Price: $18,800
Mileage: 190,100 Miles
Engine: S523.2L 6-Cylinder Engine
Transmission: 5-Speed Manual Transmission
Exterior color: Boston Green Metallic Exterior
Interior: Modena Full Leather Interior
Additional features:
Top-End Rebuild/Bottom-End Re-Seal @ 154K Miles
Dyno’d 230 WHP 225 lb/ft WTQ
Stewart Life-Time Water Pump
Raceware Head Gasket/Head Studs
Oil Pan Gasket
Oil Pump w/ Red Loctite Nut
M50 Intake Manifold
Air/Oil Separator
AKG Engine Mounts
Turner Performance Chip
Turner Underdrive Pulleys
AFE Cold Air Intake
UUC Corsa Exhaust
Rouge Engineering Short Shift Kit
Stage 2 Spec Clutch/Lightweight Flywheel
Updated Shift Pin Bushings/Springs
Redline Gearbox Fluid
Heavy Duty Transmission Mounts
Z3 Front X-Brace
Eibach Pro-Kit Lowering Springs/Koni Shocks
Ground Control Camber Plates
Turner Front Sway Bar
Turner Motorsports Lower Control Arms/Bushings
Turner Rear Subframe Reinforcement Kit
SPC Double-Adjustable Rear Camber Arms
Powerflex Rear Trailing Arm Bushings
UUC Stainless Steel Brake Lines
StopTech Sport Brake Pads
Pagid High Carbon Brake Rotors
Power Vader Seats (recovered)
Kenwood Stereo
Polk Audio 500W Amp
7-Button On-Board Computer
Harmon Kardon HiFi Speaker System
Coco Floor/Trunk Mats
17-Inch D-Force Motorsport Wheels
Continental Extreme Contact DW Tires
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!
This Boston Green over Modena 1998 BMW E36 M3 is a fantastic example. It wears its 190K miles proudly and has benefited from extensive mechanical and cosmetic refurbishment and upgrades that would cost the price some lower-mileage examples when totaled. Boston Green/Modena is one of the best E36 color combos, and this one has had the seats recovered, the steering wheel re-wrapped, and the headliner replaced, which are accentuated by Coco floor mats. Underneath the skin, the engine was overhauled with a top-end rebuild and a bottom-end re-seal at 154K miles. The work included a cylinder head and VANOS refresh, Raceware head gasket and studs, the oil pan gasket, and a fresh oil pump with red Loctite securing the nut. Other engine upgrades include an AFE cold air intake, M50 intake manifold, air/oil separator and catch can, Stewart water pump, Turner performance chip, Turner underdrive pulleys, and a UUC Corsa exhaust. The transmission was refreshed with updated shift pin bushings and springs, a Stage 2 clutch and lightweight flywheel, and a Rouge Engineering short shift kit. Suspension upgrades include Eibach Pro Kit lowering springs, Koni sport shocks, Ground Control camber plates, Turner rear subframe reinforcement kit, Powerflex trailing arm bushings, SPC double-adjustable rear camber arms, and heavy-duty engine and transmission mounts. Other notable options and upgrades are a Kenwood stereo with a Polk Audio amp playing through the Harmon Kardon premium sound speakers, stainless steel brake lines, and D-Force wheels.
The Carfax shows the original sale date as 6/29/1998 in Kentucky, and it residing there under the first two owners. In 2008, it moved to Ohio with the third owner at 100K miles. The records and receipts pick up here, with a spreadsheet documenting all maintenance and records for the upgrades mentioned above. It came to Colorado in 2022 when a Glen Shelly regular purchased it and has enjoyed it for several years in his fleet of another E36 M3 and newly acquired E34 M5. We are selling it on consignment as the M5 took the garage spot and are happy to have it at the hangar. Recent maintenance includes a brake fluid flush, coolant flush, expansion tank and fan shroud, and camshaft position sensor. Outstanding needs and issues are tires with older DOT dates, an oil seep at the valve cover gasket, a cooling fan delete (we would install a new fan and fan clutch), an airbag light for the driver’s seat belt receptacle, and instrument cluster backlighting. We can address any of these at the buyer’s discretion. We preventatively reenforced the front strut towers. Cosmetically, it presents like a much lower mileage car. Typical flaws consist of some clear coat peeling, scratches and dents. Rust is minimal, with small superficial areas and undercarriage browning; the worst area is under the passenger side jack point. The rear subframe areas have been reinforced and treated, and concerning E36 rust areas are free and clear.
Boston Green Metallic is the defining feature of this M3. The paint presents exceptionally well for the age and mileage. Flaws consist of moderate scratching and swirls, rock chipping on the lower leading edges of the hood and front bumper cover, some minor dents, and clear coat peeling on the driver’s door. Several panels have been repainted, with the hood, both doors, and both rear quarters; those gauge at 6-12 mils. The roof, trunk, and front fenders are original. There are several small rust bubbles in the left rear fender and rear trunk panel. Underneath, rust is minimal, with some undercarriage browning; the worst area is under the passenger side jack point. The rear subframe areas have been reinforced and treated, and concerning E36 rust areas are free and clear. All VIN tags are in place. All glass is clean and clear. All trim is in great condition. The mirror glass is clean. The headlights are crystal clear, and the corners are clear. The taillights and indicators are in great condition. The 17-inch D Force wheels are in perfect condition. The Continental ExtemeContact tires with 7 and 10/32s, but older 2012 DOT dates.
The Modena interior is the other defining feature of the car. It is in amazing condition for its age and mileage. There are no stains or foul odors, and it has never been smoked in. The headliner is in good condition, with no significant sag. The door cards are in great shape, with minor separation at the storage pockets. The steering wheel has been re-wrapped and is in good shape. The dashboard is crack-free, and the instrument cluster is fully functional, but the backlighting needs replacement. The airbag light is on for a driver’s seatbelt receptacle. The “Darth Vader” vent is not broken or sagging. The glovebox has minor sag and separation. 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 Kenwood stereo sounds amazing. The shift boot and knob are great. The center console is missing the cup holder pieces; the armrest is in good shape. The driver and passenger seats have been recovered and are in fantastic shape; the rear seats are in typical condition. The trunk is unstained, has no odors, and the toolkit is mostly complete.
A 3” stack of detailed records and receipts dates to the early teens and outlines the work listed in the summary paragraph. Recent maintenance includes a brake fluid flush, coolant flush, expansion tank and fan shroud, and camshaft position sensor. Outstanding times are an oil seep at the valve cover gasket, a cooling fan delete (we would install a new fan and fan clutch), and an airbag light for the driver’s seat belt receptacle. 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 been preventatively overhauled. The clutch and shifter are factory-crisp. The gearbox seals are dry, and the shift pins are not sticky, i.e., no 5th gear shifter lean. The brakes are fresh and firm, and the suspension is compliant. There is no driveline, wheel-bearing vibration, or whine; the CSB and U-joints are in good shape. All suspension bushings, rear subframe, and trailing arm mounts are solid; there is some interior vibration from the solid engine and transmission mounts, which is normal. We preventatively reinforced the front strut towers. The exhaust has no leaks or rattles. We pay for and ensure it passes emissions. 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.
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