M-Series (M1, M3, M5, M6)General M-Series Discussion - If it does not fit into a more specific M Category above, please place it in here. In addition, previously archived M-Series discussion is located in this section.
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Need help.... I'm thinking about buying a 97 M3 and would like to know the reliability and maintence on the car. I might be able to get it for $16000.00. It has 42k and looks very good. The trip computer lcd is cracked and the shift knob is loose...... What do you guys think? Any advice would be appriciated........ Gonna have my wife take a look at it tomorrow......
TAKE IT TO BMW, AND PAY THEM TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT! thats the best advise i can give you, espically if the car is for your family. they are great cars, reliable and dependable if they were taken care of.
there is a list around here of car buying tips, ill try to find it.
I just bought the same car last week. 1997 M3 with comparable millege. If that car is in good condition TAKE THE OFFER AND RUN!!!! FAST!!!!
You will NOT be disapointed!
If that car is in good shape it will last you at least another 150,000 miles.
Andit drives so smooth. You'll find sitting at work that you want the day to end just to you can drive home. Then you'll find you take the long way home. Just so the trip takes longer.
Trust advice from someone who just made this exact same decision last week. Do this!
he's right, it is an amazing automobile, but have your own mechanic check it out, and god forbid you may want the dealer to check it out if you dont have a trustworthy mechanic.
if theres a couple flaws, its still probably a pretty good deal, but if a professional finds something wrong with it, you may be able to knock down that price even further, or it may be enough to save you from buying a lemon
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<span style='font-family:Arial'><span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>T-Mac</span>
95' BMW 325is Jet Black, 5 speed
Xtec 6000k HID kit, DDE Enhanced, Euro Ellipsoids, M3 Front Bumper, Color-matched rear,
Alpine Mp3/CD, 20% tint, M3 Contour Rims, Smoked Corners, front lip
Clear Side markers, K&N Performance Filter, Debaffle, Color-matched side skirts</span>
Well it's my understanding that in most states you're going to have to have it pass a vehicle safety inspection before the title can transfer anyway. I have no idea if your state is one of those, but I'm sure that's easy enough for you to find out.
In Maryland the safety inspection is very thorough. It checks everything from the frame to the engine to the tires and wiperblades. I took mine to the local BMW dealer for the inspection. It naturally cost about twice the price of an inspection anywhere else, but there was a confidence that they really knew the car inside and out and would have known if something was wrong. And believe me they were trying depserately to find SOMETHING wrong because they know they can charge those outlandish dealer prices to fix it. So you know it's going to be a very complete inspection.
If the dealer says it's street worthy, you can probably trust that there is nothing wrong with it that money can fix. If it's just some cosmetic damage....they repair pretty easily. Little paint ships or scratches are simple enough to make go away.
Just make sure the leather inside is in good condition. Cause once that starts to go you ain't stoppin' it. And make sure the body it's a giant rust collection and you should be happy with your purchase.
Oh...and whatever you do make absolute sure it's got a good wheel alignment. At $200 a tire (Someone please tell me if there's a cheaper one out there. I couldn't find one in Baltimore when I was pricing parts for it) the last thing you want is a bad alignment chewing them up fast.
Oh, and you can replace the crappy tape deck with a decent enough CD player that will sound teriffic with the factory speakers for about $100. I even know one that matches the interior well.
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