Finally got dad in a German Car! E36 M3!

[porsche4life]

A while back dad started searching for a fun car that mom could drive from their office to town and run around in on occasion instead of taking one of the 3/4ton dodge p/u. He started looking for a MINI S. We discovered those are rather pricey for a good one. Then I saw all the talk about the E36 Ms and the search was on. After almost 2 months of hunting he finally picked one Friday. We were staying in Tulsa with family for the weekend and ran up to MO Friday am to get it. We had a tradeshow that evening and Sat am to go to so the car sat. Saturday eve we decided to go see a Rt.66 landmark since they live near by...







On the way back we decide to stop in a QT to grab some drinks... Pulling into the space the steering gets really, really heavy. Get out of the car and it SMELLS. I look under and hose that we had noticed a slight seep on during the PPI had blown. Luckily we managed to limp back to my uncles and get it patched since it was a low pressure return line.



This looks like it will get us home and then we will have new rubber crimped on the steel line.


Overall we are happy with the car. It has 101k miles on it but drives and looks like new. The p/o rarely drove it in the last few years but still waxed 2x per year including inside the doors. It shines... Has had the waterpump replaced but still needs a radiator and obviously a p/s line.
Only issues are a few cracks in the burl wood on the inside and a few of the displays are dim like they need back lighting replaced. It needs a CD player added as well.

[RKDinOKC]

Nice. You are not going to be happy driving any other brand of sedan now. I loved driving my 325i it just wouldn't carry anything big enough for my only other car besides the Porsche hence the X3. The grocery bag clip option for the trunk is nice for getting groceries and pretty cheap. You might stop by and see if the rear seat protector I had for mine fits in case you need to take the dogs in it.

[rnln]

E36 M3 used to be my dream car.

E36 M3 is a great DD. I've found it easy to work on and well built. The sedan is so much better in looks and utility IMO. I got a 60K mile Techno auto sedan a few months ago and have enjoyed it.

[billybek]

I think there is new life brewing in the blue whale pool!
Nice looking car.

[porsche4life]

We got it home today with no incident....
My god this thing is a beast on the highway... Perfect for cruising...


Ok.... So what forum do I need to get on? I need to find a CD player and figure out how to change the lights in the dash....

Oh it has a BMW battery in it still... So either its the original or he had a new one installed at some point.

[JoshB]

Man - great color! We've had a 97 sedan cosmos black on black for 2 years now - amazing car.

[sketchers356]

Perfect M3

[rattlsnak]

Originally Posted by Mark Wilson

E36 M3 is a great DD. I've found it easy to work on and well built. The sedan is so much better in looks and utility IMO.

Utility is the key word. Its faster than my 911 AND has cupholders, cold A/C and a trunk... But the coupe is much better looking and much more desireable, hence the pricing.

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Ok.... So what forum do I need to get on? I need to find a CD player and figure out how to change the lights in the dash....

bimmerforums.com is the most popular and you take out two screws, disconnect 4 connectors, pull the dash out and the bulbs are in twisty sockets in the back.

[porsche4life]

They produced a lot fewer sedans though. Its pretty hard to find a nice 4door. We like the looks of the coupes better too, but really needed the sedan.

[rattlsnak]

I just did a quick glance and there are @ 6 sedans here locally on CL right now.. !

Anyway, great car. I have two e36 M3 coupes and i love them both!

[porsche4life]

Try finding one near OK...

[cnielsen]

I've got a '98 M3 sedan...silver/black with only 28,000 miles!!! Hate to get rid of it but too many cars. Asking $15,000

[Fritter]

Looks nice. I love my '02 325i, no other sedan compares. You guys now have me hankering for an M3 sedan now!

[pavulon]

Originally Posted by cnielsen

I've got a '98 M3 sedan...silver/black with only 28,000 miles!!! Hate to get rid of it but too many cars. Asking $15,000

Manual or auto? Damage/repair/repaint history? Images?

[cnielsen]

No damage, all 100% original. Auto with sport options. Its got the fold down rear seats so it makes for a very quick parts hauler. A potential buyer looked at it last weekend and although really looking for an M5...he said my car was like a time capsule, felt brand new!

[JoshB]

Originally Posted by cnielsen

No damage, all 100% original. Auto with sport options. Its got the fold down rear seats so it makes for a very quick parts hauler. A potential buyer looked at it last weekend and although really looking for an M5...he said my car was like a time capsule, felt brand new!

Any chance it has heated seats?

[cnielsen]

No. I was going to install some. I bought the factory switches and my upholstery guy said it was no problem to install them in the seats. If you wanted to buy the elements ~$150-ish, I will have them fully installed for the purchase price. My upholstery guy did the interior on my '67and does absolutely amazing work!!!

He also said it was possible to switch the M3 seats and door inserts over to the same leather used in my '67. Whoa!!! How hot would that look?!?!

[Heel n Toe]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Finally got dad in a German Car!

So... Sid... why is it that you don't consider the VW Corrado a German car?

[GG Allin]

Nice car. I could be wrong but if you ran low on power steering fluid for any length of time the pump may be shot. That was the case with mine.
My car will get the LS1 treatment soon, been slowly gathering parts and knowledge. The goal is 450+ horsepower, daily drive ability, same fuel economy & OBDII compliance.

Mine: