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View Full Version : looking hard at this car...

motomonkey
02-28-2009, 05:13 AM
local dealer has this, I have no clue as to what E36 M3's go for, and haven't been able to get away from work long enough to have a look, but from the pics, its a nice looking ride...



http://www.premierpre-owned.com/details.asp?ID=553



Any opinions? I know there are a few issues to watch for on E36's but one with this low a mileage should be in decent shape unless it was thrashed hard. we don't even have a track around here to run on. :cry:
E36 Phantom
02-28-2009, 05:29 AM
Too low for a low mileage M3 vert. My first thought is "what's wrong with it?"

Definitely take it in for a pre-purchase inspection, though. It may be totally fine, but that's really low for that car.
Progress
02-28-2009, 08:25 AM
Too low for a low mileage M3 vert. My first thought is "what's wrong with it?"

Definitely take it in for a pre-purchase inspection, though. It may be totally fine, but that's really low for that car.

I /agree with chad on that. Sounds a little funky.
Eight Thirty
02-28-2009, 11:13 AM
at what mileage did they reset the counter? lol
dinanm3atl
02-28-2009, 11:48 AM
Just have it looked at.
bimmerbarbie
02-28-2009, 01:13 PM
Just have it checked out, that mileage doesn't necessarily mean bad things. It's a 99. Mine's a 93 with 66K. Some people don't DD their bimmers.
E36 Phantom
02-28-2009, 03:25 PM
No, the mileage is great, but the price doesn't reflect that. Check for the tamper dot.
bmwboss
02-28-2009, 04:00 PM
like he said above. if they tampered with the mileage and made it lower a dot would appear next to the numbers to show that it has been messed with. make sure everything is totaly legit.
motomonkey
03-03-2009, 04:17 PM
Went and looked at this M3, think I will pass....


Carfax report listed 6 owners.

after looking at the car and driving it in person, I can see why the last owner only lasted 6 months. car may only have had 54K miles, but they must have been rough ones.

front bumper had a large crack/dent, and appeared to have been "curbed" at some point in its life. (good bit of play in it)

fine film of oil all over engine compartment, look liked they tried to clean it off, but its obviously blowing oil from somewhere.

gear shift knob came off in my hand as I made a vigorous shift into second!

engine feels anemic

at least one bent rim, possibly more, and I mean freakin don't try and drink a coke bent.

brakes are bloody well shot, rotors are probably to far gone to turn.

paint is flaking in very odd spots, possibly repainted

Infamous Brake circuit light error code

Air bag warning light

Check control warning light (brake related?)

assorted other warts that are not out of place on a 10 year old car

I stopped looking after that, just way to many things popping up from a casual inspection, to warrant a closer look. yes, its a 10 year old car, but damn, someone, several someones, sure didn't take care of this little car. a shame, too.
bimmerbarbie
03-03-2009, 04:38 PM
Wow, that's awful. At least you were knowledgeable enough not to buy a lemon!
E36 Phantom
03-03-2009, 04:51 PM
Good job. See why I always think, "What's wrong with this car?" when I see them that low? :rofl:

You sound like you know your stuff though. Looking for a good deal when you know how to spot the bad ones is the way to do it! :thumbup:

Also, FYI, BMW rotors can't be turned. Replace at every brake change.