I found this website useful for some trying to get factual information on this car. I’m thinking about buying a 95 or 96 M-3. I still have some questions that I thought you could answer.
1. Are there any major differences between the 1995 and 96 models?
2. What kind of maintenance can some expect with these cars? Is it more frequent and costly than a 3 series from the same year?
3. What kind of parts seems to fail in these model years?
4. Is there anyway to tell that some has driven the car hard mechanically especially in the engine?
5. Is there anything I should keep an eye open for when looking for them?

Most of the opionions of these cars seem to be very high except that they are expensive to maintain and require a considerable amount of time in the garage? I want a car with the performance characteristics of this car but I don’t want to be bothered with taking it the shop constantly.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Dave

post this in the E36 forum, you'll get our answers there.

welcome to the forum.

I found this website useful for some trying to get factual information on this car. I’m thinking about buying a 95 or 96 M-3. I still have some questions that I thought you could answer.
1. Are there any major differences between the 1995 and 96 models?
2. What kind of maintenance can some expect with these cars? Is it more frequent and costly than a 3 series from the same year?
3. What kind of parts seems to fail in these model years?
4. Is there anyway to tell that some has driven the car hard mechanically especially in the engine?
5. Is there anything I should keep an eye open for when looking for them?

Most of the opionions of these cars seem to be very high except that they are expensive to maintain and require a considerable amount of time in the garage? I want a car with the performance characteristics of this car but I don’t want to be bothered with taking it the shop constantly.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Dave

Yea, another Va boy.

95 and 96 have different engines. 3.0L vs a 3.2L. Different suspension setup too I believe.

I believe up until early 98 they came with the plastic waterpumps, which tend to fail. You can upgrade to the metal ones.

I would look for a car thats been well kept on the exterior/interior. Shows the owner cared about the car.

Get a compression test done too, have a dealer look the car over before you buy.

Also, the rear shock mounts ****. A good upgrade is the E46 mounts, or aftermarket.

Just a few things here and there.

Maintance will comprise of oil/fluid changes. Price depends on if you do it, or a dealer does it.. or another shop does it... where you get parts and whatnot.

HA! GOTCHA!

Dood, I don't think that "Bluewater_01" is even a member anymore. 03-30-2000!! ROFL!

Dude, check out his or her last activity in their profile!

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