http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/dda/detail.jsp?car_id=232065013&dealer_id=57847439&car_year=1998&dealership_view_name=eliteil

If only this were closer to me!

Tilt steering wheel? My 99 doesn't have it and I was told BMW NA removed that option for e36s after 96.

if I was not in the sell off inventroy phase of life I might have to go buy it! Check out the wheels!!!

Whats so amazing about this car? Honestly.

Whats so amazing about this car? Honestly.

That's what I was thinking- it does have 4 doors and a tin top, but to the good a 5-speed

Its not even a good deal....

i paid less for my 99 M3 coupe with lower miles.

:dunnoWhat is with you guys and sedans?

Well.
for one it has some ass expense Fikse wheels, other mods not listed, under 100k miles, and perfect black interior...

He's from the E36M3 list.

Probably a nicer car than what the two complainers are driving;)

I just dont see why this was posted as if it was some unbelieveable deal or some awesome m3. It looks like a stock m3 with some wheels that I dont like, fm5's are a different story. And 14k+ is steep for that IMO. Maybe if it was a rare color combo and had maybe 70k miles it would be a decent deal.

sedan ftw

I came across this car during my search for a M3/4/5. It is a nice one owner car and in fact I almost pulled the trigger on it. Unfortunately, the salesman I was dealing with started acting like a typical used car sales man and began playing number games.

For example, since I'm 13 hours away, he offered to split the $900 shipping bill (his quote) with me. In the midst of our dealing, he said he would include shipping into the buy it now price. When I told him I'd rather just have $900 off the price of the car, he confessed that his real cost on shipping was $450. Ebay shippers quoted me $400.

Additionally, I offered him a fair price and told him I would leave him a deposit and if the car checked out okay during a PPI with a local dealer, I'd agree to buy it sight unseen. But if the car had issues or needed work, the deal was subject to change. He refused this option and asked that I just do a "Buy It" off of ebay if I wanted to have the car inspected. Reading the fine print on his auction, it had a $1,000 non-refundable deposit and payment due in full within 5 days. When I challenged him on this, he said to take his word on it that the deposit was refundable and the deal was not concrete.

Since I found the car through autotrader, I asked that we just do a straight deal off of ebay. Again he refused.

Monitoring the status of ebay, his highest bid on the car at the time was $8.1k. So, I offered him $5K over the high bid. He refused and I asked why risk the car without a reserve and he said the reserve was the buy it now @ $14,777. The very next day, a reserve was placed on the auction...

All in all, I never fully felt comfortable with the situation or the seller. I would advise anyone wanting to make a move on the car be prepared for games unless you are going to "buy it now".

Also worth noting, he has had this thing as low as $14,444 on ebay and his highest bid was only $8.3

good recount of the deal S54!

Your story is exactly why I'd almost always prefer to deal with a private seller. Primarily because the dealers NEVER know the maintenance history of the cars they sell. Their philosophy is turn-and-burn, they definitely don't have time to really get into a car's history.

I can put anyone in touch with the original owner. He is on our E36M3 list...

I can put anyone in touch with the original owner. He is on our E36M3 list...

Das interweb comes through again.:redspot

Getting him to post the details / history of the car in this thread would be really helpful!

nice job

Hey all,

The car in question is my ex-M3. Gary asked me to respond. I traded it in about a month ago to a dealer in the Chicagoland area. I had full intentions on selling it myself, but when I found the car I wanted and the dealer didn't low ball me at $9k for the car, I took his offer. I loved the car, and was very curious to see where it went, so a week or two ago, I searched cars.com and low and behold, it popped up for sale...in my own town!! I sold the car to a dealer about 30 miles away and now it sits on a lot about 3 miles from my house! I personally have no hard evidence in dealing with this dealer, but my gut says beware. I actually emailed the dealer about the car anonymously, and he said it was in "perfect shape..no work needed". I still have a set of new front end links in my garage that beg to differ. It is in very good shape, but no one at the original dealer asked one question about it's condition, mods, maintenance etc. I have a spreadsheet and receipts going back to the original owner, of all work that was performed, and feel very dismayed that this wont be passed on to the new owner. I don't have access to my files on the car right now, but will post later unless there's a specific request.

Here's what will need attention:
1. Tires have approx 20% tread left
2. Front sway bar end links are shot (front right is, but both should be replaced)
3. Steering pump weeps (knew hoses/crimps required)
4. Small quarter sized rust spot on left rear quarter panel. I spot primed it, but the little devil kept growing. Received quotes of $600 to $800 to repair)
5. Rear shocks should be removed and have their upper nuts checked /tightened

the car seems nice but nothing exceptional, besides 15K is 2K too high a price in my opinion.....

that car is like 510 min away from my house.....I dont trust small dealerships...

Yeah, this is pretty close to me. I could go check it out if anyone was really serious, but I don't think that will be the case. They are asking too much IMO.

Hey all,

The car in question is my ex-M3. Gary asked me to respond. I traded it in about a month ago to a dealer in the Chicagoland area. I had full intentions on selling it myself, but when I found the car I wanted and the dealer didn't low ball me at $9k for the car, I took his offer. I loved the car, and was very curious to see where it went, so a week or two ago, I searched cars.com and low and behold, it popped up for sale...in my own town!! I sold the car to a dealer about 30 miles away and now it sits on a lot about 3 miles from my house! I personally have no hard evidence in dealing with this dealer, but my gut says beware. I actually emailed the dealer about the car anonymously, and he said it was in "perfect shape..no work needed". I still have a set of new front end links in my garage that beg to differ. It is in very good shape, but no one at the original dealer asked one question about it's condition, mods, maintenance etc. I have a spreadsheet and receipts going back to the original owner, of all work that was performed, and feel very dismayed that this wont be passed on to the new owner. I don't have access to my files on the car right now, but will post later unless there's a specific request.

Here's what will need attention:
1. Tires have approx 20% tread left
2. Front sway bar end links are shot (front right is, but both should be replaced)
3. Steering pump weeps (knew hoses/crimps required)
4. Small quarter sized rust spot on left rear quarter panel. I spot primed it, but the little devil kept growing. Received quotes of $600 to $800 to repair)
5. Rear shocks should be removed and have their upper nuts checked /tightened

I would be curious if you inquired more about the car anonymously regarding these issues.

I dno would be funny if they just blatantly lie about these known issues

Yeah, I actually thought about taking the old M3 for a test drive. I think the sales rep would be stunned at how well a "stranger" could handle the car.;)

Here's the current status of the car:

· Never tracked or autocrossed
· 2nd owner since 8/2002
· Silver exterior, Black interior
· Non-lux package
· 5-speed manual transmission
· Power – windows, locks, seats, mirrors
· Dual zone climate control
· Sunroof
· Alpine stereo wired for iPOD
· Basic OBC
· 17 x 8.5" Fikse 3-piece forged wheels with 245/40/17 summer Fuzion ZRi
· No cruise control
· No fold-down rear seat

Maintenance
· RTABs replaced in 4/2004
· Brembo rotors and Zimmerman pads in 6/2004
· Alternator/Water pump belts and A/C belt replaced in 9/2005
· Shocks/Struts and rear mounts replaced in 9/2005
· Battery replaced 9/2005
· Spark plugs replaced 9/2005
· Passenger front wheel bearing replaced in 9/2005
· Fuel filter replaced in 10/2006
· Brake fluid replaced 3/2007
· Radiator, thermostat, water pump hoses and replaced in 6/2007
· New OE shift knob 6/2007
· New Smog air pump 6/2007
· New front sway bar end-links 10/07
· Synthetic oil changes
· Washed and waxed regularly

Mods
· Active Autowerks stainless cat-back exhaust
· K&N drop-in high flow filter
· Dinan chip
· Aluminum gas, clutch, brake pedal covers
· HID headlights
· Aluminum front strut bar
· X-brace
· Chrome shift surround and window up/down buttons
· Wheels Skins black and grey steering wheel cover
· Color matched M5 trunk spoiler

Condition
· Driver’s seat has some typical bolster wear. I periodically reconditioned to like-new with suitable dye
· Passenger and rear seats like-new
· The rest of the interior is in very good condition – never smoked in

Mechanical:
· Runs strong, tracks straight, stops on a dime and A/C blows cold
· No wear/tear or stress from tracking


Full disclosure:
· Accident free. All original body panels and glass
· One quarter sized rust spot has developed on the drivers-side rear qtr panel, just above the bumper. I priced it at $500 to $800 to repair
· The paint is shiny and waxed regularly
· There is normal stone chip wear on the front bumper cover and one 4" light scratch on the hood
· front end links need to be replaced
· steering pump weeps
· The car looks like a well cared for, 10-year old daily driver because it has been well cared for and driven daily - 12 miles to work, 12 miles back home, 5 days a week

awesome, thanks a lot Grant.
That's 100x more helpful than anything this dealer could tell us. And it sounds like you've taken great care of the car, added some good mods, etc..

Sorry if im critical, but here is my recap. I drove the car yesterday.

condition 8/10. The kidney support is bent in, the ebay corners don't sit right, scratches on passendger side, and back bumper, dime sized rust spot under license plate. Interior is in very good condition, but whole console moves when Reverse is engaged. All pixels work, car tracks straight, but it's a little rattled out, still feels pretty solid as far as suspension goes, but will need work in next few monts. Exhaust has a pretty annoying drone, but opens up quite nice. Upon cold start up, some valvetrain noise, and thats about it. No more then 11gs would be a good offer.

sorry if i hurt anyone, hopefully it helped someone.

-george

Grantbo, what did they give you for it on trade in?

That would be good information for the next buyer.

Sorry if im critical, but here is my recap. I drove the car yesterday.

condition 8/10. The kidney support is bent in, the ebay corners don't sit right, scratches on passendger side, and back bumper, dime sized rust spot under license plate. Interior is in very good condition, but whole console moves when Reverse is engaged. All pixels work, car tracks straight, but it's a little rattled out, still feels pretty solid as far as suspension goes, but will need work in next few monts. Exhaust has a pretty annoying drone, but opens up quite nice. Upon cold start up, some valvetrain noise, and thats about it. No more then 11gs would be a good offer.

sorry if i hurt anyone, hopefully it helped someone.

-george

Good info George. No feelings hurt here. Hell an 8/10 for a 10 year old car is damn good IMO. Interesting that you mentioned the bent kidney support. It was not bent when I sold it. When I looked at the car on the lot, I noticed that the chrome kidneys had pretty decent sized gouges in them. Perhaps it's a result of a bad tow job. Yes, the clear corners are fleabay specials, but they work just fine don't take in water, and have never fallen out. A minor cosmetic point. Yep, a few scratches here and there, and your point about the small rust spot under the plate is, spot on. I had forgotten about that. I always kept her garaged, so the spot was very small. I'm sure it's grown a bit with constant exposure to the elements. Never notice that the entire console moves when reverse is engaged, but sounds like something to note. Shocks/struts are fairly new, but the fron end-links are shot. I'm surprised you didn't pick up the "thunk" during low speed maneuvers. I actually like the AA exhaust, and never noticed a drone. Then again, I've never experienced another aftermarket exhaust on an M3, so your point could very well be valid.
Valvetrain noise on E36's is legendary and a result of their design. It's important to note that the noise is not VANOS, but the typical start-up chatter. It probably didn't help that the car's been sitting on the lot for a month. The car did have a propensity to eat oil, so I was very careful to keep it topped off. A full crankcase did help reduce valvetrain noise.

Grantbo, what did they give you for it on trade in?

That would be good information for the next buyer.

The place selling the car right now is not the place I tradded it in, so I have no idea what they purchased it for. What I can tell you, is that I got $11k on the trade, which effectively gave me almost $12k towards my new car, when taxes were considered.

That is great information. The next buyer could probably get the car for around 12k.

That is great information. The next buyer could probably get the car for around 12k.

except this is the second dealer to have it. Also from the first guy interested, sounds like they wouldn't go under $14k for it. I would think about a trade of my 2000 328ci 5 speed and 1-2K cash. I may go check it out. Could really use 4 doors.

its on ebay too i believe, posted in another thread, in the e36 m3 forum. I think they said no less than 12.5

The longer it sits the less they will take, to a point. Cars do not appreciate.

The longer it sits the less they will take, to a point. Cars do not appreciate.


moot point, if you are talking about a trade. apples for apples.

Did you happen to check out the other silver m3/4 they are now advertising there?

Mike

Did you happen to check out the other silver m3/4 they are now advertising there?

Mike

This one: http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=22&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-%7CE-ALL%7CM-_5_%7CH-%7CD-_47_%7CN-N%7CR-10%7CI-1%7CP-PRICE+descending%7CQ-descending%7CY-_1998_%7CX-popular%7CZ-60060&aff=national&paId=249622452&recnum=0&leadExists=true

Hmmm...same price as the other (my-ex), and close to same miles, but mine has expensive 3-piece wheels, stainless exhaust, x-brace, strut bar, Dinan chip, HIDs.

The ad states...2 SETS OF WHEELS AND TIRES! SUMMER AND WINTER SET!
I'd love to see a pic of the winter wheels. When I traded in my car, I also gave the dealer my set of my winter wheels ... BBS 5-spokers with Hankook Ice Bears. Nerver saw mention of them in Elite Motors blurb for my ex.

And the back interior looks hosed up, on the back drivers side seat :/

It would appear this pair of M3/4/5's are back on eBay. I am in the market for one, but considering the history of this thread, I am curious on a few points.

Does Illinois have emissions requirements? We do in VA, and every time I buy a car from out of state, it usually fails the emissions test and I end up spending buckets fixing it to pass.

They are now listed at @ 12,999 and 11,999, respectively.

Tomorrow I am going to test drive both of these cars. I will give a full report with pictures. I am trying to get out of my STi, and back into a BMW. Either of these cars could fit the bill.

Josh

p.s. On an ironic note, this evening I was driving through this town becuase I got a call from a friend needing help replacing his coolant expansion tank on his e46. I would not have driven by and seen this car unless he called. Then while browsing these forums I stumbled upon this thread. Just kinda funny.

It would appear this pair of M3/4/5's are back on eBay. I am in the market for one, but considering the history of this thread, I am curious on a few points.

Does Illinois have emissions requirements? We do in VA, and every time I buy a car from out of state, it usually fails the emissions test and I end up spending buckets fixing it to pass.

They are now listed at @ 12,999 and 11,999, respectively.

Yes, IL does require emissions testing. Not nearly as rigorous as CA, but it does mandate testing.

Thanks Grantbo!

Joshuagore, I look forward to the report :D

bumpage, any update on this second, cheaper - lower mileage M3?

This dealer's site says "pending" so there must be some serious people out there.

Let us know how the sale went!!!

L8R,

K

If you were interested in this car back in December, I'm 99% sure that it's back on the auction site again - check out item 250203030518 .

I have nothing to do with this car other than trying to buy it cheap - appears that it won't go that cheap.

I too was checking out this M3 a while back but never acted on it. For those who are interested in making an offer on it, just realize that it's hard to know what this dealer paid for it. The dealer who accepted this M3 on trade towards a new car put it up for auction for local used car dealers to bid on such as Elite. That is how Elite got the car.

Usually, when you trade a car in for a new one, they give you a figure of what they are crediting towards the purchase of the new car. But there are other factors in the deal for a new car such as the mark up from invoice (what dealer actually pays the manufacturer) money made on the mark ups from loan financing and any other sources of profit. So it's hard to know how much you are really getting for your trade. If I were to give Elite an offer, I would base it on market value and what you can afford. I was attracted to the car because I liked it and the price was kind of reasonable. However, now that the original owner has come forward and shown how well he cared for the car, I would have preferred to buy the car directly from him for $12K!