Someone wants to trade me their (actual) E36 M3, for my E30 318is: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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July 26, 2010 10:27 a.m. ManBearSTIG New Reader

Yes, really, and he seems serious about it. The M3 has a few issues. The big one, that is causing me pause, is that the car has a miss that goes in and out. I am thinking COP, but am not sure. The owner is supposed to run it by a friend of mine to have the codes pulled to, hopefully, see what it is. Only other issue I see is the starter is acting up. So, new starter, and COP set, and might be ready to roll. Car feels pretty good, otherwise. Shocks feel good. Don't feel any slop in the rear, so bushings seem good.

Draw backs: I have done a ton to my E30. Interior swap, stereo install, completely went through the bottom of the car for bushings, and the like. Would have a bit of work to clean up the M3 to get it as nice, overall.

Pros: I would be getting an M3 for my E30. Really.

As long as the miss isn't a significant motor issue, would I be an idiot for not taking this deal? Any other ideas as to what that miss might be from the BMW contingent here?
July 26, 2010 10:34 a.m. Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork

Get some compression/leakdown numbers from the motor to eliminate bent valves & HG issues.

Not that you don't still want it... but it definitely adds to the expense of getting it up to snuff if the 1st thing you need is another head. A HG + new studs is $300+ alone. If the valves are bent, a decent head goes $400+.

If the motor is solid and the rest of the car isn't completely ratted out and needs everything then it seems like a no-brainer to me.
July 26, 2010 10:35 a.m. ManBearSTIG New Reader

Yeah, that is what I am thinking. I would think it the miss isn't mechanical, as it I have been in the car when I has come and gone. Pull up to a light, miss develops, get underway again, miss is gone.
July 26, 2010 10:50 a.m. Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork

ManBearSTIG wrote:

Yeah, that is what I am thinking. I would think it the miss isn't mechanical, as it I have been in the car when I has come and gone. Pull up to a light, miss develops, get underway again, miss is gone.

M3s have a rough idle - compounded by incorrect plug choice and/or not changing them out at 15k (in the case of OE). Also, if the AC happens to be running it can cause stalling with even the slightest vac leak.

Often, cleaning the idle air motor, MAF, all the grounds, ensuring there are no vac leaks, new plugs, & fuel filter will square it right up - but sometimes you get a "city" car that has spent its life under 4k rpms... it gets a lot of coke build-up on the pistons and all it really needs is a squirt of cleaner in each pot and two days at the track beating the snot out of it.

EDIT: Also, pull the coils... if there is any oil in the holes replace the valve cover gasket. If the boot is cracked... replace it. When they leak - sometimes they allow oil to short the coils and cause a miss. It usually happens at high RPM when the dwell is close to overlap but... you never know.
July 27, 2010 6:23 a.m. CLNSC3 Reader

Assuming you gets the codes pulled and its nothing serious, and that leak down and compression test numbers are acceptable I would do it in a heartbeat! Besides the fact that I like e30s way more than e36s. But a e36 would be a great all around car!
July 27, 2010 9:50 a.m. mad_machine SuperDork

the e36 is a great all around car. It's biggest advantage over the e30 is a lack of rusting
July 27, 2010 4:24 p.m. SupraWes Dork

I would take the E36 and then keep an eye out for another E30 to start building on again, make it the E30 of your dreams!
July 27, 2010 4:47 p.m. njansenv HalfDork

The E36 M3 we had was without question the best all-rounder we've ever owned. But I found the E30 to be somewhat more fun. YMMV.
July 27, 2010 5:04 p.m. mad_machine SuperDork

SupraWes wrote:

I would take the E36 and then keep an eye out for another E30 to start building on again, make it the E30 of your dreams!

start with a wrecked e36 318ti or a z3 for the better 5lug rear suspension
July 27, 2010 5:43 p.m. speedblind Reader

I'd do it. In fact, if you pass it up, send him my way!