Tempted to buy E36 M3 - Page 3 - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

Dimman · 12-13-2011, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

See, this guy owns a 95. Listen to him.

I flew to Omaha, NE for the last car I bought

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

Dave-ROR · 12-13-2011, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tranzformer

Thanks Dave. That is a great looking car. Just not sure I want to spend that much on a 12yr old BMW (I realize you have to spend to get one in good condition) but for a little more I can save up for a BRZ. If I could find a used one for $8-9k that would be ideal but would assume I would then need to put some money into it.

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

Dave-ROR · 12-13-2011, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dimman

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

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.

tranzformer · 12-13-2011, 02:27 PM

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

Mitch · 12-13-2011, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tranzformer

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.

Dave-ROR · 12-13-2011, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitch

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.

Dimman · 12-13-2011, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

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

ichitaka05 · 12-13-2011, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

I haven't researched the E92s (due to price, I have no interest in spending that kind of money on a car) but all the track guys I know with one haven't had any issues. Which trans was it? I only know guys with the manuals.. I'd suspect abuse or a defect there though unless it's a wide spread problem.

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.

Mitch · 12-13-2011, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ichitaka05

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.

LSxJunkie · 12-13-2011, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ichitaka05

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.

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

ichitaka05 · 12-13-2011, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitch

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

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSxJunkie

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

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

Mitch · 12-13-2011, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ichitaka05

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

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.

ichitaka05 · 12-13-2011, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitch

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)

Dimman · 12-14-2011, 08:50 PM

This has got me thinking of getting a cheap E36 318is as a semi-project and holding off another year for the 86. (financial issue as well)

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tranzformer Delights in pure handling Join Date: Apr 2011 Drives: Zoom Zoom Location: KS Posts: 4,854 Thanks: 0 Thanked 15 Times in 14 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I have read there are issues with the radiator/engine cooling system.

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