| Author | Message | ||
| Noelrp (Noelrp)
New member Username: Noelrp Post Number: 35 Registered: 8-2001 |
There's a big print on the gas cover to use premium unleaded only. I dont know why the seller is using regular unleaded gas -cant read english perhaps? I'm sorry I just couldnt help it  There are plenty of E36 M3's out there. Check around. | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Junior Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 186 Registered: 1-2002 |
He is an idiot. Even the manual required premium. Yes, they have knock sensors, so it will have retarded the timing to account for the regular gas. However, the ECU has a memory. It will take several tankfuls of premium in order to restore the full factory performance of that engine. If he ran regular gas (why on earth did he do this??), then I would be a lot more wary about his records on oil changes, regular maintenance, etc. | ||
| Dave328GTB (Hardtop)
Junior Member Username: Hardtop Post Number: 160 Registered: 1-2002 |
Guys, I checked the car over and it is a nice clean car. However, the owner told me he has been using regular gas. Does anyone know if these have knock sensors and/or if regualr gas could have hurt it at all. Dave | ||
| Scott A. B. Collins (Scott)
Junior Member Username: Scott Post Number: 57 Registered: 6-2001 |
The only issue that I am aware of (and this is for all E36 models, including the M3) is the formation of cracks where the rear suspension subframe attaches to the body. From what I've been able to determine, it seems idiosyncratic, but it makes sense before buying a car to have whoever is doing the inspection put the car on a lift and check this area carefully. Otherwise, these cars are great. I have a '97 M3/4 with 46K miles. | ||
| Mitchell Minh Le (Yelcab1)
Junior Member Username: Yelcab1 Post Number: 169 Registered: 11-2001 |
My commuter car is a 1998 M3 4dr sedan, without sunroof, European delivered, top speed tested on the autobahn to an indicated 143 MPH with 6 miles on the odometer. There is absolutely nothing to look for on this car, it is bulletproof, even the sub-frame is reinforced. With 70K miles on my car, it has not even leaked one drop of water, or oil, or tranny fluid, or nothing. In terms of design, BMW did it right with the E36 M3, nothing breaks. Make sure you buy it from someone who took care of the car and had not abused it. You know what to look for. Dirty car, dirty engine, no oil changes, ripped up seats, scratched paint, etc... | ||
| Chris Richardson (Boozy)
Junior Member Username: Boozy Post Number: 159 Registered: 11-2001 |
www.roadfly.com has an excellent message board and classifieds also. | ||
| Noelrp (Noelrp)
New member Username: Noelrp Post Number: 34 Registered: 8-2001 |
There's a ton of BMW websites/message boards on the net. Check out the following. You'll get a lot of info just reading the previous posts/archives. I had a Dinan 325(sold it for a 348) and I'm currently fixing up an 89 M3 for my daily driver/ocassional tracking. Also, after you get your M3, join the national BMW car club, it's the best out there. http://www.bimmerforums.com http://www.m3forum.com http://www.bmwcca.org Good luck! | ||
| James Dixon (Omnadren250)
Junior Member Username: Omnadren250 Post Number: 210 Registered: 7-2001 |
But in Canada, for one year (1995 or 1996), we got the 280hp Euro version. Then, we started getting the wimpy 240hp U.S version. | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Junior Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 181 Registered: 1-2002 |
But not in the US. We only got 240 BHP stock through 1999, unfortunately. | ||
| Najib Amanullah (Najib)
Junior Member Username: Najib Post Number: 147 Registered: 4-2001 |
If they are both Evo models then I don't think there is any difference. If not, the Evo has 35 bhp (at 321bhp) more and better handling as it addressed some of the issues of the earlier model. | ||
| billy zissis (89tr)
Junior Member Username: 89tr Post Number: 189 Registered: 4-2001 |
The only reason for the price difference I believe is because of the warranty. Has not expired yet. They are great and fun cars to drive. My brother just picked up a 98 Dinan (suoercharged) and is a blast to drive. I have never heard of any problems so far, they have been very reliable and durable | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Junior Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 180 Registered: 1-2002 |
I drive a 1997 M3 as my daily driver. 2 door. Special ordered it w/o sunroof because I am 6' 4". What to look for? Verification (paper records) or oil changes, scheduled maintenance, regular brake fluid, etc. Check the cleanliness of the air filter. Also look for brake pad wear. Have the rear suspension brackets checked out--if someone has really driven it roughly, these are a weak link, and could be cracked. Rare, but it has happened. Lool for signs of high clutch wear, indicating either a hard street life or a frequent track life. Also look at the quality of any mods done--EPROM chip, intake, exhaust, shocks, sway bars, etc. These are VERY durable cars, as long as oil is changed at 3,000-4,000 miles (forget the silly LED indicators; they are useless for this purpose). I also recommend synthetic oil, as the VANOS system seems to prefer it after about 30,000 miles (no one knows why). The previous owner would have had to REALLY thrash the car to do major long-term damage. (I would find out all you can about the previous owner[s], as their age/character/presumed driving style will have a lot of bearing on how they treated the car).Finally, check on the condition of the A/C system & whether the HVAC air filter (located "conveniently" in the glove box) has been replaced recently. Hope this helps! No ode about the price differences for 1999 models. Same as 1998, just newer. | ||
| Dave328GTB (Hardtop)
Junior Member Username: Hardtop Post Number: 158 Registered: 1-2002 |
This weekend I will be checking out a 98 M3 with 38K miles. If anyone has any info about what I should look for particular to these cars, I would love to hear it. Also, is there any reason that 99's sell for much more than 97-98 other than they are newer? Thanks in advance. Dave |