Once I took possession of the car and drove it for a few days, I started to notice problems and annoyances that I overlooked on the initial inspection and test drives. I made some mistakes by not adhering to my golden rule for buying a used car. Always get a PPI,pre purchase inspection, by a mechanic. In my eagerness to get the project going I focused on the body and interior and took it only to my body person for inspection on a lift. I knew that I would be swapping the engine and a lot of the suspension components so overlooked some things. In the end I purchased a good car but probably over paid since the seller would have gotten dinged by most buyers looking for a perfect working order e36 M3. Check out the Youtube video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC6INm84FT8&t=4s
- Rust on rear trunk lid bumper area, small spots around windshield, passenger side front shock tower.
- Cracked paint on the rear right fender from rolling fender.
- The front hood does not line up correctly (needs to be adjusted).
- Window moldings on rears need to be replaced and are faded on doors.
- Passenger door gaps are perfect, but door sticks.
- OEM wheels have curb rash on 4 out of 4 wheels.
- Missing hood insulation.
- Windows stop and start intermittent; window switch takes three or more tries to roll up windows on both sides.
- The door handles are stiff.
- The rear wing 3rd brake light needs to be replaced.
- The car makes a clunk noise when putting it into reverse and starting to move.
- Fog lamps are disconnected—not sure if they work but wiring is there.
- The climate control blower motor is intermittent; this could be the FSU unit.
- ASC button and cruise control missing.
- No rear speakers.
- Instrument cluster MPG doesn’t work.
- Replace aftermarket Stereo with Apple CarPlay unit.
- No armrest and middle console need to be painted or replaced, and it rattles squeaks.
- Replace steering wheel with flat bottom Alcantara.
- Replace shift boot and shift knob Alcantara.
- Recover headliner.
- The Interior has that old car, melted crayon smell.
- Found a flat, 2-wire cut below the cupholder.
- The power steering fluid is leaking.
- The car does not have an AC compressor and will need to be replaced.
- Glass ZKW Euro Headlights with better projectors.
- Interior lights, main light, and sun visor do not work, plus trunk light.
- Replace sunroof motor or sunroof does not work.
- There are rattles, squeaks, and engine electrical whine.
- Windshield and moulding need replacement