Feedback/Opinion Needed on E36 M3 trade!!

[anassa]

This is kind of last second, but I thought I would ask for some different perspectives.

Tomorrow I am going to meet up with a guy who has a E36 m3 and might be willing to trade with me.

Here is the link to the m3:
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/4790104833.html

Cons:
-Salvage title - apparently got a bump up front that damaged nose panel - nothing underneath was damaged.
-Auto. I think I can live with this... I have never owned a car that was auto, but the positive part is that it has the 3.38LSD diff then so when I swap to a 5spd (Which will happen), the diff should help its acceleration.
-Hardly any maintenance history, so I would have to do a detailed check of the car when I look at it.
- ~21mpg ? ?

Pros:
-M3 - from what I understand its got everything I want (larger brakes, higher hp engine, lsd, subframe reinforced, factory aero that looks cool etc), all I gotta do is maintain it and drive it - no real brake/engine etc swap needed.
-Sedan - four door practicality FTW!


Another good thing is that I will be going back to mostly stock suspension, so the aftermarket stuff I got (koni bav auto etc) can be sold and that money can be put to replacing the basic maintenance parts so that it should be pretty solid.

Its weighs like 400lbs more though....


So start shooting some ideas at me, yes? no? anyone have experience between the two?

[MINIz guy]

The salvage title is what would worry me. The nose panel on the car still doesn't look right so the repair wasn't that great. I'd check for more bodywork that may have been done on that car. Also check for the mechanical condition. Was the radiator/cooling system replaced during the accident? Does it leak anything else?

Otherwise, I think a stock 318ti w/ a clean title traded for a M3 sedan w/ a salvage title is a good deal for you. I think the salvaged M3 is still worth $1k more book value than your car, so you'd make out ahead.

[anassa]

Ya, the salvage title does worry me, that and the lack of information, he has only had it for a short while and wants to switch to a 5spd.

I know for the repair he said he just did it himself. I will definitely be very anal when looking at the details. From what I can tell it is 100% with probably only the minimal maintenance done to keep it running. Being a auto I hope that means it got abused less and have a healthy engine, but I will also ask to do a compression test on the s52.

I just went for a quick drive in the ti... bad idea lol, its just all so tight and other then maybe lack of power I really have no complaints.

I have driven a e30 w/ s52 and 2.93lsd - I was less then impressed, other then that I have also driven a stock m3 coupe that wasn't in good condition and again not impressed. Lastly I took a drive in a 328is slicktop that was also stock with worn suspension, maybe I am just too used to the 3.46 diff but those gears just seem super long. - Problem is I have not driven in a well maintained or sorted 6pot e36 so its hard to compare. Hopefully the e36 m3 tomorrow will be tighter and more what I would expect from a "M".

[BRADESTAR]

I think this would be a tough call. It is an ideal colour scheme for the M3.

Salvage sucks for resale and short owners suck in general. I always assumed that your picture was your rig, so I'd say "go for it", but I'm thinking that you might have your TI sorted.

I think it ultimately depends on wether or not you have time to get this thing up to par.

In the end I think that you would be justified if you wanted to do it. The price points make sense, though the TI's may be gaining in popularity more than the M3. And I personally think that it would suck to make a non-stick stick, when there is stick out there, but that may just be me.

Good luck with the decision. Coupes are nice though.....

[anassa]

Originally Posted by BRADESTAR

I think this would be a tough call. It is an ideal colour scheme for the M3.

Salvage sucks for resale and short owners suck in general. I always assumed that your picture was your rig, so I'd say "go for it", but I'm thinking that you might have your TI sorted.

I think it ultimately depends on wether or not you have time to get this thing up to par.

In the end I think that you would be justified if you wanted to do it. The price points make sense, though the TI's may be gaining in popularity more than the M3. And I personally think that it would suck to make a non-stick stick, when there is stick out there, but that may just be me.

Good luck with the decision. Coupes are nice though.....

Color wise its not bad, but i definitely have a preference for green.

So I went and took a drive in that m3 and well, its got more power... but not mind blowing, besides if I have something like a M3 I would want to drive it. I mean look at what I do with my ti already, so having a auto would not be okay, also I looked up how hard the 5spd swap is.. lets say its more then I would be willing to do.

I will have to say that the m3 engine was very smooth and it seemed to be in good condition.

Conclusion: my 318ti > auto m3

[barische]

Auto is gonna boring as hell. Find a manual