Hey all buying a 2000 M need help

[FrozenInEdmonton]

Hi all

So, I'm brand new to this site, and I think I finally found an M I'm considering buying. I'm a machinist instructor by trade, and I have access to millions of dollars of equipment that sits idle for the summer, so there will be lots of tasteful mods coming. I have an extremely modified Ducati that doesn't much resemble the bike I bought back in 07, yet I have a lot of Ducati enthusiasts wondering what model it actually is.

My original plan was a 2002, but I want to drive the car, not just polish it (although there will be lots of that). Considering I never leave any vehicle stock, it would be a shame to molest such a rare car. So, other than the trunk issues, what else should I be looking at? I'm doing a carfax on it.

 

[andyglym]

to the Forum from West Cumbria, England.

1. Cooling system (water pump, belts, tensioner etc.
2. Bushes all round in particular rear beam bushes
3. VANOS service
4. Shocks etc
5. Seat bushes
6. Outer and inner sills for corrosion (if you're in a dry State, less of an issue)
7. Damp under the carpet (leaks)
8. Stick a code reader on it to see if there are any unraveled issues
9. Diff and gearbox oil refresh
10. Fuel filter

Others may suggest more. Of course it may have all been done.

 

[hard top]

to the Forum.

 

[FrozenInEdmonton]

Thanks, Andy mutchly appreciated.

 

[ExMX5owner]

Gidday and welcome, Retired machinist instructor here too, from down under...gave up doing, started teaching....

 

[Shelly]

 

[Mint]

Hi and to the forum from me too in Stafford, England. @andyglym list in post #2 is execllent

 

[137699]

I'm guessing you're in north America? In which case the car you're looking at is likely to have the S52 engine - our M's were all S50 or S54 so you may be worth logging onto a US forum to ask for specifics about that engine.

Things I am aware of - as you say the boot floor welds go, aside from that it's mostly cosmetics really - rust can be an issue so check it over carefully. Worth seeing if the clutch hose has been upgraded to the braided version (not essential but helps avoid losing ability to get to some gears when the car is hot). Also check the AC is working - at this age you may well inherit leaks in the system.

Aside from that, they're pretty bullet proof.

 

[Nodzed]

As its an M check there's no Vanos growl, warm it up then rev it, if as the revs come back down there's a growl / chatter usually close to the bottom end of the RPM then the vanos needs a rebuild, not cheap.
Definitely check the boot spot welds, if any are popped its not the end of the world but it's a good bargaining tool.
Bit of advice, if the bushes are shot it will make the M a scary car to drive hard on twisty roads, more so than non Ms.