair bit of knowledge about M-Cars on this forum so if he's not sure then there is no harm in asking.
Unfortunatly there are quite a few E36 M3's with questionable historys around these days so it's only prudent that any buyer checks the car out as much as he/she/it can.
As for calling you "bent" I can't see that phrase used anywhere except your posts.
gerradiuk said:
E36 .NOt sure If you read through In my reply by e mail I did ask him to come along to see the papaerwork & the car& explained why I prefered him to come along ,as he said he was local ,wheres the problem? I have also said if he is not happy to walk away .
I am narked about silly emails & nasty phone calls , do you condone this then ??Is this deserved in your book ?
I would be very surprised if the phone calls were 'nasty'. Rather I should think your own demeanor would reflect this statement more accurately. I am narked about silly emails & nasty phone calls , do you condone this then ??Is this deserved in your book ?
Get over it and stop being so sensitive.
WOAH THERE!!
This is the first I've heard of this.
The reason I started this thread was because I wanted to get information about M3s (and this one in particular, especially regarding the gearbox change) from people who know a lot more about it than me.
I can assure you in the strongest terms I have had nothing to do with any abusive phonecalls.
Good luck selling.
This is the first I've heard of this.
The reason I started this thread was because I wanted to get information about M3s (and this one in particular, especially regarding the gearbox change) from people who know a lot more about it than me.
I can assure you in the strongest terms I have had nothing to do with any abusive phonecalls.
Good luck selling.
@ gerrard. Please please point it out if I'm missing something but I can't see anything wrong with the questions that Evenflow has asked you at all. At no point has he suggested you are bent, he's just wondering about how a 10 yr old car has such low milage and why the gearbox would have been changed.
You'll note this thread was asking advice on a potential putchase and it was me that advised him to get the chassis/numberplate details and check the history with BMW as I did myself and would advise any other potential M3 owner to do the same. Personally I would be concerned if an owner of what looks like a proper minter was less than forthcoming.
You'll note this thread was asking advice on a potential putchase and it was me that advised him to get the chassis/numberplate details and check the history with BMW as I did myself and would advise any other potential M3 owner to do the same. Personally I would be concerned if an owner of what looks like a proper minter was less than forthcoming.
Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff