Any good reason not to buy an E36 M3 convertible?

[bleucamaro]

I’m thinking about taking a chance on a ’99 M3 convertible. I’ve been having an itch for an open car recently, maybe it’s just spring fever. My old dad still has a 964 ‘vert I can drive whenever I like, but it becomes a hassle as he keeps it max detailed (think concours prepped). After shopping a few weeks for an S2000, and finding not a single one without dents dings, heavy wear and tear, and all asking 50%+ above book, started thinking about getting an E36 or E46 M3 convertible for the same, or less money. All the E46’s around here are SMG, which I don’t want. I’ve found a couple very clean looking ’98 and ‘99’s. So the big question for the pelican parts brain trust. Is there any big reason not to get one? (I’m aware of some of the common E36 issues – cooling system, vanos, trans mounts, rear shock mount)

[Noah930]

No crappy headliner for an E36 M3.

Good luck. Seems most of the E36 M3s I see for sale are in the same maintenance category as the S2000s of which you speak.

[Craig T]

My sister has one and she LOVES it!

[strupgolf]

I bought a 98 M3 vert recently. I've had in the garage for about 3 months, doing things all car guys do. It rides nice, but too firm on coilovers. It's in the shop now for a new cooling changeover, just want to. I love the look of the vert's compared to the sedan. I will change the suspension back to stock and get back to a nice ride; the way the factory meant. To answer your question, yes. They are great cars, ride nice, good looks, and easy to work on.

[Nostril Cheese]

Im trying to remember what the setup was for boosting power in the US S50/52. Something about swapping the cams plus software?

I loved the constantly glowing dash lights on my 60K mile M3 and then a rod bearing went and I really loved it. Never, ever will I have another BM W.

[porsche4life]

Great driving cars. But not the best made.

[WPOZZZ]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

Im trying to remember what the setup was for boosting power in the US S50/52. Something about swapping the cams plus software?

I think it was cams and converting to OBD1.

[ZOO]

Originally Posted by WPOZZZ

I think it was cams and converting to OBD1.

Isn't it the M50 intake?

I've had an E36 M3 for 8 years. Approaching 200k on the odo. Tracked, autoxed, daily driven, driven by my teenaged son.

Brilliant car. But the interior is rapidly disintegrating. The above headliner comment couldn't be more accurate.

[DanielDudley]

Buy a good one from a fastidious owner, and you will be very happy.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by ZOO

Isn't it the M50 intake?

I've had an E36 M3 for 8 years. Approaching 200k on the odo. Tracked, autoxed, daily driven, driven by my teenaged son.

Brilliant car. But the interior is rapidly disintegrating. The above headliner comment couldn't be more accurate.

I recall it being cams, M50 intake, and a tune to make it work together.

They are great driving cars that will fall apart around you. I've had two E36s, never again.

[911 Rod]

I've had 2 E36 M3 coupes and loved both ....at the beginning.

When I decided to sell them it was like they heard me and started to fall apart.

Just stupid s##t.

Actually my E46 Touring is starting to do the same thing.

[bleucamaro]

The one I'm looking at this afternoon is a convertible, with hardtop. I'll be sure to look at the head liner on it as well. Has new carpets, seats and dash look good in the pics, has a new in the box factory radio (and an aftermarket one installed), seems like a moderately loving and anal owner. Comes with a spare set of wheels, and all the OEM parts that he's upgraded. Doesn't sound like any power train mods done, which I'm fine with.

Yeah, I know their nickname, BMTrouble-you. Won't be a daily driver, just a toy, so I don't mind some down time.

[jcunning]

I don't think this generation BMW is any different than any other foreign car in that same time period. Plastic gets brittle and breaks, headliners fall down, mechanical parts wear out, etc...

If you don't expect things to break and don't have the money to fix them, move on and get something else. I hear Honda's are very reliable, but I wouldn't know because I prefer cars that have a soul and like to be driven. I do 95% of car repairs myself, so I don't mind getting my hands dirty and fixing things when they break.

Saying that, unless you do like fixing many small things that most people ignore, just pay up and get one where the previous owner was meticulous about the details.

Pretty car. Others may have had better luck, but mine was a pain in the ass - and it was a well tended low mile car. I spent about $7K in repairs over 3 years and only about 5,000 miles. Abs warning light glowed nearly the entire ownership and 2 different well respected mechanics couldn't fix it. Finally a third did at a cost of $1500. Good luck with yours.

[rammstein]

Why not get an E30 vert?

[black_falcon]

FYI Pelicans are harsh toward BMWs. These cars are great fun and going up in value for a reason. Buy the best example you can find.

http://enthusiastauto.com

^^ absolute top of the market but IMO a low mileage, unmolested e36 M3 is worth every penny of 20k.

[911 Rod]

Originally Posted by black_falcon

FYI Pelicans are harsh toward BMWs. These cars are great fun and going up in value for a reason. Buy the best example you can find.

http://enthusiastauto.com

^^ absolute top of the market but IMO a low mileage, unmolested e36 M3 is worth every penny of 20k.

I have had both a BMW and a Porsche in my garage for the last 15 years and hopefully will never be without one of each (or 2)

[campbellcj]

I had a '97 Coupe that I bought new. It was a FUN car, no question, although underpowered for the chassis as everyone knows. It required thousands in warranty work, stuff like a replacement ECU and replacement (M3-specific) cats, and the interior was already rattling at 6 months. But it really was nice to drive and great looking. Maybe it was lucky in a way that I hit rough times financially around '99 and had to sell it.

1997 BMW M3 by cjcam, on Flickr

[ninelevenick]

I miss mine everyday since I sold it back in August. It was a sedan, not a vert. It was so well balanced. The engine was powerful enough. I owned it for seven years bought used. It never let me down as my DD. Small maintenance things here and there, but it was fun to work on. It was like driving my old 911, but more comfy. what a car. I say go for it.