Anyone know anything about a 1996 BMW M3?

[AllMotorDC2]

I've been scouring the internet for a new car and although I don't know a single thing about the car, I've grown really fond of this BMW M3 I found. The car is a 1996 5 speed, black on black leather, 121,xxx miles and is in pretty pristine condition. The car has new rear 02 sensors, tires, brakes and according to the owner all gauges work (he claims it's common for the gauges to fail.

Are these reliable cars at that mileage if the maintanence have been kept up? Anything that I should be wary of if I did actually purchase it? We don't work on European cars at our shop, but it never hurts to learn something new :)

Just curious if anyone could give me any into/tips or show me in the right direction of a BMW forum. Thanks!

[Jason]

Price? Pics? Link?:naughty:

[TnSlowSrt]

Yeah you would look cute in one and insurance is high as hell on them... atleast it was for me:)

[Good2GetBlown]

m3forum.net And MAYBE bimmerforums.com but try to stay at m3forum.net

[bimmer328is]

The 96 M3 (E36) is very smilar to my 97 328is. Ive got 115,xxx miles on mine and it still runs super strong. Ive not had any mechanical issues in the 2 years ive had it. Maitnence work is fairly easy as well. I know quite alot about the E36 so just ask. And do check the BMW forums, they are a ton of help. Good luck

[Jason]

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=97

[porschefan1013]

Maybe I could help. :D First of all, come on over to M3forum.net and then into the E36 section if you want a whole lot of advice...but I highly recommend the search function first.

Basically this...the great thing is that you can do a lot of work on this car yourself and save a great deal of money. Will there be problems...I wouldn't call them problems, just things you may or may not have to deal w/. With that amount of mileage, if the suspension components haven't been replaced (bushings, RTABS, RSM's etc...) you can expect to do it soon...if you want to feel the true potential of this vehicle's handling capabilities.

Also, BMW must have stock invested in some plastics company, b/c everything is plastic. The radiators on these cars do tend to crack and have to be replaced, usually beyone 70k, you need to be on the lookout.

Other than that, expect nothing but fun my man. When you purchase that car you'll become part of a very special club. I highly recommend it!

Oh, and another thing...stick w/ the 96+ cars. You get OBD II software and the 3.2 S50B32 S52 motor (vs. the 3.0 in the 95). The 95's are supposedly mod friendlier, but frankly, I don't buy it these days. The only advantage is that it comes w/ the M50 manifold, an option many upgrade to, but robs you of torque in exchange for a few top end ponies, so unless you have other mods to compensate, not worth it.

and check this out too...tells you everything you'd ever want to know and then some.

http://www.bmwmregistry.com/

[Good2GetBlown]

Im so glad you said M3forum and not BFCTRASH....

[porschefan1013]

Im so glad you said M3forum and not BFCTRASH....

:lol: You know it brotha...I've got mad love for that forum. I don't know what I'd do w/o it. It's my homepage. I rarely post on bfc.com, and M3forum is obviously much more model specific...and of course, the guys there, very cool...too many 3 series w/ M3 bodykits at the other place. :cool: Not cool.