E36 1997 M3 Sedan - manual, estoril, non-sunroof

[garyk]

1997 M3 Sedan
Estoril on dove
Manual trans
No cruise
No sunroof
Manual non-heated seats
Fixed back rear seat
184k miles

Condition:
Overall the car is in good condition, but far from being a garage queen. There are a couple small dings, no dents though. Some rock chips here and there. A few light scratches that have been touched up.

Interior is in pretty good shape and clean. Everything is working: windows, locks, stereo. I do believe there is a problem with the radio antenna as it doesn't seem to pick up any radio stations (I don't use it anyway so I haven't tried to fix that). Air conditioning and heat are working.

Mechanically the car is pretty good. No glaring issues currently. Doesn't burn oil, smoke, leak fluids.

Brakes and tires have some use, but still have life left. The wheels are the original DSII's, staggered. They have some light curb rash and are painted black. The spare DSII wheel (still silver) with a good tire is included, along with the jack and tool kit.

One thing it needs currently: SRS light is on, I have read the codes, and confirmed further that the passenger side seat belt buckle needs replaced. When I get time I’ll fix this.

General History:
I don't know how many owners for sure, I think four or five counting me. The car has been in the hands of enthusiasts for most of it's life. The bad part is that it has had some paintwork/bodywork done a couple times from front impacts with deer. The work isn't top quality but not terrible either. A slight paint mismatch in some areas is evident, most people don’t notice though.

For a cheap driver I'm perfectly happy with how it looks. All body panels are straight, there's no damage to unibody/framerails. Paint is glossy. The one bad spot regarding paint is that the clearcoat is peeling off the right mirror.

Recent maintenance, within last 1000 miles:
-entire cooling system
-new shifter detents and locking pins in the trans (ALL parts replaced, not just 5th/reverse detents)
-new OEM Sachs clutch kit with throwout bearing and pilot bearing
-Beisan Systems Vanos seal repair kit and rattle repair kit installed
-new secondary timing chain tensioner installed
-new valve cover gasket
-new left front fender liner (old one was cracked from codriver smacking a cone at an autocross)
-all the shifter bushings replaced, delrin carrier bushing
-cabin air filter

Other recent maintenance, within last 4000 miles:
-new headliner, so there's no sagging
-new left rear door lock actuator
-new RTABs
-new power steering supply/return lines and Amsoil ATF
-new braided brake lines
-engine oil and filter
-engine air filter

Mods:
The mods that I’d like to sell the car with are limited but here they are.
-Koni struts with AKG coil over setup (height adjustable), 400 lb/in springs
-Bilstein sport shocks in rear
-H&R race springs in rear
-Bimmerworld brake lines
-delrin front control arm bushings
-Ground Control rear shock mounts
-VDO oil pressure, oil temp, voltage gauges in center console
-older Blaupunkt cd player head unit (matches dash lighting well)
-lighted shift knob
-clear corner lighting
-black kidney grills (I have the original chrome ones also)
-foglight block offs (I will include the foglights/brackets)
-ECU reprogrammed with 7k rev limit and slightly bumped idle (to smooth out idle with poly motor mounts)

Car is located in Verona, VA. My price is going to be $6500 as listed above, and the price is firm. This isn’t a distress sale and I could just as easily keep this car to use as a daily driver and take trips in, I’d be completely comfortable doing that. I realize that you can find E36 M3’s for less, but all of them I’ve seen need obvious work and/or haven’t had much if any major maintenance done. In addition, non-sunroof cars are rare and carry some premium. I will consider trades, mainly for other BMW’s, but in my experience trades are virtually impossible to work out.

As is sits currently, I have the following parts on it in place of some of the above listed mods (or in addition) and had planned to remove prior to selling. I’d consider selling with any of this stuff, but this stuff is all easy to remove and I need anyway so keep that in mind:
-AST 4100’s with 500/600 lb/in springs
-Vorshlag camber plates
-UUC adjustable front sway bar
-Vorshlag poly motor mounts
-UUC poly trans mounts with reinforcer cups
-Vorshlag race wheel studs and 12mm front spacers
-my autocross wheels are TRM MT1-R 17x9 ET40 with Dunlop Starspecs 255/40-17
-Sparco Sprint seat on slider and modified Sparco mount (seat is centered on steering wheel)

If you’re interested in buying with some or all of the above, I’ll entertain offers but I’m not pricing it this way. For those that might be interested, it isn't prepped to the extent of the rules, but in SCCA's STU autocross class it does fairly well. It does seem to be at a disadvantage to the STI's and Evo's in the same class, but on some courses it isn't such a big disadvantage. This car is usually in the top 5 on PAX index at regional events I go to, and has been 1st on PAX index a few times also.

Pics at: link

[Chiketkd]

This is an amazing car which I've had the opportunity to drive on a few occasions (took a Top PAX at October 2010 BRR event in this car).

For the price, and the maintenance/work that Gary has put into the car, it's a great deal!

[D_Eclipse9916]

Ive bought a car from Gary before (yes actually my white M3). No nonsense seller and really takes care of the cars. I found absolutely nothing that was half-assed on my car, and in 2 years I have only broken one differential bolt and had the power steering hosese blow up. Both common occurances on these car and speak to the solidity of cars he sells. For a car to only break those after 30+ autoxes and 7 track weekends is pretty astounding.

[garyk]

Thanks for the kind words you guys. I probably shouldn't even sell this car, but I already have another 'fun' car lined up to purchase. If it doesn't sell, I'll just set it up for daily duty and enjoy it.

[Chiketkd]

Thanks for the kind words you guys. I probably shouldn't even sell this car, but I already have another 'fun' car lined up to purchase. If it doesn't sell, I'll just set it up for daily duty and enjoy it.

Sounds like a good plan either way. Hopefully you'll bring this other "fun" car out to play and let me have a co-drive or two!!!

[CBelsky]

Gary,

Not sure what other BMWs you are looking for at the moment. I currently have a 95 M3, 98 328i, and a 89 325i.

Not sure if you are interested in any of those. Id love to have a 4DR slicktop.

Thanks,
Chris

[garyk]

Gary,

Not sure what other BMWs you are looking for at the moment. I currently have a 95 M3, 98 328i, and a 89 325i.

Not sure if you are interested in any of those. Id love to have a 4DR slicktop.

Thanks,
Chris

Email sent Chris. I actually might be interested in your M3 or 328i. I have a couple guys with serious interest in mine that want to come look this weekend, so I hope you can get back to me soon with more info on your cars.

[garyk]

Ive bought a car from Gary before (yes actually my white M3). No nonsense seller and really takes care of the cars. I found absolutely nothing that was half-assed on my car, and in 2 years I have only broken one differential bolt and had the power steering hosese blow up. Both common occurances on these car and speak to the solidity of cars he sells. For a car to only break those after 30+ autoxes and 7 track weekends is pretty astounding.

I have to come back and just say that I still kick myself for selling that white coupe. It was a *really* nice car for the mileage that was on it. I'd love to find one like that again.

[garyk]

Sale is pending on my M3.

[garyk]

...and it's gone.