Before you decide what year M3 to purchase, you may want to check what it will cost to insure it.
Also the newer Vanos engines can have issues with the Cam timing. Maintenance records are important.

 

yeah the guy that has the 98 M3 doesnt have any of the maintenance records which is iffy for me.

 

to be honest I don't have any maintenance records on my cars either, but i definitly take great care of my stuff.

 

remember even though you can pick up an e36 m3 for sub 10k the parts on it are typically similar to those of a 30k + car

 

On that 5, the radiators like to crack on the drivers side just under the outlet, other then that maybe the v/c is leaking and look behind the o/f housing to see if its wet behind it, if it is then thats leaking too but those are all easy repairs to do.

 

Any BMW that your interested in, I would first have a shop check it out roof to floor before making a decision. Good luck

 

Very good advice. E39's are great cars. However they have their fair share of common problems. E36 M3's are also great reliable cars. But if either have been neglected expect the repair bills to start adding up quickly. Spend the extra $100 or less and have a ppi done.