E36 v E46

[Scott]

My budget it $15K. As usual prefer to spend less but will spend more if needed. Finding E36 ranging from $5k with 235k miles to $16K with 68K miles. In a certain way I am asking an unanswerable question. What one in the end will cost me the least? Purchase price plus cost of needed repairs. Is it wiser to spend more on a car with less than 100K miles and will need little repairs. Or go up in mileage say 150K or so, pay less but put $3-5k into repairs?

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

Go high mileage. You need to replace all that crap on the 68k car anyway. The only real variable is whether you need to swap the engine. S50/S52s are only about $3k in decent shape, so I would not exercise myself over it.

[Scott]

I purchased an 96 M3 with 130,000 miles for $8,200. Hopefully is it a good deal. Nick, were is a good place to purchase the items you suggested?

[Dirichlet]

I, too, just purchased an E36 M3
Got mine for $9k w/ 120k on it, all stock, all reciepts, clean title. I may need to replace a window or two due to faded/cracked/chipped rubber around the base, but other than that the car is in excellent condition.

Looking forward to this summer/spring/fall

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

I purchased an 96 M3 with 130,000 miles for $8,200. Hopefully is it a good deal. Nick, were is a good place to purchase the items you suggested?

http://www.vorshlag.com AST and Vorshlag parts
http://www.turnermotorsport.com - H&R Sway. Look here and Bimmerworld for stock suspension and consumables as well. They frequently are cheaper than EVERYONE.
http://www.bimmerworld.com - Stock consumables and PFC components.
http://www.rogueengineering.com - RSMs
http://www.rmeuropean.com - stock parts for real cheap
http://www.getbmwparts.com - Tischer. More extensive selection, local.

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

Oh yes, and when you replace the clutch, don't forget to replace the shift pins in the transmission. The ZF is prone to sticking detent pins which cause the shifter to rest under 5th.

[Car54]

And do the shifter bushings as well!

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

You can do those at any time.