Does anyone know anything about 90s to early 2000s models of the BMW M3? I've been considering purchasing one in that time period for up to 14,000 USD. It is something I will likely do a lot of work to in the future with my own money.
This one on Ebay in Particular caught my eye;
[url]http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1998-BMW-M3-SEDAN-HTD-STS-FRESH-LOCAL-TRADE-/230610991072?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item35b17c77e0[/url]
What would you say the MPG of a Used one would be? Is it worth putting addons to the Engine and Other things of the sort. I would likely fix up the Exhaust on it first, get a black carbon hood and probably repaint it white along with redoing the interior before making any other adjustments to the vehicle.
If the car last long enough I'll end up putting a Super Charger on it and modifying suspension a bit along with adding an aero kit of some sort.
I don't know much about BMWs, so advice is needed..
Oh, and the Virginia International Raceway is under 15 minutes from where I live. So I would probably take it to events out there. Any recommend things that will better the technical specifications are welcome.
It is a sports car so MPG wont be that great if you drive it like its meant to be driven, and BMW parts don't come cheap. That aside, it is an M3, and can make a great track day car with the right modifications.
[QUOTE=Neinman;29282670]It is a sports car so MPG wont be that great if you drive it like its meant to be driven, and BMW parts don't come cheap. That aside, it is an M3, and can make a great track day car with the right modifications.[/QUOTE]
Meh. MPG Isn't really one of my primary worries anyways. I can afford anything that has above 16 MPG on the highway really. I'm not exactly made of money but I plan on getting a job soon to afford a project such as this.
I'm going to suggest if your buying an M3, especially if you want to get onto the track, don't get an auto. (it will cost you a few thousand to convert to manual but there are a few problems that cant be solved when changing from auto to manual)
The E36 M3 is a beastly machine but there are a few things that you should check before you buy one.
Heres a list of common faults, [url]http://www.unitedbimmer.com/forums/bmw-oem-parts-department-diys-faqs/3824-ultimate-e36-common-faults-faq.html[/url]
You can also get 28+ mpg freeway on a mostly stock E36 M3
Get an 850CSi, thats what i'd go for, more car for your money.
Assuming he can find one of the 225 850CSi's that were made in America, yeah. But I really doubt that.
In total there were only a little over 7,000 of the 8 series released in the states.
Of course, I'm assuming he's American. I don't know where he's from. There were still only 1500 of the 850CSi in Europe.
I actually have a picture of an 8-series i saw after a car meet in orlando, wasnt even in the car show lol
[QUOTE=bradley;29306464]Assuming he can find one of the 225 850CSi's that were made in America, yeah. But I really doubt that.
In total there were only a little over 7,000 of the 8 series released in the states.
Of course, I'm assuming he's American. I don't know where he's from. There were still only 1500 of the 850CSi in Europe.[/QUOTE]
Any of the 8series are good, maybe not the 4.0l V8 but the others are all good.
The 850CSi is the closest your going to get to an M.
[QUOTE=Nat562;29315052]Any of the 8series are good, maybe not the 4.0l V8 but the others are all good.
The 850CSi is the closest your going to get to an M.[/QUOTE]
[url]http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/93-BMW-850-Ci-V12-82K-Orig-Mi-8-Rare-Coupe-850Ci-840Ci-/160568379636?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item25629f08f4[/url]
...
Holy shit 12 cylinders?.. I didn't even know that existed..
Sweet jesus. It isn't even that expensive.. If I see one on Ebay near me or on craigslist I will totally check it out.
(I Live in America by the way, Virginia specifically)
[url]http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1993-BMW-850CI-V12-35k-SERVICED-XTR-CLEAN-ONE-KIND-/380328792151?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item588d5cd057[/url]
Mine. I'm going to sell my soul for that.
Geeze. I appreciate you guys enlightening about that vehicle. Does anyone know any more about it? That is definetly an option.. The 840 is an option aswell if I don't find an 850.
The only real thing I know about them is that they are VERY rare. If you get ahold of one, DON'T get rid of it.
Then why do i see the V12's from them in like every v12 kit car ever
[QUOTE=lemon_lover;29324801]Then why do i see the V12's from them in like every v12 kit car ever[/QUOTE]
Were you talking to me? Because I meant the 8 series in general, the 850. Not the V12.
Bimmer V12s are in pretty much every series they have except the cheaper ones, in one form or another.
oh
ok
cool.
have a video
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FePqpl8VpI&feature=related[/media]
[QUOTE=stupidass;29321554][url]http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/93-BMW-850-Ci-V12-82K-Orig-Mi-8-Rare-Coupe-850Ci-840Ci-/160568379636?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item25629f08f4[/url]
...
Holy shit 12 cylinders?.. I didn't even know that existed..
Sweet jesus. It isn't even that expensive.. If I see one on Ebay near me or on craigslist I will totally check it out.
(I Live in America by the way, Virginia specifically)
[url]http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1993-BMW-850CI-V12-35k-SERVICED-XTR-CLEAN-ONE-KIND-/380328792151?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item588d5cd057[/url]
Mine. I'm going to sell my soul for that.
Geeze. I appreciate you guys enlightening about that vehicle. Does anyone know any more about it? That is definetly an option.. The 840 is an option aswell if I don't find an 850.[/QUOTE]
Yeh, i am buying one very soon ;).
The 850's are the V12's, you got the 850i(300bhp) and the 850CSi(380bhp?).
The CSi being the closest they got to creating an M8, it was tuned by BMW's "M" division, basically changed the V12 5.0l to a 5.6l and a few other changes were made.
On the 840(V8) front you got your 4.0l and your 4.4l, the 4.0l was a good engine however, after 70k miles or so the engine alloy, which is Nikasil in this particular engine, starts to corrode or something along those lines, thats why you may see some 840's saying that they had an engine replacement after so many miles.
The 4.4 l V8 ,however, is pretty much flawless, there maybe minor faults i'm unaware of but as far as i've read there are no major problems, and i'm fairly sure that both the V12 and V8 engines(excluding the 4.0l) can handle over 200k miles without major failure.
The fuel consumption isn't great, but what do you expect, both types of engine typically churn out around 23mpg, or just over 30 if driven lightly on a motorway.
But i mean, its a car i've long awaited to own, theres something about that design, and on the plus side as it was £80k new around 20years ago you can expect all the luxuries of a top model, atleast for that era, but you should get top notch leather and stereo etc, and of course, a nice huge BMW engine ;).
Hope this helps, i am from the UK so it maybe slightly different in terms of the engine in America, but i don't know.
To those saying BMW parts don't come cheap:
My father drives one of the most common cars here in Australia (03 Holden Commodore VY) - and the "common" replacement parts he has replaced I have compared the BMW E36 replacement prices with, as I own a 95 E36.
Turns out the BMW parts are slightly cheaper. I thought that was very interesting?
Yeah, but the E36 is a more common BMW, others however, such as the E31, are much more exspensive to repair/maintain.
Well the OP was looking for a 90's M3 - hence it most likely being an E36.
I've been wanting an 8 Series since I first saw it. Problem is in Malaysia we have these things called road tax's and it depends on your litres, the higher it is say 5.0L it'll cost along $3,000 to pay for it per year. And since I don't have a proper job yet i'm sticking with my 1.3L Proton.
I'm glad I live in 'Merica, where we don't have a ridiculous "Road Tax".
Yes, the road tax in Malaysia seems a bit high, here in the UK its worked out on CO2 emmisions on a band from A to M, average is probably £200?.
Its the insurance that rapes the wallet, here atleast.
The 3.0 in the E36 is bulletproof, you won't run into any problems with it usually. Beware of the VANOS system though, it can be a bit temperamental. The 850 is a bad choice simply because of parts being made of unobtanium but it would certainly be a very sweet ride, but since you say this will end up becoming a track car for at least some of its life I say get the E36.
If you go that route, get a properly set up suspension, wheel, and tire setup; those are the most important, engine mods aren't as important as those. They will only begin to appreciate, especially if you get a rare color like Technoviolet in a M3/4/5 (referring to the model, doors, and transmission respectively).
You can find a proper example for under $10000. Beware of examples that clearly show abuse and make sure maintenance records are properly kept.
You could look like this baller
[img]http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Eq3gwnWHjU8/TIkdcxyd7nI/AAAAAAAADJw/BFtPI0XRfpE/s1600/4958879924_f634a7b2c4.jpg[/img]
Do remember that the S52 motor in the M3 has mechanical lifters, so every 20k miles (I believe, correct me the exact mileage) you will need to either go to the stealership so they can adjust your valve lash which cost around 800-1000 dollars. Or you can bust out the feeler gauge and a set of shims and do it yourself.
The M/// is as close to a race car as you can get from the factory floor that you can also use a as decent daily driver. So be prepared for lots of wrench turning or cash burning. Even more so then the standard 3 series. So be prepared to know what the fuck is....VANOS, coolant systems, PVC hoses, oil seperator, valve gasket, DISA valve, idle control valve... and so much more... Oh yeah and how to fix/replace them
and if you get one with the SMG expect to replace the hydraulic clutch pump for about $4500
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