RandyS
Reader
9/17/10 8:34 p.m.
According to bmwmregistry there were about 8600 M3 sedans produced for the USA market.
>>NA sedan manual (LHD): 4,574 produced from 09/96 through 05/98.
>>USA sedan automatic (LHD): 4,036 produced from 09/96 through 05/98
Nearly every other week there is a E36 M3 sedan being parted out in the Atlanta CL. There cannot be 1500 of these left on the road anymore.
I am still looking for an E36 M3 E36 M3 Sedan, and in the Atlanta region too!
which would mean they're at the bottom of their depreciation curve - time to buy, or at least hope they don't appreciate too quickly for a while.
There are two of them in my neighborhood. I drool whenever I walk the dog past the one that parks outside. I've seen at least three others out and about in the area and one comes out to local BMWCCA autocrosses on occasion (a race-prepped, caged one).
Edit: I mis-read you as saying E30 M3.
E36 M3s I see fairly often around here. I never thought of them as particularly rare.
RandyS
Reader
9/17/10 8:53 p.m.
In reply to DukeOfUndersteer:
There have been several for sale in Atlanta CL in the last 3 month, most in the $6-10k range with at least two under $6k.
RandyS
Reader
9/17/10 9:00 p.m.
In reply to nutherjrfan:
Time to buy. The M3/4/5 is a cult car and will appreciate as soon as the economy turns.
I've got a techno violet. There are only two of us on the the registry at bimmerforums and I've only seen 3 others on any forum/CL or Ebay before so there cannot be too many techno violet M3/4/5's
A friend of mine here in Minnesota has a technoviolet M3 sedan, it's a nice car.
Just saw one for sale for like $3000 on CL (boston or NH, can't remember which)
Just found it:
http://nh.craigslist.org/ctd/1958746170.html
Here's another for $6000
http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/1957885481.html
And another for $9K
http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cto/1951967276.html
RandyS
Reader
9/17/10 9:52 p.m.
Carrera4 wrote:
Just found it:
http://nh.craigslist.org/ctd/1958746170.html
That's a great price. Can't tell from the pic whether it's black or techno?
the issues listed are not really issues, all 12 year old cars need hoses and sensors. Brakes (and most other E36 parts) are cheap. I would absolutely check the rust issues out though.
The only thing expensive on this car is the engine (and ironically it;s really not that different from a standard 328 engine). If it has good oil pressure and compression then it should last a long time. As long as the oil level and change intervals are good, and it doesn't overheat they are otherwise indestructible (no "money shifts" allowed).
RandyS
Reader
9/17/10 10:01 p.m.
racinginc215 wrote:
according to my statistics there are 6,582 left on the road.
For real? ( from some insurance database) or you made it up?
I just happened across these because I'm looking for a manual transmission donor for my auto 325i. These are more than I want to pay for a donor ($500-$1000) but if I had more right now, there seem to be quite a bit of M3s in the area for around $6K.
Sonic
SuperDork
9/17/10 10:05 p.m.
Wow...as much as I miss the car, seeing the current values makes me happy I sold my 98 M3/4/5 (black/black, dinan suspension, etc) a few years ago for nearly $15k...in great condition, though with 90k, and showing signs of needing a clutch, rear brake caliper, and two bubbly rust spots that hadn't broken through yet.
That was THE PERFECT daily driver through. I miss it to this day.
RandyS
Reader
9/17/10 10:11 p.m.
Sonic wrote:
Wow...as much as I miss the car, seeing the current values makes me happy I sold my 98 M3/4/5 (black/black, dinan suspension, etc) a few years ago for nearly $15k...in great condition, though with 90k, and showing signs of needing a clutch, rear brake caliper, and two bubbly rust spots that hadn't broken through yet.
That was THE PERFECT daily driver through. I miss it to this day.
I hear that nearly daily from past E36 M3 owners, "Wish I had that car back, never should have sold it".
Good low mile examples still get $10-15k. A $5k M3 will be over 150k miles and usually needs a few things freshened.
Mine was $5500 and needed a clutch, brakes, control arm bushings, steering rack, plugs, and a few inexpensive sensors/trim pieces. I also changes out the Dove interior for Black/Modena and added a 99 three spoke wheel. I've probably got $7k total in it by now.
as a side note, Modena (Jiff Peanutbutter) goes with Technoviolet (grape juice) very well.
RandyS
Reader
9/17/10 10:35 p.m.
DukeOfUndersteer wrote:
In reply to Carrera4:
LINK ME!!!
Here is one on autotrader. 111k miles for $9k in BUFORD, GA 30519
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=274982210
There's probably a lot more that there are E34 540i/6s
RandyS
Reader
9/18/10 12:55 a.m.
Peanut Butter and Jelly!
I like it. I'm going to use that!
RandyS
Reader
9/18/10 1:22 a.m.
DukeOfUndersteer wrote:
In reply to Carrera4:
LINK ME!!!
And another m3/4/5 on ebay for $9k with only 73k miles.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=290476908910
The one linked to in Boston would be the kind of car I'd look at. You definitely want some maintenance records, and knowing that the car has all original bodywork is a big plus!
The M3/4/5 is a great car, I'd love to own one someday!
RandyS wrote:
I hear that nearly daily from past E36 M3 owners, "Wish I had that car back, never should have sold it".
Count me in on that. We LOVED that car...whenever I look at something, I'm finding that it doesn't really compare that well to the M3/4/5.
I hate to tell you, but they are plentiful in Northern California. The trick is fining one without lowering springs/body kit et cetera.
You guy's mention 96 to 98. What about 95?
I have to say that I'm somewhat intimidated by the prospect of working on one of these. If I could find a knowledgeable mechanic who'd be OK with just doing the diagnostics and letting me have a stab at the replacements, that'd make it easier. It seems like all the BMW shops around here cater to the well-heeled crowd.