Worth it???

[sam3]

Throwing $5K at and "iffy" M3 is the equivalent of buying new wipers for my Ford Ranger..... barely noticeable.

[NHskibm]

For $5k, you will barely address the cosmetics on that car ( without even touching the rotten windshield surround or rusty sunroof. I am not talking yet about possible structural rot. You will have skipped on all suspension and drivetrain maintenance plus a possible $10k engine rebuild. The car will handle awfully and even be dangerous. You will probably sell it for $10k to a ricer who knows nothing. An M3 enthusiast will know there is way more money to be spent to make the car drive like it should.

while I wish you had pictures the car's exterior is in fine shape. a couple bruises, but nothing major and with the contacts I have $3000 would get a paint job most people would envy. You can either believe me or I'll start posting pics of the work my shop has done.

As far as mechanics go, yes the engine should have compression tests done, but mechanically the car drives straight albeit a few rattles. Interior is in decent shape, but with $5,000 in the right person's hands this car could be VERY VERY nice.

Would I track it, most likely not, but that isn't what I'm talking about. i'm talking about a nice fix up that would make her turn heads, but not win races.

But it doesn't matter because unless the 'seller' gives me the name of the bank that took it the car is lost to us all...

[LeeVuong]

Based on work on 3 previous cars I'd venture to say that $3,000 - $5,000 would make this thing pristine ($5000 if I go with a full repaint and not touch up).

For $5k, you will barely address the cosmetics on that car ( without even touching the rotten windshield surround or rusty sunroof. I am not talking yet about possible structural rot. You will have skipped on all suspension and drivetrain maintenance plus a possible $10k engine rebuild. The car will handle awfully and even be dangerous. You will probably sell it for $10k to a ricer who knows nothing. An M3 enthusiast will know there is way more money to be spent to make the car drive like it should.

[L James]

Maybe the guy sold it to this guy? :lostme:

Bimmerforums thread

[NHskibm]

thank you for all your input guys but unfortunately i offered him $5500 and he informed me that the car had been repoed!!!

The dumb ass took out money on it and now the car is gone!

He lost it last week!

Who knows what kind of deal could have been had last week???

[M3 Adjuster]

NIce to see someone with the same name on different forums....

indeed, like the IX.. (actually even more so) the M3 has unique parts.

A running 1988 M3 with 100K for $6500 is a steal of a deal. Heck, it's still a decent deal with a blown motor! Have it checked out, and go for it.

As others mentioned, I would get the car.. fix or update maintenance items, and then do paint since this is more of a daily driver.

[NHskibm]

If you're serious about it, have a proper PPI done, including compression and leakdown tests. You could also drain the oil (and refill) to look for flakes in the oil to see if a bearing might be on its way out. It would be nice to know what, if any, engine work and maintenance has been done on the car, especially anything major. Over 100K you're starting to look at the possibility of spun bearings and timing chain issues.

For ~6K, if you get a car without rust and no major mechanical problems, I'd say its a good deal. That said, if you spin a bearing because the engine wasn't maintained, that right there eats up > $5K for a rebuild.

Hoping to recoup what you put in, is pretty risky. You'd need to get a really good deal on the car up front.

Good luck.

Brendan

Thanks. Didn't think about the compression test. I've been lucky I guess with all previous car purchases, the engine and tranny have always been in amazing shape. This could be the one that is shot.

Bad plan.

M3's can be scary expensive if the maitenance isn't done. To get it up to snuff where you can expect to get $10k+ out of it would kill your $5-6k budget pretty darn quick.

Good luck on the e46 sale. I was this || close to buying it... :(

-Chris

I still have it. Sorry we didn't get hooked up on it. There is still time though. I do have insurance on it, I took it up there on that nice day on Sunday for him to test drive. First time it has seen winter driving since all mods and repaint, someone better buy it or I'll be :shit: .

A kid in Maine is about to "steal" it from me for $16k and I'm letting him give me 14 now and 2 later with a prom note... I'd love to get more, or at least all now!

I rarely see an M3 in "running" shape with 100k sell for anywhere near 5500. Sounds like it could be a steal unless the car is totally thrashed.

That's what I was thinking. I know with other E30's getting parts is easy and relatively inexpensive. But it sounds like the M3 as always is its own beast. And I should know better as the iX is also its own beast.

Have you driven the car yet? What did you think of it honestly?

"Ass" owners and daily driving the car turns me off instantly. Wouldn't you rather find one for 10K that needs less work but is ultimately ready to enjoy or just mod?

Spend the next few weeks and see if you can find at least two more to drive. That will give you a good idea of what else is out there. If your close to Turner, chances are they have at least one customer in driving distance that is selling.

I didn't actually, but can next time I'm in FL - the guy works on a property we own, not for us, but he's always there. Good call on finding one in "mint" shape to drive and compate.

If the car has a clean title, has not been involved in any accidents, and has no rust (being a FL car), at that price, I wouldn't think twice about buying it.
These cars are only going up in value. Get it, and slowly bring it back to a nice condition, like you did with the IX.
Heck, if you decide to pass on it, let me know, I'll fly down and get it.....:cycle:
Good Luck.

Dan

I will let you know if it is in good shape and I pass.

Where are you located?

Exeter, NH

"(I live in NH so I LOVE my iX and the 135i will get DD duty)"

:thank you


Yeah, I'm not really looking to make any money on this. Just another project for now until I get my 135i as my iX is nearing completion.

I thought I could rescue this beloved car from this dipshit in FL and make her all pretty again and then pass her on to someone to love and keep forever (although I may keep her).

I'd get it to keep myself, but right now it would be a project just to have a project and then pass on to get the 135i. The iX is my only car (with the E46 going) and like all 20 year old cars that have been restored I don't want to drive it at all. It's killing me to drive it this winter already. So I definitely want a NEW car with warranty and all that I don't care about as much.

Who knows I might get this and dump the iX, but not likely, I'd rather pass this m3 coupe on to someone and keep saving to have the $50k i expect to give someone someday for their mint e30 m3 cabrio, that's how bad I want one.

Thanks again guys for all the input!

[M drei 88]

Where are you located?

"(I live in NH so I LOVE my iX and the 135i will get DD duty)"

[chutrain]

Where are you located?

[M drei 88]

If the car has a clean title, has not been involved in any accidents, and has no rust (being a FL car), at that price, I wouldn't think twice about buying it.
These cars are only going up in value. Get it, and slowly bring it back to a nice condition, like you did with the IX.
Heck, if you decide to pass on it, let me know, I'll fly down and get it.....:cycle:
Good Luck.

Dan

[Sbailey294]

Have you driven the car yet? What did you think of it honestly?

"Ass" owners and daily driving the car turns me off instantly. Wouldn't you rather find one for 10K that needs less work but is ultimately ready to enjoy or just mod?

Spend the next few weeks and see if you can find at least two more to drive. That will give you a good idea of what else is out there. If your close to Turner, chances are they have at least one customer in driving distance that is selling.

[ShiftBMW]

I rarely see an M3 in "running" shape with 100k sell for anywhere near 5500. Sounds like it could be a steal unless the car is totally thrashed.

[UNHCLL]

Bad plan.

M3's can be scary expensive if the maitenance isn't done. To get it up to snuff where you can expect to get $10k+ out of it would kill your $5-6k budget pretty darn quick.

Good luck on the e46 sale. I was this || close to buying it... :(

-Chris

[Brendan]

If you're serious about it, have a proper PPI done, including compression and leakdown tests. You could also drain the oil (and refill) to look for flakes in the oil to see if a bearing might be on its way out. It would be nice to know what, if any, engine work and maintenance has been done on the car, especially anything major. Over 100K you're starting to look at the possibility of spun bearings and timing chain issues.

For ~6K, if you get a car without rust and no major mechanical problems, I'd say its a good deal. That said, if you spin a bearing because the engine wasn't maintained, that right there eats up > $5K for a rebuild.

Hoping to recoup what you put in, is pretty risky. You'd need to get a really good deal on the car up front.

Good luck.

Brendan

[NHskibm]

Thanks for the responses so far!

I do love the car. I've completely restored an 1989 325ix which has been a fun project. I picked it up for $1800 and have put about $15k into the car replacing just about everything, but in stages.

This M3 is in MUCH better condition than my iX was in and luckily I have bav auto and turner in my backyard so to speak, as well as some great used parts contacts. Also lucky enough to have friends that own mecahnic and body shops that let me have the run of the places!

I guess my question is in regards to used parts, new parts, etc. If this car needs all the little things as described how hard is it to find the stuff. While the iX is unique with drivetrain and suspension for the most part 325i stuff works, how much different is the E30 M3 from other M3's?

For example I had a E36 328is factory M-tech. there are very FEW differences between that car and a same year M3.

Basically I'd buy the car for the joy of restoring her to former glory, enjoy her for much of the summer (going to do ED for my 135i in August) and then sell her hoping to recoup whatever I put into her.

Not really looking to make money, but looking for an interim project (my iX is almost done) that I could get back in the end and pass her on to a new home.