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Hello,

I was once a BMW -- 1979 Euro 323i -- and am possibly looking to return to the fold, so a couple your basic newbie and new buyer questions.

The car: 2001 M3 coupe, manual, black on black, 28K miles, seemingly immaculate condition, fastidious second owner car (owner has about every receipt possible, including all gas fill ups). Asking price. $33K OBO.

Now the questions (yes, these have undoubtedly been asked three trillion times, and yes, I have done preliminary searches. No, I haven't found a good, concise new buyers guide/posting).

"M-Clunk:" I did notice a rear-end clunk even when first backing out of the drive for a test spin (even my wife noticed). I figured a bad/loose subframe/diff/subframe bushing as it was more a rather soft thump than a metal on metal clank. Is this likely the "M-clunk" and is it indeed as benign as seems to be indicated on my initial searches.

Rod bearing issue: Is there a series of VINs that were affected by this? If so, what is that range? If in that affected range, how best to tell if the bearings were replaced -- will this show up in a Carfax report or do I need to get a dealer history on the car?

Price: Guy's asking around $33K, though he's probably flexible. As mentioned, Black on black, six speed 2001 M3 coupe with 28K on the clock, near immaculate condition. In the Washington DC area. Edmunds and KBB private sellers prices were around $28-30K, are these a bit under the mark or are they reflective of actual selling prices and something I should aim for?

Any other general issues/concerns/problem areas a potential new buyer should be aware of and look for?

Otherwise, the car seemed to be close to pristine. Currently drive a '94 Probe GT, which I laughingly call my poor man's BMW (actually a very sweet coupe with a creamy little gem of a V6 (reminds me a lot of my old 323i in terms of smoothness and power), but getting up in the miles a bit). Exhaust note didn't sound as raspy from the inside as out, but not as deep or mellifluous as my Borla'd PGT.

My test ride well confirmed all I've read about the M3. Engine was a jewel, shifter very nice if a touch notchy (probably just used to a less precise FWD shifter), suspension was excellent with similar firmness to my PGT but better compliance over bumps. Brakes were excellent too, as was the steering, if a touch on the light side from what I expected.

Great driving visibility (I hate the high waisted, sitting-in-a-gun-bunker designs so popular today). Small point, but I drive a car to commune with the road, not hide from it. Overall fit, feel, and ergonomics were spot on -- just felt right.

Basically, an excellent car and I just want to be fully informed before getting myself up in a lather and going any further. The wifey liked the car but is a little daunted about shelling out so much on any car (newly married, renting but trying to save for house in expensive DC area, both government worker wages), so I'll have a bit of lobbying to do and justifications to make to the SO (significant other, sure I'm not the first in this position with these M3s :-)

Thanks for putting up with your typical newbie post and any advice, wisdom or knowledge you can lay on me.

[jorgeassoc]

i know a person who you can speak to.
pm me if you want!
::

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Well, finally pulled the trigger a week or two ago on the aforementioned M3. Quite pleased in general and getting used to the car now. Even took it up to Long Island (Hamptons) for the weekend.

After a week or two of ownership, my thoughts:

Plusses: Refined good looks, great handling and brakes, fantastic motor, nice luxury features that don't overwhelm the car's sporting character, comfortable, surprising fuel economy (nearly 30mpg on the highway).

Minuses: Clunky shifter and lot's of driveline clunks and thunks (is this a precision driving machine or an old pickup truck), clutch is a little heavy for commuting work (though it does work well), raspy exhaust (though the wifey likes it because it sounds so different from other cars).

Still assessing: Parts and service prices (have yet to bite the bullet here), long term durability (is the cracking rear subframes the car's glass jaw?).

Overall: Fantastic driver's car that works very well for real world use too, really a thinking man's performance car. A little surprised by the notchiness of the shifter, would have expected better from a BMW, and the various driveline clunks simply sound cheap and trashy for such a car (hopefully(!), I simply have a loose/bad bushing or something that can be readily tightened up).

[M3 Enthusiast]

Congrats yes the shifter is a lil notchy (consider installing a short shifter kit). And the exhaust a lil raspy as well (similar to a 996) love it

[hsugatan]

Welcome and congrats!

Welcome To The Forum!

[ttenneb]

welcome...

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Also, the rear end seems a bit clunky, say, shifting into first or reverse. I've heard the M-Diff has a bit more gear lash built into it for more oil flow over the gear, resulting in a bit of clunkiness on getting into gear or less than perfect shifts.

Is this so or am I just delusional?

If true, are there any ways to ameliorate this a bit (thicker diff oil perhaps).

If not true, what might be common causes of this (diff mounting, diff and/or subframe bushings gone bad, other...)?

Thanks guys (and gals).