What to look out for in 1995 M3 purchase

[tshih]

Contmplating M3 purchase and what to check for in 1995 model year car. Any areas of weakness and expensive design flaws? Your inputs are most appreciated.

[deathpunk dan]

These are very solid cars in general. There is not a lot of magic hocus pocus separating them from their more pedestrian brethren (ie 325).

There are, however, a few areas to watch in general. First of all, unless the control arms/bushings/ball joints/tie rods/rtabs/rear subframe bushings/rear shocks mounts have all been recently replaced, budget some money for this. Totally DIY but the rear subframe job is a PITA.

The cooling system. Water pump had plastic impeller originally. Hopefully an updated metal one is in there now. Replace it and thermostat for piece of mind. Check the radiator for leaks and corrosion.

Listen for noise/rattling from the VANOS unit. They can fail. Listen for driveline clunks. aka the guibo flex disc going out.

Interior falls apart. Headliner droops, door panels come loose. Easy enough to repair and replace.

Great cars overall.

[einreb]

Originally posted by tshih
Contmplating M3 purchase and what to check for in 1995 model year car. Any areas of weakness and expensive design flaws? Your inputs are most appreciated.

the 'internet worries' about the 95's are....

they have a weaker valve retainer spring than the later cars. supposedly more prone to failure after repeated over reving. the retainers are cheap to buy, but will take you a day to do.

the oil pump nut may come off and you lose oil pressure. cheap fix (wire it), just takes a while to get to.

general stuff is to make sure that the water pump is good, fresh bushings and what not will really help the ride.

the 95 is easier to mod in some ways since its ODB1. I purchased a '95 to replace my hotrodded 3.6 '88 911 and am very happy with my decision (so is my wallet).

[Gene Wilkes]

Definitely have PPI done! The electronics on these cars can be a PITA! I just went through a bunch of money trying to rid my car of a low speed hesitation (plugs, boots, coils!) If the car has over 50K this stuff needs replacement. Water pumps tend to also be a weak point. Lots of guys are eliminating the OEM fan and adding electric cooling fans. Other than that these are SWEET cars!

[onewhippedpuppy]

Everybody else nailed it. Find a car with good records, plan on the cooling system lasting 80-100k, suspension bushings about the same. Interior is very low quality, if headliner/door panels/glovebox haven't been repaired, prepare for them to sag and peel at some point. Overall they're great cars, find one that's been taken care of and you'll be set.