Vin and e36 question

[BmwRlS]

wondering what the price for a rebuilt 36 m3 engine is and if anyone with carfax could get me a vin number WBSCD932SWEE09489 cant wait also just wondered about some average pricing is for maintiaing a e36 m3 ie: 1000 a year or what not... thanks to anyone who responds people usually dont

[BmwRlS]

anyone ?

[Scorp965]

Maint. costs vary, Engine costs vary, I don't have a carfax (but at least I responded)

Be a little more-specific, are you looking at a particular car that needs a new engine, or are you looking at a car that has higher miles? What is your idea of high miles? What service has been done to the car? E36 M3's are reliable cars, provided they have been taken care of - if they haven't been, as with any used car, you will get to play catchup with the maint.

If you're in the market for an E36 M3, which it sounds like, I would first recommend you cruise through the E36 M3 FAQ, located here:

http://www.eurospeed.org/

[BmwRlS]

thanks for responding the car im looking at has almost 170k miles on it thats why im kinda of worried and maby later on down the line rebuild the engine im gunna look at the car next week and buy or pass on it im just worried ill buy a car with 170k and just have it sit in the shop anything I should look for that could show the car was abused it hasnt been moded from pics I have seen and ill see what maintenance has been done to it ... when it comes down to it are many m3's still on the road with that many miles

also maby wondering if anyone has any better search engines for cars I have been using autotrader and thats not getting me to far even searching 300 miles away

[Scorp965]

170k is getting up there, while I would not hesitate to say an E36 will last to 200k properly maintained I would seriously be considering a rebuild in 170k territory. What is your price range, if you don't mind me asking? You should be able to pick up a nice 1995 M3 with around 120k for $10k if you shop around enough, and those are SoCal prices (NY should be cheaper); if you're trying to do it for any less than $10k you are going to find M3's that will cost you more than the initial price differance in repair costs, and you would probably be better served with a non-M E36 (eg 325i, 328i)

When I am M3 shopping I will check autotrader.com, classiccartraderonline.com, the recycler, bimmerforums, ebaymotors, etc. - there are also used car classifieds right here on dtmpower.

The one piece of advice I have for you, aside from telling you to fully read and understand the material in the E36 FAQ, is to have whatever car you are considering fully checked out by a recommended independent BMW specialist - do not waste your time/money scheduling a PPI with a dealership, it has been my experiance independent specialists check more items for less money, and in many cases you can drive right over with the car. Do not buy a used BMW, especially one with 170k, without taking it for a purchase inspection. If you're not sure of a good local independent specialist try asking in the regional forums further down the main forum listing page.

[BmwRlS]

thanks for responding again I guess my uncle has a dealers licence so maby he can find something with lower miles and for less at an auction ill prolly go with a a4 tho and move up to a e46 m3 in a year or two thanks for your help for some reason m3's are still expensive im well north of the ny city (almost in canada) with a recommended independent BMW specialist would I bring him with me to look at the car or bring it to his shop some how ? anyways ill look into it thanks again

[Scorp965]

When you are serious about a car ask the seller if you can take it for a purchase inspection - you will then drive the car to the independent specialist's shop and have it checked out prior to buying it. Expect to pay around $100->$150 for this inspection, depending on the car.

[dunesforyou]

this might be kinda ghetto but you can always look into repossessed(sp) cars. I could not find a single m3 under 15k when i was looking for one, but i hope you have better luck