Myself and another workmate are off to look at a 1999 plated m3 convertible tomorrow. We are giving it the once over for another workmate from another ( to far away to view) branch of the company. it has 102K on the clock and is supposedly very clean.
So what are the biggest areas of concern and anything in particular that should have been done in the past.
Over to you all.

Indicators on this particular brand of car just dont work even when new.......

Some of them had problems with the vanos system if I remeber right it was the evo's that suffered with the problem not 100% sure what it is but I have heard its very expesive when it goes wrong! im sure a quick google will help!

The vanos is the variable cam control (like on the type R honda lumps), its produced by Rolls Royce so is very expensive to replace but I've never seen or heared of one breaking. The M power engines are built extremely well and have very few problems.

Check the aircon works, the E46's tend to develope leaks.
Check the rear brake lines as these corrode badly.

Also the SMG gear box (semi-auto) is poo! Jerky and horrible.

I work for BMW so give me a nudge if you need any more help

Cheers Dan

VIN and engine no location would be good

VIN is on a wee plaque on the dash

Can't believe someone who works for BM hasn't seen a Vanos failure on an E36 M3 (E46 came in October 2000 btw) listen for a noise like a marble in a tin around 2500rpm

My '97 EVO recently decided to shed itself of both timing chains, approx 3.5K for an eBay engine, if you can find one.

E36's also eat rear springs for fun and the rear arches rust.

It should be a manual, not SMG, if it's an E36 SMG walk away, they're absoltuely garbage (SMGII way better)

Cant lie, just havent seen any sorry

Haven't had the BM chip inserted so not quite a BMW nerd yet so im not up on model release dates etc.

you brake them I fix them thats where the interest ends.

either way the SMG is poo!!

To be honest, I doubt if any E36 M3's ever see a main dealer these days, they are a bit long in the tooth now, I would imagine indy serviced and/or repaired at best.

http://www.drvanos.com/ is a useful site, so is http://www.bimmerdiy.com/

omega: if it's a manual, 1st gear may well be difficult to engage, particularly when cold, they're all like that, not a major problem (IMO)

Also, apply full lock, roll forward and back, listen for noise from LSD, they can get a bit "crunchy" not always a sign of imminent failure, but always something to haggle the price down with

Crap.
SMG box ( cup of tea while it kicks down OR up)
drivers side painted
pass wing painted
rear panel dented below pass side light painted ( not even panel beaten/filled
water marks in boot and a manky boot carpet
alloys corroded
oil leak under engine somewhere behind alternator
hunting engine at idle
and the list goes on are you all asleep yet??

And the drive was a HUGE disappointment to me. It felt loose and wooly and gutless.
Had a new engine under warranty 8K plus
and a new hydraulic unit for the box 2K
so NAH no recommendation from me.

quote:

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Originally posted by omega 24 v6
Crap.
SMG box ( cup of tea while it kicks down OR up)
drivers side painted
pass wing painted
rear panel dented below pass side light painted ( not even panel beaten/filled
water marks in boot and a manky boot carpet
alloys corroded
oil leak under engine somewhere behind alternator
hunting engine at idle
and the list goes on are you all asleep yet??

And the drive was a HUGE disappointment to me. It felt loose and wooly and gutless.
Had a new engine under warranty 8K plus
and a new hydraulic unit for the box 2K
so NAH no recommendation from me.

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Sounds like a pig, just out of curiosity, how much was it up for ?

I sold my broken 97 Evo (mentioned above) for £1400, a month or so ago on eBay, didn't have the time to break it or could've got more, bits for these seem to go for silly money!

Sounds like a real pig. Even average ones are fantastic cars, amazing engines and great handling.

I think you workmate would be better suited to a m3 evo saloon
I have seen one in the forsale section