Thinking Of Throwing In The 205 Towel

[miamigtimark 3 1 Cars]

Had my e36 m3 for 9 years and 70k miles. Now being re born with Carbon CSL bootlid and split rims.

I would say do it.

Get a classic insurance policy (im paying circa £400).

Keep the miles low and it wont cost you that much to run.

Mines a pre Evo but its safe to say they wont get any cheaper , infact i would say prices are creeping up:

See many have been broke for engine (circa £1200) and interior (vaders go for about £400) or tracked!!!

[jon.ford 3]

Depends if you enjoy playing with your car don't Think beemer would be so spanner friendly

Jon

[Alan_M 66 1 Cars]

Yep, M means money!

 

I 'was' looking at E36 M3s and had to put it off due to finances. Once my dealings with solicitors are finished I'll be back looking, but E46s this time.

 

Engines are reliable, if looked after. Inspection 1 & 2s etc are important. Otherwise fairly DIYable. As with any BMW, parts are expensive though and are BMW only. Evos are regarded as they more unreliable version, with the Vanos issues. Non Evo has less power, but is the better option apparently and will cost less to buy.

 

You wont be able to run one on a shoestring, and no doubt within the first few months of ownership I'd expect a few bills, unless you find a well looked after one. Most are neglected.

 

Awesome cars. Dinos was mighty impressive round the 'ring.

[screwloose 6]

Yep, M means money!

 

I 'was' looking at E36 M3s and had to put it off due to finances. Once my dealings with solicitors are finished I'll be back looking, but E46s this time.

 

Engines are reliable, if looked after. Inspection 1 & 2s etc are important. Otherwise fairly DIYable. As with any BMW, parts are expensive though and are BMW only. Evos are regarded as they more unreliable version, with the Vanos issues. Non Evo has less power, but is the better option apparently and will cost less to buy.

 

You wont be able to run one on a shoestring, and no doubt within the first few months of ownership I'd expect a few bills, unless you find a well looked after one. Most are neglected.

 

Awesome cars. Dinos was mighty impressive round the 'ring.

 

Actually there is very little in the way of vanos issues with either car. Common misconception. If anything it's rarely the actual vanos but instead solenoid failure.

[Henry Yorke 269 3 Cars]

Different league between a 205 and an E36. The price of parts will terrify you and you can't get the bits easily second hand or decent aftermarket parts. My e39 535i needed an air mass sensor (similar to an AFM). I couldn't find one second hand anywhere and ended up going to the dealers as no one else was any cheaper. £250 lighter.

 

Watch for rust on e36's too as they are surprisingly prone to it. I would also make sure you buy the right car and definitely don't buy the cheapest. You want low owners and a thick file of receipts. Preferably someone who was in something like the BMW Car Club GB. I like the sound of the full BMW SH and also the low miles over the past few years and long ownership if it was stored in a garage and polished for shows etc... I would ask him if he has the original wheels and they can be a haggling point if he thinks they are worth £2k!

[MiniGibbo 142]

Don't be put off by the vanos rumours but be aware most evo's do "growl" but one that's going tits up sounds like your hitting the front of the engine with a hammer lol...

 

Seems to be rule of thumb on the forum you can expect to spent upto 2k on average on an m3 in the first year of maintenance..

 

Each front disc is £130, a water pump £300 etc etc