Hot on the heels of Craig’s Mugello Blue RS4 Cabriolet, I spotted this Mugello Red M3 that looked quite familiar. A 1994 model, it’s a full European specification 286 horsepower car, meaning it’s the E36 that you wanted but BMW decided was too expensive to import. Back in 2014 when I first looked at this car was it a reserve auction, but as of now the first bid at $12,500 will get it. The current seller has taken a gamble with the no reserve auction format, but no information provided means the buyer would also be rolling the dice if you didn’t have the earlier description we do below. With only 4,000 more miles accrued, this hotter M3 is in above average condition with below average mileage and quite desirable package overall that is very affordable.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1994 BMW M3 Euro-spec on eBay
The below post originally appeared on our site October 12, 2014:
For some time, there was a giant gulf in between European-spec cars and U.S. spec cars. Granted, part of that divide still exists today if the large assortment of cars that do not make it to these shores, but at least enthusiasts can rejoice that at last – for the most part – performance versions that are available in Germany are very close to the same that we receive here. One of the last notable cars to exhibit the large divide was the E36 M3; while Europeans enjoyed over 280 horsepower from the individual throttle body S50B30 in 1992, the later released U.S. spec M3 carried an entirely different motor with some 40 horsepower less. Though the S50B30US is certainly a great motor by itself, the knowledge that the “better” version existed across the pond somehow took a bit of legitimacy away from it. Also differentiating the European versions were better floating rotor brakes, better glass headlights, better lower and stiffer suspension, and some neat interior options:
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1994 BMW M3 on eBay
Year: 1994
Model: M3
Engine: 3.0 liter inline-6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 87,643 mi
Price: Auction
M3 1994 standard LHD, 3.0L S50B30 286hp stock, manual, alcantara interior and very rare impeccable fabrics, full equip, power package, sunroof, full tune-up including any change liquids, ultrasonic cleaning injectors and check valves, many new parts with supporting invoices, works like a new one, do not take one drop of oil, never seen winter, no rust
SERIOUS BUYER ONLY…….
CALL ME FOR MORE INFO 450-512-8857
Thanks Don
There were a reported very small number of 1994 European-spec M3s imported into Canada when new; they were quite expensive compared to the U.S. counterparts, and consequently only about 50 reportedly imported for that year. It’s not clear if this car is one of the original imports in 1994 or just a regular European-spec M3; opening the glovebox should reveal a numbered plaque if it was an original import. I’m not sure that changes value much – perhaps a bit of an oddity if it had it, or it might be more valuable to a Canadian, but most American M3 fans would just be happy with all of the European bits. Does that mean this car is more valuable than a U.S. spec E36? Most certainly, and the condition and color combination is good – but that doesn’t mean you can just waltz it across the border. Unfortunately, this car is still the best part of 5 years from being importable and is far to nice to part out. U.S. fans will keep holding their breath, waiting for a chance to get their hands on these “full-blooded” E36 M cars.
-Carter
Great looking car and if it goes for anywhere 15k or below its a steal given the E36 M3 market in the US. However, is it not possible for a US buyer to bring into the States since it’s not yet 25 years old. If you did but it and wanted to register it, would it need to undergo expensive changes process to bring it in?
@Fasteddy001 – there are Euro-spec E36 M3s stateside, so someone has been able to pull it off – but I’m not sure what is entailed or the cost. Still, seems like it might be worth investigating and investing in if you’re an E36 fan.
What a cool E36. I personally like the later 3.2 Evo euro cars with 321 hp. There may be ways to sneak this car in, but if you want to follow the rules you would need to wait until Jan 1, 2019 to legally import this car. Or go through the federalization process which I am guessing would be both expensive and time consuming. If it were me I would try to get the seller to agree to drive it over the border into NH or VT, then trailer it to a storage unit where it would sit for the next 2.5 years.
…although I am not sure if it is even worth it since the US got the full strength 333 hp E46 M3, which can be found in the $15-20k range.
The Auto Check report on ebay shows 190,000 kilometers in 2014. That is 118k miles. The auction details list 87k miles.