Exactly. Parts are expensive and will probably become harder to find as it gets older. Damn expensive to bring to a shop too. I can do basic stuff myself but would need the shop to do the rest.

I've heard that the early ones had fragile engines. Any truth to that?

Oh you can find them for less easily.. that is just about the perfect M3 for me :)

They will last a good long time, I know of some stock unopened engine cars with over 200k on them. I'd personally stick with 100k or less but that's just me..

Probably two years ago a friend sold his 95 Avus Blue with 40k on it for 12k, I regret not buying that car :(

Not that I've ever seen. I've seen people blow them up with too much boost and I've known people to do damage with misshifts, but I've never heard of any widespread problems with the engines if left alone (at least US spec, no idea on the S50B30 used elsewhere).

I have known people (and read about even more) with cluster issues in 95 M3s though..

Oh and of course the subframe tearout issues but that's not specific to the E36, E46s, M coupes, etc all suffer from that flaw.

I have read there are issues with the radiator/engine cooling system.

The problem with the e36 is some had plastic water pump impellers. There's a factory part with a metal impeller, and many cars you'll find have upgraded.

I can't imagine you'd find any enthusiast owned one that hasn't been by now but I'm sure there are some out there still.

I just have vague memories of there being a reliability difference between the 3.0L (is that the S50B30 you mentioned?) and the 3.2L.

I think he had the AT... One week, saw him w E92 prepping to go drag race at the local track... Next week, I saw him saying E92's tranny broke & instead of waiting to be fixed, bought GT3.

I'm pretty sure some bad luck stuff. Every time he go to the track, he come home breaking something (that including his bones). But of course, he have enough money laying around to spent fixing or buying new car, so I'm pretty sure he doesn't care.

Sounds like money is putting him in cars he is not otherwise prepared to drive.

Did he blow up the trans, blow up the rear, or break an axle? I thought those DCTs were pretty stout.

Hm... I don't think so. His family have been car/bike holic for generation to generation. From what I know, he can drive/ride em faster than any one of the family... but he'll break em faster than any one of the family :bellyroll:

IDK, only thing he told me was he blew the tranny and wasn't willing to wait to be fixed, so he bought GT3... That's all I know, sorry. Sunday, when I visit my family, I'll ask him how he broke it

That's sort of what I'm saying. Normally, even for an enthusiast, you'd have several more years of experience before getting behind of a wheels of cars like that. That's why I'm not in the least bit surprised he breaks them and gets hurt in them.

He's a lawyer have a ton of money throw away (no offense to any lawyers)