E36 M3 Evo vs. Non

Do you know what is actually involved?

From what I can see (in simplified form), you pull the cam cover off and in sequence for each cylinder you turn the crank to have the cam lobe pointing upwards, you then check the clearance between cam and shim is in spec with a feeler gauge, if it isn't you remove the shim, measure it and then work out what size shim you need to replace it with to bring it up to spec.

Time consuming? Yes (if you need to make adjustments). Difficult? No.

There is no need for bodging. (But like I've said a million times, I probably won't buy one).
 
MikeHiow said:
After doing a bit of searching, it seems that whilst its a good idea to check valve clearances at every inspection interval, the chances of them actually being out are very unlikely.

Personally, I don't see that as much of an issue, and looking at the process its even easier than I first thought. I wouldn't be too fussed event if they did need adjusting every service tbh.

That isn't to say I'm going to run out and buy one, and if I did I'd probably still opt for the 3 Litre which would allow me to get a better example of the car for my money, and offer that little extra reliability. Insurance is still significantly more than other possibilities, though.
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I mention exhausts as they do go from time to time, be it wear & tear or some high speed hump or whatever. - Try and find an e36 M3 exhaust back box for example from a national chain, 323, 325, 328? No problem, M3? Bend over sir.....

It is a good idea to do the valve clerances on the M3 for a bloody good reason, if you don't it'll drink like a fish - Bear in mind that the 3.0 M3 is not economical at best - & generally run rough.

You can do them yourself? great! I await the thread with interest.....


Already your thinking "hmm, I could cut a corner here & there", which is just asking for wallet trouble.

An M3 is not something to run on a shoestring, to do otherwise is pointless.

I suggest you re-think. As I already said, you have other priorities.

If you really need a faster car, buy a 328i touring - you'll never fit a pram in the boot of an e36 saloon.
 
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I don't need to fit a pram in the boot, and it'll be a Coupé (although I'm almost certain I could fit a pram in the boot of an E36 saloon).

I think valve clearances are a bit of an internet stigma, partly because of the servicing costs and partly because people do not understand what is involved. I'm certain most of the keen DIYers on here could manage it.
 
with a nice immaculate e36 M3, would you want potential future purchasers doubting whether you could manage it or not though ?
 
MrLOL said:
with a nice immaculate e36 M3, would you want potential future purchasers doubting whether you could manage it or not though ?
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As long as you can show its been done properly, I think most would be happy.

I'd much rather find a car that had been meticulously maintained by a competent DIYer than one that had a shady service history at indys, or perhaps not as frequent as it should be because of the cost at a main dealer.

[TW]Fox;17576597 said:
Absolutely. BMW made it up for the lulz in 1996 to annoy people on the internet 14 years later.
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I'm not saying that, I'm saying the internet/ignorant people make it sound more difficult than it is.
 
how would you show them ?

Most, including me would just make a snap judgement and write you off as a *****.

But then again, at this price point you're going to attract enough "emmm free innit bruv" type buyers who wont care if you ever need to sell.
 
More fool you, a keen enthusiast maintained car is going to be better looked after than one that goes to a "specialist" once a year. You simply take more care of your own car, than you would someone else's.
 
MikeHiow said:
As long as you can show its been done properly, I think most would be happy.
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Speaking from the point of view of a potential M3 (e36) purchaser (albeit unlikely) a car with a DIY history is the last one I'd opt for, no matter how much the owner tried to convince me he was as good as a BMW / Specialist dealer.

MikeHiow said:
More fool you
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I'm a fool too.


MikeHiow said:
I'm not saying that, I'm saying the internet/ignorant people make it sound more difficult than it is.
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Think what you like, its not something that most competent garages get right, never mind DIY mechanics.

I so very very nearly went for an e36 M3 when I bought my e38 (for £5k) and the potential for huge bills put me off it, potential warned to me by a mate who works with M3's daily.

The e38 was not cheap to run, a bargain compared to the M3 though.

Anyway,I'm up in too few hours - G'night all.
 
MikeHiow said:
More fool you, a keen enthusiast maintained car is going to be better looked after than one that goes to a "specialist" once a year. You simply take more care of your own car, than you would someone else's.
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You've got no idea what you are doing, are not qualified and have no experience with these cars. All you've got is an overinflated sense of your own ability. I'm not the only one who'd run a mile!
 
The issue here is your inability to understand what is involved (and how it really isn't that complicated), not my apparent overinflated sense of my own ability (which you have no idea of?).

Hell, I've rebuilt countless heads, valve clearances are no more difficult.
 
I don't understand why you ask this forum for advice, because every time you ever get offered any you simply argue that you know better until the person giving it gets bored and goes somewhere else (ie naefeart) or you stop replying (ie me).

I cant remember the last time you asked for advice and said 'Cool, ok I'll take that on board'. Instead you suddenly reveal that you are infact an expert on the subject you asked for help on in the first place. Great. Why ask us in the first place if you already know exactly whats involved?

You obviously know all there is to know about maintaining and owning an E36 M3 so why dont you pop off and buy one and post some pics once you've been around the ring in it.
 
I'm not saying that. Someone (you?) said that valve clearances were an expensive part of M3 ownership, I say "That's ok, I can do them myself" and you go on to tell me that I cannot.

That is the argument summed up in a couple of lines. If you'd adjusted your recommendation based on the information I supplied, or even said "Well, ok, so you can do them yourself - the unreliability can still cost a lot in parts, or the VANOS will 100% fail costing you millions" then the discussion would have moved forwards. But instead you decide to tell me what I cannot do (with no knowledge of either what needs doing or my own abilities, may I add), and we go around in circles.
 
If you can catch Vanos problems early then you can save yourself a great deal of hassle!

My old Z3M was starting to make noises :( a change of Solenoid later, all back to normal and probably saved it from failure!

A fella I went to school with ended up being a technician for a BMW dealer, and he serviced the car for me - there's a lot more involved than any other non M 6 pot car, but it's not as much as people can make out!

Providing you have a decent knowledge about cars and are competant in your ability to work with cars it's possible to service your own M car - but for what it costs I'd let a dealer / decent indy do it because it's a pain!
 
[TW]Fox;17576806 said:
Your old Z3M was Estoril Blue wasn't it Maz?

Best colour BMW ever did.
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Yeah, with two tone black and blue seats :eek:

Think I'm getting old, because I really fancy an Oxford / Fern Green E36 M3 Coupe with that biscuity coloured leather :o
 
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