Help decide new car

  • Thread starter Thread starter actionFigure
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That M3 you were looking at is sure pretty, and seems like a pretty decent deal. If you don't trust the dealer, I still think you have a couple good options. One is to keep looking. Doug says not to wait (that's M5Power, by the way), but I don't know if I'd consider that waiting--just looking. The other is to take the car to a mechanic, and take MSpec's advice.
MSpec
Tips on buying a '95 M3:

-Get a compression check done. Over-revs were common on the early cars because ham-fisted drivers would pick the wrong gear when the soft tranny mounts flexed enough to move the gates. Uneven compression will show any valve damage due to this. It will also give you a general idea what shape the engine is in.

-Have a good BMW shop spend a lot of time looking at the suspension. Especially the rear. Early M3s are notorious for going through rear shock mounts and toe bushings. Shock mounts aren't bad to replace, but if a worn bushing allows the rear control arms to rub against the metal carrier, this means body damage.

-Make other sure common wear items like the water pump and radiator have already been replaced. Fuel pumps are also problematic on early '95s.

-If the car looks too good to be true, then it probably is. Check for over-spray, bondo and mismatching panels. Each BMW body panel has a VIN number stamped on it. Replacement panels will show a "-R" at the end of the VIN. I once looked into a '95 that had an unbelieveably nice Mugello Red paint job. Upon closer inspection, I discovered it had been wrecked. Twice.

-Follow the same tips you may get for buying any other used performance car. Make sure you get records and books if you can. Do a title search. Have a good mechanic go over it with a fine tooth comb. A GOOD BMW specialist should be able to look at the list I just made and immediately recognize all the troublespots.

-Be weary of "M3 conversions" from 325s or 318s. Done right, they are good cars. Done poorly, they are worthless.

(There's probably a few other little things I forgot.. it's been a while since I made a list like this... I'll add them if I remember any more)

There are lots of good ones out there. A well maintained M3 is one of life's great pleasures. Good luck on your search.


M
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Thanks for posting the advice on the M3. I am friendly with the owner of the bodyshop to where the dealer took the car to have the tint redone, and according to him the car is in absolutely fantastic shape, exterior-wise.

The reason I don't trust the dealer is because I asked what recent service was done, and he told me "I changed the belts, changed the oil, inspected the transmission, and a couple minor other things." When I asked about the water pump, he was like "Huh? Oh, yeah, I switched that too." I figured he would have made a bigger deal that it was switched, seeing as how it was one of the big problems with the E36 BMWs. That, and he only wanted to give me $3,000 trade-in on my Camry, not believing me that it had a clean title (wtf?).
 
OK, yeah, that sounds a little shady. Does your camry look like crap? He more than anyone should be able to do a title search easy.

That said, I believe most dealers (or the salesmen you talk to, at least) are not terribly honest. More than that, few car salesmen are actually car guys--the margin on cars is just higher than the margin on vacuums, alarms, or satellite systems. Most forums reveal idiot salesmen all the way around. They'll tell you how good the BMW V-6 is, or about how chevy brought back the 427 big block for the new Z06. There is NO V-6 in BMWs (they're straight 6--even my wife knows that), and the 427 in the Z06 is actually a small block. I'd check the water pump, and if it is new, you're OK--the salesman is just ignorant. He doesn't know the water pump is a sore spot, it's just a generic fixed item to him.

You'll get more selling your car yourself anyway, but that is decently troubling. But again, hey just might be trying to get your car traded in for less--like I said, a lot of salesmen aren't terribly honest. If the car checks out good, and the price is right, can your conscience handle having paid the jerk commission on the car you want?
 
skicrush
OK, yeah, that sounds a little shady. Does your camry look like crap? He more than anyone should be able to do a title search easy.

That said, I believe most dealers (or the salesmen you talk to, at least) are not terribly honest. More than that, few car salesmen are actually car guys--the margin on cars is just higher than the margin on vacuums, alarms, or satellite systems. Most forums reveal idiot salesmen all the way around. They'll tell you how good the BMW V-6 is, or about how chevy brought back the 427 big block for the new Z06. There is NO V-6 in BMWs (they're straight 6--even my wife knows that), and the 427 in the Z06 is actually a small block. I'd check the water pump, and if it is new, you're OK--the salesman is just ignorant. He doesn't know the water pump is a sore spot, it's just a generic fixed item to him.

You'll get more selling your car yourself anyway, but that is decently troubling. But again, hey just might be trying to get your car traded in for less--like I said, a lot of salesmen aren't terribly honest. If the car checks out good, and the price is right, can your conscience handle having paid the jerk commission on the car you want?
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Yeah, he didn't seem to know that 1996 was the first year with the 3.2L engine, either. But I attribute that to naivete. My car is in perfect mechanical condition, and there are no dents or flaws in the exterior. The paint has no chips, scratches, flakes, or swirls, and the interior upholstery has no tears and only a few minor stains on the floor carpeting. I would say it's in exceptional condition for a five year old car.

I would definitely sell it on my own, as even KBB trade-in isn't enough compared to private sale value, and demand for family sedans in my area is pretty high.

About commission, the price has dropped on the M3 from $15,995 to $12,500, so thankfully I didn't purchase it when they first got it. This has been over the course of about three months, as they just can't seem to move the thing.

This particular dealer moves a lot of BMWs, Audis, and other imports, and they typically have good prices. I would have figured they would know the sore spots on the BMWs, but we all know what happens when someone assumes... I remember hearing a friend say that supposedly the car dealer is a front for pushing drugs. Not sure that it's true, but wouldn't all out surprise me either.
 
actionFigure
Yeah, he didn't seem to know that 1996 was the first year with the 3.2L engine, either. But I attribute that to naivete. My car is in perfect mechanical condition, and there are no dents or flaws in the exterior. The paint has no chips, scratches, flakes, or swirls, and the interior upholstery has no tears and only a few minor stains on the floor carpeting. I would say it's in exceptional condition for a five year old car.

I would definitely sell it on my own, as even KBB trade-in isn't enough compared to private sale value, and demand for family sedans in my area is pretty high.

About commission, the price has dropped on the M3 from $15,995 to $12,500, so thankfully I didn't purchase it when they first got it. This has been over the course of about three months, as they just can't seem to move the thing.

This particular dealer moves a lot of BMWs, Audis, and other imports, and they typically have good prices. I would have figured they would know the sore spots on the BMWs, but we all know what happens when someone assumes... I remember hearing a friend say that supposedly the car dealer is a front for pushing drugs. Not sure that it's true, but wouldn't all out surprise me either.
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OK, it definitely sounds like the saleman was just trying to get his profit margin up on it. If you get your car sold before they more it, offer them a coupole grand less than they have it listed for--whatever you feel good with--and try to see how low you can get it for. Like I said, it doesn't sound like too bad a deal to me. In your mind, is an M3 still on the table, whether it's that one or not?
 
An M3 is definitely still on the table, I love those cars more than any other. Whether it is this one or not, this is just a good deal that would certainly be a shame to pass up.
 
skicrush
So, you still looking at the one you'r dorky dealer has? What else are you looking at right now?
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Yeah, I'm still looking at that M3. Unfortunately, being in Ohio, there aren't a whole lot of options when it comes to sporty cars. Another local dealer, though, just got a red 1987 Porsche 944 that seems pretty nice. It's a non-turbo, though, which is kind of a disappointment, although he only wants $4,200 for it.
 
E55Power
A 944 will kill you on (the frequently needed) repair costs.
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From what I understand, the biggest problem with the 944s is the timing belt, which needs frequent adjustment. To the best of my (limited) knowledge, there weren't any other major problems.
 
944 aren't bad with things breaking on them, a friend of mine has had one for 5 years and have put 80,000 miles on top of the 60,000 that were on it when he bought it. I know he has messed with the timing belt once, but he knows cars pretty good so it wasn't hard. Other then that, he's put tires on it and done basic stuff.

The only thing that will kill you with a 944 is the insurence since the insurence company will have a kitten when they find out you want a Porshe.
 

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