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Exterior photo of 1996 BMW (E36) M3 Coupe

1996 BMW (E36) M3 Coupe

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Details

Price: $19,800

Mileage: 114,300 Miles

Engine: S52B32 3.0L 6-Cylinder Engine

Transmission: 5-Speed Manual Transmission

Exterior color: Arctic Silver Metallic Exterior

Interior: Dove Grey Nappa Full Leather Interior

Additional features:

Manual Heated Vader Seats

18-Button On-Board Computers

Kenwood Bluetooth Stereo

HiFi Speaker System

Mishimoto Aluminum Radiator

AFE Cold-Air Intake

BimmerWorld Exhaust

Lower Springs

Bilstein Shocks

Cross-Drilled Brake Rotors

Fog Light Delete

Rear Spoiler Delete

17-Inch Style 39 DSII Wheels

Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Tires

New Mexico/Colorado Car

Background

1996 BMW (E36) M3 Coupe exterior photo

The BMW E36 (1992 to 1999 3 Series) M3 occurred at a sweet spot of BMW evolution where power, weight, size, suspension design, reliability, and luxury all intersected. It was revolutionary when it debuted in the spring of 1991 for the 1992 model year. It was the first BMW designed by computer-aided design and a stark contrast to the traditional 3-box design language used in the E21 and E30 generation 3 series. The driving experience is connected and visceral, yet the driver enjoys luxuries that took other marquees years to offer. With only the slightest amount of talent, it is a highly capable platform that can easily outperform much more powerful and expensive vehicles. The ease at which it can be pushed to the limit makes it the weapon of choice in many track applications. Abuse, neglect, and entry-level buyers have decimated the population of worthy examples. Clean, unmolested stock examples command significant premiums—if you can find one!

Summary

 exterior photo

This 1996 BMW E36 M3 is a nice driver-quality example finished in Arctic Silver metallic over Dove Grey lather. With 115,000 miles, it strikes a great balance between mileage, condition, upgrades, and price. Upgrades consist of a Mishimoto aluminum radiator and expansion tank, AFE cold-air intake, Bimmerworld exhaust, lowering springs, Bilstein sport shocks, and a Kenwood Bluetooth stereo. Factory options include heated manual Vader seats, an 18-button onboard computer, and style 39 Double Spoke II wheels. It was originally delivered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and remained there under several owners until coming to Colorado in 2017 with 77K miles. It has been serviced in Colorado by SCR Performance and BMW of Denver. We are selling on consignment for its current owner. Recent maintenance includes the valve cover gasket, an O2 sensor, shocks and springs, brakes, the starter motor, power steering fluid flush, brake fluid flush, sway bar end links, and the secondary air pump. The Carfax reports an accident in 2018, and our paint gauge report shows some of the passenger side panels being repainted. The paint match is nearly perfect, and the overall cosmetic condition is very nice. Inside, the most glaring flaw is the Vader seats, but other areas, like the headliner and glovebox, are not sagging. Outstanding maintenance items are finicky door handles and rear trailing arm bushings. As it sits, this is a great driver-quality M3 that needs some sorting but is a great starting point to improve or just enjoy as it is. We’d like to find a new owner who will write the next chapter of its story.

Exterior

1996 BMW (E36) M3 Coupe exterior photo

This Arctic Silver Metallic E36 M3 presents very nicely, but close scrutiny reveals some typical flaws with a nearly 30-year-old car. The right front fender, passenger door, and rear quarter panel were repainted at some point. The paint quality is high, and the paint match is perfect. Imperfections consist of rock chips on the front bumper cover and the hood. There is no notable corrosion or rust. All factory and VIN stickers are present, except for the repainted panels mentioned. There are no panel gap inconsistencies. All glass is clean and clear. All trim is in good condition except for a missing end cap on the passenger side fender. The mirror glass does not have de-lamination. The headlights are not yellowed but do have some pitting; they are the desirable glass lens type. The taillights and indicators are in great condition, but they occasionally trigger a check panel warning. All four 17-inch wheels are in good shape with minor imperfections. They are wrapped in Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 tires.

Interior

 interior photo

The interior is also in good shape, with age-related flaws. There are no stains or foul odors, and it has never been smoked in. The headliner is in good condition and not sagging. The door cards are in good shape, but they have some loose clips. The steering wheel has minimal wear. The dashboard is crack-free, and the instrument cluster is fully functional. The “Darth Vader” vent is not broken or sagging. The glovebox also has virtually no sag. All interior lights and switches are functional and undamaged. All power windows/locks function normally, and all switches are unfaded. Climate control blows hot or cold when required. The stereo functions and sounds great. The shift knob has moderate wear. The center console has very light wear. The driver seat has moderate bolster wear in the typical spots; the passenger seat has a blown-out side bolster. The rear seats are in good condition and are the desirable fold-down type. The trunk is unstained, has no odors, and the toolkit is mostly complete.

Mechanical

 engine photo

The S52 engine idles smoothly, pulls strong, and has no Vanos rattle or lifter knock. It does not leak, drip, or spot. The cooling system has nice upgrades. The clutch and shifter shift smoothly. The gearbox has small seeps at the shift selector seal, but it doesn’t require attention at this time. The brakes are fresh and firm, and the upgraded suspension is compliant. The rear suspension bushings are in fair condition, with the rear trailing arm bushings needing replacement first. This would make a great first project with the opportunity for autocross/performance upgrades if desired. There are no driveline, wheel-bearing vibrations, or whine; the CSB and U-joints are in good shape. The exhaust has no leaks or rattles and sounds excellent. It will need and deserves the preventative care and maintenance that all BMWs do, but the E36 is a robust platform that will last forever if maintained correctly.

VIN Decode

 exterior photo

Vin Decode

  • VIN: WBSBG9322TEY72122
  • Type: BG93
  • Model: 3 (M Series)
  • Development Code: E36
  • Chassis: Coupe
  • Steering: LL
  • Doors: 2
  • Engine: S52B32
  • Displacement: 3.2
  • Power: 245 HP
  • Drivetrain: RWD
  • Transmission: MANUAL
  • Color: Arctic Silver Metallic (arktis-silber– 309)
  • Upholstery: Leather, fulling nappa/grey (0641)
  • Production Date: 04-19-1996

Equipment

  • 243 Airbag for front passenger
  • 401 Lift-up-and-slide-back sunroof, electric
  • 494 Heated Seats
  • 534 Automatic Air Conditioning
  • 540 Cruise control
  • 554 On-board computer V with remote control
  • 676 HiFi speaker system
  • 686 Antenna-Diversity
  • 694 Provisions for BMW 6 CD changer
  • 710 M Sports steering wheel, multifunction
  • 818 Battery master switch
  • 925 Dummy-SALAPA