While the E30 320is was the defacto M3 Sedan of the first generation, it was not until the E36 generation that fans finally received a full-fat four-door small M. The sedan was then skipped on the E46 generation (I can hear ZHP fans shouting that their car is a real M right now), returned for the E90 generation, and then became the only body style thereafter as BMW introduced the new 4-Series nomenclature. Since its launch in the US for the ’97 model year, the M3 Sedan has been a niche model within a niche lineup on performance cars; practical and good-looking in a way that the long-door coupe sometimes lacks proper proportion in. Indeed, to me the most recent three generations of M3 Sedans look better than their two-door counterpart. While I’m not sure I feel the same way about the E36 generation, it’s nonetheless great to see one surface in a nice color with lower mileage, as many were loved well and driven hard. This Estoril Blue Metallic example I’m looking at today sure looks the part; but I’m not sure the juice is worth the squeeze:
Tag: 1997
The 993 Porsche 911 Turbo sure is aging well. I guess you could say that about most 911s, but the near pinnacle of the air-cooled 911 sure does look long for this world. Its size and proportions are dead on to me, and it is not excessive. You know what it is the second you lay eyes on it, but it doesn’t scream at you like the new GT cars do. I guess that is the point of the Turbo, but something just makes sense with them. I am not alone with this as good luck buying one for under $100,000 now. This 1997 US-market example that returned back home to Germany is no exception. Worth it?