BMW M3 Evo

Author
Discussion

tricky69

Original Poster:

1,696 posts

249 months

Monday 16th February 2004
quotequote all
I am currently looking to buy a BMW M3 evo coupe (N reg onwards - spending about £11000), and was hoping some people might be able to give me their past experiances or recommendations of what to look out for... and what to avoid !

Cheers for any info.....

silverback mike

11,290 posts

260 months

Monday 16th February 2004
quotequote all
The only thing that I have been made aware to check is the VANOS unit. When that goes it can be expensive. Obviously prior work completed is a bonus.

Not sure whether the potential nicasil bore wear problem raises its head on the evo, but worth checking out.

I suppose as with all things, service history is paramount.

tricky69

Original Poster:

1,696 posts

249 months

Monday 16th February 2004
quotequote all
well the sort of millage i am looking at is really 69000+ but if it has full bmw service history this kind of millage should not be a problem... should it ??

pdavison

1,637 posts

284 months

Monday 16th February 2004
quotequote all
I would say go for it, these cars are fantastic.

The VANOS units can go at 10k miles or not until 80k miles or not at all. Definitely worth checking it's been done or get a proper inspection to ensure that it doesn't need doing.

Other than this issue they are strong, reliable, fast cars.

Happy hunting.

silverback mike

11,290 posts

260 months

Tuesday 17th February 2004
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I would like one

rich_b

694 posts

253 months

Tuesday 17th February 2004
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Nicasil isnt a problem on these engines.

CRACKIE

6,386 posts

249 months

Thursday 19th February 2004
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I AM NEW TO EVO OWNERSHIP MYSELF BUT DID A LOT OF LOOKING BEFOREHAND SO I HOPE THIS HELPS.
THERE ARE A LOT OUT THERE NOW SO YOU CAN BE CHOOSEY. SEE IF YOU CAN FIND A CAR THAT IS STILL UNDER BM WARRANTY, IT IS TRANSFERABLE TO YOU WHEN YOU BUY. THIS SHOULD TAKE CARE OF ANY NASTY COSTS INCLUDING THE DREADED VANOS. THE WARRANTY IS VERY GOOD BUT THE DOWNSIDE IS ALL SERVICING HAS TO BE MAIN DEALER AND SOME HAVE A WORSE REPUTATION THAN DICK TURPIN !!. I LOOKED AT A GOOD NUMBER AND AND MOST HAVE BEEN CHERISHED BUT THERE ARE SOME POOR ONES THAT HAVE BEEN THRASHED.

CHECK THE HISTORY TO SEE WHEN THE NEXT INSPECTION 11 SERVICE IS DUE AND NEGOTIATE THE PRICE ACCORDINGLY. APART FROM VANOS NOISES AND LUMPY IDLE AFTER STARTING UP- CHECK FOR STEERING PLAY AND WORN SUSPENSION BUSHES.

DEPENDING UPON WHERE YOU ARE IN THE COUNTRY YOU LIVE IT MAY BE WORTH CHECKING OUT THE 2 ACKNOWLEDGED EXPERTS. 1.THE INDEPEDANT MOTOR COMPANY AT ALDERMASTON AND 2 MUNICH LEGENDS NEAR ASHDOWN FOREST.

PLEASE DON'T LET ANY OF MY CONCERNS PUT YOU OFF; THEY ARE SO GOOD IN SO MANY AREAS.

GOOD LUCK

>> Edited by CRACKIE on Thursday 19th February 22:59