crazyarab 6 Report post Posted March 2, 2008 Hi All, Back to pick your brains again. I am seriously thinking about getting this M3: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=140778457 Basically I was up in Auckland a few weeks ago and decided to go and see it, ended up having a chat with the dealer and discussed a trade in option on my car. We eventually came to an agreement which I felt was fair and hence am now seriously thinking of going ahead with the deal (basically getting it for $22k). The car looks a million time better in real life (those photos on trademe don't do it justice). From what I could tell the interior / engine bay and exterior looked mint however, unfortunately I never got the chance to test drive it. It's basically stock apart from the strut brace and a complete exhaust system with a 5zigen tip. He got the car AA appraised and apparently it has come up clean (yet to view it). So I have a few questions for those of you in the know: Are there any common faults I should look for? Is an AA check going to be enough (I was thinking of getting a BMW specialist to look at it also) ? Anyone have a recommended BMW specialist in Auckland that can test the car for me and roughly how much will it cost? It's a Singapore import should I really be worried seen it has very low kms and been in NZ for a while now? I have never driven an M3 before... and hence have very high expectation of it i.e. 0-100 in sub 6sec plus amazing handling etc.. am I wrong to think that ? This is no small purchase so I want to be sure of it before I go ahead, so any feedback would be much appreciated! Cheers in advance. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
international 0 Report post Posted March 2, 2008 SG imports usually have poor rubber seals around the windscreens and door handle due to their hot climate and possible electrical connection faults such as the connections on the rear brake lights... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hybrid 1039 Report post Posted March 2, 2008 Is an AA check going to be enough (I was thinking of getting a BMW specialist to look at it also) ? What you want to do is go to either jerry claytons or team mcmillan and ask for a "Pre purchase inspection" will cost you around the same as a AA check and they actually check more than just oil and water and qaulified in the car to actually do so. youll have a full report that is taylored to your model and year of vehicle also what is wrong with it and how much (from the dealer) it will cost to fix .. with no pressure to go with them .. They will also tell you all the things to look out for. best money spent period when buying BMW Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yuen 16 Report post Posted March 2, 2008 (edited) Are there any common faults I should look for? Can spot the OBC screen has gone. I do not know of the problems specific to the M3, but the standard E36 problems will apply - saggy headlining, door panels should be ok if they are leather. I'd check if the cooling system has any weak points like on other E36s. Is an AA check going to be enough (I was thinking of getting a BMW specialist to look at it also) ? Would not bother with AA check, no point doing it twice. Get a specialist or the dealer to look at it. Dealer pre-purchase inspectin is ~$140. Anyone have a recommended BMW specialist in Auckland that can test the car for me and roughly how much will it cost? Glenn @ Botany Motorworx, our forum sponsor comes to mind. It's a Singapore import should I really be worried seen it has very low kms and been in NZ for a while now? Singaporean imports seem to have a bad reputation in NZ. It may well be that they suffer from more faults than a Japanese import due to the hotter climate (which will affect rubber parts for example)... but BMWs in Singapore don't exactly break down and die. There are plenty around and they run fine. I would not focus so much on where it came from, but on its service history, how long it's been in NZ (looks like it's been here for at least 7 years based on the plate?). I have never driven an M3 before... and hence have very high expectation of it i.e. 0-100 in sub 6sec plus amazing handling etc.. am I wrong to think that ? I'm sure it's an amazing car especially compared to a regular E36. But I do have to ask... why haven't you test driven a car you're going to buy? For all you know it may not live up to your expectations at that price point. You should drive it for yourself and not purchase based on someone else's opinion. Also find it interesting that the car doesn't have a passenger airbag and digital climate control. Edited March 2, 2008 by Yuen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr E34 11 Report post Posted March 2, 2008 After the pre-purchase make sure you talk directly to the mechanic/technician WHO ACTUALLY looked at the car. You will find out alot more than simple ticks/crosses, ask about the E36 M3 faults etc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greg111 13 Report post Posted March 2, 2008 My experiance with them is great, had no trouble with it at all but then this is just a one man opinoin, was looking on trademe before and saw a red one in showroom condition, it actually looks like it's in a showroom of some kind? Low ks, NZ new, and only $24,000, they are certainly a lot of car for your money! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M3 Cab 0 Report post Posted March 2, 2008 Would definiately get it checked out by a BMW specialist and Glenn can help ya out. If thats to far to travel then theres always the BM Workshop in Grey Lynn which is 2 mins from the dealer. I agree with Greg the red car looks like good buying. Im pretty sure it was for sale out of Jerry Claytons about 3 years back if its the same car its worth a look. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yuen 16 Report post Posted March 2, 2008 This one Greg? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/C...n-141173457.htm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the stig 0 Report post Posted March 2, 2008 There is also this one: Is an evo and is NZ new trademe link Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
liam02 6 Report post Posted March 2, 2008 No the red car is not the one for sale at JCBMW a few years back, that car had leather for a start. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
martyyn 2 Report post Posted March 2, 2008 There is also this one: Is an evo and is NZ new trademe link Haha, guess who is leading the bidding ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
3 SERIES 92 Report post Posted March 2, 2008 Haha, guess who is leading the bidding !Ha Ha, its everyones favorite little friend....strat1! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greg111 13 Report post Posted March 2, 2008 This one Greg? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/C...n-141173457.htm Yep that's the one, bloody mint, the guy who is selling the sedan will want a f**k load more than what the starting bid is! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cale 36 Report post Posted March 2, 2008 And he's after THIS. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greenday-rulz21 4 Report post Posted March 2, 2008 He's looking for another victim to fall to his black spray can... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crazyarab 6 Report post Posted March 2, 2008 (edited) Thanks for the awesome feedback guys. I think I will definitely get a pre-purchase check from one of the BMW specialists mentioned, I figured the AA probably don't know a hell of a lot when it comes to German cars. I am pretty gutted I could not test drive it but to be honest it never got serious till I got back to Chch. I am contemplating flying back up to give it a test drive but I think it's going to be real hard with work not to mention its an extra cost. 99.99% sure it will be my dream come true so my main concern is that it's in tip top shape. With regards to the red car, of course I checked it out! I was probably the first one to see the auction as I have been typing "M" "3" into trademe almost every 5 mins ever since I got my E36 lol (practically worn the keys ). So yeh, when I saw one in Christchurch I immediately checked it out. It seems like an awesome car, but I prefer black with leather interior plus the black one has 20,000kms less on the clock and is $3k cheaper. The red car was also owned by a youth driver and has had some mods to the engine, I prefer getting an untouched stock one. Another big factor is the red M3 is actually a private sale not from that dealer (he is selling on behalf) and they don't want to trade so I would have to sell my car first, with the black one it's a swap + cash which suits me perfectly. And yeh, I know of pretty much every M3 for sale on trademe at the moment (don't we all?). Once again cheers for the great feedback, hope the inspection goes well... I want it >.<! Edited March 2, 2008 by crazyarab Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yuen 16 Report post Posted March 2, 2008 Ah fair enough - good luck on your mission, hope to see an E36 M3 in your sig soon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crazyarab 6 Report post Posted March 2, 2008 (edited) Another thing I noticed about the OBC is that it seems to have the "basic optinos" only, is this normal for an M3? I would have thought it would have the fully optioned obc (such as the one in this M3`http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=140539729). Ah fair enough - good luck on your mission, hope to see an E36 M3 in your sig soon Thanks man, we will see soon enough I guess . Edited March 2, 2008 by crazyarab Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark 178 Report post Posted March 2, 2008 Another thing I noticed about the OBC is that it seems to have the "basic optinos" only, is this normal for an M3? Hey man, I'm becoming a "backseat buyer" here (getting excited about someone elses purchase)! This is cool! OBC was merely an option on any E36... the more buttons you wanted the more you paid. Obviously most M3 owners optioned the 18 button because if you can afford to buy a top of the line new BMW you can afford all the gizmos too! Good luck with the purchase.... but I reckon you should DEFINITELY take it for a rigorous drive before buying it. Imagine if you find something horrendously wrong with it once you get it down to CHCH and you can't sell it for what you bought it for! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crazyarab 6 Report post Posted March 2, 2008 Hi guys, the dealer is suggesting I send the car to "Guido Locher" as it's 5 mins down the road from his dealership. Anyone dealth with this place before? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve R 0 Report post Posted March 2, 2008 thats the guy from BM workshop. when i bought my car i had a pre purchase inspection done there and he was extreamly good, tested everything, and then talked to me about the faults and gave me his personal opinion on the car. he also gave prices to fix everything that needed fixing, and also problems that could come up in the near future. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yuen 16 Report post Posted March 2, 2008 OBC was merely an option on any E36... the more buttons you wanted the more you paid. Obviously most M3 owners optioned the 18 button because if you can afford to buy a top of the line new BMW you can afford all the gizmos too! Good luck with the purchase.... but I reckon you should DEFINITELY take it for a rigorous drive before buying it. Imagine if you find something horrendously wrong with it once you get it down to CHCH and you can't sell it for what you bought it for! Yup, or you could get some sort of warranty from the dealer via a contract. From what I've seen the UK cars generally have 18 button OBCs, the NZ ones 11 button. I think it depends on the country and model whether they made it standard or an option. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
liam02 6 Report post Posted March 2, 2008 The evo sedan ( byzanz ) is a very good buy, neither Lee the current owner nor I had any problems with it at. I owned it up to Dec 2006 and in the year i had it I put a new clutch in it so in other words the major expense has been done. It is well looked after and i purchased it from Cooke Howlison BMW who would not put a car of that age on their yard unless it was exceptional. Go with a car with a history and the QCar status of a sedan! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M3 Cab 0 Report post Posted March 2, 2008 I owned it up to Dec 2006 and in the year i had it I put a new clutch in it so in other words the major expense has been done. So the clutch is the only major expense on an M3 then? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
liam02 6 Report post Posted March 2, 2008 Well nearly $5k for a new clutch and dual mass flywheel is a fair wack! Say a blown engine might be abit more. An overhall of a smg gearbox might be more than that though ay Doug Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
