I came across a 1995 M3 with 200k miles on it (I know I know). But it looks like it's been well-maintained, exterior wise. And it hasn't been in any accidents. I have yet to see it and inspect in person, im still trying to decide if the hour drive is worth it. It looks so damn good and I've never wanted a car this bad. I'm willing to put the money it to get it back to its prime. From your guys personal experience, should I strive on or look in a different direction? I just want this car man but ughh
easiest of the modern BMWs to work on.
Buy. It.
Love. It.
Live. It.
The ultimate driving machine.
The interiors don’t hold up well so if this one has you’re probably good to go. It’s everything you can’t see that just works on these cars.
even then, you can get interior parts on ebay easy enough.
Vigo
MegaDork
11/13/19 10:57 p.m.
spandak said:
The interiors don’t hold up well so if this one has you’re probably good to go. It’s everything you can’t see that just works on these cars.
Totally agree with that. If the interior isn't a pile of E36 M3 by now the whole car was probably well taken care of. 200k on the motor and trans doesn't bother me if the price is right. I rip 200k mile motors to redline on a literal daily basis, and i mean multiples. 277k and 189k yesterday, 187k and 227k today. I've long held the opinion that 200k is kind of the sweet spot for me as a mechanic to pick something up cheap and beat the hell out of it. As long as it's not already near death from previous abuse, it should be fine.
Dave M
HalfDork
11/14/19 6:03 a.m.
Oooh, is it the M3 that's been kicking around the for sale board? The want is strong for that one....
as Vigo said, 200k is nothing for the S50. Mine had 202k when i bought it and all i did was hoon the berkeley out of it in the industrial park at work. would do again.
I think if someone was planning to drive their car for a long time, chances are they maintained it well. I would be more afraid of one of those ridiculously low mileage cars.
buzzboy
HalfDork
11/14/19 10:03 a.m.
If it's at 200 the cooling system has probably been replaced and that's the one big thing to worry about on E36s. My S52 car is at 150k and the only issues it's really had have been external cooling system problems, although it's had many of those.
Quick note to those who own these or want to: I put an electric spal fan in to replace the hand grenade that was the old mechanical fan. It’s crap. The mechanical fan works great and if I did it again I would just replace that. I’ve had over heating issues with the electric.
Mine is at 227k and runs like a top. The drivetrain anyway, the suspension is tired but that’s on me.
