Urgent M3 Evo Help
Discussion
Hi guys, just new to the site, and have realised you are the best people to ask.
I have come across a '98 R plate Techno Violet M3 Evo Convertible and want to know whether to go for it or not!?
It has:
only 32k on the clock
full history
From a garage
and I will be getting it HPI checked and looked over by a BMW garage too.
But the only thing I'm not sure about is that he has told me it is a mirror import!
It is full UK spec and has the SMG gears, and the car is spotless.
He wants £15k for it, should I worry about the mirror import fact????? Or go for it?? Am I getting a good deal?
Really appreciate your advice
Cheers
Stu
I have come across a '98 R plate Techno Violet M3 Evo Convertible and want to know whether to go for it or not!?
It has:
only 32k on the clock
full history
From a garage
and I will be getting it HPI checked and looked over by a BMW garage too.
But the only thing I'm not sure about is that he has told me it is a mirror import!
It is full UK spec and has the SMG gears, and the car is spotless.
He wants £15k for it, should I worry about the mirror import fact????? Or go for it?? Am I getting a good deal?
Really appreciate your advice
Cheers
Stu
IMHO go for it, as long as it has been imported from the EU (parallel import??) then you should be fine. I had a Techno Violet 96 model and loved it. £15k does sound a tad cheap to me for such low mileage and late car with SMG (although SMG does not help sale)
Inspection and Hpi should make it reasonably safe
Good luck
Inspection and Hpi should make it reasonably safe
Good luck
Not sure that SMG got a very good writeup on the E36 M3...reliability and software problems. By all accounts it was much improved with the later E46.
www.bm3w.co.uk has a "non production M cars forum"...would suggest you register there and do a search, and put a post there if needs be...many of the members will have had E36 SMG...see what they say.
Guess as it's an import it's unlikely to have the BMW extended warranty (and being from 1998)...something most people recommend with M3's (try a search on VANOS), and certainly with SMG.
www.bm3w.co.uk has a "non production M cars forum"...would suggest you register there and do a search, and put a post there if needs be...many of the members will have had E36 SMG...see what they say.
Guess as it's an import it's unlikely to have the BMW extended warranty (and being from 1998)...something most people recommend with M3's (try a search on VANOS), and certainly with SMG.
danp said:
Not sure that SMG got a very good writeup on the E36 M3...reliability and software problems. By all accounts it was much improved with the later E46.
www.bm3w.co.uk has a "non production M cars forum"...would suggest you register there and do a search, and put a post there if needs be...many of the members will have had E36 SMG...see what they say.
Guess as it's an import it's unlikely to have the BMW extended warranty (and being from 1998)...something most people recommend with M3's (try a search on VANOS), and certainly with SMG.
Good advice really, esp the forum. I never had any vanos trouble but my Z3M has had the complete vanos repalced (under warranty) including the gearing.
BMW inspection should suss out the vanos, if all BMW SH you may get some warranty work if problem with the vanos. As for SMG I have read that it is abit slow and clunky, which if tru no-one will do anything about - but again if softwre issues and FBMWSH then I would guess again that the inspection should uncover/resolve.
Good luck
Out of interest, how long has he been trying to sell it for? If he's just put it on the market that won't tell you anything. If it's been in autotrader for 6 months, I think that will give you a clue as to hard it will take you to sell it on given its parallel import status. Just a thought.
As with any 'import' check and double check the specification to ensure its as a UK car. Check out the insurance quote for yourself too, many insurance Co do not like 'imports' and load accordingly.
And if all is OK for you then remember you will want to sell it on later, and that won't be easy.
Not trying to be down on it just offering honest advise as gleaned from Matts Evo import. Good luck
And if all is OK for you then remember you will want to sell it on later, and that won't be easy.
Not trying to be down on it just offering honest advise as gleaned from Matts Evo import. Good luck
I'd like to thank all of you for the advice!!!
I've done my research and decided that I will wait for the right one to come along, rather than the 1st one!
Just for your information, the best insurance for me (just turned 26 with 8 years no claims and a clean licence, garaging the car) was £1,251 with elephant - that was with explaing it was an import! The mileage seems to be a bit low, considering that from the HPI check I would be the 5th!!!!! owner!!
I was not a great fan of the SMG box - and would prefer the 5 speed personally.
Once again - a big thanks to you all for your import, I know where to come next time!!
I've done my research and decided that I will wait for the right one to come along, rather than the 1st one!
Just for your information, the best insurance for me (just turned 26 with 8 years no claims and a clean licence, garaging the car) was £1,251 with elephant - that was with explaing it was an import! The mileage seems to be a bit low, considering that from the HPI check I would be the 5th!!!!! owner!!
I was not a great fan of the SMG box - and would prefer the 5 speed personally.
Once again - a big thanks to you all for your import, I know where to come next time!!
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