The World’s Most Famous M3? 2013 BMW M3 Competition Package Individual

Update 5/2/19: This M3 sold for $66,500 plus premium (~$70,000).

I own a M3. It’s a fairly rare M3, too – at least, in the grand scheme. But my car is far from famous, and likely never will be. That’s because while Phoenix Yellow Metallic was reasonably rare, BMW still managed to churn out nearly 3,000 Coupes in that tone alone out of the total E46 M3 production. Given that number is relatively large compared to earlier M products (about 56,000 total Coupes produced), buyers who selected PYM represent a fairly low percentage of 5.3. The percentage of U.S. cars in PYM is even lower; 514 were ordered out of 26,202, meaning your chance of running across one when new was only about 2%.

But compared to some of the individual colors, that’s downright commonplace. Since we’re looking at an E92, let’s crunch the numbers – a total of 40,092 Coupes were produced worldwide, and of those 15,799 came to the U.S.. 8,299 of those were post LCI cars like today’s example. 6,235 came as manuals (both pre- and post-LCI). 865 were sent through BMW’s Individual program and painted a variety of colors – but this one, Atlantis Blue Metallic, accounts for only 3 total Coupes. Three. That’s .019% of imported E92s.

Of course, it’s not the color of this car (as stunning as it is) that makes it really famous. No, it’s the story about how it came to be:

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2013 BMW M3 Competition Package Individual on Bring a Trailer

Year: 2013
Model: M3 Competition Package Individual
VIN: WBSKG9C58DJ973118
Engine: 4.0 liter V8
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Mileage: 14,000 mi
Price: No Reserve Auction

This 2013 BMW M3 coupe is said to be one of three finished in Atlantis Blue Metallic over Black Novillo leather and shows just over 14k miles. The car was ordered new by the seller through the European Delivery Program, but was initially painted in the wrong color due to a factory error and had to be replaced by BMW as reported by several automotive news outlets. Power is from a 4.0-liter V8 paired with a 6-speed manual transmission, and options include the Cold Weather, Premium, and Competition packages as well as Piano Finish trim, blue contrast stitching, a premium stereo, and more. The car has been modified with an M-Performance exhaust system and European-market front bumper cover, and an oil change has been performed in preparation for the sale. This E92 M3 is offered at no reserve with service records from new, a window sticker, manuals and literature, a Carfax report, and a clean Maryland title in the seller’s name.

The exterior is finished in special-order Atlantis Blue Metallic (399), and the condition of the paintwork is shown up close in the gallery below. The seller reports that the front bumper cover was replaced with a European-spec item after being damaged during a dealer service, and the rear bumper cover was reportedly repainted at the same time.

Factory 19? Style 359 wheels are mounted with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires sized 245/35 front and 265/35 rear and showing 2018 and 2019 date codes. The E92 M3 featured cross-drilled and vented disc brakes all around, and this example is equipped with Electronic Damping Control.

Finished in Black Novillo leather with optional Tobago Blue stitching and piano black trim, the cabin features heated and powered front sport seats with adjustable side bolsters, Comfort Access, factory navigation, dual-zone automatic climate control, iPod and USB adapters, a powered rear sun shade, and Enhanced Premium Sound. Wear on the driver’s seat bolster is highlighted in the gallery.

Instrumentation includes a 200-mph speedometer, a tachometer with an 8k-rpm redline, and fuel and temperature gauges. Just over 14k miles are shown on the digital odometer, with all having been added by the seller.

The naturally-aspirated, quad-cam 4.0L S65 V8 was factory-rated at 414 horsepower at 8,300 rpm with 295 lb-ft of torque at 3,900 rpm and is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. An oil change was reportedly completed in April 2019 in preparation for the sale.

A BMW M-Performance exhaust system replaces the stock setup. Additional photos of the underbody and suspension are viewable below.

The window sticker displays standard and optional equipment along with an MSRP of $79,200. Owner’s manuals and other literature are also included in the sale.

The Carfax report lists a damage notation in 2016 along with a number of service history records and seven odometer readings through October 2018.

Like the rest of the Internet, I spoke about this particular car back in 2015 – or, rather, I spoke about the car which was produced in the wrong color by BMW Individual. They produced one in AtlantiC Blue Metallic, a problem not discovered until the buyer, who patiently waited several months and then flew to Germany to pick his prized car up, arrived at the factory. To be a fly on the wall…by that time, E92 production was out of cycle and this buyer pretty much broke the Internet.

On top of the $5,000 premium to produce the AtlantiS Blue Metallic M3, this car was equipped with Black Novollo Leather ($1,100), the Competition Package ($2,500), Cold Weather Package ($700), and Premium Package ($4,350), along with premium options such as piano black trim ($1,080), blue contrast stitching ($3,500), and enhanced sound ($1,900). Out the door, this was an $80,000 car and BMW had to build it twice. The coup de grâce though must certainly be that a dealer damaged it after all of that!

After a few years, 14,000 miles and one of the most memorable car purchase stories ever, the seller has decided to move on to (gasp!) another custom painted car – this time, Paint to Sample from Porsche. I wonder why he didn’t give BMW another chance?

-Carter