calling e36 m3 owners, WTB

[AzN Dirtbiker]

so, my friend wants to buy a e36 m3 coupe, im not so keen on them as much as the e30s. And since im more of the car expert, he is asking me all these questions about buying one. I am probably going to walk him through buying one, from finding it, to looking at it in person.

he isn't looking so much for the performance aspect, its pretty much looks and that it has the ///M badge on it. His preference is 5speed, 2door, silver if he can get one in his price range.
brings me to the next point, his price range is 6-10k, cheaper the better, and i assume its going to be a bit on the high side on mileage. it needs to be presentable. So.. what things to look for? clutch? what year is the best? s50/s52, things to look for on a high mileage car? known problems?
basically anything of information that would help me direct him on the right path. He isn't dumb in the motoring world, he owns quite a few motorcycles, but now wants to get a sports car.

also if there is any good e36 m3 forums that i can go poke around would be
awesome.
Thanks for your time! -Anthony Hong

[BingM3]

www.bimmerforums.com is the place to be

[lazyass349]

Bimmerforums.com is a good place to check out for info on the e36 m3, a lot of them over there. But the big things to really look for, especially on a higher mileage car, would be to make sure the cooling system has been taken care of (water pump, radiatior/expansion tank, and thermostat housing are weak points) and probably the rear trailing arm bushings. Those are the bigger problems, other than that everything is standard maintenance. As for the clutch, that all depends on who was driving it. Ive read about people replacing at 60-80k, however i have over 120k on mine and shifts like it was new.

As for the classic S50 or S52 debate, it doesnt matter too much, if anything a personal preference/bias. S50 has less low end but more high end, S52 has more low end, but seems to run out of breath above 6k (although this can be remedied w/ s50/m50 manifold) Personally i prefer the s50, to me it feels more fun and raw compared to s52, and i like to run the rpms up high (probably like most s14 owners). Although this does bring up one weak point to the early s50s, they did have weak valve retainers, which could fail. ive only seen a couple cases of it happening, but it does happen.

Anyways thats all i can really think of as towards issues and what not, hope it helps somewhat.

[AzN Dirtbiker]

Thanks, so it seems the e36 isn't as high of maintenance then the s14s. what you stated seems straight forward mechanics that can be done in your garage. hopefully we can find one that has stated records of maintenance done, that way we won't have to guess if the work was actually done.
Thanks, Anthony

[AzN Dirtbiker]

So.. after about 10 different cars i am proud to say we (friend) found a car. it is a 1998 e36 m3 coupe. yellow/black, 5 speed. 127k on the ticker and has things like power vadar seats, 18button obc, digital climate control, cd changer/stock radio (i think upgraded has a hifi switch) things like that. i am just getting my wheels wet on the e36s, im not sure what else is special about it. i got to drive it to his house, that s52 is so smooth... makes me a little jealous. ive test drove the s50, and yeah it does have more push on the top end, but the s52 seems more suited for around town. as much as it felt smooth it handled nicely but i didn't feel connected to the road like the e30. it felt like i had oven mitts on while trying to turn a door knob. But i found out after the first 10 miles the shocks are toast.... you can bounce the car like it was a truck.

anyway, i thought you guys might want a report on what was going on, thanks a lot! car has had all the cooling system replaced and a stack of paperwork. car has not even a door ding, car is dirty, but so far it looks very clean. picked it up for 9k.
his taste went from SLK merc,e36 m3, e46 CI series, then a C70 volvo, and back to the e36.

Thanks agian! -Anthony Hong

[lazyass349]

Wow 9k? thats a heck of a deal if its a clean car. But definitely a quality color choice (maybe im biased?)

But yeah the e36 is definitely a different beast from the e30. Different but still a great car. Your right though, the chassis communication isnt quite as good, although, in my opinion at least (might just be my cars) steering is way better in the e36. But in your friends case, shocks that arent blown will really help some of that out.

Oh and with respect to that cooling system, make sure he really keeps up on that. Unfortunately i gave out the advise and then had my damn radiator neck break

[AzN Dirtbiker]

Wow 9k? thats a heck of a deal if its a clean car. But definitely a quality color choice (maybe im biased?)

But yeah the e36 is definitely a different beast from the e30. Different but still a great car. Your right though, the chassis communication isnt quite as good, although, in my opinion at least (might just be my cars) steering is way better in the e36. But in your friends case, shocks that arent blown will really help some of that out.

yellow, ha. i have to say its a love hate thing. me personaly i like it because its loud, but the shade of it is sunfire (faded) yellow. i'm sure it will grow on me lol. Is this a rare color? don't see to many of them running around. reason i am so interested in my friend's car is because i get to drive it!
I think you are right about the steering feel, it is more crisp like when you turn the wheel the slightest bit you the car goes. as far as feedback, i can't feel it. i can feel the front dipping from the shocks but other then that it feels like i am in a box isolated. but im sure shocks is going to help big time overall.
man its smooth to drive. the buzzy s14 likes to vibrate i notice

-Anthony Hong