So I found a 1999 M3 convertible for 6k in great shape. But I'm worried I'm too much of a poor fag to afford the upkeep. Any common issues on the E36 M3 I should be aware of before I take the plunge.
>M3
>convertible
>>13922987
>Any common issues on the E36 M3 I should be aware of before I take the plunge.
Everything. Mainly the cooling system.
Water pump will die
fan will die
thermostat will die
Also if you see a red dot above the odo reading that means the odometer has been tampered with.
>>13922987
If you have no tools, and no wrenching ability, then walk away.
It's 6,000 for a reason.
If it is an automatic, go see the car and light it on fire. You'll be doing yourself and the current owner a favor.
>>13923009
This.
>>13922987
>16 year old sport model BMW
>any common issues
Yes, you'll want to look for [everything], it's commonly know to have [everything] failures. This includes breaking [everything] and repeated issues with [everything].
Before you purchase this car, you may want to research the best local soup kitchens. You'll be homeless shortly after your purchase, it's a good idea to know where you can get a hot meal to eat.
>>13923010
I've got the tools and I can wrench but I'm worried about complexity and parts costs
>>13922987
6k for a 1999 BMW is a horrible deal and they are nothing special and expensive to repair don't even bother getting a bmw just get a 1999-04 mustang for 6k
>>13923029
But muh handling...
Don't buy a convertible, dude. You're just going to regret it unless you want it specifically. If you want a hardtop I have one for sale.
There's no real upkeep other than belt and tensioner intervals and water pump. Do yourself a favor and just buy a metal impeller.
>>13923009
>Everything
More like nothing. M52's don't die if the aforementioned cheap things are maintained.
>>13923028
Then don't buy it.
Or buy it.
There's really only one of two things that will happen here: you'll end up with an awesome car that you get to learn all kinds of stuff on, by fixing and maintaining it.
Or you'll end up regretting your purchase when it breaks down repeatedly, costs you fucktons in parts and maintenance, and fucks your life up with the overall inconvenience of an unreliable car.
Probably the latter, because you don't make much money and you're still a teenager.
>>13923039
>There's no real upkeep other than belt and tensioner intervals and water pump.
>I'm selling one
Seems legit, I think we can trust this guy.
>>13923029
Why did you even take the time to type this out? You clearly have no idea what you're on about
>>13923039
I like the convertible top though. Makes hot summers here in Cali easier to deal with. This is a five speed manual thankfully so no shitty automatic to fail.
>>13923051
>man
>owning a convertible
how pathetic
>>13923047
I'm selling an e36 hard top. Not the car.
But it's a fact that the M52 just doesn't need maintenance. Shim the lifters at 150k, watch for wear on the belts and tensioners, get a metal water pump impeller. And the rest is standard car stuff / luck. There's tons of 200k+ M3s of this chassis out there running fine because it's not the S50.
The expensive shit is things like calipers, rotors, hubs, they are M3 specific pieces.
That said I wouldn't buy a convertible, ever.
>>13923078
So the s52 is a real pain in the ass?
>>13923095
No its pretty much a bore out M52 with strengthen internals and a bigger manifold intake.
Just take care of the cooling system and your good as far as the engine goes.
>>13923095
The "S50" and "S52" of the US are really just M50 and M52 that have been bored and stroked to 3 liters with some other added bits in the valve train like hollow cams with more lift, different valves, and springs.
I don't know anything about the real S50 or S52 because I don't live in Europe.
Good solid car. I bought mine 3 years ago for $5k and have yet to have a single big issue. Just lots of annoying electrical failures (FSU for the blower, windshield wipers stopping, window regulator failing etc.)
I wouldn't get a convertible though. Just another thing to go wrong and it doesn't handle as well as a coupe or sedan M3, but you do you.
>>13922987
>Any common issues on the E36 M3
Yeah.
Everything. Literally everything.
>>13923319
>I've never owned an E36
Why reply? What makes you think you have anything of value to add?
a E36 M3's real cost is 10k
Prepare to spend atleast 4k repairing it if you buy for 6k
>>13922987
Does it have nigger rims?
>>13922987
My brother bought one and one of his friends owns like 5 (e36, 2 e24s, and 2 e30s)
Theyre reliable asf only problems hes had arent threatening to the car at all and hes usually had months of putting up with it before hes bothered to fix it.
It really depends on the model and series (318, 323, etc.)
>>13922987
I know of the M3 sedan and coupe but I've never heard of a convertible M3 for the E36 era.
>>13924500
It's 6k because no one wants a vert..
Been an E36M3fag for past 2 years now. 6k is honestly overpriced in my book considering I spent 4k for one with major suspension upgrades here in Cali.
One thing thing I like about the vert is that it uses an under belly x-brace which reduces chassis flex.
Number one thing to look out for is the shitty cooling system and fooking oil leaks. First maintenance for you should include:
-Valve Cover Gasket ($40)
-Thermostat ($20) + Metal Housing ($15)
-Water Pump ($40)
-Metal Water Pump Pulley ($25)
>OEM is fooking plastic. shit will shatter
-Expansion Tank w/ level sensor ($40)
-Upper and Lower Radiator to Thermostat Hoses ($15 for both)
If radiator ($150) is shot, pick one up.
Only stick to OEM or reputable parts makers.
Change those parts every 100k-150k miles and your M3 will last you forever. seriously.
It's not too expensive to maintain an E36 M3 considering I'm a poor fag too. You just better be a DIY mechanic. Plenty of DIYs online for BMWs
>>13925334
>it uses an under belly x-brace which reduces chassis flex.
And it loses the entire roof (a giant chassis brace) and gains like 500lbs in the process.
>>13925334
>Shitty cooling system
More like neglected cooling system that nobody does. Or cost too much for anyone to want to afford.
Control are bushings always are bad! Cooling systems are plastic garbage on all news, the lower ball joints on the front wheels go bad too. Bmws are soooooooooooooooooo over rated by spoiled chads. Get a 240sx or an ae86. If you can't wrench on anything get your mommy and daddy to buy you a VW beetle.
>>13925415
>Get a 240sx or an ae86
6 cylinders or more only pls.
>>13925426
That's what motor swaps are for dumb ass faggot. Nobody wants a 240 or an 86 with the stock engines in em.
>>13925436
>swapped
Way to change the goal post. If you got the bucks, time, parts, and space go for it my friend
>>13925436
>motor swaps
What are you going to swap in a 240 or 86?
>>13925436
>motor swaps
LS1?
>>13925455
240sx motor swaps are endless. You could do any Nissan or Rita online six you want which have way more modability than a bmw engine does and can make more power as well. Or you can do a ls1 or a mustang motor, you could do a Bmw engine. You can do anything you want.
Ae86 you can put a Lexus ls400 v8 fairly easy. You can do a s2000 engine or a beams motor which are both. Inline 4s but make crazy power and rev super high and are very good for 4 bangers.
>>13925477
Toyota 2jz and 1jz motors all day in a 240sx
