BMW M3 (1986 – 1990) Review

BMW M3 (1986 – 1990) At A Glance

Sweet to drive, beautifully balanced handling, fast, agile, and possibly the finest sports saloon to emerge from the 1980s

Left-hand drive only

Ask Honest John

What cars would you recommend as possible future classics?

"What cars would you recommend as possible future classics? They must be automatic and reasonable to maintain."

You could have a look at a Mercedes-Benz SL (R107) although these are expensive now. Maybe a P38 Range Rover or a Bentley Arnage Red Label. If you'd like to go a bit more modern, then perhaps one of the first Audi TTs with the DSG box like the 2003 3.2 is an option (although the boxes are fragile) or something like a Smart Roadster. Also worth a look might be an American muscle car like a Mustang, or you could go for a high-performance model like a BMW M3 or Mercedes-Benz AMG. Feeling flush? Then how about a Nissan GT-R.

Answered by Keith Moody

Which BMW to replace my ageing M3?

"I have an E36 M3. It’s a wonderful car that I have always maintained, money no object, but she now has 170,000 miles on the clock and has recently had one or two sizeable bills. It’s difficult to know whether the car has gotten to the point where I am throwing good money after bad. Should I think about replacing her and if I do what could I buy apart from another M3, that would give so much driving pleasure, for less than £15,000?"

That's a huge life for an M3 with its complex 12-plug engine. Well done. You might get one of the stunningly good-looking Z4 M Coupes for £15,000. It has the same engine, but this was an early application of electric power steering and will require expert attention to give it some steering 'feel'. Otherwise, an E92 335i manual coupe. As quick as your M3, but easier to drive.

Answered by Honest John

How can I accurately value a 1991 BMW M3?

"Do you know of a site or organisation that can offer reasonably accurate price guides for 'classic' or rarer type (potential classic) cars? I have the opportunity to acquire a genuine, unmodified LHD 1991 BMW M3 cabrio which has been owned by one family from new (two drivers), well maintained and used daily. Mileage is at about 150,000km and it seems pretty nice, but needs a bit of cosmetic tidying up. I cannot get an idea how much the car should be valued at in a commercial market (and by definition how much I might offer), having received mixed messages of anything from £6000 - £15,000. I know the answer to this question is probably "However much are you prepared to spend to get it" but I am sure there must be some way of valuing it. Any pointers?"

I found these: www.classiccarvaluations.co.uk ; www.classicassessments.com ; www.carbay.co.uk/pages/classic-car-valuation.aspx ; www.classiccarinspections.com/independent_valuations.htm ; www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/classic-car-directory.php/sv_cat/44

Answered by Honest John

More Questions

BMW M3 (1986 – 1990) Buying Guide

Bad

• Old cars now. 316 and 318 relatively slow and over-rated. Many drivers not ready for oversteer, especially in the wet.
• No room in the back of two-door versions with big front seats.
• All models apart from 318iS and M3 had timing belts which need to be replaced every 3 years or 36,000 miles without fail. Timing belt failure bends valves on M40 and M20 engines and can break the heads of M20s. Official replacement parts for BMWs over 10 years old phased out from April 2002.

What to Watch Out For

• Clocking. Rust in early cars. Make sure cambelts and tensioners were recently changed. Cylinder head studs of 6-cylinder engines can shear. Heads of 6-cylinder cars can also crack.
• M20s can suffer cooling loss and overheating due to the head becoming porous or developing cracks. Failure of central locking can be due to moisture corrosion in A pillar connectors, faulty lock actuators or faulty locking ECU.
• Engine noise on M40 may indicate worn valve gear due to neglected oil changes. Prime candidate for fully synthetic oil, but if the engine is old don't suddenly switch from whatever is in there to synthetic.
• Knock from rear indicates rear subframe bushes or rear damper top mountgs worn out. Check for rust around front jacking points which is an MOT failure and rusty rear arches.
• Check for repaired accident damage. Most convertibles have been 'customised' in questionable taste. Some nice, obviously well cared for M3s are coming over from Germany - and M3s are all LHD anyway. (It's very hard to find a genuine old 3-Series these days.)
• Autoboxes do not take well to being drained and having their ATF replaced.

Recalls

• 1998: 170,000 E30s recalled because radiator cap pressure valve may seize up and over-pressurise cooling system, leading to coolant leak and steaming up inside car

Running BMW M3 (1986 – 1990)

Pipercross E30 M3 Free-Flow Panel Filter. Pipercross has provided the perfect breathing solution for the classic E30 M3. The Pipercross panel filter is a direct replacement for the OEM part, maintaining originality whilst improving performance. Designed to fit into the factory airbox as a direct replacement for the factory paper unit, The Pipercross filter has been designed up to a desired quality, rather than down to a designated price.

Flowing over 30% more air than the factory part, this beautifully made filter can make significant improvements in power, torque and driveability and comes with a full lifetime warranty to give decades of faithful service. The unique multi-layered foam construction not only means a higher rate of flow, it also mean that, compared to even the leading cotton-gauze replacements, Pipercross foam filters can go for up to three times longer before needing any servicing or cleaning.

This can be done indefinitely for the life of the filter. Priced att £34.85, it makes the perfect first modification for any cherished M3, and flows stronger.. for longer. More at www.pipercross.com

BMW M3