1998 BMW M3 Cabriolet

The E36 BMW M3 Cabriolet has always been a bit of a riddle for me. Who would want to buy a serious sports coupe and compromise all of the engineering work by chopping the roof off? An even greater travesty in my mind is saddling said drop top with an automatic gearbox. But then, if you are going to take the performance equation half-heartedly, perhaps this isn’t such a bad thing? This Estoril Blue M3 Cabriolet for sale in New Hampshire, however, is one of the rare ones with the 5-speed manual gearbox.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1998 BMW M3 on eBay

Year: 1998
Model: M3
Engine: 3.2 liter inline-6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 63,500 mi
Price: No reserve auction

It is time to say goodbye to my beloved M3. 3 kids and little free time means I don’t get the chance to enjoy it anymore. It is by far the best car I have ever owned and it will be missed. Just had fluids changed and my own PPI. Car is near perfect. I hope to find it a good home,

130+ photos and videos (start up, rev, drive away / int and ext walk arounds / top going up and down) are here:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/fymvr7ims2p41ht/3gS00DZ5mC
Please feel free to contact me with questions.

Production Details
1998 BMW M3 Convertible
VIN# WBSBK9338WEC42622
Built date: 5/98 in Regensburg, Germany
1 of 2252 US Spec E36 M3 convertibles w/manual transmission imported into the USA (only available 98-99)
1 of 317 US Spec E36 M3 convertibles w/manual trans with Estoril Blue/Dove Gray color combo imported into the USA
Sticker Price – $49,870.00
Option List
Cruise Control
On-Board Computer
Harman-Kardon Sound System
Forged 17” 5-Spoke Wheels

Operational Condition
Runs perfectly. Clutch is direct with no slippage. Gear changes are smooth. Brakes are good. AC blows cold, heater blows hot. No check engine lights. No OBC errors. No Dead Pixels. No electrical issues. Convertible top operates normally and smoothly

Exterior/Paint
I would rate it at 9/10, especially considering its age. Original paint. All original body panels. No accidents. The paint is in great condition, shines and sparkles like Estoril should. There are normal rash marks/stone chips on the front, hood, etc. There is a scratch (4” long) on the front of the hood. It’s a surface scratch that I imagine can be removed by a good detailer. Top of trunk has slight swirls and could use a buff. No dents. No rust.

Interior
I would rate it at 9/10. Everything is original, including the stereo. Everything works. Car has manual and non-heated seats. Passenger and rear seats are in great shape. Driver’s seat has some wear, but no rips/tears/etc – maybe a 8/10. Carpet is clean with newer OEM floormats. Headliner is in excellent shape except for a small hole in the back. Steering wheel, arm rest, door cards, trim panels, etc are all in great condition.

Issues
Shifter has typical E36 “5th-gear lean” during initial start up. Once it is warmed up and running – it goes away.

Needs
None

Modifications
Conforti “SharK’ Tune
Conforti Carbon Cold Air Induction
UUC/Corsa RSC36 Cat-back exhaust
Ground Control Coilovers
BMW/BBS “Style 5” wheels
UUC EVO 3 Short Shift Kit with DSSR
ZHP Shift knob

Ownership History:
Originally purchased 11/1998 from Rick Hill BMW in TN. Owner #1 lived in FL.
Owner #1 moved to Michigan and titled the car there in early 2001, with apprx 37k miles.
Sold in April 2006 at 47,120 miles to Owner #2, an adult enthusiast.
Purchased by me, Owner #3, November 2008 at 49,144 miles and brought to NH.
Car currently has 63, XXX miles
Notes:
I was told car was always garaged by previous owners and stored during winter months while in MI/IL. Car was driven by me only on sunny days from May-October. Properly stored during the winter and always garaged at my house when not in use.

Records/Maintenance/Modifications prior to my ownership:
Detailed records prior to my ownership are not available. Carfax shows services were performed at BMW dealerships in FL and MI/IL.
Routine maintenance appeared to be done on time and professionally, confirmed by the two detailed inspections I completed on the car: The first one was a pre-purchase inspection by Laurel BMW in IL. The second was a post purchase inspection done by my local BMW indy shop. Turner Motorsports in MA also inspected the car in early 2009 and confirmed its excellent condition. Conforti “Shark” Injector Tune and Cold Air Intake were done in 2004 or 2005, according to Owner #2. No other modifications were done by owners #1 or #2.

Records/Maintenance/Modifications during my ownership

Oil
3/31/2009
50,513
Oil/Filter/Inspection
3D Auto
5/4/2010
54,819
Oil/Filter/Inspection
3D Auto
5/10/2011
59,430
Oil/Filter/Inspection
3D Auto
9/5/2012
61,602
Oil/Filter/Inspection
3D Auto
4/24/2013
63,215
Oil/Filter/Inspection
3D Auto
Fluids
3/31/2009
50,513
Redline Trans
3D Auto
3/31/2009
50,513
Redline Diff and Seal
3D Auto
5/4/2010
54,819
Brake Flush
3D Auto
5/4/2010
54,819
Coolant Flush
3D Auto
7/11/2011
59,477
Flush (w/ Rad/Fan Clutch)
3D Auto
Engine
Conforti “Shark” Ecu Flash
PO
Conforti CF Cold Air Intake
PO
5/10/2011
59,430
FGR8KQE Spark Plugs
3D Auto
Cooling System
7/11/2011
59,447
Fan Clutch, Radiator, Bleeder
3D Auto
Hoses, Rad Cap, Sensor
Clamp, Coolant, etc
Mechanical
8/6/2009
52,000
UUC/Corsa RSC36 Exhaust
Turner MS
7/18/2010
56,712
UUC EVO 3 SSK w/DSSR
Turner MS
Suspension
3/23/2009
HD Rear Shock Mounts
UUC
3/25/2009
50,472
Install Mounts
Turner
3/24/2009
Rear Shocks and assc
Pelican Parts
3/25/2009
50,472
Install Shocks
Turner
3/31/2009
50,513
RTAB w/ TMS Limiters
3D Auto
3/31/2009
50,513
Alignment
3D Auto
5/1/2012
Ground Control Coilover kit
Used
5/1/2012
Ground Control Springs/Parts
GC
6/18/2012
61,445
Koni HD RSM
Turner
6/18/2012
61,445
Coilover Install
3D Auto
6/18/2012
61,445
Alignment
3D Auto
Interior
3/25/2009
50,500
FloorMats
Tulley BMW
6/11/2013
Interior Trim / Coin Holder
UUC
Exterior
4/23/2009
50,679
Paintless Dent Repair
Dent Wizard
4/1/2009
Black Kidney Grills
Turner MS

ABS Front Splitters
EAS
5/10/2011
59,430
Hood BMW Emblem
3D Auto
6/22/2012
61,450
Rear Fenders Minor Roll
Auto CC

Misc Mods

ZHP Shift Knob

UUC Clutch Stop

Hardwired for Valentine One Radar(Not included)

Wheels
Car will come with two sets of wheels. First set is the original optional LTW forged wheels, “Style 24”. Relatively rare, these are fantastic looking wheels and in great shape. Some very minor curb rash. They are 17” and 7.5” up front and 8.5” out back. They have Sumitomo HRTZ-III tires on them. The fronts have plenty of life left. The rears are just ok and will need replacing. Full 7.5” spare w/tire in trunk. Theses wheels are not installed. 1 Pic shows these wheels installed.

The second set is a professionally refinished set of BBS RC090 “Style 5” 2 piece wheels, They were completely dismantled and cleaned. The outer rim/lip was polished to a near mirror finish. The center piece was powder-coated “Alien Silver.” The plastic lug cap was wet painted to match the Alien silver. Brand new OEM BMW center cap logos were installed. All nuts and bolts were striped, cleaned and polished. Then they were re-zinced by a refinishing company. Wheels were re-assembled using proper procedure, torque and locktight. Custom blue air valves. They are 17” x 8 and have Kumho Ecsta 215/40’s tires installed. Wheels have less than 2k on them. Some of the bolts have some light rust on them – just need a good polish.

Suspension Detail:
Car will come with a Ground Control Coilover kit installed. The kit has less than 10k miles on it, and some of the components are almost brand new. It is comparable to their “Street/Hybrid Kit”. Koni single adjustable short struts with height adjustment up front with 500lb Eibach springs and stock M3 spring perch. Koni single adjustable shortened shock in rear with 550lb Eibach springs riding on height adjustable collars. Upgraded rear shock mount. The ride is firm but planted. It does not bounce. It never bottoms out. Ground Control is one of the better suspension options for this car and in it drives wonderfully.

Car is currently lowered less than 3/4” from stock. Suspension was completed at the same time I added the BBS wheels. Accordingly, I dialed everything in at the same time and the look is far from “Stanceworks”, but gives the car a really nice lowered look and really sets off the wheels. To eliminate any possibility of fender rubbing by the rear tires, I had a professional auto body shop that specialized in fender rolling roll the inside of the rear fenders very slightly. Worked out perfectly. You would never know. It has never rubbed, even with my kids in the back and my wife in the front.

Extras
Original Leather zippered attaché, including window sticker, radio codes, service manual, road-side assistance paperwork, owner’s manual, warranty info, etc.
Receipt Binder
Shark Injector and paperwork.
Toolkit in trunk is intact. Light in glove compartment works.
E36 Car Cover

Original Parts that come with Car
Front Struts, rear shocks (less than 12k miles on them), original F+R springs, HD rear shock mount.
Forged wheels w/ Tires mounted.
Chrome kidney grills
I DO NOT have original exhaust, shifter parts or intake components.

Payment
$500 Paypal Deposit within 24 hours of auction end. Balance due in person with cash or verifiable bank check within 10 days of auction end.
* If you are flying in I can help with pick up. Logan (Boston) is within an hour. Manchester (MHT) is 15 mins away. PM me to discuss.
* I may also be inclined to drive the car towards you to make it easier. PM me if you want to discuss.

Shipping
* Shipping will be the responsibility of the buyer. I will assist however needed.

Auction Cancellation
I reserve the right to end the auction early, as the car is for sale locally.

The image of these cars has softened with me over the years. I’ve become more accepting of them with each passing year and perhaps having the roof down would only be a boon, as you could hear the sonorous note from the engine out the backside. E36 Cabriolets tend to be valued a tad less than their coupe and sedan counterparts, catering to the more relaxed driver. With the desirable color, low mileage and manual transmission, however, I’d expect this one to bring strong money.

-Paul