Things you found out about your M3 AFTER you've owned it for a while....

[02fanatic]

Honestly, even if I had bought some of the less nice examples that I was considering during my search in 2008, I'd still love my M3. I bought a high mileage example with a cool history....probably much nicer than many out there, and I never tire of learning things about the car. The E30 M3 is a mechanical "car guy's" dream car! I have absolutely no desire to buy a newer BMW!

Only yesterday, after some research and a little help from member's here did I finally figure out how to pull the dome light over the pass door to replace the bulb, only to find out the bulb was fine after all (with a little twist!)...and that the bulbs in both dome lights are most likely "the original" and "now rare" red tipped bulbs! Such a little thing, but cool nonetheless.

I can't wait for the next project.....if Spring and warm weather will "finally" arrive and stay here in PA!

E30's rule (we've had 4 in the family) and the M3 is obviously the "prize" E30!

Ready for Pocono!

[TR-Spider]

or by tapping the brake pedal.

thats only valid for the brake light check, not for the others...

[ejnight]

I still cant believe I've i got 1 after like 6yrs off wishing and wanting!!! lol But what a awesome car, even better than what i could imagine But one thing is once i've started the car the igition lights stay on till you rev the engine up to drive it... They ment to do this ? lol

My M3 does this also. My E30 325i does not.

Mine also. Any one know why? I have not had mine on the road long so its all new to me.

[evans61]

My favorite: if you push the 1 and the 1000 on the obc simultaneously, it gives you the instantaneous volume of gas in the tank in liters. Ot: just five minutes ago in our home, my daughter says, "where's daddy?" My wife replies, "i haven't seen him... he's probably out in the garage starring at his cars."

[Yan-3]

if you open the doors, the electric windows work without the key in the ignition!

are you serious? 6 years of ownership and I never knew this? going down into the garage right now to try it out....

EDIT: wait no nothing :(

[DrLeadFoot]

I just learned today that when your battery light stops flickering and is fully illuminated, your radio starts cutting out and your ABS light comes on head to your shop ASAP. Alternator...

[chebon]

My previous toy was a '94 Land Rover Defender 90 that needed to be close to a gas station at all times. The first time I drove the M3 I realized the tank was almost empty. Having stressed out over this scenario many times with the D90, I immediately pulled off the highway and started looking for a gas station. Later on that day, I noticed that the OBC could tell me how far I could go. Needless to say, I was very impressed

Thats insane, my last toy was a 94 white d90 and where the next gas stop was always the first thing i thought of after starting my "Goat". Just got my e30 so i will keep notes to add a post soon.

[M3BMK]

After 2 months of ownership, I found out that the illumination of the dash can be adjusted by turning the head the lights' switch. Initially the illumination was so dim and I was keen to refresh the whole setup. Lots of time save there...

[Das Boots]

-After a few days of driving when I first got my M3 in comparison with my regular E30, the steering felt different and so light.
-The suspension and body also felt light and can feel all of the bumps.
-I drive the M3 and feel as if we are as one.
-The cluster and dash lights need to be replaced.
-Everybody not familiar with M3 (ricer crowd), still think the fenders are aftermarket install.
-After all these years, I still got a lot to learn on M3s.
-E30 M3s still does not have any comparison.

[gte175x]

My favorite: if you push the 1 and the 1000 on the obc simultaneously, it gives you the instantaneous volume of gas in the tank in liters.

But one thing is once i've started the car the igition lights stay on till you rev the engine up to drive it... They ment to do this ? lol

never knew either of these things....learning a lot with this thread....

[UweM3]

Mine also. Any one know why? I have not had mine on the road long so its all new to me.

The threshold of the voltage regualtor is a bit too high, you need to blip the trhottle to get over it. That's meant to be like that. Don't ask me why.

[MattH]

Cool thread. My list:

- I was so keen to purchase I forgot to check the tyres. Later I noticed it had one odd one. Sure enough the spare matched the other 3 and had uneven wear, and so did the odd tyre. Turned out to be a failed subframe bush - replaced subframe bushes, trailing arm bushes and reverted to stock shocks and springs. (it had spax when I bought it). Made a great car feel even better handling wise.

- Battery was dead after a week. The "door switch spacer" was missing on the passenger side so the door switch wasnt being depressed - sometimes it is the simple things.

- ECU had been buggered about with at some point and it was down on power - Paul Sheperd fixed that when he did the rongineer upgrade.

- Spark plug tool was wrong.

- But, touch wood, engine is solid (rebuilt a few years before I bought it) and no rust anywhere.

- Loved the car way more than I thought I would. So much more involving to drive. it inspired me to learn to work on cars myself, which I am trying to progress slowly. It also renewed my enthusiasm for my M Coupe DD which is now getting some well deserved maintenance and mods.

- An it's not going down in value. One of my better investments. It has reminded me that life is short and there to be enjoyed. I now want to buy other non depreciating cars, an E34 M5 is getting seriously tempting.

And finally, a great opportunity to thank those who contribute to this forum - it's enriched my s14 experience considerably. A lot of guys on here have done amazing bespoke projects that I can only dream of - I sometimes feel bad that I clutter up your forum with such banal questions, but we all have to start somewhere. Thank you for all the help.

[Paul D]

You can set the heating so you get hot air to your feet and cold air to your face at the same time.

[jinkly]

rust on the driver's side floor (due to a heating core pipe rusted)
vacuum leaks on everywhere
gearbox leaking
shortcut on the AC compressor, blowing out the 30A fuse everytime I try to connect the AC

rust on the firewall

[fronton]

You can set the heating so you get hot air to your feet and cold air to your face at the same time.

You must have vert.