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  Nov. 30, 2011 4:03 p.m. Teh E36 M3 Dork

  So there's this:

  http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/2727170441.html

  Long story short: 95 M3 in apparently pretty good shape, with 200k miles, 60k on rebuilt motor with allegedly good parts (carrillo, etc) and some head porting, cams etc. Wants $6k for it. Just updated the CL ad- it needs a completely new cooling system and he wants $3500 for it as is, or he'll fix it and sell for $6k. I asked, and he said that the tensioner seized and it threw the belt. Not much more information than that- he didn't answer my question about whether it overheated, but I'd say a seized tensioner would be noticed by a thrown belt and you'd stop before overheating. Regardless... my interest is up, but my radar is up too. He's got it in a shop near Baltimore and I'd have to get it towed to Arlington (~40 miles) to home for the repair. They sell complete cooling system rebuild kits (radiator, waterpump, etc) for $300, so I think this could be a really good deal. On the other hand, it could be a massive, giant turd.
  

  What say you, wise ones?

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  Nov. 30, 2011 4:08 p.m. ransom Dork

  I'd have to ask again about the overheating:

  • Needs cooling system
  • Threw belt while driving
  • Didn't answer that question when you asked it

  "In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But, in practice, there is." - Jan L.A. van de Snepscheut

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  Nov. 30, 2011 4:09 p.m. itsarebuild HalfDork

  his name is emporer? really?

  he is refusing to answer a valid question?

  he is holding jacking the price up $2500 for a $300 fix?

  i think i'd walk but that is just my db radar going berzerkely.....

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  Nov. 30, 2011 4:21 p.m. z31maniac SuperDork

  Walk.

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  Nov. 30, 2011 4:22 p.m. docwyte Reader

  No way I'd buy it. Those engines are extremely sensitive to over heating. One time and they're done and you're lucky to get away with decking the head and a new head gasket.

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  Nov. 30, 2011 4:39 p.m. Teh E36 M3 Dork

  All of you hit the same uh oh buttons as me. Ok- the cheapskate in me finds it really hard to pass something like this by. I'm walking.

  On another note- I'm really searching hard for a decent 4 door manual m3 but they are damn hens teeth for 8k or less. There are two auto's for under $6k... how hard is the manual swap? There are 60 pages or so on Bimmer forums with everyone saying from 12-30 hours. I found a complete swap kit on ebay for $799, which seems decent with used parts.
  

  Question #2: The other 4 door I was looking at was an immaculate silver manual with black interior. A few things (headliner, loose kidney). 158k. Rebuilt title. Didn't tell me about the rebuilt title until I showed, which irritated me. The repair area was left rear quarter and it was done professionally and nicely. Never would have noticed. Wanted $6.5k and I had him to $5.6k before I walked.
  

  Was this a bad idea? Maybe I'm just trying to be too cheap here and need to spend the money to get a "decent" car. Feeling a little foolish about selling my '95 with 63k that I got for $8k. Sold for $10.5 with 65k, but the selling price almost seems low now when you look at what's out there.

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  Nov. 30, 2011 5:32 p.m. docwyte Reader

  The sedans hold a premium, particularly the manuals. A M3/4/5 with under 100k miles will sell for $12-14k depending on mods.

  Hard to find a decent one for $8k, you just have to be patient.

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  Nov. 30, 2011 5:48 p.m. njansenv HalfDork

  As someone who basically "gave away" projects in frustration before, I'd go take a closer look at the potentially overheated M3. It's not hard to find a used head for these - it's the same casting as the 328's. It'd be a bit of work (headgasket, cooling system) but could be promising. It'd be hard to lose on if the chassis is solid.

  The more cars I have, the more I realize just how perfect the M3/4/5 was for us.... I've always keeping my eyes out for another M3

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  Nov. 30, 2011 6:05 p.m. Teh E36 M3 Dork

  I cannot think of another car besides the WRX wagon (already in the garage) that has this kind of performance, efficiency, and relatively low cost. As long as you do the maintenance yourself.
  

  The value of the M3/4/5's being so high is one of the reasons I look at the auto's thinking that it might not be too bad to do the manual conversion. There were two under $6k with 140k and 150k on the clock on CL in DC area recently. Otherwise great shape, just an auto.

  Rebuilt silver/black m3/4/5 for $5600 not a good deal then? I almost have myself convinced, but then get the 'uh oh' feeling.

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  Nov. 30, 2011 6:54 p.m. corytate HalfDork

  if the engine is shot in the possibly overheated m3, LS swap. it's that easy.

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  Nov. 30, 2011 7:02 p.m. motomoron HalfDork

  Run away.

  Run away quickly, for so ~many~ reasons.

  There's an great number of reasonably stock e36 M3s around, and sub-concours quality examples can be had at FAIR prices, particularly if you're willing to expand your search radius.

  I'm probably going to sell mine, but it's a fully developed dedicated track-car-with-a-license-plate and it won't be cheap. But what I'm getting to is that even though my car has had a cubic sh1tload of money dumped into safety gear, suspension, sets of wheels, a giant aluminum cooling system and loads and loads of reliability and performance based maintenance - aside from a VAC oil pump shaft and their oil pan baffle, everything inside the engine is original BMW from the day in 1997 that Fritz screwed it together in Munich. On a car that doesn't have a roll cage, I see no reason why the engine has been apart at all unless it's been grenaded.

  And once it's been overheated, there is no quick fix. I've seen guys I know who a solid experienced racers do "a quick head gasket". Then they do it again. And possibly again.

  I understand the urge to get the car. I struggled for 8 months to wait for "the car" when I was shopping for mine, and I'm so glad I did. I'll keep an eye out for you while I'm shopping for the replacement for mine. Shoot me an email w/ your contact info.

  EDIT:

  Asking $6.5k. Money talks...

  "All my tools are hammers except screwdrivers which are chisels and punches"

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  Nov. 30, 2011 7:32 p.m. Teh E36 M3 Dork

  Been looking at that one. I'll try and check it out this weekend. Really looking for that 4dr 5 speed, but I think I'm going to have a really tough time finding one for my $6-8k budget.... that's why those auto's for under $6k are starting to look ok- assuming the auto-manual swap isn't too hectic.

  Other hand, as a backup car and commuter for one, a coupe isn't going to hurt anyone. That might be the right car to look at.

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