Help with BMW M3 assessment and PPI near Denver?

[jhynesrockmtn]

I could use some help assessing a 1997 M3 a guy in Colorado is proposing as a partial trade for my 1983 911 SC 3.2 hot rod. I wasn't looking for an M3 but they've always intrigued me and I wouldn't mind owning one. If I ultimately don't love it in a few years I can sell it on. If I do, I may replace my 996 with it. It sucks I can't view in person right now. I'm in Spokane and he's near Denver and I'm not traveling at this point to go see a car. I would have a PPI done and could use a reference to a local independent who knows these cars. I'm a bit concerned with the suspension set up being too harsh. The miles are fairly high as well. Comments welcome and if anyone is local and would go look at the car for a nice bottle of scotch I would appreciate it!

A brief description;

1997 BMW M3 sedan Estoril Blue/Modena (1 of 2) WBSCD9321vee06827. Production date 6/19/1997

5 speed. 3 owner car. I’ve owned since 2012 and bought from a good friend who owned for 7 years.

TC Klien double adjustable coilovers 400/500lb springs. Z3 steering rack, new power steering lines, new coolant system (rad, water pump, expansion tank hoses ect) corsa rsc36 exhaust, new Michelin Pilot super sport tires, new clutch, flywheel, detent pin, auto solutions short shifter. zhp shifter, euro 3 spoke. Interior was overhauled with new Modena leather covers (still have original Modena covers), including door panels. 158k miles on the chassis, no motor rebuild or transmission, has a 3.38 auto diff, poly lcab, solid motor mounts, solid transmission mounts. X brace, front skid plate. New oil pump with z3 pick up tube welded and wired oil pump nut. ASC delete, de-baffled air box w/ k&n filter. Stainless brake lines, hawk brake pads, vanos rebuilt 1200mi ago. Restored gauge cluster. Paint is stunning with a complete respray by the second owner.

Car is extremely solid. Likely one of the best E36 M3’s in the state/country. I have 15yrs of maintenance records and receipts. I basically addressed all E36 common failure points. Did so with BMW parts as often as possible. AC, windows, obc, all works as it should.

[ZOO]

That car is gorgeous! Nothing really worrisome on that M3. Some issues with an oil pump nut that could come off and cause a loss of oil pressure but unless you remove the pan you won’t know if it’s been addressed.

I had a 98 M/3/4/5 as they are sometimes referred to. Fantastic car. The biggest issues with mine were classic E36 issues — crappy interior bits disintegrating, headliner sagging, and window regulators. Those don’t appear to be issues with that car.

[mrbeverlyhills]

I bought a car sight unseen in Denver after taking it to Yanzito Imports of Parker LLC - Home

Nick Yanzito has worked on M3s like this for years and gave me a complete and thorough list of what needed to be done. Easy to speak with and the charges were incredibly reasonable. Helped make sure the car was properly loaded onto the shipping truck. I wish he was here in LA.

That is a stunning and rare car you have there, a sedan with a 5 speed. I can tell from the recent work there won't be much to do as all the problem areas have already been addressed GLWS if it doesn't work out I would be interested.

[Kraftwerk]

Estoril is probably the top 1 or 2 colors for these cars..Nice if ya need 4 doors, very solid cars.

[mrbeverlyhills]

[QUOTE=jhynesrockmtn;11024091]I could use some help assessing a 1997 M3 a guy in Colorado is proposing as a partial trade for my 1983 911 SC 3.2 hot rod. I wasn't looking for an M3 but they've always intrigued me and I wouldn't mind owning one. If I ultimately don't love it in a few years I can sell it on. If I do, I may replace my 996 with it. It sucks I can't view in person right now. I'm in Spokane and he's near Denver and I'm not traveling at this point to go see a car. I would have a PPI done and could use a reference to a local independent who knows these cars. I'm a bit concerned with the suspension set up being too harsh. The miles are fairly high as well. Comments welcome and if anyone is local and would go look at the car for a nice bottle of scotch I would appreciate it!

A brief description;

1997 BMW M3 sedan Estoril Blue/Modena (1 of 2) WBSCD9321vee06827. Production date 6/19/1997

5 speed. 3 owner car. I’ve owned since 2012 and bought from a good friend who owned for 7 years.

TC Klien double adjustable coilovers 400/500lb springs. Z3 steering rack, new power steering lines, new coolant system (rad, water pump, expansion tank hoses ect) corsa rsc36 exhaust, new Michelin Pilot super sport tires, new clutch, flywheel, detent pin, auto solutions short shifter. zhp shifter, euro 3 spoke. Interior was overhauled with new Modena leather covers (still have original Modena covers), including door panels. 158k miles on the chassis, no motor rebuild or transmission, has a 3.38 auto diff, poly lcab, solid motor mounts, solid transmission mounts. X brace, front skid plate. New oil pump with z3 pick up tube welded and wired oil pump nut. ASC delete, de-baffled air box w/ k&n filter. Stainless brake lines, hawk brake pads, vanos rebuilt 1200mi ago. Restored gauge cluster. Paint is stunning with a complete respray by the second owner.

Car is extremely solid. Likely one of the best E36 M3’s in the state/country. I have 15yrs of maintenance records and receipts. I basically addressed all E36 common failure points. Did so with BMW parts as often as possible. AC, windows, obc, all works as it should.



Sent you a PM

[jhynesrockmtn]

[QUOTE=mrbeverlyhills;11024494]

Originally Posted by jhynesrockmtn

I could use some help assessing a 1997 M3 a guy in Colorado is proposing as a partial trade for my 1983 911 SC 3.2 hot rod. I wasn't looking for an M3 but they've always intrigued me and I wouldn't mind owning one. If I ultimately don't love it in a few years I can sell it on. If I do, I may replace my 996 with it. It sucks I can't view in person right now. I'm in Spokane and he's near Denver and I'm not traveling at this point to go see a car. I would have a PPI done and could use a reference to a local independent who knows these cars. I'm a bit concerned with the suspension set up being too harsh. The miles are fairly high as well. Comments welcome and if anyone is local and would go look at the car for a nice bottle of scotch I would appreciate it!

A brief description;

1997 BMW M3 sedan Estoril Blue/Modena (1 of 2) WBSCD9321vee06827. Production date 6/19/1997

5 speed. 3 owner car. I’ve owned since 2012 and bought from a good friend who owned for 7 years.

TC Klien double adjustable coilovers 400/500lb springs. Z3 steering rack, new power steering lines, new coolant system (rad, water pump, expansion tank hoses ect) corsa rsc36 exhaust, new Michelin Pilot super sport tires, new clutch, flywheel, detent pin, auto solutions short shifter. zhp shifter, euro 3 spoke. Interior was overhauled with new Modena leather covers (still have original Modena covers), including door panels. 158k miles on the chassis, no motor rebuild or transmission, has a 3.38 auto diff, poly lcab, solid motor mounts, solid transmission mounts. X brace, front skid plate. New oil pump with z3 pick up tube welded and wired oil pump nut. ASC delete, de-baffled air box w/ k&n filter. Stainless brake lines, hawk brake pads, vanos rebuilt 1200mi ago. Restored gauge cluster. Paint is stunning with a complete respray by the second owner.

Car is extremely solid. Likely one of the best E36 M3’s in the state/country. I have 15yrs of maintenance records and receipts. I basically addressed all E36 common failure points. Did so with BMW parts as often as possible. AC, windows, obc, all works as it should.



Sent you a PM

Thanks, just saw that and responded.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

What a gorgeous car! Hope it works out for you Jerry!

[Eric Coffey]

A clean and well taken care of Estroril Blue E36 M3 4-door is definitely a find.
And they are fun cars to drive.

[wildthing]

I've always wanted one, but didn’t want to pay more than 10k. Of course, at that price, there’d be the boy racer types that were in over their heads...or sagging headliners and ripped bolsters, or A bad display. I would buy this if reasonably priced, like under $15k...

[mrbeverlyhills]

the 10k days are gone, even dogs are 14k and up. A sedan isn't a coupe but given it is a 5 speed and Estoril/notdove, $15k and slightly up is a good buy. What can you get for $20kish these days that is a perennial 10 best, can be driven guilt free and will increase in value? Used to be Middies, then 964s then SCs, now, only 996s without an IMG fix comes to mind.

[WPOZZZ]

How is the diff mount? Those tend to tear on the car especially with that mileage.

[pavulon]

Originally Posted by WPOZZZ

How is the diff mount? Those tend to tear on the car especially with that mileage.

I think that was only a concern on very early E36 M3s. Iirc, the rest of the M3s were reinforced at the factory.

[Kraftwerk]

My dif. mount is fine @140,000 miles as are the rear shock-towers.Keep an eye on the radiator water pump etc. Any 911SC is generally worth about two E36 M3's and, as special, perfect, and versatile as the E36. M3 is, it is nowhere near as exotic as a Porsche, but it is a bit more 'useful'.

[KNS]

The nice thing about the E36 (especially the four door M3) is that it generally doesn't draw attention like a 911 might. You can blend into the background.

Love the interior/dash of the E36, the car is still a nice size and weight, too.

[aschen]

Looks very nice, love estoril, has the right mods and maint.

I do think "one of the nicest in the country" is a bit hyperbolic for a 160k mile car, with repaint, and recovered seats. Still plenty of garage queen original e36ms around, but you will have to pay for them when they come up for sale.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Kraftwerk

My dif. mount is fine @140,000 miles as are the rear shock-towers.Keep an eye on the radiator water pump etc. Any 911SC is generally worth about two E36 M3's and, as special, perfect, and versatile as the E36. M3 is, it is nowhere near as exotic as a Porsche, but it is a bit more 'useful'.

I agree with your math wrt 911SC vs. E36 M3 values and would add that mint, original paint, close to stock cars are at the top of the heap for both, generally speaking. Modified cars are harder to value.

Originally Posted by aschen

Looks very nice, love estoril, has the right mods and maint.

I do think "one of the nicest in the country" is a bit hyperbolic for a 160k mile car, with repaint, and recovered seats. Still plenty of garage queen original e36ms around, but you will have to pay for them when they come up for sale.

Agree with this as well. This car looks pretty but I’d have to see it in person to see how close they came on the color. Colors like Estoril Blue are nearly impossible for most painters to match the factory hue, which was spectacular. Even in the ballpark will be pretty but not like original.

[mrbeverlyhills]

Just saw the car pop up for sale in San Diego for $28,000, this guy is dreaming. An Estoril /Modena coupe might fetch that but doubtful at 155k miles and no new motor. There are at least 2 e6M3s on BAT every week; really special low mileage cars in good colors are getting that money, a sedan, no way.
Under 100k miles and good original condition non wow colors are mid teens, special cars in collector condition mid to high 20s. BAT has a sales graph of all M3 sales you can check; maybe he should too.

[jhynesrockmtn]

He's a nice young guy but we were pretty far apart for the reasons you mention. He works for Hagerty and it pretty convinced this an excellent car on their valuation tool which doesn't differentiate between coupes and sedans from what I can tell. It's also not an excellent car despite it's condition with it's history and mileage.