HELP!!! Need immediate information - please...

[Dave J]

I test drove a 2011 E92 M3 with a six speed manual transmission today. There was a drive train back lash when releasing the clutch in 1st, 2nd and 3rd at low speeds. It would make a clunking sound and then smooth out and go away. It felt like the clutch was adjusting after I released the pedal.

There was no back lash in 4th, 5th or 6th. The dealer said it was normal for the car.

I have never driven this type of car before and am wondering if it really is normal for an E92 M3.

The car has 73,000 miles on it.

I put a deposit down on the car that will hold it until tomorrow. I'm trying to figure out if the back lash is a concern or not before committing to buying.

I need your input ASAP as I need to give them an answer tomorrow.

TIA

[Cyberdemon]

Does not sound normal.

Do yourself a favor and find a local independent BMW shop that is willing to do a private party inspection. It will be the best money you'll spend and when you find out the clunking is actually the result of bad engine mounts/bad transmission mounts/bad giubo etc, it'll give you a point to either negotiate down, demand they fix it, or walk away.

BTW unless this is some incredible unicorn of a car don't let them jerk you around and tell them they need a decision "ASAP" if you're going to fork over thousands of dollars you're entitled to have it inspected.

[deansbimmer]

If you shift at low rpm and bog the engine it will buck in low gears. That's not how they're to be driven. Have someone familiar with the cars check it out for you to be sure.

[Dave J]

Thanks for the reply - I appreciate it.

Overall it's a nice car that is getting harder and harder to find. The dealer won't allow a PPI as there are multiple people who want the car. I was second in line and the person in front of me had the deal fall through. The dealer won't budge on price. The car is relatively cheap for what it is. It is probably priced 3-5 thousand under what it's worth.

I'm trying to figure out if it's worth buying it with the potential of having to make an initial repair.

[Cyberdemon]

You pay for what you get. If it's under market price and they're rushing you to get it without letting you inspect it that's very shady.

There's a lot of well maintained E92s out there. I wouldn't rush on one that's a bargain without knowing what you're getting into. If the dealer doesn't want a PPI they probably know what it'll turn up.

[Ajolives]

Cyberdemon is right on the money here, it's discounted for a reason. No PPI means either they're being asshats and know that they can get what they ask, or they're hiding something.

Could be as simple as motor mounts though, mine went bad and I swear it looked like I didn't know how to drive stick because the car would buck like a bronco out of 1st and 2nd.

It's a gamble really, I will say DIY on this platform isn't really hard at all. If you can turn a wrench, you can fix a lot of stuff on this car. So if you plan on buying, plan on fixing.

[DL335D]

How awesome is this forum. Two hours and already 1/2 dozen responses.

Bottom line...no PPI I walk. There are hundreds of these cars across the county. I shipped an 80 series land cruiser from AZ to MA for just over $500.

Nobody sells an M3 for 3-5k less than it's worth if it's a clean car. Did they give you a carfax?

Oh..and get a warranty! I purchased a 6yr 100k exclusionary warranty with fidelity for just over 4k. I'm 3 months in and they have already covered over 1k in repairs.

[RedScytheM3]

Originally Posted by Dave J

Thanks for the reply - I appreciate it.

Overall it's a nice car that is getting harder and harder to find. The dealer won't allow a PPI as there are multiple people who want the car. I was second in line and the person in front of me had the deal fall through. The dealer won't budge on price. The car is relatively cheap for what it is. It is probably priced 3-5 thousand under what it's worth.

I'm trying to figure out if it's worth buying it with the potential of having to make an initial repair.

Walk the F away. End of story. There's plenty of manual M3s. Be patient and don't make a desperate purchase you'll regret later

[fs34]

I’ll echo what others have already said. No PPI = no buy. There are others out there for the right price. Easier said than done, but it’s the smart move.

[da jemster]

Don't let them rush you. If it wasn't meant to be...

[Dave J]

Just to be thorough for all of the responders...

The car is a one owner, clean Carfax, pretty clean car.

The service manager took the car home tonight to assess it. I'll get his opinion tomorrow. If he comes back and says everything is normal then I'm out. If he comes back saying something's wrong and has a repair estimate then I'll take that into consideration.

Thanks again to everyone who responded, I really appreciate it.

[Yvette]

Sounds like what my z4m did, dont know what the issue was. I sold it after a year.
I wouldnt buy a car like that.

[M3_92101]

If you search the net for clunky manual transmission on these car, you'll see a lot posts. These transmissions are definitely very different from your average MT car. Driving technique has a lot to do with how clunky it feels/sounds. Took me a while to learn to drive it properly although I've owned and driven a lot of manuals in my life. I remember thinking something is wrong after driving mine the first time. Of course, you could have bad mounts etc somewhere... Without driving the car I can't offer any further opinion.

[Frozen]

Buy one from an enthusiast with full maintenance records. Not from a shady used car salesman that won't let you get an an independent PPI. Don't be a sucker.

[DL335D]

Originally Posted by Dave J

Just to be thorough for all of the responders...

The car is a one owner, clean Carfax, pretty clean car.

The service manager took the car home tonight to assess it. I'll get his opinion tomorrow. If he comes back and says everything is normal then I'm out. If he comes back saying something's wrong and has a repair estimate then I'll take that into consideration.

Thanks again to everyone who responded, I really appreciate it.

Their service manager? I would totally trust him. Lol.

What year, how many miles and what are they asking for it?

[pacificnwm3]

Could be a failing center support bearing on the driveshaft. Mine was worn out and had the same symptoms at around 65K miles.

[spazzyfry123]

Nothing to add that hasn’t already been said. Not accepting of a PPI and you have concerns? Strap up your walking shoes.

Originally Posted by DL335D

I shipped an 80 series land cruiser from AZ to MA for just over $500.

Details on the 80...? Always like seeing other Land Cruiser and M fans. I’ve got a triple locked Collectors Edition sitting in the driveway right now. Super cool rigs...

[DL335D]

Originally Posted by spazzyfry123

Nothing to add that hasn't already been said. Not accepting of a PPI and you have concerns? Strap up your walking shoes.

Details on the 80...? Always like seeing other Land Cruiser and M fans. I've got a triple locked Collectors Edition sitting in the driveway right now. Super cool rigs...

Oh man. They are such awesome trucks. Unfortunately mine was not triple locked. Here she is... now show me yours! Lol

[nrubenstein]

Everything you've described is a huge red flag. Do not buy.

Some drivetrain lash is to be expected, but no PPI? No thanks. It's one thing to make a decision about whether or not you'll get one, which I generally don't (although I got 23 miles away from the dealer in my E90 before the engine seized, so that didn't work out well), but to be forbidden? Fuck no.

[Cyberdemon]

Yeah "The service manager is gonna flog this thing around on his way home to pick up dinner like a cheap hooker and then come back in the morning and say it's fine".

Dealers are 90% snakes. Even if you found an honest one they should be showing you the inspection they did on the car. My assumption is they found this thing cheap at an auction, it was in cheap enough condition they figure if they can flip it below market value and make a profit, great. I'm sure a local drug dealer would love this car no questions asked and will be paying in all cash.

Hopefully you can get your deposit back without them making a shit show out of it. The last time I asked for a deposit back I had the entire dealership management staff try to throw every hook at me to keep the sale. "$500 off? Free simonizing? 1 year free oil changes? Handjob in the bathroom?"

[njdrive]

Speaking from experience, my 6spd manual is clunky in 1st, 2nd and 3rd on cold days and when I haven't driven the car in weeks / months. After the car is warm, the shifts are smooth. Was the car cold when you test drove it?

Take our advice: No PPI = no Buy
I would not trust their service manager

[GORDON.M3]

Don't buy an M3 because its cheap. If its cheap and you can stomach the maintenance costs sure why not but if you don't have money set aside to fully overhaul what maybe the issue then don't bother. Look for another one.