1996 BMW M3 INPUT PLEASE

[MrBoostedCRX]

Are they good cars?expensive parts? owner said they have some place called strictly german where they sell shit for cheap... im buying one in 3 weeks from a good friend thats leaving for good out of state for 3k..body is ok, and motor wise everything is good, sounds like a beast...heres a pic of one JUST like it, but the rim is black with silver lip and the bumper lip is black, and tinted windows ,other than that, JUST like this one..

[Elbow]

Reliable, strong, parts can be a little expensive but not too bad.

[MrBoostedCRX]

sweet, wonder whats the gas mileage on the 6 cylinder, im going to miss the 90 hp del sol that takes 2 weeks to get to empty huh?

[Elbow]

Trade my Miata for it, then you can have 4cyl gas mileage and not 90hp.

[MrBoostedCRX]

Trade my Miata for it, then you can have 4cyl gas mileage and not 90hp.

lol i never had a BMW before and i love how they sound...ill keep that thought when i want to trade it afterwords

[tdurr]

if the motor has been taken care if it can get like 25mpg i think. But dont quote me.

[VTECking]

if the motor has been taken care if it can get like 25mpg i think. But dont quote me.

My 328I only gets 19-21 Average MPG. My dads M3 gets a little better, but he is 51 and he dosnt drive it hard like I do my 328I.

[MrBoostedCRX]

i heard the suspension on BMW sucks, well stock suspension...true?

[OnURleft]

i heard the suspension on BMW sucks, well stock suspension...true?

It was the best handling car in the world in Car and Drivers big 1997 issue. So no, the suspension does not suck.

I get 27mpg going 80 with cams and a custom tune. The gas mileage is good.

The ride is smooth as hell, but it is definately no racing suspension thats for sure, my dads M3 and my 328I feels that way. Just put some Eibach springs on it and you should be good.

Absolutely not. You'll toss the shocks in less than a week with just springs. Also, the spring rates on Eibach sports for E36's is wack. Get the H&R's.

the one im buying, i firmly press down on the hood, and it moves up and down quick!, and his brother, that has a 318, does the same..im guessing that how stock suspension feels like?

BMW recommends you change the suspension out at 90-120k with new struts. I assume your friend has not done that based on what your paying for the car...

[MrBoostedCRX]

It was the best handling car in the world in Car and Drivers big 1997 issue. So no, the suspension does not suck.

I get 27mpg going 80 with cams and a custom tune. The gas mileage is good.



Absolutely not. You'll toss the shocks in less than a week with just springs. Also, the spring rates on Eibach sports for E36's is wack. Get the H&R's.



BMW recommends you change the suspension out at 90-120k with new struts. I assume your friend has not done that based on what your paying for the car...

no he hasnt, it moves too much when we drive it too...guess ill save up for suspension

[Elbow]

no he hasnt, it moves too much when we drive it too...guess ill save up for suspension

Or just trade for my car and have brand new everything including motor.

[OnURleft]

no he hasnt, it moves too much when we drive it too...guess ill save up for suspension

More then likely it needs trailing arm bushings, so upgrade to polyurethane while your in there or get factory ones with shims. Also, do the control arm bushings because I bet those are beat to shit as well. I can pretty much guarantee it will make a world of a difference.
I'd recommend bilstein/H&R Race combo, as with this the car pulled IIRC around .98 G's and did the 600ft slalom at 72mph (about what an Enzo did 8 years later). It's lots of bang for the $ and this was proved in a Road and Track issue back in the day.
Avoid basic Eibach and Tein '"springs". The spring rates are just crappy if your looking at putting it on the track, also avoid shitty shocks. Bilstein, Koni, TCK only. Ground Control coil overs are fantastic and you can pick your spring rates on the Eibach's which is very nice. That'll set you back $1,600. Also look into T.R.M's coilovers they are awesome for $1600.

[MrBoostedCRX]

More then likely it needs trailing arm bushings, so upgrade to polyurethane while your in there or get factory ones with shims. Also, do the control arm bushings because I bet those are beat to shit as well. I can pretty much guarantee it will make a world of a difference.
I'd recommend bilstein/H&R Race combo, as with this the car pulled IIRC around .98 G's and did the 600ft slalom at 72mph (about what an Enzo did 8 years later). It's lots of bang for the $ and this was proved in a Road and Track issue back in the day.
Avoid basic Eibach and Tein '"springs". The spring rates are just crappy if your looking at putting it on the track, also avoid shitty shocks. Bilstein, Koni, TCK only. Ground Control coil overs are fantastic and you can pick your spring rates on the Eibach's which is very nice. That'll set you back $1,600. Also look into T.R.M's coilovers they are awesome for $1600.

thanks for the info bro, people like you make forums good, not like the other duesh bags on here

[VTECking]

Do u mean the way it sits, or the way it feels?

[MrBoostedCRX]

Do u mean the way it sits, or the way it feels?

the one im buying, i firmly press down on the hood, and it moves up and down quick!, and his brother, that has a 318, does the same..im guessing that how stock suspension feels like?

[VTECking]

the one im buying, i firmly press down on the hood, and it moves up and down quick!, and his brother, that has a 318, does the same..im guessing that how stock suspension feels like?

The ride is smooth as hell, but it is definately no racing suspension thats for sure, my dads M3 and my 328I feels that way. Just put some Eibach springs on it and you should be good.

[IndianStig]

go to bimmmerforums.com and search around

[BobbyFresco]

3k for an M3? Even for the year model, that's extremely cheap. Either the car is busted to hell and back or you're getting a hell of a deal. GL either way, I suppose.

[nreggie454]

If you DIY, maintaining a M3 isn't too bad money wise. However, the insurance rates are pretty high on them.

[green91]

They are pretty decent cars, but you might also want to consider a E36 M3, SRT4, WRX (few SRT4/WRXs found in this price), LS1 fbody, RSX, civic EP3, MB CLK430

[MrBoostedCRX]

They are pretty decent cars, but you might also want to consider a E36 M3, SRT4, WRX (few SRT4/WRXs found in this price), LS1 fbody, RSX, civic EP3, MB CLK430

3k is a price no one would believe...!

[MrBoostedCRX]

cookie monster i am getting a e36 m3 lol