1988 BMW M3

This page is a draft. It has not been approved yet, so read it with care.

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What changed

The first M3 sold in the US, with a revised air intake, a normal five-speed with an overdrive fifth in place of the dogleg, and a 4.10:1 final drive.¹

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Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

Rust All years One source so far

What to check: Look over the body and underneath for rust.

Sources ¹
Old accident damage All years One source so far

What to check: Look for signs of crash repair, such as uneven gaps and paint that does not match.

Hagerty says accident damage is likely on these cars.

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Valve adjustment All years One source so far

What to check: Ask for records of the valve adjustment, which Hagerty says is due every 30,000 miles.

Sources ¹
Oil leaks All years One source so far

What to check: Look under the car and around the engine for oil.

Hagerty says oil leaks are common.

Sources ¹
Worn shock and engine mounts All years One source so far

What to check: Listen for knocks over bumps and watch the engine rock when it is revved.

Hagerty says the rear shock mounts tend to have short lives and the S14 is hard on engine mounts.

Sources ¹
Track or race history All years One source so far

What to check: Ask how the car was used. A car that was raced may have been turned back into a road car, and Hagerty treats rod bearings as a wear part on tracked engines.

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Wrong wheels All years One source so far

What to check: Check the wheels are M3 wheels.

Hagerty says many other five-lug BMW basket-weave wheels look much the same.

Sources ¹

Reputation: what owners and the press report

Avoid: A car with missing parts or no proof of maintenance All years Less sought after One source so far

Hagerty warns against cars with missing original parts, poor paint or bodywork, and unverified maintenance, and says former race cars may have been poorly turned back into road cars.¹

Every warning and recall for this generation, with a box to tick.