Question...E36 M3...anticipated repairs at 140K miles?

You could turn into a car collector (?) and buy a new one every 2 years. Do you get a tax break on the car? Over here in the UK it's 25% of the residual value (that you don't pay tax on income for that amount) so if the car is - say $40,000 new the first year you don't pay tax on 25% of the cars price so you get a $10k tax free break. The following year slightly less until after about 4 years its not worth keeping as a company car so you sell it - unfortunately anything over it taxable value is taxed. I know your income tax rules are different but there must be something that matches here.

Then the cost of running it. All the same costs. However, why must you buy it. If you lease 100% of the expense would be tax deductible and you can swap it every other year if you wanted to.

Hugh

Even those who baby the car usually need to do a clutch before 175K.

Wheel bearings are also a 150K-200K item on a babied car.

Struts every 100K, shocks every 75K.

Brakes every 45K if you do mostly highway driving, 20-30K otherwise.

Engine every 300K. :-)

New car every.....(not)

The E36 M3 *is* a classic BMW. Good luck with it.

-Doug

--

-------------------- Doug Vetter, ATP/CFI snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com

--------------------

Thanks for your opinion.

I had placed it on Craig's List for $10,000. (due to mileage)

One of the mechanics who worked on it begged me to sell it to him...which was what prompted this thread. He knows the car well.

Since I am NOT mechanically inclined I find putting $2 to $3 thousand dollars each year into it would be acceptable.

A new clutch costs about $1400 installed. Service II...shocks...struts...tires. {{{SIGH}}}

And would the X5 do that? They're totally different cars. If you want a different car then get one. If you like the one you have then keep it. How much would the X5 depreciate each year?...

Wanted an X5 because of the ice and snow we've had the past couple of seasons. The M3 is worthless once the pavement disappears. Also, with the abundance of SUVs and trucks on the road, it would be a bit safer.

Just shocked an M3 in cherry condition would only bring $10-$12 thousand...just because of the mileage...when you can provided receipts of every known issue completed.

I'd rather rent a garage or barn and keep it under a cover than let it go so cheaply.

David H.

One more question, Doug...or anybody.

The only thing is, the car was not garaged...so the Cosmos Black metallic paint has some flaws. Tree fruit or some other crap berries falling on it caused aseveral discolorations the size of dimes on the trunk lid.

And....my girlfriend, bless her heart, shoveled me out one day when we had 28 inches of snow. Paint has a couple of minor scratches,

Even though they're only visible when you're standing right up on the car...IMO it creates the wrong impression.

So...should I get a top-rated shop to re-paint it? Is that some kind of no-no?

sorry...that's two questions. ;^)

David H.

If you're asking whether a buyer will become skeptical about the car if it's been repainted, then I'd say no. A knowledgeable buyer can easily tell if the car has been repaired as well as the extent of the repairs, but the paint shop invoices should be sufficient to convince the casual buyer that repaint was for cosmetic reasons only (no structural damage).

In fact, given that it typically costs $500 per panel (quarter panel, door, hood, etc.) to paint a car, any buyer should consider him/herself lucky that they're not paying full price for that job, whatever you decide to have done.

Which drives me to point out the obvious -- if you're not planning on keeping the car it's generally cheaper just to discount the car for the cosmetic damage and unload it. If you're keeping the car long term (say, another 5 years) then the sky's the limit.

-Doug

--

-------------------- Doug Vetter, ATP/CFI snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com

--------------------

Hi David,

You didn't say how many miles were on the car now. I have had my 95 M3 since new, yes that's right 12 years. It only has 64K miles now, about 5K a year. I have other toys... Anyway, There are a few areas that are failure prone, and should be considered for maintenance replacement.

By now I would bet the shocks and struts are dead. The stock Boge units seem to last about 40 to 60K miles.

Belts and hoses are a 4-5 year item regardless of mileage.

Water pump, thermostat and radiator are 80K item. The plastic radiator inlet necks, and end tanks seem to get brittle with heat cycles and can fail without warning. The water pump no longer self distructs, but the bearing and seal go bad. The good news is that the parts are fairly cheap. New radiator $140, Water pump $50, thermostat $10. Of course you can install better, more expensive upgraded parts, but you don't have too. There are several options for radiators, 3 core all aluminum 57mm Fluidyne ($600) Zionsville, PWR... Usually for cars that have cooling issues. (track rats).

On the suspension side, the rear shock mounts, rear trailing arm bushing (RTAB), front lower control arm bushings, ball joints, tie rods, power steering hoses, need inspection and replacement as necessary. But if you have a competent mechanic, well that's what inspection 1 and 2 are for...

For the paint, you might be surprised what a really good detail could do. As well as the paint scratches and other blemishes. If you are ever near the Eldersburg Md area, drop by and I'll take a look. I have a paint and detail business.

Rich

Thanks for the response.

It has 138K on it. Everything addressed but still has original clutch.

Just keep thinking that putting 30K more on it during the next 12 months...I'd be looking for trouble.

Maybe it's time to let go. ;^(