What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
BMW M3 EVO - Any advice? - Chris
Hi i am now looking to buy a bmw m3 evolution from 1997 onwards. I really like the performance of them and the used market for them is quite reasonable when you look at other rivals (merc amg's, porsches, etc..).

Basically I am looking to get the coupe version too. Anything i should be aware of when looking? also, if anyone has owned/ has experience of them i would appreciate a response.

I dont mind buying private or from a specialist although with private sales i will get it inspected by the AA or an expert in the field.

thanks
Re: BMW M3 EVO - Any advice? - Gary Bain
I used to run an M3 Evolution SMG 98 R Coupe what a car the best car I have ever driven, very costly spent in the region of £4K on it, however that was possibly down to me when I lost the car in the Crammer Curves on Donnington race circuit. I would advise you to obtain Full service history preferably by BMW dealership. Expect large running costs!!
But overall great car handles fantastic and with that awesome 3.2 straight 6 engine gives you more power than you can ever imagine. Get a radar detector fitted, I ran mine for a year and a half luckily without any points!!
Re: BMW M3 EVO - Any advice? - Honest John
They do suffer from M52 factor. See car by car breakdown. Also, service parts cost a fortune.

HJ
Re: BMW M3 EVO - Any advice? - CJ
I thought a few days ago you were looking at buying a BMW 5 series!

Next you will be asking about buying a Ferrari F40.

Rather than asking opinions about every car you wish you could buy, why not seek opinions here once you have done some basic research (eg. HJ's car-by-car breakdowm), narrowed down your wish-list, got a budget in mind, then ask here advice on helping with final choice.

This is meant in all good faith as good advice for you to follow or reject. But remember, most backroomers are happy to help - until someone starts behaving like Chris Watson which is when they lose patience.
Re: BMW M3 EVO - Any advice? - Chris
Before lecturing me on what i can and cant afford let me fill you in on my situation.

I have just sold me 328i sport privately (remember the post 'whats my beemer worth?' or something like that) - well, it paid off and sold it privately.

I was also offered a bmw 5 series from a colleague which seemed an attractive proposition at £14k roughly but had a few faults so checked that out with you guys again.

I have decided against the 5 series now and am looking at a 1997 onwards BMW M3 Evo which i plan to buy within the next few weeks.

I have a budget in mind of 14k - 23k (for a really good car) and therefore there are many options. these being

Alfas - unreliable and loose money like mad
TVR - all too extreme and unreliable
Mercs - C36 AMG nice car but dated inside, CLK too similar to the 328i
Mazda, Mitsubishi, etc.. - dont like the jap cars all that much
Volvo - ZZZZZZZZZZ
Volkswagen - a bit bland and no performance vehicles
Ferrari - your having a laugh aint you! servicing is mega bucks
Lotus - Esprit is an option
Many more marques but i narrowed it down to the following:

BMW M3 Evo
Lotus Esprit
Porsche 911 (older 1991/2 C2/4)
Merc C36 AMG

out of them the beemer hits it dead on, its newer, extremely fast and reliable. Insurance on all these cars is Group 20 so its gonna be a fortune but i realise that.

Any other suggestions would be helpful
Re: BMW M3 EVO - Any advice? - Keith
Honda S2000
Re: BMW M3 EVO - Any advice? - Chris
Good idea, i aint totally against jap cars and that may be an option. Cheers
Re: BMW M3 EVO - Any advice? - Honest John
Blackbushe, Friday: 2000W E46 328iSE with 63k bid to just £12,150. Not an E36 M3EVO, but a safer buy with no chance of M52 factor. Six cylinder E46s are becoming affordable.

HJ
Re: BMW M3 EVO - Any advice? - Chris
I aint against another 328i in the new e46 guise although i do fancy something with a bit more poke and status. I am aware of the M52 problem yea as i had some tests done on my 328i after being warned about it on the message board - my car didnt suffer from it luckily. I am going to get an M3 which appeals to me thoroughly checked out when the time comes though to avoid this.

As a complete alternative I am also considering a Z3 2.8 - found a very nice example at my local dealer - 1998 R BMW Z3 2.8, 33k, FBMWSH, many extras, in silver for £15,995 which isnt unreasonable - they also said that they would do 'a deal' on it which is a good sign. The only problem is I was really looking for something with 4 seats but this car would still suite me well. I will however shop around a bit though if i decide on one.
Re: BMW M3 EVO - Any advice? - Phil
End of the line Porsche 968? Still look the business and if serviced right can be run on almost sensible money.
Re: BMW M3 EVO - Any advice? - Jason
How about a last of the line Porsche 928 GTS. Rare and different..or is this a rubbish suggestion?

p.s HJ (or anyone else) - What is "the M52" factor that keeps being mentioned wrt BMWs. Is this lingo for the bore liner problem?

Thanks from Jase
Re: M52 factor - CJ
jason: See "car-by-car breakdown"; HJ says

" Non-M42 8-valve four-cylinder engines had timing belts up to September 1993 - chains thereafter. Some M52 6-cylinder 320is, 323is and 328is have suffered premature bore wear. "
Re: That's a better post, chris - CJ
Quote:
"Before lecturing me on what i can and cant afford let me fill you in on my situation. ...etc. "


Now that is a much better post which convinces me that you are seeking genuine advice, and you will see from the responses that you have got a much wider range of opinions to help.

Good luck in your search.
Re: That's a better post, chris - chris
Yea, i guess i should use that/something similar in the future :-D

Went and saw some M3's today and as a result have definitely decided to go ahead with an M3 Evolution from 1997 onwards. Saw some fantastic examples and am very tempted by a couple in particular.

What do you think of Black M3's? was really after an estoril blue one but have been offered a gr8 black one with a lot of kit. Am quite tempted - will keep you all posted on what happens.

Thanks to everyone for ALL your help and suggestions (the 968 someone suggested was a good idea but unfortunately a bit older than i wanted). Like i said, will keep you posted look for my future post as this topic is now closed as its too far back on the site.