Need Help Considering Used M3/3-series

[bhaf]

I'm thinking of buying a used car soon, and my parameters quickly led me to consider a BMW M3 or 3-series. I need a four door sedan, but want something fun to drive with a manual transmission that's less than $20K. I drive only about 6K-8K miles per year, but I want something for the occasional drive on the local twisty roads or club competition (autocross, etc.)

Although a 4-door M3 is probably a bit of an oxymoron, it looks like I could find one in my price range that is a '97 or '98 with 75K-100K miles on it. Alternatively, I can find slightly newer and less used 3-series cars such as the 328i - even some 2000 models which I understand are a newer chassis design.

My biggest concern is reliability/cost after the purchase. With that in mind, here are my questions:

1) In general, how reliable are the cars that I'm talking about, and what are the problem areas to look out for?

2) Do you think these BMWs cost more/less/the same to maintain as comparable Japanese cars (if you consider any comparable)?

3) How would you say the performance compares between, say a '97 M3 vs. a 2000 328i? I might lean more to a car with less miles on it if the performance isn't too far off the older M3.

Looking for your opinion on these 3 questions.

Thanks,

bhaf

 

[codex57]

1) In general, electrical stuff is the main problem on German cars. However, the E36 has a known water pump (or something like that) problem. Check the E36 section. Run a search through there. If you stop by the local bookstore, a book on the 3 series will highlight the major problems. The E46 model year 2000 328i you're looking at doesn't really have anything that jumps out at me.

2) They cost more cuz the parts usually cost more. Don't really consider anything comparable though. Maybe Acura TL? The Acura might be more reliable on the little stuff, but it has tranny problems that may be very costly. The Japanese cars won't drive as nicely as the BMW though.

3) if you want performance, go with the 97 M3.

 

[Kirby]

Here's a list I keep of E36 issues. FWIW, some M3 enthusiasts consider the E36 M3 the "best" M3 vintage in terms of overall handling, weight, performance, etc.

Driveline:

- Water pump will need replacement because of the plastic impeller thru '96 (M50)
- Radiator - look for cracks in the plastic neck
- Defective ignition coils in some of the '91 and '92.
- Drive belt tensioner
- Profile gasket on the earlier 318's (M42)
- cracks in plastic thermostat cover (M50)
- sticking thermostats (M50)
- Manual transmission (ZF model) pops out of 1st or 2nd gear under load

Suspension:

- Outer ball joints go bad
- Rear shock mounts go bad

Interior:

- Window switches
- Door panels seperate because of insufficient glueing
- Dashboard vinyl can seperate over the center vent
- Seat heater elements break
- Glove boxes misaligned - especially earlier models
- chipping trim around the tweeters in the front door panels
- sunroof rattle

Exterior:
- Plastic headlight covers get foggy over time

Misc:
- brake light switch
- squeaky clutch pedal bushing

 

[bhaf]

Thanks codex57 and Kirby for good feedback. Just doing research on the Internet & looking at what cars are available in my price range, I'm still not sure in which direction I'll go. Most M3s I can afford (<$20K) have considerable mileage on them which makes me a little nervous.

But I'm hoping to finally get out and test drive a few cars in the next week or so. (I'm waiting for my house refinance to close so I actually have the cash!) That should help point me in the right direction too.

bhaf