reliability?

hey, i just sold my '93 civic..and im looking to basically, upgrade..my honda was usually pretty reliable, considering it had 120k miles...i am looking at getting an m3 now, and my price range is maxxed at 15k..so, im looking at getting one w/ around 90k miles, like a '96 or something like that..i was just wondering since most of you guys know what you're talking about, and drive them, if any1 has any problems, or things they could share w/ me..feel free to IM me or e-mail me...thanks guys
-Jason

I know a guy who works at Red Apple and owns one, so budget might be about right. Reliable? Probably better than you think, as long as you don't miss a fourth gear downshift... All U.S. E36 M3's have a basic inline six developed for high mileage passenger cars. It's just been bumped up to 240hp and 3.2 liters. Now we get the high strung monstor motor in the new M3's. I think it's the best car for around 15k.

I HAVE THE NEW 2004 M3...AND THIS IS MY :2cents:



BMW THE ULTIMATE UNRELIABILETY DRIVING MACHINE

why do you say that? and i was hoping to get the 2cents from every1..

well to be 100% honest with you for 15k you will not find an E36 M3 with 90k miles. if you do, its either coz the condition, and reliability suck. I bought my 95 M3 with 50k miles on it for 17.9k 2 years ago, and I havent had any major problems yet.

95 M3 was the first year that they built them with the E36 body style, it has a 3.0L inline 6 cylinder engine and it has 240hp with 227lb.ft torque, and it has the OBD I. they came in automatic or 5 speed. came in either sport or luxury pkg. no traction control.

96-99 M3's had the 3.2L engine with 240hp 6 cylinder and it had about 235lb/ft torque. the 96 had the same front nose as the 95's, but in 97-99 they changed them. the 97's were the first year they introduced the sedan models, the 96's also came in sport or lux pkg, in 97 sport pkg was only available, and it came with traction control. in 98, they came with sedan's also, but thye had the choice of making it automatic or 5 spd, and the color options were different. 99 M3 the last year of the E36 bodystyle, it came in automatic or 5 speed, no sedans were available, only coupes, but they did come in convertibles.

So if you are willing to spend no more than 15k for an M3, your out of your damn mind, especially for an E36 you can get the E30's which were the first M3's built, they have 221hp with a 2.5L engine 4 cylinder, and much lighter. but they dont handle as well as the E36's. The avg price for a stock M3 with less than 90k miles will be 16k, even ppl with more than 90k miles sell their cars for that much, and the only major problem with the M3 motors, is that if the engines were not properly maintained when it reaches 100k, then the engine does not perform as well. and dont even think of even rebuilding the engine, it costs to much, your better off buying a different M3. make sure that when your buying one, to check the cooling system, the alternator, the A/C, the vin# (to see if it has been in an accident) on coupes there should 2 on the hood, 2 on the trunk, 1 on each side of the doors, and 1 on the front windshield, and most definately check the clutch, drive it uphill and keep it in third gear, if it stands under 2500RPM then the clutch is very weak, and its going to cost around $1000 to fix including labor (depending on how much ppl charge for labor). Maintaning M3's is a costly job, that if why you find the right seller who has meticulously maintained their M3's so that you dont have to spending your hard earned money on major repairs cars. Before buying your M3, its going to take driving and looking at least 100 M3's before you find the right one, and if you get a car with a good record, and maintained very well with low miles, and no known problems, and buy it at a good price, go for it! hope all of this information helped out a lot.

I HAVE THE NEW 2004 M3...AND THIS IS MY :2cents:



BMW THE ULTIMATE UNRELIABILETY DRIVING MACHINE

Learn to spell, you idiot.

Learn to spell, you idiot.sorry i was in a hurry :icon16:
THE ULTIMATE UNRELIABLE DRIVING MACHINE


anyways...after only 4 months of owning the car, i've had these problems
1 month: car wouldnt start after sittin for two days,bad ground or loose wires(so they said)
2 months engine light came on (seatbelt sensor)
3 months rear speakers stop working
4 months gauges stop working too...

How many miles can an m3 handle before it becomes crap about?

sorry i was in a hurry :icon16:
THE ULTIMATE UNRELIABLE DRIVING MACHINE


anyways...after only 4 months of owning the car, i've had these problems
1 month: car wouldnt start after sittin for two days,bad ground or loose wires(so they said)
2 months engine light came on (seatbelt sensor)
3 months rear speakers stop working
4 months gauges stop working too...

Do you have any proof? There is a rash of trolls on the internet spreading bullshit, how do we know you're not one of them.

Anyone wanting to own the M3 has to keep in mind that it's expensive to maintain. Reliability depends on the owner. If you're able to find one in good condition, it'll be reliable. Of course eventually, parts will wear out. I have a 95 M3 and I haven't had any major problems other than the usual wear and tear. Keep in mind that the car is made for speed and a majority will have been abused from racing. If you want to have total reliability, stick with a Honda or Toyota.

Do you have any proof? There is a rash of trolls on the internet spreading bullshit, how do we know you're not one of them.HEY MAN WHAT IS YOUR DEAL WITH YOU FCKING BMW...THIS IS A PUBLIC FORUM I THINK I M ALLOW TO BRING A POINT OR COMMENT. CAN YOU STOP BING SUCH A DIPSHIT AND BE COOL...I HAVE NEVER TROLLS IN MY LIFE..I LOVE MY M3 BUT THE POST ASK AND I REPLY...MY :2cents: ...FOR REAL WHAT ARE YOU, 12?
POST ASK A LEGITIMATE QUESTION AND I HAVE GIVEN A RESPONSE..AGAIN I LOVE MY M3..SO STFU JACK ASS

I agree with Bimma Boi, you'll be hard pressed to find a good '96 M3 with 90k for under 15000. And if that's your total budget, then that means the M3 needs to cost about 14, so you don't go over budget with tax, title, tag, etc...
And chances are you're at least going to need a couple tires, or a tune up, or you'll want it detailed, or it'll be missing the spare, etc. Especially on an M3 for under 15000, it's going to need something.
I say make do with a honda for now, if reliability is your main concern and you don't want to spend a lot on upkeep. And wait until you've saved enough to do it right and get an M3 you'll really be happy with.

HEY MAN WHAT IS YOUR DEAL WITH YOU FCKING BMW...THIS IS A PUBLIC FORUM I THINK I M ALLOW TO BRING A POINT OR COMMENT. CAN YOU STOP BING SUCH A DIPSHIT AND BE COOL...I HAVE NEVER TROLLS IN MY LIFE..I LOVE MY M3 BUT THE POST ASK AND I REPLY...MY :2cents: ...FOR REAL WHAT ARE YOU, 12?
POST ASK A LEGITIMATE QUESTION AND I HAVE GIVEN A RESPONSE..AGAIN I LOVE MY M3..SO STFU JACK ASS

Put up or shut the f*ck up! Scan some repair bills, show proof you d*ckless hag.

I agree with Bimma Boi, you'll be hard pressed to find a good '96 M3 with 90k for under 15000. And if that's your total budget, then that means the M3 needs to cost about 14, so you don't go over budget with tax, title, tag, etc...
And chances are you're at least going to need a couple tires, or a tune up, or you'll want it detailed, or it'll be missing the spare, etc. Especially on an M3 for under 15000, it's going to need something.
I say make do with a honda for now, if reliability is your main concern and you don't want to spend a lot on upkeep. And wait until you've saved enough to do it right and get an M3 you'll really be happy with.

I have been looking at the M3s for a little bit now and they are pretty impressive. Thing is, ive seen many for 15k and under. Ive seen a few 95, 100k miles, Manual in perfect body condition. They are rated for much less .. by the way, on kbb.com there seems to be no 95 Bmw on there list under Coupe nor hatchback.. odd.