Service & repair
E36 & E46 Pre-Purchase Inspection
An independent inspection of an E36 or E46 before you buy it — the known weak spots checked and a written report to take to the seller.
Buying an E36 or E46 means buying a 20-to-35-year-old car, and its weak spots are well known: the cooling system, the E46 rear subframe mounts, oil leaks, worn suspension rubber, rust in the usual places, and on the M3 the rod bearings and VANOS. A seller rarely mentions them.
We put the car on the lift, go through it, and write up what we found with photos — what is fine, what needs doing soon and what can wait.
Signs it needs doing
- You are about to buy an E36 or E46
- You bought one and want to know what you have
What the job covers
- Fault codes read
- Inspection on the lift: leaks, suspension, brakes, exhaust, subframe (E46), rust
- Cooling system and engine checked
- A road test
- A written report with photos
What it costs
Every car is different at this age, so we price it once we have seen yours. Yes. You get a written estimate by email with a private link, and you approve it job by job — or decline what you don’t want. We won’t go over the estimate you approved by more than Colorado allows (10% or 25 dollars, whichever is less) without asking you first.
Questions
Does the seller have to bring the car to you?
Yes — we inspect it here, on our lift. Arrange the time with the seller and book it.
Do you tell me whether to buy it?
We tell you what we found and what it needs. Whether it is worth the asking price is your call.
Where to find us
Where to bring it
Book ahead so the car has a bay and the right person when it arrives. We get back to you to agree a time.
Book an appointment3 Series Parts Service
The service shop
More of what we do
Scheduled maintenance (Inspection I / II)BMW’s Inspection I and Inspection II maintenance for the E36 and E46 — fluids, filters, plugs, brakes and a full look-over, on our estimate first.
Oil serviceOil and filter change for the BMW E36 and E46 with the right oil for your engine, plus a quick look underneath while it is on the lift.
Cooling system overhaulRadiator, expansion tank, water pump, thermostat and hoses for the E36 and E46 — the plastic cooling parts these cars are known to crack.
VANOS repairDiagnosis and repair of the VANOS variable valve timing on E36 and E46 sixes — seals, solenoids and the M3’s high-pressure VANOS.
Book an appointment
Bring your E36 or E46 in
Nothing is booked or charged until we have talked, and any price comes as a written estimate you approve first.
Body damage, paint or rust? See our body shop. Parts for your own work: shop used E36 and E46 parts. Both shops.
Independent repair shop; not affiliated with or endorsed by BMW AG or BMW of North America. BMW is a registered trademark of BMW AG.