Discussion
Hi everyone, Im thinking about buying an M3 and have around 7K, would really like one in Estoril blue, any advice and comments would be much app. I have owned 2 previous 3 series cars a 1992 318 saloon and a 1993 318iS coupe which were both fantastic cars. Im in the north east of England.
Many thanks
Ian
Many thanks
Ian
£7K aint much for an M3 - you are looking at a 10 year old with around 90000 on the clock. The bills on a car like this could be huge, in fact, enough to write the car off if you bought a bad one.
The main problem is the vanos variable valve timing. Any rattle from the front of the engine means a big bill of £1500. The early 3.0 models had single vanos, the Evo, double vanos which I believe is less reliable and more expensive to fix.
EVO issue 16 has a buyers guide and lists:
1. Slight misfire at idle that disappears over 2000 rpm could mean shot HT leads, an erratic ECU or bent valves.
2. Oil leaks from the front of the engine mean you should walk away.
3. Timing chain change at 100000.
4. Suspension bushes - beware sloppy handling or uneven tyre wear. Rear springs can snap.
5. Exhaust manifolds can crack. Get the car on a ramp to have a look.
6. Discs and pads are expensive (but you knew that).
7. Gearbox syncro should be smooth - no baulks or clonking.
8. Window and door rubbers perish.
9. Check central locking motors and every electircal iten on the car.
>> Edited by douglasr on Tuesday 18th January 22:44
The main problem is the vanos variable valve timing. Any rattle from the front of the engine means a big bill of £1500. The early 3.0 models had single vanos, the Evo, double vanos which I believe is less reliable and more expensive to fix.
EVO issue 16 has a buyers guide and lists:
1. Slight misfire at idle that disappears over 2000 rpm could mean shot HT leads, an erratic ECU or bent valves.
2. Oil leaks from the front of the engine mean you should walk away.
3. Timing chain change at 100000.
4. Suspension bushes - beware sloppy handling or uneven tyre wear. Rear springs can snap.
5. Exhaust manifolds can crack. Get the car on a ramp to have a look.
6. Discs and pads are expensive (but you knew that).
7. Gearbox syncro should be smooth - no baulks or clonking.
8. Window and door rubbers perish.
9. Check central locking motors and every electircal iten on the car.
>> Edited by douglasr on Tuesday 18th January 22:44
or a wink 
missing from that post?mansfa said:
Timing Chain at 100,000? No that is for the E30 M3, the E36 M3 does not need a timing chain change at 100k!
I'm just quoting the EVO article...
"And finally, something that will ring a bell with E30 owners - the timing chain. With the E30, it has to be changed at 100,000 miles(a job that cost about £2000 to carry out properly) or you risk blowing the thing up. With the E36, experts dont yet know how long it will last - there hasn't been enough cases of it snapping - although the signs are that it will last longer. So, if you are looking at a real hight miler, either bite the bullet and get it done at the E30 mark or take a gamble. With 24 valves at £60 apiece before you even start the work, I know which option I would take."
The article was published Feb 2000 and concentrated on the 3.0 engine, not the 3.2 EVO unit.
Best thing is to phone Munich Legends and check I suppose (www.munichlegends.co.uk) or post the same question at www.bm3w.co.uk.
Do not worry about the timing chain issue. It is not an 'issue' (i.e. ask any dealer/indepedant you like and I've yet to find one who's had any exprience of a chain going). The parts to do the complete chain overhaul (incl. all runners, guides, chain, etc, etc) can be bought for 650. It is about 10 hours work. Max 1200. I am not going to post negative comments about ML, however, you may be as well canvasing several other BMW forums for their collective opinions.
The common mod is to fit the E46 cam chain tensioner in both the E36 (3.0 & 3.2 units) and also the E30 (S14) engine.
Give poeple like Nigel Moseley (moseley motorsport) as they build race engines for cars in the Kumho challenge and will give you a fairly honest guide as to what to expect. Don't gi near a main dealer with these cars, they will go on a giant parts replacement exercise if anything goes wrong before actually finding the fault....
The common mod is to fit the E46 cam chain tensioner in both the E36 (3.0 & 3.2 units) and also the E30 (S14) engine.
Give poeple like Nigel Moseley (moseley motorsport) as they build race engines for cars in the Kumho challenge and will give you a fairly honest guide as to what to expect. Don't gi near a main dealer with these cars, they will go on a giant parts replacement exercise if anything goes wrong before actually finding the fault....
mansfa said:
Timing Chain at 100,000? No that is for the E30 M3, the E36 M3 does not need a timing chain change at 100k!
no no no no no the timing chain does not need replacing on the E30, what happens is all the guides and tensioners etc wear out potentially causing the chain to jump a tooth or two and then you are in real trouble but it is sensible to get the chain replaced at the same time.
I do not know about the E36 but I think it is a similar story.
my wife told me that if I didn't take my M3 to 7500rpm every day it would blow up 
I bought my M3 evo over 6mths ago with 107,000miles on it for 7.5k.... its now done 120,000.
not been all plain sailing, I've had a major (£700) service, full set of tyres, and one of the front calipers has just starter sticking (looking at it this weekend). Oh and there is a squeek in the steering wheel.
But then I know my cossie cost me loads more to run over the same milage, rattled from everywere and it was only faster as it was heavily modded and never returned 22mpg let alone 32 like the M3 even when std.
at this kind of price you pays you money and takes your chances..... I looked at loads for this kind of money some from dealers, so there are plenty to chose from.
I bought my M3 evo over 6mths ago with 107,000miles on it for 7.5k.... its now done 120,000.
not been all plain sailing, I've had a major (£700) service, full set of tyres, and one of the front calipers has just starter sticking (looking at it this weekend). Oh and there is a squeek in the steering wheel.
But then I know my cossie cost me loads more to run over the same milage, rattled from everywere and it was only faster as it was heavily modded and never returned 22mpg let alone 32 like the M3 even when std.
at this kind of price you pays you money and takes your chances..... I looked at loads for this kind of money some from dealers, so there are plenty to chose from.
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