The E36 generation BMW M3 continues to be a great buy for the enthusiast on a budget. Buy-in prices for these cars are downright cheap and, regrettably, the cars are getting scrapped as the sweet inline-6 engines find their way into other vehicles. This might cause the cream to float to the top...pay attention in the next few years. Maintenance can be expensive, but they are surprisingly rugged and will cost a fraction of what you'd spend on the slower E30 M3 or E28 M5. Find this 1998 BMW M3 5-speed sedan E36 offered for $11,000 here on bimmerforums classifieds. Seller submission from Danny.
From the seller:
This is my 1998 BMW M3 Sedan, 5-speed manual, 107,000 miles (extremely low for these cars). Everything works as new, gorgeous Boston Green Metallic exterior, and the ridiculously rare Nappa Brown Modena Leather interior (1 of 52 in this exterior/interior color combo). It has decent mods, including a Cold Air Intake (previous owner put it on. Skeptical of the gains, but makes awesome little chirps, whistles, and growls), resonator delete (for more noises), color-matched Vader front seats (I have never seen Vaders in this color, ever, other than those that I installed in this car) and supposedly an A'Pexi tune, though I have nothing to prove it other than the old badge that came stuck to the trunk when I purchased the car.
The '98 M3 is powered by the S50B32 inline-6 that displaces 3.2 liters and puts out 240 horsepower and 240 ft-lbs of torque. You might be tempted to step into an E46 330 that puts out similar power, but you'll miss the limited slip out back and E36's fantastic steering feel. Even the E92 335i is no match for the M3 once the road gets twisty.
Got your own junker to sell? The listing is free, but the abuse is priceless. Send it here: tips@dailyturismo.com
These are the best deal in used cars right now. I'm guessing prices will climb a bit for nice ones as the guys who thought these were cool in high school start earning money and having mid life "feelings". Seriously though, such a great driving car and cheap to keep too.
ReplyDeleteAgree that these are on the sweet spot now. I had a '97 5-speed sedan -- an M3/4/5 -- a few years ago and loved it. Tore out the cooling system and replaced it for about $400 in parts and had a reliable, fun daily driver. Regret selling it now, of course. BTW, this one is running an S52B32, not the S50 which was used here in '95 only and had longer intake runners than shown here.
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