Oftentimes, as car enthusiasts, we face a dilemma. Sure, we want a fast car, but more often than not, performance comes with a bit of discomfort. Most of us like the fun of a manual gearbox, but for those who live in urban areas like myself, it gets to be a bit tiresome in the stop and go traffic. What to do, then? Well, the E36 BMW M3 sedan is a good place to start when it comes to automotive compromise. Four doors, powerful inline-6 under the hood and the availability of an automatic gearbox, such as the car we see here for sale in Florida. Dakar Yellow is a loud color if you are seeking to go unnoticed, but it’s a rare hue, for those who would like to be different.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1998 BMW M3 Sedan on eBay
Year: 1998
Model: M3 Sedan
Engine: 3.2 liter inline-6
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Mileage: 64,200 mi
Price: Reserve auction
Rare chance to acquire a true one-owner Dakar Yellow sedan in mint physical and mechanical condition. Special ordered here in Daytona and been local since new. All books, window sticker, purchase order, records, and original title dated 1998. No paint work, all original, Dakar yellow. No accidents and arrow straight…incredible survivor condition. No leaks or strange noises and no issues… starts right up, comes to an even idle and hauls axx down the road, without fault. All original with no modifications (except uber cool free-hand pinstriping by local artisan, “Shakey”) and religous service/up keep with a stack of records. Just over 64,000 original/documented miles and equipped with the smooth/quick shifting 4 speed automatic, power sunroof, heated front seats, cruise control, on-board computer, and Harmon Kardon sound system. $44,370.00 original MSRP in 1998. Clean Carfax and LOTS more additional photos are available, please email me and I’ll send them over to you.
Located in New Smyrna Beach, FL. Please email or phone John (386.690.421five) to set up a date/time to view or have inspected (at buyer’s expense). No warranty, being sold ‘As Is’, and the buyer is responsible for setting up/paying for shipping. $1,000.00 deposit due within 24 hours of ending auction and the balance is due in 7 working days there after. The M3 must be picked up within 10 days of the auction ending and bidders with zero (0) feedback must email me first or I will most likely cancel your bid.
On Mar-11-14 at 03:41:37 PDT, seller added the following information:
The transmission is the German ZF 5sp automatic (original), not a 4 speed. The interior and underside is as nice as what you’re seeing in the exterior and motor pics. I have a lot more photos to demonstrate this, just email me or view in person. I have both original vehicle immobilizers, lighted key, valet key, and plastic key. Radio/security cards along with all original books, instructions, warranty cards and other cool collectible goodies that you normally don’t see included with the sale.
Unlike some cars, hardcore M enthusiasts dictate the market for M3s like this, making the sedans equipped with a manual gearbox more valuable than ones equipped with an automatic. I’d suspect this one, with it’s rare color and low mileage, will probably bring what a sedan with a 5-speed manual and closer to 100,000 miles would bring at the present time. Still, given where E30 prices are headed, I doubt they will be the performance bargain they are for a whole lot longer.
-Paul
I’ve seen a handful of these with automatics. So strange. Another weird thing is someone not driving it.
I’ve always liked the proportions of the E36 sedan better than the coupe, but I know I’m in the minority. Color is iffy. I just can’t accept BMWs in anything other than black, silver, maybe laguna green or maybe maybe calypso red. 😛
This should really be given a 5-speed swap and then driven the heck out of it. That’s specifically what they were designed to do, can’t imagine logic in someone stashing it away all over again.
Nice car! I like dakar on these cars but I would have to swap in an e46 6 speed as soon as possible although I have no idea how much that would cost.
Hey Paul,
If you read the ad and look at the interior picture a little closer, you will notice this yellow M3 has a 5 speed automatic transmission.
an auto…in a color suited to a coupe…M-Contour wheels….
the mileage is the only big big plus going for this car….
and please don’t talk about swapping out a 5spd manual because it is not a 2k cost…unless you steal the tranny from someone and put it in yourself..
Alan,
Yes, I saw that it had the 5 speed auto and that’s why I would want to replace it with the 6 speed manual from an e46. I couldn’t drive an M3 with an auto.
I’m surely in the minority, but the automatic transmission doesn’t bother me that much. I guess I’ve lived long enough and driven enough different vehicles that it just doesn’t matter. I find the pinstripe to be far more offensive than the transmission…
[…] do you like your M car? Loud, like the Dakar Yellow E36 M3 Sedan we featured last week, or perhaps a bit more subdued like this E39 M5 in the rarely seen Oxford […]