Looking For Replacement After Civic Got Stolen, Q

[JamesQ]

Edit: didnt notice there was a seperate M series section. Sorry for posting in wrong spot. Can a moderator move this to the right spot. Thanks

First post, Car got stolen last wednesday and I've been feeling super depress ever since. My pride and joy was snatched from me, but screw it, life goes on.

I've been searching through classified and on craigslist for a replacement car and find that E36 M3s are priced from 16000-20000 depending on mileage.

$20,000 ones usually have a milage of 60,000 and are 97 and up.
$16,000 ones have pretty high mileage of 100K to 113K and are also 97 and up.

I was wondering which car would be worth it more. The high milage M3s sort of scare me because i'm unsure of how reliable it is. My friend and my sister got a e46 325i and they seem to have no problems with reliability so far but that doesnt mean higher milage = no problems.

If anyone has any input, please feel free to guide me. For those who has a e36 m3, how reliable has yours been and how many milage do you have?

I'm hoping to drive the M3 about 4-5 years so thats around 75000 miles. High milage ones scare me right now because that would mean I would take the M3 to near 200K.
Also, what major services are needed for BMWs with 70K and above? Any costly service can make or break my effort to get the car. Thanks guys

[97alpineM3]

I know a lot of people on these forums have a lot of miles on their original/moded engines. And they have no problems with them.. if you think its a risk.. then dont do it.. but these engines were built to last and run forever...

Good Luck... E36 M3s are great... a lot of fun...

Les

[JamesQ]

thanks for the responce. I was wondering if you or someone else could also answer my last question about maintainence.

What major services are needed for BMWs with 70K and above? Any costly service can make or break my effort to get the car.

Thanks agian.

[97alpineM3]

I'm not being rude but there are many maintenance topics in this forum.. do a search... and look through the FAQ to find what some of the small querks are about these cars... If you really want.. PM me and I will send you a list of BMW sites that will better inform you of these things... but you should find what your looking for in the FAQ and this forum...

Good Luck..

Les

[///M3 FX]

I know a friends M3 just hit 150,000 still runs like a champ. You wont want a civic after driving a M. I like my M to have lower miles.

My current car has 69000 Miles on it and no problems. My last car had 70000 miles and i had to replace the radiator but still had the warranty so no big deal.

No normal extra services, but remember your looking into getting a BMW. If you cheap out your car will empty your pockets out very fast. The ride gets a littel tough after a while I suggest upgrading suspension, Koni adjustable shocks will make it a better ride, RSM's tend to go as well near 70000.

Ive seen on other forums members have 200,000 on there M's and they run fine.

[M5IAN]

M3's have extremely solid engines but shakey everything else over 130k. My friend has an 1995 E36 with an new engine and about 190k on the car itself. I always say.. good thing we know how to fix everything on the car otherwise we would be in trouble(we Re-wired driver window, re-built power seat motor-installed new computer chip). Whatever you do when you have a small problem dont ever bring it to BMW dealer out of warrenty. They RIP you off. The M3 is a driver's car though, so if your really into using its full powersliding potential then go for it.