Archive for e36
1998 BMW M3 Sedan for sale
As I’ve said before, the E36 and I go way back and they always strike a chord in my heart. Especially when it’s a sedan, and especially when it’s Estoril Blue. So blah blah blah, one of the best handling cars of the 90s, 240hp inline-6 that sings, yeah yeah. These cars are just dead sexy, end of story.
This 1998 sedan on eBay is painfully similar to the M3 that gave me my first taste of speed, down to the unparalleled Estoril/Magma combo and M Double Spoke IIs.
The lights and M3 Lightweight vinyl wouldn’t have been top priorities for me, but I don’t hate them. Mostly this looks like a nice stock M3, devoid of the overblown modifications or packed-on miles that plague many E36s. The interior isn’t top-notch, and it’s a shame to see those great Magma seats scarred up. Also, can’t NOT mention the salvage title, but it seems well-explained and properly taken care of.
Bottom line: This is an imperfect example of one of my perfect cars, and it could end up being a great deal with bidding starting at about $7k. Just remember how much fun these cars are and ask yourself if ~$10k is worth it. I think so.
-NR
Clean 1996 BMW E36 for Sale
You can find used E36 BMW’s all day long, in fact, I have. The price point of these cars has gotten to the point where they are well in reach of the boy racer crowd. Inspiring young lads ditch their modded Civic, 240sx, or Jetta in favor of an E36 that seems like the perfect canvas for their “art.” Before you know it a perfectly nice car ends up looking like this.
I know that is not an E36 but you get the point. What is my point? It is cars like this E36 that make me appreciate a well cared for fine German automobile.
1996 BMW E36 for Sale:
From the seller’s post -
“Now available: This 2-owner 1996 BMW E36 M3 Coupe has just been placed for sale on consignment by the current local owner/BMW CCA Member. White exterior with all matching VIN tags, no accident history, black leather interior with Vaders, 5-speed manual, 99K miles, No track use, Upgrades include: Euro floating rotors, Boral exhaust, UUC pullies, S50 Manifold, DINAN stage 5 software, Euro steering wheel with airbag, Custom gauges, H&R race springs with Koni adjustable suspension.”
The E36 is a wonderful car with a linear power band, very nibmle handling, and perhaps the most comfortable interior I have even been in. This is a great example that has been lightly modified, by a grown up. While the $14k price tag is a little high this is the sort of car I would be willing to overpay for.
~Aaron.
Trackable E36 M3 Sedan in Boston
Out of all the M3’s I think the E36 is the most slept on and least appreciated. But why? It could be that the E30 M3 was a pretty damn hard act to follow. It could be that the US version came with the “weak” S50 mill vs. the RoW’s more powerful motor. It could also be that most of the examples you see today (with the exception of the one Aaron found earlier this week) have gone through a number of owners, typically including spoiled college kids and weekend warrior track fans.
Whatever the reason may be, the E36 M3 still holds a special place in my heart. This Boston example that I found on Craigslist is a looker but has definitely seen it’s fair share of time on the road and the circuit. It’s a 97’ sedan in black with 168K. Of course this one has some typical upgrades:
DSR Cams 256 Profile
GIAC Software
Schrick Extruded Honed Intake Manifold
Dinan Carbon Fiber CAI
Dinan Exhaust
Rogue Engineering Short Shifter
Ground Control Track/School COs
Ground Control Hybrid Camber/Caster Plates
Ground Control LCA Shims
UUC Front and Rear Sway-Bars
Dinan Front Strut Tower Brace
Masons Rear Tower Brace
Brembo 355mm Front BBK
BBS RC 18×8.5
Euro Projector Headlights
BMW EURO Side Markers and Rear Tail Lights
JT-Design Aluminum Under Panel
Recaro Pole Position seats
1997 BMW M3 Sedan – BBS, Recaro, Dinan
$13,500 is a lot of dough for a E36 that’s seen that many miles, some of which have been hard track days. Sure it’s got some great additions like the BBS RC’s and those gorgeous Recaro seats but I’m guessing this guy won’t get more than $12K for this Bimmer.
-Ben
Low Mile 1997 BMW E36 Surfaces in Seattle
I stumbled upon a completely unmolested 1997 BMW E36 in Seattle. This car looks to be in fantastic shape with less than 40k on the ticker. Even better this M3 is finished in an Arctic Silver/Black leather color scheme and has a manual transmission. I won’t say a manual tranny is rare for a four door E36 but it is not the norm either.
Low Mile 1997 BMW M3:
From the seller’s ad -
“Pristine, factory original M3 sedan. 5 speed manual. Arctic silver with Black leather interior. Weekend car. Always garaged and hand washed. Recent 40k mile Inspection II at BMW Seattle. No dings, original paint.”
Short and sweet I would say. In looking at the car there really is not much to say. With the recent maintenance and overall physical condition of this E36 there is no point yammering on about how often it gets waxed or the when the leather seats get treated. I would still want a PPI to make sure that everything is at it should be.
From the looks of it this is everything you want in a fine German auto. A desirable car in top condition with no stories or drama to speak of. The price may be on the high side but there are not many four door E36′s out there with this sort of low mileage, condition, and equipment. If you were going to overpay for the “right” E36 this would be the one.
~Aaron.
Impeccable, Individual E36 M3 Sedan for sale
A brief switch away from our Budget Theme Week to highlight an exceptional car recommended by reader/commenter Bob…
I believe I’ve recounted it before, but the E36 M3 Sedan was the first fast car I ever got to drive after receiving my license. My best friend’s dad was a high-powered lawyer who lived modestly but loved his toys, hiding an Estoril Blue M3 4-door and 6 Ducatis behind his unassuming 2-car garage doors. With carefully timed and worded requests, we were allowed to take it out on occasion and entered active car enthusiasm for the first time after years of reading and dreaming. The car purred, growled, and clawed its way around the island we grew up on, and thus firmly planted itself in my automotive genetics. It is essentially why I write for this blog.
Bob alerted us to this exceptional M for sale on eBay. It’s covered a relatively low 73k miles and is claimed to be “shockingly nice.” From the photos and description it looks it, an excerpt of which follows.
At EuroWerkz we have bought, sold, owned, maintained, built, modified, showed, and won with some of the nicest BMW M3′s in the country. We are 25+ year members of the BMW CCA. I am a long time member of the E30 SIG as well as an active member of several BMW forums and groups. We love BMW’s we know BMW’s and M3′s and this is one hell of a nice M3.
It took me over 2 years to buy this car from the prior owner and I have enjoyed it for a while so it’s time for the next more permanent owner to enjoy. We would really like to see this car go to a BMW enthusiast who can appreciate it and continue it’s over the top care and maintenance as I see this car as one that will represent the breed 10-20-30 years from now. If your looking for a track car candidate, please not this one. You don’t have a garage space? Please find another car. Live in a big city with sketchy parking? Well, you get the point. There are plenty of excellent condition M3′s out there. This car is just soooo… much nicer than that.
This car looks, runs, and drives like a 30k mile 3 year old M3. It is in fantastic condition for any age and mileage but it is a 12 year old car with just 73k miles. Quite honestly it is the nicest car I have for sale right now and that is saying quite a bit considering our spring inventory of European beauties. You can read below about it’s history, options, and maintenance. Call or e-mail me and we’ll talk about it all day if you want.
Sounds like they mean it! The custom Calypso Red from BMW Individual is gorgeous and unique, though I’m still partial to Estoril. I understand that it has been very well taken care of and they hold this car in extremely high regard, though I’m not quite sure why they are SO enthusiastic and think it deserves well over Blue Book. At writing there’s 2 days left with bidding at $11,400 and reserve not met. If it’s truly as nice as they claim, I’d say it deserves $15-17k. Regardless of what forms their opinion, I’m certainly on board in hoping it goes to a true fan and enthusiast with the time and resources to keep it nice.
-NR
Low Mile E36 Found in Southern Oregon
A few weeks back I posted another low mile E36, that car was very clean but was green and had an automatic transmission. Here is another low mile example in a more mainstream color scheme with a manual gear box.
Immaculate Low Mile E36 for Sale:
From the seller’s ad:
“Immaculate all original 1997 BMW M3, 5-speed manual, silver, 2-door, faster than all other M3s of its year, this is a “freak” M3 that has been very well maintained, and garaged its entire life.
Only 43,000 original miles!!!!!! A rare find indeed.
Interior is all black original M3 leather with M3 stripes
Super sick and clean factory 97 M3 rims, very clean!!!
Equipped with H&R Lowering Racing Springs and a Dinan exaust (from BMW’s tuner co. “Dinan”)
Only 2 owners and a CALIFORNIA car, just brought to OR. and kept garaged.
EVERYTHING works, no flaws in electrical unlike most older BMWs this one is like new. This car has never been a daily driver. Pretty much a Sunday driver.
Jump on this offer because it won’t last long! This car is perfect for a BMW CCA member or another BMW enthusiast like myself.”
I am getting all sorts of red flags on this car:
- The way the ad is written, this car is not a “freak” and the wheels are not “sick”. I am not even sure what these two things mean in relation to the car.
- Eugene is a college town, this is not to say that college kids cannot own and maintain a fine German auto, however they often choose not to.
- What is with all the freaking explanation points?
Maybe it is a rainy Monday and I am cranky but I have a hard time believing this car is as nice as advertised. If so it is a solid value at $15k, if not it is a shame such a low mile E36 has fallen into less than careful hands.
~Aaron.
Sinister Cosmos Black E36 M3
M3s look so damn good in black. Besides the “back in black” look this E36 has a whole lot more going for it. All the lights and markers have been switched to Euro spec, blacked-out kidneys, gorgeous Vader seats, Dinan chip and intake, cat-back exhaust and best of all light-weight BBS RKs.
Mileage is around 131K and the owner says it runs better than ever but I have a hard time believing that. It doesn’t really help that the seller also says this M3 has seen some track-action at the occasional weekend Auto-X.
Here’s the full list of upgrades:
EXTERIOR
Euro Spec taillights
Euro Spec sidemarkers
Euro Spec turn signal lens
Euro Spec ellipsoid projector headlights with HID 55 Watt 6000K and LED city lights
blacked out BMW emblems
black kidney grills, (not painted) real aftermarket black ones
Factory fog light delete plates
Front bumper aero splitters
limo Tint all around
LED license plate lightENGINE
Dinan cold air intake carbon fiber
Dinan chipped
Performance cat back exhaust system
brand new radiator
water pump with metal impeller
hoses
thermostat
aluminum water outlet
new plugs
recent oil change (synthetic)
just did alignment
underbelly aluminum pan jltSUSPENSION
Sparco front strut bar
unknown brand rear strut bar
under car chassis brace bar
vogtland lowering springs
cant remember what brand shocks i put in it but the are sport struts
2″ neg camber all around
1998 modded BMW M3 coupe in Cosmos Black
The great looks of this M3 definetly caught my attention, I got a little nervous about the miles and the auto crossing but I think $11,000 is reasonable.
-Ben
1995 E36 M3 With 22k for Sale
I have mentioned that I am passively looking for a car with a back seat that will compliment the 986. I have looked at a 951, 968′s, a Mini Cooper or two, and the Audi TT. This could take a few months or could go on for years, I am in no hurry and really want to find the right car. Today, playing the role of “the right car” is this low mile E36 in San Diego. Finding used examples of this vintage is not a difficult task, the market is flooded with worn out M3′s that have been owned by boy racers. With incomplete maintenance history and unwanted modifications these cars are a shell of what they once were or could be. It is this tragedy that make this particular M3 so appealing. Not only does this vehicle have amazingly low mileage it is as stock as it was when it left the factory.
From the seller’s auction:
“Hello and thanks for viewing my ad. For sale is a 1995 BMW M3 3.0 liter with 22k original miles. The car is bostongrun-metallic with oyster leather interior. This M3 is 100% original and has never been raced, tracked, or modified in any way. It has never been painted on or in an accident, as confirmed by Carfax. The majority of the records are available along with the original manuals, BMW cassette and extra keys. The car was originally purchased in California and has since been driven here. The could be one of the lowest mileage E36 M3′s on the planet and due to it’s minimal use, it is in remarkable shape.
Mechanically: The car only has 22,145 original miles on it and the low mileage really does speak for the mechanical condition of the car. The motor runs incredibly smooth and quiet. There are no odd noises or shakes and the VANOS (camshaft timing unit) engages and disengages without any of the typical ‘rattling’ noises. The car handles perfectly and the suspension is very tight and responsive. The automatic transmission shifts perfectly and each mode (sport, economy, and manual) function as they should. The car comes with a cover, all factory tools, and the original spare. The car has always been maintained properly. The oil was also recently changed as was the battery. The dash shows zero warning lights. The tires will need replacing as they are original.
Exterior: The paint on the car is completely original and in pristine condition. It looks great in both the shade and the sun and do to the fact that it’s metallic, it looks significantly different in both conditions. The car is very straight and without any dings, dents, or scratches. The paint is very healthy due to the fact that the car was always garaged. There is virtually no road rash at all on the front bumper cover, nose panel, and hood. The only two defects on the body are one very minor nick on the driver-side rear quarter panel (the size of half a pinhead) and a minor etch in the clear coat from a bird dropping on the roof (the size of a nickel). All of the plastic moldings are in perfect shape and without any parking lot encounters or fading. The corner indicators, fogs, taillights and headlights remain crystal clear and aren’t hazy. All of the plastic pieces beneath the front bumper cover are all intact (usually they have been ripped off by curbs or in parking lots). All of the seals are in great condition, very pliable and without any sun damage. The wheels are in fantastic shape and only two have very minor curb rash.
Interior: The interior was most likely a custom order and can best be described as ‘oyster’. The quality of the leather is what BMW calls ‘nappa’ and is the top of the line. The color really sets the car apart and minimizes the perceived age of the car. It is beautiful and unlike any other M3 I’ve owned. The leather is in remarkable shape and feels very soft. There are no cracks or scuff marks. The rear seat and passenger seat are virtually unused and in perfect condition. The driver side seat is in like condition with very, very little wear on the bolster (see photos). The carpets and mats are in phenomenal condition and without any stains or markings. All the electronic components on the dash function as they should including the radio, on-board computer, fans, lights, air conditioning, and heating. The seat’s also function perfectly in all directions. The headliner is in perfect shape as well. The interior in this car is in unbelievable condition and very unique.”
Additional photos:
Great car, with the right miles, and the green and oyster color combination is unique… in a good way. The buy-it-now is $15.5k and will be sure to attract some interest from bidders. I have seen low mileage examples such as this in the $14-$17.5k range so the seller is realistic in their pricing. If you are in the market for a used E36 this may be the car you have been looking for.
~Aaron.
Rare BMW Alpina B8 Touring Wagon E36
Alpina’s are rare cars, this one, according to the Alpina register, is 1 of 27 wagon B8s produced in the late 1990s. Around 250 of the B8s were produced in all forms form. The Alpina register has a PDF copy of the whole parts catalog for the B8 so you can see what you are getting.
With 333 horsepower from a custom crafted Alpina 4.6 liter V8 stuffed under the hood of a 3 series, matched to a six speed manual, these have to be fun cars. The touring just adds to the unique and wow factor. Subtle changes like the standard Alpina look wheels and badging are all that give the car away. That is, of course, besides the throaty V8 burble coming from the tailpipes.
I love the fact that one of the previous owners of this particular car has badged it as a 316i. Just image the look of an unsuspecting Mustang owner on the highway as an apparent 4 cylinder station wagon disappears into the horizon.
This particular vehicle looks like it has been enjoyed year round, it has 84,000 miles, sports winter tires. and you can see snow on it in the pictures. Its good to see that the car is being enjoyed.
The owner says the car is on its way over from Bremerhafen Germany. The price is $34,000 or $40,000 if you want the current owner to take care of getting the car registered since it will come in as a grey market vehicle.
BMW Alpina B8 Touring on Craigslist
~Evan
1998 M3 Sedan, Dakar Yellow, 59k miles
Similar to the 1997 M3 sedan that Nate sourced a few days ago, here’s a clean, low mileage 1998 M3 sedan over at the BMW Car Club of America marketplace. It’s a rather rare shade – Dakar Yellow. Fear not, enthusiasts, this one has a proper 5 speed manual gearbox.
The seller’s description:
heated manual seats, a few tasteful mods, all maintenance up-to-date, owned since 6/01, garage kept, superb condition, extremely clean.
Like Nate, I love these cars. Having driven a few E36 M3 coupes and sedans in my day, I can say that it is by far one of my favorites, provided the example comes with three pedals. I was never enamored with the E46 and E90 series M3s, but this kind of reflects my thoughts on most of the BMW lineup as of late. With all the electronic wizardry and added weight, these newer M models have kind of lost the plot. While they are undoubtedly excellent machines, the E36 embodies everything that was right about the old BMW. Crisp lines, legendary powerplants and God’s own handling.
-Paul
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