Looking at a 97 M3 Sedan

[Vol]

Hey gang,

I just read the thread on Eli's car, and amazingly I am looking at almost the exact same car. It is a 97 with 65k miles. It is a sedan with 5 speed. Same color, Alpine white. I absolutely am smitten with it and want to buy it but am very nervous. It is getting a pre-purchase inspection right now as we speak!!

As I was test driving it last night, the on board computer display started spazzing out and only displaying partial numbers. THe dealer gritted his teeth and said he would replace the board. I had a 528 once and went crazy trying to keep the service indicator light board and various electronics running. Is this still an issue with BMW's? I was hoping that was gone with the E36 cars.

From reading the thread on Eli's car it does not seem that there are any serious horror story legends to look out for besides the mention of the control arm bushings and trailing arms links.

Any other advice?

Thanks,

Vol

71 911T 3.2
97 M3 Sedan (pending)

[Vol]

PPI update: The car checked out fine except it has some leaking power steering hoses and a loose tie rod end. And no spare wheel. A tire, but no wheel. The dealer will fix all those things so it looks like a deal. I am sooooooo stoked.

Volney
97 M3 sedan

[Vol]

Final Update:

I did end up buying the car and it's exceeding expectations so far. I put about 450 miles on it this weekend and it's been outstanding.

Now I know why I had so much trouble passing M3's on the track! They are so much easier to drive at the limit than my old 911, but my 911 is still faster in the hands of a good driver (ie better than me :-)

Best,

Volney

97 M3 Sedan
71 911 3.2

[Eli at Pelican Parts]

Vol,

Sorry but I’ve been somewhat preoccupied this past week so I didn’t have anytime for the boards. We’ve really been working hard here with some expansion finally coming to our BMW on-line catalogue (expected to but up within a week).

I’m glad to hear that you got a twin brother to my vehicle, I’ve had over 35 cars in my life and I’ve got to say that the M3 4 door was quite impressive. I’ve only been able to put about 500 miles on mine so far but I can say I’ve been comfortable with it.

One thing I wanted to point out to you, make sure you ask the dealer to supply you with a full-size spare. This is what the M3 comes with so don’t let they try to give you a donut, that is for dunking not for driving.

Good luck and let us know if you need anything, I know I went crazy replacing everything that bugged me when I first bought the car. We pretty much offer everything that the dealer does and then some, unfortunately we don’t list everything. Javier is our Top BMW specialist here so if you have the need, he is your man.

Good Luck & Congratulations,

97 BMW M3
94 BMW 318is
02 Jaguar X-type (delivery: 2 weeks)
93 RX-7 Twin-turbo
65 VW Bus

[Vol]

Eli,

It's funny you mention the spare. There is a front tire in the spare tire well that is a full size, but there is no wheel. The dealer has promised to provide a full size wheel to go with the tire.

The dealer will also perform the 60k service, replace a tie rod-end, and replace the leaking power steering hose.

Thanks and good luck with your car as well.

Vol

[Eli at Pelican Parts]

Oh well,

If you know me at all then you know I will be dumping more into the car week after week. Last week was new hood shocks and an oil change. This week probably a seatbelt bolt covers and a new door handle.

[Vol]

Can anyone tell me what mods are done to make the M3 track ready, if any? Not so much power related, but brakes and suspension-wise? To be more specific, for example a 911 can go on the track out of the box, yet a good driver will want more brakes and suspension pretty quickly. People always want more power, buy power is relative. It's more a question of where are the weak points if any? I read something about M3's having a tendancy to understeer that is easily correctable, but I don't remember where I read it. How about brakes?

Thanks,

Volney

[bimmerdog]

Nice car Vol. Welcome to the family.

[notoriousM3]

Yeehaa mate...welcome to the world of M