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1997 BMW M3 Sedan

It was interesting to watch the bidding on the well documented, well presented and nicely modified E36 M3 convertible last weekend. Though theoretically exactly what enthusiasts would want, there was a general lack of bidding resulting in a $11,000 ceiling. Now, admittedly the M3 Convertible isn’t for everyone and you could make an argument that the absence of strong bidding had more to do with the configuration than the history. So, how about the hot E36 model – the “M3/4/5”? And to add some hotness to the already appealing recipe, how about in the rarely seen Byzanz Metallic?

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1997 BMW M3 Sedan on eBay


Year: 1997
Model: M3 Sedan
Engine: 3.2 liter inline-6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 149,938 mi
Price: $13,500 Buy It Now

1997 BMW 3 Series M3 E-36

1997 BMW M3
E-36 5-speed

What you get to look at is a pretty clean M3 sedan. What you don’t get to look at is any history, description, or detail at all. Miles are about par for a regular M3 sedan, by Byzanz is certainly a rare color to find and what caught my eye. What doesn’t look good with it are a few things – the cheapish-looking carbon fiber bits inside are almost as out of place as the gray leather, and I think the DSII wheels or the forged double spokes would really look better than the M Contours. But the big risk here is the complete lack of any detail or history, and at $13,500 the asking price is towards the high end of sedan territory. Judging from the gold valve stem caps, cheap carbon bits, tinted windows and “DTM” exhaust, I have to wonder about the quality of the last owner. But my guess is that this car, despite a lack of history matching the convertible, will draw more eyeballs.

-Carter

12 Comments

  1. MGT
    MGT March 3, 2016

    Ugh. That colour is hideous

  2. MGT
    MGT March 3, 2016

    That colour is just awful

  3. todb
    todb March 3, 2016

    Seems pricey? BaT had a sedan a month ago which was nicer, better maintained, had some mild mods and was cheaper.

  4. Matt Polhamus
    Matt Polhamus March 3, 2016

    The price is insane. If this car were in perfect stock condition and not a luxury package it might be worth 9K. Not sure the super rare color (and junk carbon fiber interior) is desirable enough for a 4K mark up. I think people are hoping the E30 M3 price insanity will translate to similar gains in the E36 market but it’s not going to happen. As an E36 M3 owner it pains me to say it but it’s true.

  5. MDriver
    MDriver March 3, 2016

    this looks Bronzit not Orange….while not a real desirable color…the interior really clashes..
    M-Contour wheels…Lux package….at least you can row this…if this was an auto-box w/150k on it…you may as well take it out back & shoot it…because you won’t see anything close to $13.5k…
    I think this dealer is trying to cash in on the M3/4/5 hyper market….

  6. todb
    todb March 3, 2016

    Its a ~$6K car

  7. Early8q
    Early8q March 3, 2016

    My mother would say it looks like something that happened in a diaper… I hope it finds a better home.

  8. Paulmar
    Paulmar March 3, 2016

    I don’t mind the exterior colour, can’t say I have ever seen it before and that says something else, but the interior just clashes with it. Black would have been better.

  9. Carter
    Carter March 4, 2016

    @MDriver I think the photos are washed out, it’s definitely Byzanz.

  10. MDriver
    MDriver March 4, 2016

    @Carter…thanks…my eyes aren’t what they used to be…either way not a great color combo to say the least

  11. Gomifune
    Gomifune March 4, 2016

    I think the lighting in these photo’s is off. The Byzantium color is much more orange in person and very flattering. Closer to the 1M orange. This looks like a muddy brown. Prices for M3/4/5’s in the San Francisco area seem inflated over what’s being discussed in this thread.

  12. Ian
    Ian March 5, 2016

    That color is awful. Never seen that before, especially on an M3. It may be an OEM color, but it LOOKS like a cheap MAACO paint color. No thanks.

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