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1989 BMW M3

by Paul on May 24, 2013 in BMW with 1 Comment

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Okay, here we go again. Another low mileage E30 M3 that’s more than likely going to go for big bucks? But hey, who’s complaining? Most of us here lust after these cars. Nate featured a 1988 M3 with 77,000 miles on Monday, and now here comes a one year newer M3 with about 25,000 less miles on the clock. While it has an accident on its record, it hasn’t stopped bidders from putting up big numbers on this one.

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Year: 1988
Model: M3
Engine: 2.3L S14 inline four
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 50,548
Price: Reserve met, current bid at time of writing: $34,223

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1989 BMW E30 M3 on eBay

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I have reluctantly decided that it is time to sell my 1989 M3; I’ve just purchased a house and unfortunately cannot keep all my toys. You will be very hard-pressed to find this car’s equal; this is a true 50k mile survivor that has clearly been well cared for over the years. I would love to see this car go to a good home where someone will really enjoy it and drive it like it should be driven.

The engine, transmission, and suspension are in excellent shape and the car drives like it just came off the showroom floor. The S14 engine always fires up promptly and runs exactly as it should; it pulls hard throughout the rpm range and has never been abused. The transmission shifts smoothly through all the gears and the clutch feels excellent. The car is equipped with H&R springs, Bilstein shocks, and Super Sprint exhaust. The suspension feels fantastic and the car handles like a dream, it is truly a blast to drive.

This M3 is dressed in the desirable Salmon Silver Metallic paint which is in excellent condition with only a few minor blemishes. The paint still shines like new and the car turns heads everywhere it goes. The M3 still sports the factory BMW basket weave wheels and has an almost-new set of Kumho tires.

The interior is also in excellent condition. The seats are in great shape with very little wear; the leather feels soft to the touch and has been well cared for. The carpet is in nice shape and looks like it has had the floor mats protecting it since day one. Everything inside feels nice and tight and works like it should. The air conditioning blows ice cold, the cruise control works properly, and the power windows and locks work perfectly. The previous owner had a Viper keyless entry/security system installed and it works perfectly.

This is truly a fantastic M3, and I hate to see it go. I have tried my best to accurately describe this car, and I’ve taken many pictures to help show its condition, however, it is the bidders responsibility to be comfortable with what they are buying and I recommend that interested parties come see the car in person. Please email or call me at (775) 273-8251 with any questions, or if you would like to come see the M3 before the auction is over. A non-refundable $1000 deposit will be due within 24 hours of the auction end. BALANCE IS DUE BY MAY 30, however the car can be picked up later than that if arrangements are made in advance. The car is sold as-is. I can help arrange shipping if required, please email me for details.

I have had many calls and questions about the M3 so I thought it would be best to attempt to answer these here:

The first question that I always get is about the history of the car, here is what I dug up: The car was originally purchased in Charlotte, NC by an affluent gentleman who drove the car to approximately 40k miles. In 1993, it was involved in an accident (which shows up on the history report as “accident or vehicle damage reported: left front fender”) and was put into storage before being fixed. The owner passed away without ever fixing the car. Several years later, Tim Johnson (TJ’s Auto Body) and Billy Reavis (Motorsport Connections), North Carolina BMW enthusiasts with great reputations, caught wind of the car and rescued it. The front fenders and hood were replaced in the process. At the request of several ebay members, I have popped out the rear turn signals and confirmed that the VIN stickers on both quarter panels do still match. I have also removed one piece of the undertray at the back of the car and confirmed that the rear bumper still has its matching VIN sticker in place. I am told that the front bumper must be removed to see the sticker there and I am not willing to go that far, so I cannot confirm whether that sticker is there or not. All other visible VIN tags are in place and match, including both doors, deck lid, engine, the cowl stamp, and the dash pad tag. The M3 was purchased by Jeff Hall after the work was completed and was driven and shown occasionally. Jeff had several other BMWs, including another E30 M3 which was set up for track use, and in 2010 he put the car up for sale. Here is a link to the ad that he posted. The next owner, also from North Carolina, drove the car very sparingly over the next two years, adding only 1000 miles. In fall of 2012, he put the car up for sale because he was moving and could not bring it with him. This is when I purchased the car. I have driven the car many times, only when the weather is perfect, and have not added many miles. The M3 has not required any work to be performed since I purchased it and has only received regular servicing. The car does not currently need anything and is ready to drive and enjoy.

I have also received questions about the AutoCheck history report: The report shows that this is a “grey market” vehicle, meaning it is a car that was not originally intended to be sold in the US. This is NOT accurate, this car was originally and always has been a US car, intended for sale in the US, this simply arose due to sloppy paperwork at the DMV.

I am not willing to reveal my reserve, however I do feel that it is very reasonable and I believe that it will be met. Please let me know if you have any other questions.

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Looking at this car, it’s hard to tell from pictures that it has had any panels replaced. I give the seller credit for giving as much detail as possible about the incident that shows up in the vehicle report. Oftentimes these are minor fender benders but it would pay to give this car a thorough going over before buying, of course. The M3 that Nate featured on Monday did not sell after an impressive 65 bids and final bid of $42,000. Any E30 M3 that breaches $40,000 has to be the best of the best and I personally think closing in on 80,000 miles precludes you from that club. By all means, it was a nice car, but not $42,000 nice. I’d suspect this car might close in on $40,000 but probably won’t eclipse that mark. If it didn’t have the accident damage in its history, it just might have.

-Paul

1997 BMW M3 Coupe

by Nate on May 23, 2013 in BMW with No comments

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After an old friend posted Facebook photos of his brand-new C63, I noticed he mentioned selling an M3. Turns out he’s been driving a nice E36 M3 for the past 10 years and now has it listed on Autotrader. It’s a mundane M3 in the best of ways: daily driver, well maintained, no modifications. It’s sharper than 132,000 miles would suggest and is a nice example of the M division’s workhorse.

Year: 1997
Model: M3
Engine: 3.2l S52B32 inline six
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 132,500
Price: $13,495

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CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1997 BMW M3 Coupe for sale on Autotrader

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1997 BMW M3 Silver with Black Leather interior 132k Miles 5 Speed Transmission Clean Title I’ve owned this car since 2003 and it has been my daily driver. It’s in great shape and I’m sorry to see it go. This car handles as you’d expect an BMW M3 to: like it’s on rails. It’s a light weight sports car with a solid BMW inline 6 engine that pulls hard all the way to it’s redline. The car is mostly stock except for some subtle upgrades in the lights, painted rub rails to match body color, exhaust, short shifter, Koni struts/shocks and .5 lower springs and other small details. I have maintained the car with synthetic fluids from Mobil 1 and Redline (transmission & rear differential) and used BMW fluids (coolant, brake fluid, etc). This car has never been tracked. While the car is in excellent shape, it is 15 years old and does have a few scratches in the paint, and wear on the leather. In my opinion though, you won t find a better, cleaner example of an E36 M3 around. I have all the service history for this car and even the original window sticker. Please contact me for more information, any questions and to see the vehicle. Features: A/C ice cold, All records, Excellent condition, Fully loaded with all the goodies, Looks & drives great, Mostly highway miles, Must see, No accidents, Non-smoker, Title in hand, Upgraded sound system, Very clean interior, Well maintained

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Knowing the owner and his family’s history of classic car ownership, I believe the claims of diligent maintenance. He took a shot in the dark on the price and it’s priced like a very clean M3 with significantly fewer miles. He’s aware of this and will adjust the price according to how much interest he gets. Pricing aside, it’s a nice and clean E36 that doesn’t come with the baggage and torture often associated with these cars.

-NR

1992 BMW 325i with 48,000 Original Miles

by Paul on May 21, 2013 in BMW with 7 Comments

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With the E30 3 series gaining popularity by the minute, the E36 has now become the go-to 3 series for those on a budget. Not too old yet not too young, these compact Bimmers offer a lot of bang for the buck. They are a little more complex than the simpler E30 that it replaced, but they are still fairly straightforward as compared to vehicles of today. While in college a little over a decade ago, one of my good friends purchased this very car, a 1992 325i sedan with a 5-speed manual. He ran it for many years thereafter, and it was a trusty, entertaining drive, if not the most practical for New England winters. This low mileage 325i for sale in Salt Lake City is in amazing condition for a first year E36 and is a tempting alternative to some newer compact sedans at this price point.

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Year: 1992
Model: 325i
Engine: 2.5 liter inline six
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 48,500 mi
Price: $8,900 Buy It Now

Click for Details: 1992 BMW 325i on eBay

48k original miles. Despite friends, co-workers, neighbors and family members using the phrase “like new” when describing this car, I will say it is more so like a well maintained two year old vehicle. Never driven in snow which will be obvious when you see the vehicle in person. Super shiny paint. Near perfect interior. I like my cars – 100% correct, stock and functioning in every way. This is not the ordinary low mileage older car that only looks good in the picture and sounds good in the text – I’ve seen and owned them and every time had looker’s or buyer’s remorse. Everything on this car is near as supple as the day it was driven off the showfloor. No saggy headliners, no cracked plastic bits around, perfect glass, unused spare wheel/tire, etc. Features cold A/C, power moonroof, power locks, power mirrors and cruise control. 5 speed manual transmission. This car is quick and fun to drive. Freshly tuned up with new ignition coils and spark plugs, air filter and fuel filter. Brakes and tires are at about 80% life remaining. No accidents, No body work. As close to new as a car like this can be. Call or email Brent with questions. 801-706-4181 or brent@brentwilliam.com

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It’s refreshing to see one of these 3 series sedans in such mint condition. At first, under $9,000 for such a well preserved E36 seems like a bargain, but truth be told, there are M3s of the same generation out there to be had for similar, if not less money. Granted, these M cars will more than likely have higher mileage than this 325i, but if its speed you are after, there’s some temptation out there at this price point. I don’t think we’re far off from what this car will fetch, but if you want the best E36 325i money can buy, I’d wager to say you’re looking at it.

-Paul

Setting the bar: One-owner 1988 BMW E30 M3 with 77k miles

by Nate on May 20, 2013 in BMW with 5 Comments

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Last week I wrote up a heavily-modified E30 M3 that, while decently executed, tended towards the impure and thus more-accessible end of the spectrum. Reflection on the first M3′s still-accelerating prices usually involves an example with many caveats and speculation on what a fictional “creampuff” might reach. Well, folks, today is that creampuff. One owner has taken it 77,000 careful miles between nights in the garage, it’s Alpineweiss over red leather, and is completely unmodified. Look up “perfect stock E30 M3″ in your dreams and the pictures show this exact car. So the question lies: what does the most unblemished and cared for E30 M3 cost these days? Almost 40 bids have pushed the reserve-on price over $30k. What do you think? $10k more? $15k? $20,000 more?!

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Year: 1988
Model: M3
Engine: 2.3L S14 inline four
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 77,000
Price: Reserve-on auction at $30,000 at time of writing

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1988 BMW E30 M3 for sale on eBay

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In the face of most omissive and annoying descriptions, I can’t get angry for one that is TOO informative. A wikipedia-worthy M3 history and thoughtful dealer questions are too long to be copied here but a decent read on the eBay listing:

The M3 is certainly one of the most original, long term ownership (virtually one owner from date of purchase in 1987 – July, 2012) unmodified to be offered in years. It is rare to see M’3 offered for sale as most are coveted by collectors / enthusiasts but to come across a car that has been “hidden” for over a dozen years is remarkable. As important is the fact that when the car was new it was used very sparingly by its mature physician owner, never abused, and, of course, never tracked or raced.

This particular M3 has signs of being very well cared for by the one adult owner for all of its life. An inspection of the undercarriage and photos (part of the listing) suggests the car may not have even been driven in the rain! The body is perfectly straight with excellent original paint and even the “M” pin-striping as applied by the dealership when the car was delivered.

FEATURES OF THIS 1988 BMW M3 E30 – SUMMARY

-Early production car (4/87) Note: Virtually all USA delivered M3′s were titled as 1988 models despite production dates that ranged from 3/97 on.
-Finished in factory correct & rare combination of Alpine White & Cardinal Red leather
-Tri-Color BMW “M” Pin-striping
-Numbers matching engine & 5-speed transmission
-Factory stock and correct BBS wheels
-100% BMW body panels with excellent gaps & fitment
-New, correct Michelin tires added within 500 miles
-Original factory AM/FM radio and correct rear package tray mounted factory speakers (Note: Radio shows “Code” in photos but we have the original code to enter and the radio works fine)
-Totally stock engine and engine bay (no added aftermarket air cleaners, strut bars or other items)
-Like new trunk with factory rear mat / carpet & spotless spare tire well with absolutely NO Rust
-Factory spare, & tools (Never removed..refer to photos)
-BMW Owner’s Manuals including:
-M3 Supplement Owner’s Manual
-BMW Anti-Theft Radio Manual with Installation Instructions
-NOAA Weather Radio Booklet
-Limited Warranty Booklet – BMW
-BMW Roadside Assistance Booklet
-BMW Service Locations Booklet
-Roadside Assistance ID Cards
-100% Stock Interior in beautiful condition
-Front seats just professionally recovered using matching correct leather “hides”
-Excellent rear seat with beautiful patina but NO damage, rips, tears
-Seat belts totally free from fraying / signs of wear
-Perfect headliner
-Stock and perfect sun-visors
-Fully functional sun roof
-Factory BMW / BBS mesh wheels
-Stock 4 wheel disc brakes
-Stock widened M3 fenders
-Clear California Title
-Totally 100% Clean Auto Check and Car Fax Reports IMPORTANT NOTE:
AutoCheck rates the BMW at “45″ with the range for similar cars being 11-29! This represents the highest rating on a car of this vintage that we ever seen on AutoCheck. Car Fax also shows a totally clean report and “Adds” a significant amount “Above Retail” due to the BMW’s exceptional history and low, low mileage.

SUMMARY

The E30 M3 represents a rare, low mileage M3 that has a history of being cared for by one owner for close to 25 years. The car is in absolutely magnificent condition and is arguably one of the, if not the finest example in the United States.

The cosmetic quality of the car is superb with even the most minor flaws requiring close critical inspection to be noticed. The front of the E30 is free from rock chips and damage and the car was garaged and properly stored for its entire life (and it shows). The interior is the same high quality and the photos accurately reflect the overall quality of the exterior, interior, underside and engine bay.

The car has been inspected by BMW specialists with the following observations:
-Tires appear almost new
-Remaining brake pads 10mm (Front) / 8mm (Rear)
-No rust or undercarriage damage
-Fully functional lighting systems (Passed safety inspection)
-In 100% stock condition with the exception of the change of “wear” items
-Straight damage free body & exceptional paint quality

We ask that you review the 100~ photographs carefully since, in the case, the old adage “A photograph is worth a thousand words” is very appropriate. Please contact us if we can answer any questions regarding this lovely M3 (925-846-1451).

A DRIVE IN THE E30 M3

Over the years, we have driven literally hundreds of BMW’s and owned almost as many! They have been our choice as our regular high performance “drivers” and we love that they offer a wonderful combination of performance, handling, comfort and good looks. The E30 is popular for good reason but locating original examples has become extremely difficult.

Whether cold or warm the BMW fires up immediately with a smooth idle. The engine is free from any noises and the car does not leak fluids. The clutch engages properly and without fuss and as you shift from first to second gear you notice how solid and tight the car feels. No rattles, squeaks or indication that you’re driving a quality high performance BMW.a nice feeling.

As you begin to drive you also appreciate the “green-house” affect that the BMW M3 offers resulting in great visibility. Additionally you are reminded that the driving position is excellent and that the car would make a great long distance touring car in addition to being a practical, fast and fun everyday or weekend car for use on those twisty back roads.

Once you gain momentum it is clear that this car is considerably more fun to drive than a stock “3-Series”, especially in the “Twisties.” The suspension is taut, well damped and the steering precise and certain. The braking system is excellent as a result of the improved M3 components, the M3 stops straight and sure. The emergency brake is properly adjusted and fully functional.

The BMW has the perfect exhaust note from the stock exhaust system and the combination the high-revving 16-Valve engine and the wonderful suspension makes this car and absolute delight to drive. While the stock sound system is fully functional, we would much prefer to listen to the sound of the engine instead of the radio!

This particular car runs and drives as it did when it was delivered new to its original owner. The BMW is extremely comfortable under all driving conditions ranging from a regular high end driver to a car that will be appreciated at any BMW gathering, show or special event.

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I’ve never seen pinstriping on the M3, and while different, I don’t mind how they accentuate the fat fenders. I never thought I’d like stripes on an M5 either, but mine have certainly grown on me. I’m intrigued to see where this one lands. While the wave of a valuation bubble can be entertaining, it’s getting to the point where I want them to slow down a little so a few more normal people can buy and enjoy them.

-NR

2000 BMW M5 in Le Mans Blue

by Ben on May 20, 2013 in BMW with 1 Comment

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It’s been far too long since we had a proper E39 M5 on the site. Arguably the greatest modern sports sedan of our time, the handsome brute captured our hearts with its stunning blend of style and strength and its incredible performance coming from M division’s first eight-cylinder engine. I don’t have enough fingers and toes to count the reasons why I love the E39 but I can share with you this beautiful 2000 Le Mans Blue example on eBay.

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Year: 2000
Model: M5
Engine: 4.9 V8
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
Mileage: 77,313
Price: No Reserve Auction, $8,500 current bid

Click for Details: 2000 BMW M5 on eBay

Hi everyone, I’ve sold a couple of my motorcycles on eBay over the last few months so I thought I’d try my luck with one of my cars. I just bought a new car so something old needs to go, unfortunately this is a favorite of mine. I bought this 2000 BMW M5 from Autohaus BMW here in St. Louis this past January. From my understanding it’s been a local car and the last owner was somewhat of a BMW collector, being his fifth BMW before trading it in for a new one. When I bought it, the vehicle was fully inspected by BMW and had a new set of tires installed. (Since purchasing it, I’ve put on about 2,000 miles with current mileage around 77,313). If you’re looking for an E39 M5, this is the one to get. It is a relatively low mileage example and has a few awesome modifications:

• The upgraded Mark III navigation system
• Euro spec front headlights (clear turn signal indicators instead of the amber North America spec lights)
It also has a few Dinan performance upgrades. From my knowledge, it has:
• The Dinan M5 High Flow Cold Air Intake System (the two aluminum rings in the front grill, MSRP $1,399+ installation)
• Dinan’s Free Flow Rear Muffler Exhaust System (my absolute favorite part of the car, it sounds amazing, MSRP $2,599+ installation).

It’s also important to note that the exhaust isn’t obnoxiously loud, if you stomp on the gas, it will sound like an exotic, but if you’re just cruising, the car is quite and luxurious, just as any other M5. See the video for a better idea, especially during the in-car driving portion. The vehicle may have additional modifications, but I am unaware of any other specifics. During my short ownership, I’ve never had any issues with the car. I never drove it in the snow or harsh weather. There are no warning lights, malfunctioning systems and I am unaware of any issues.

The paint is in perfect shape and there aren’t any dents, save for a small ding in the left rear door (some people just don’t hang on to their doors in parking lots), having said that, the ding is extremely small and almost unnoticeable, as you can see from the photos. The interior is also in excellent condition all around, photos speak louder than words, but there are hardly any scratches or signs of wear. All the electronic systems work, the automatic windshield wipers work great, and everything fits together very well. I’ve never tracked or raced the car, it’s been driven very gently and I’ve never crashed the vehicle either.

Please see the photos and video below, sorry about the large number of photos, I just want to provide the best representation of the vehicle as possible, it really is in near perfect condition. Two sets of keys and all service manuals are included.

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Of the 24,482 M5’s produced between 1999 and 2003 almost half came in either Carbon Black or Le Mans Blue (22% each). Carbon Black is a lovely color especially when the sun hits it just right but in my opinion LMB makes everything about E39 M5 even more bold and pronounced. This particular example is one of the lower mileage E39 M5’s that I’ve seen on the market in past month. In addition to some light cosmetic upgrades like the euro spec headlamps, the owner has taken a popular route and upgraded the stock exhaust and intake to Dinan units. Within the next five years I see the E39 M5 attracting an E30 M3 cult like following. These M5s are the last example of BMW’s handsome four-door muscle car. Such a lovely M5 should fetch $18-20K depending on how the buyer feels about the modifications. If I was ever going to own a German four-door sports sedan, this would be my only choice.

-Ben

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