E36 M3 advice.

[Cannondale99]

Hi all,

Haven't posted for a while!

Looks as if my dream's come true, just been accepted into the Royal Air Force. Had worries over my eyesight at first, but my opticians have reported back to the RAF that I have 6/6 vision in both eyes, so I'm really pleased!

Which means, after the 9 weeks of training, I can afford to buy an E36 M3 Evo.

I went for a test drive in a 95' Helroot red M3 coupe, but it was the 3.0, not the 3.2 Evo. It was quick, but not what I expected. Mint condition for its age, though, with full black leather, and 18" E46 CSL alloy wheels which looked brand new.

Did BMW do the 3.2 Evo in Helroot red? I've never seen one to be honist. I love the red colour of it, it looks amazing when clean!

So, what am I looking out for on these? I suppose my budget is around £8,000 to £9,000, so I understand I can't go for a later 99+ M3. Any known problems I need to look for?

Cheers!

Chris

[benny boy]

As far as i know the vanous can be a problem on the evo model make sure its been changed i think it was some kind of recall also just cheack the normal things such as all the numbers match up to log book geta hpi check done to make sure no outstanding finance the last think you want to sheel out all your hard earned money and finance company taking it off you take it for a good drive if you can take on motorway go through all the gears and if you know any spanners take one with you who knows his bmw's other than that its just common sense really hope that helps pal good look

[Richie in Dublin]

Yes they made the evo in Hell Red. There's a few on Autotrader at the moment. Here's one:
http://www.autodealers.co.uk/84242/include/getdealerimage.asp?capID=14565&VehicleType=car&subID=84242&ImgID=3840&vehID=1111&X=300&Y=240

Yellowstones Garage (http://www.yellowstonegarage.co.uk/)

[m3cslboy]

You wanna check for the Vanos problem (mainly on Double Vanos equiped 3.2's , sounds like somone rattling marbles in a biscuit tin).

The rear bushes, if the car feels wobbly going round corners and like its got a mind of its own on medium to hard take offs the bushes will be gone.

Also check the rear diff mounts.

Look out for oil leaks !!!! if its leaking oil walk away, its very hard to sort out oil leaks on the E36 m3.

make sure its been serviced regularly, don't be put off by non BMW stamps as long as someone with a good reputation has serviced the car. Make sure the gear box is nice and smooth and not getting stuck in second or first under hard accleration.

Make sure all the electrics work , especially the Digital Climate control. ALso make sure there are no check engine lights on. or the computer is not throwing up errors like "rear brake light fail"

finally make sure it pulls cleanly all the way to redline !

god luck with the purchase mate !! there awesome cars.

I'd go for the 3.2's they feel more responsive, have slightly better steering feel and are more planted at high speeds, also that 6th gear helps with economy. and the braking system is pretty good.(inits day it was the fastest deaccelerating production car , quicker than a 993 Turbo ! )