Like Alpina, Dinan has distinguished itself as a premier BMW tuner good enough to get the nod from the factory. But unlike Alpina, whose cars often sport unique trim details, body kits, wheels, and interiors, Dinan’s creations are usually much more sedate – following the Roosevelt-esque ‘speak softly and carry a big stick’ ideology. Outside there’s generally little to identify that Dinan has breathed upon a given model, but depending on what level of modification you choose, they can range from a suspension kit all the way through supercharged monsters with increased displacement. Today’s example, a lovely end-of-the-run E36 convertible, is claimed to have a Dinan S1 serial number, and it wears the company’s exhaust, intake, computer programing, suspension, and a few other details. That alone would probably make it work taking a look at, but it doesn’t hurt that this example is also Techno Violet, low mileage, and has a hardtop. What’s not to like?
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1999 BMW M3 Convertible Dinan S1 on eBay
Year: 1999
Model: M3 Convertible
VIN: WBSBK0335XEC40601
Engine: 3.2 liter inline-6
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Mileage: 56,000 mi
Location: Palos Verdes Peninsula, California
Price: $30,000 Buy It Now
1999 BMW Dinan M3 (E36) 2 owner hardtop convertible with the Dinan S1 Signature package installed with only 55,980 original miles.
The exterior color is Techno Violet Metallic with matching convertible hardtop and gray leather interior. This is a very rare color and one of the rarest because of the convertible and auto combo.
The E36 M3 has the S52 inline straight six M-Tuned 3.2L motor that has 240 hp/236 ft lb mated to a 5 Speed Automatic Transmission. This car is also equipped with the Dinan Stage 1 package that includes the following:
Dinan freeflow exhaust (plus 9 hp and 7 ft lb)
Dinan cold air intake kit (plus 12 hp and 11 ft lb)
Dinan stage 2 engine software (plus 21 hp and 20 ft lb)
Dinan transmission chip
Dinan E36 strut tower brace
Dinan suspension kit
Dinan Emblem
Dinan Serial number plate S10303
The current Michelin Pilot Sport AS3+ tires have less than 1000 miles on them and
the oil was changed (SYNTHETIC) also less that 1000 miles ago.Other notable items:
Hardtop stand and cover when hardtop is not installed (Currently Installed)
Trunk mounted BMW 6 disc CD-Changer
Cassette Player…..Break out those old audio Cassettes
Passport Radar Detector – Hard Wired
Bluetooth Media Integration – Hands free by ISIMPLESOLUTIONS
Meticulously maintained and cared for by 1st and 2nd owner
Front License Plate never drilled or installed.
Purchased by the original owner at Patrick BMW in Schaumburg, IL.
Acquired by current owner in February of 2017.
Original Owners Manual – Key with fobs included (2 sets)
Original Window Sticker.
4 different Dinan brochures with Dinan dealer installed sales and pricing sheet.
Passport brochure (Showing detector mounted in an E36 M3) with sales and pricing sheet
BMW telephone Quick Reference card
Hands free Bluetooth media integration kit installation and operations manual
Hardtop stand and cover instruction sheet
The car has the original paint, original soft top (rarely out from under hardtop) and the original interior in near perfect condition. The car has won the BMW NCC (National Capital Chapter) 3rd place ribbon in 2018 at the Deutsche Marque Concours d’Elegance – Class Modern 1990’s (Only time shown).This two owner car comes with a clean CARFAX, clean title, and a current Virginia State Inspection. Don’t miss out on this rare and beautiful car.
Well, it should be pretty easy to see three things not to like. First off, the automatic. While not the most tragic transmission in history, nor the worst application in a convertible, it just doesn’t seem particularly fitting in a car like this with modifications. Second, the lack of pictures in the auction from a seller with no feedback. That’s partially remedied if you do a little digging and find the seller’s site, where more photos are shown, but generally speaking – it’s lacking. Third, the price. I love a purple M3, and it’s neat to see one all decked out like this. The condition looks to be great. The mileage is lower. It’s got desirable mods and looks as though it’s been treated well. But $30,000? That not only gets you into an E46 M3 convertible with lower mileage and a six-speed manual along with a lot of money left for repairs, but it gets you into an E93 M3 convertible with a few more miles and a six-speed manual, along with a lot of money leftover for repairs. You’d have to really, really want this specific car to plunk down that kind of money on it given the options that are available as alternatives.
-Carter
Definitely a cool 90s BMW, but $30k for an E36 convertible with a slushbox seems a very high, even with the low miles and Dinan stuff. If it were a manual coupe maybe it could justify a similar asking price. Also the E36 M3 we got in the states is not the RoW M3 which had an S50 with ITBs and 286 hp (later 3.2L and 321 hp). It also had different brakes and suspension. The American 240 hp throttle body M3 is a fun car but more like a 328i ZHP/Performance package.
That kind of money I’d rather import a 1995 3.0L Euro M3 5 speed coupe as Greg mentioned above. Or wait until 2021 to import a 1996 3.2L M3 with the 6 speed manual. Both faster & superior even to the USA E36 M3 LTW.
Wow, I remember when I sold my 50k mile 99 M3 coupe for $12k about a decade ago. If only I would have kept it! Isn’t that always the story? Buy too late sell too soon.
Does the PORTA POT come with the car?