opinions on an M3
06-29-2003 | 05:58 PM
#1
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opinions on an M3
can anybody talk me out of an M3????
i have been looking at wrx's a while and was really close to getting one but the amount people want for these used is almost annoying (19,000 for an 02). for that price i can get a 99 M3 (off an auction). frankly i don't really like buying new, i'd rather not be the first one to mess it up. any body had an M3? any strong opinions? i'm not really expecting a fair answer, later guys
-eric
i have been looking at wrx's a while and was really close to getting one but the amount people want for these used is almost annoying (19,000 for an 02). for that price i can get a 99 M3 (off an auction). frankly i don't really like buying new, i'd rather not be the first one to mess it up. any body had an M3? any strong opinions? i'm not really expecting a fair answer, later guys
-eric
06-29-2003 | 10:15 PM
#4
You should aquaint anyone who wants a high price for a used WRX with the fact that new ones are selling for $700 under invoice in some places, around $22,500, depending on equipment. Tell them to jam that price somewhere and say $16,500.
As far as M3s are concerned, they are good cars, quick of course, with refinement and good suspensions. However, parts can be extremely expensive, and its an older platform that has less than stellar crash ratings. See www.crashtest.com for info on that.
Not a bunch you can do with the OBD II M3 engine in the way of normal mods, you'll have to go the supercharger route or convert back to OBD I to do significant internal mods. Its all about avoiding codes you know........
An auction bought, history unknown M3 makes me very nervous. I'd much rather see the records and have a mechanic give it a good eyeball.
As far as M3s are concerned, they are good cars, quick of course, with refinement and good suspensions. However, parts can be extremely expensive, and its an older platform that has less than stellar crash ratings. See www.crashtest.com for info on that.
Not a bunch you can do with the OBD II M3 engine in the way of normal mods, you'll have to go the supercharger route or convert back to OBD I to do significant internal mods. Its all about avoiding codes you know........
An auction bought, history unknown M3 makes me very nervous. I'd much rather see the records and have a mechanic give it a good eyeball.
06-30-2003 | 03:06 AM
#5
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They are great cars and the used ones around my area are pretty affordable. Parts are expensive, the cars handle well and when you add a supercharger to them they are very fast. If you want a quick luxury car then by all means look at getting the M3 however like any used car you will want to get it checked out prior to buying it.
07-01-2003 | 04:25 PM
#6
OK...
M3 primer for you from a former owner...
E36 M3's, good car.
Caution - '95s had a water pump recall, also coolant recall, it would spray hot coolant into the passenger compartment
'95 - OBDI. 3.0L, good for modding if you wanna be legal
'96- on - OBDII, 3.2L, harder to mod BUT if you swap OBDI into it it'll instantly gain 20-30 hp. You can quite easily build a '96 up M3 to the M3 EVO spec (321 hp) and be about as fast as an E46 M3.
Problems: springs/shocks crap out @around 80-100K
Heck, everything on a bimmer pretty much breaks between 80-120K miles, just to keep a heads up.
'95 was coupe only, sedan introduced in '97(?), convertible introduced in '98.
M3 primer for you from a former owner...
E36 M3's, good car.
Caution - '95s had a water pump recall, also coolant recall, it would spray hot coolant into the passenger compartment
'95 - OBDI. 3.0L, good for modding if you wanna be legal
'96- on - OBDII, 3.2L, harder to mod BUT if you swap OBDI into it it'll instantly gain 20-30 hp. You can quite easily build a '96 up M3 to the M3 EVO spec (321 hp) and be about as fast as an E46 M3.
Problems: springs/shocks crap out @around 80-100K
Heck, everything on a bimmer pretty much breaks between 80-120K miles, just to keep a heads up.
'95 was coupe only, sedan introduced in '97(?), convertible introduced in '98.
07-02-2003 | 05:23 PM
#8
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everything breaks on a bimmer after 80k?? One of the reasons I was leaning towards the m3 was reliability, you see so many bimmers from the early 90's around i just figured they were really pretty dependable. I'm talking about the engine/transmission/suspension here i realize their are electrical problems, rattles, and other little things. anyways thanks, i'll keep it in mind, if I don't get a decent bid on the m3 (it's has minor body damage, i'm hoping for under 18K) than i'm going to try to ****** up one of the few new 03 wrx's! thanks agian guys
-eric
-eric
07-02-2003 | 07:49 PM
#9
was leaning towards the m3 was reliability, you see so many bimmers from the early 90's around
Your WRX will last a long time if you don't mod it and drive it very sedate. 
Last edited by HomerJay; 07-02-2003 at 07:52 PM.
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