First Real M car: 1998 E36 M3. Advice please

[Benji]

I can't share pricing - that was between friends and down the line, who knows, he may want to sell.

It may be a mistake to some and a relief to others based on one's personality. I am the type who will call my PDR guy out for a single door ding because my eye will keep catching that defect. Older cars I can live with age and mileage related "patina" but in this case, the damage to the bonnet and fenders with high amounts road rash means it isn't for me and it will bother me if I left it original or got a less than perfect paint job - its a risk I cannot take and I made peace with it. Theres many nice cars out there that I would like to own and for me they have to be mechanically sound and be in solid aesthetic condition.

I take pride in that almost all my vehicles get sold for higher than market because I am anal about preventative maintenance and I can always take the cars aesthetic appeal up a notch as an amateur detailer but this one is beyond my capabilities and also beyond that of professionals.

This seems like a wise choice to me.

If you were not so OCD on the aesthetics of the car and just wanted something to enjoy and take it to track days etc, I would say go for it. But you know yourself and you know you will never be happy until that car looks visually 100% so you walked away instead of getting involved in a money pit.

I have recently learnt something about myself when I bought a "beat up" E46 to daily. I wanted something I didnt care too much for, where I wouldnt be too bothered with parking lot incidents and offroad excursions. Initially, I enjoyed the first month of this experience until one fateful afternoon when I decided to wash the car. I now find myself 4 months into ownership, having spent big money, done PDR and paint correction and am now looking at spending more money to sort out the little aesthetic issues I didnt care about when I first bought the car

 

[ShanGov]

Dead thread revival So after I canceled the sale I immediately went on to buy a mint e82 135i with all the bells and whistles doing 90k kms with 354kws at the wheels (19T hybrids). As fate would have it, I decided to test the waters and got a great offer and sold it 2 weeks ago.

The day it was collected, my mate with the M3 in this thread gave me a call and said that he got a business contract and needed the cash and wanted to give me first bite at the car again. Seeing that the 135i literally got sold that morning, I took it as fate and grabbed it! I am now the proud owner of an e36 M3

In the past week, I've give her some much needed cosmetic TLC. Did 6 hours worth of PDR so she's pin straight and a 9hour paint correction and detail package to see if we could get the condition improved before going down a full respray.

Im happy to state that my detailer is an absolute master and he surpassed my expectations. I may still consider a full blow over down the line but for now she looks pretty respectable for an old girl.

I have never been so happy about any car I've owned. Just seeing it in my garage makes me beam with joy. I attached some pics.

 

[modocrat]

What a beauty.

 

[M3boi]

Awesome, congrats! Looks great from the pictures!

 

[ShanGov]

Thanks @modocrat and @M3boi. First real M car hits different

 

[zabbo]

Lovely!! Congratulations.

 

[AshG108]

Congrats!

This is what I call... "meant to be"... it was meant to happen in a certain way and at a certain time.

Enjoy, and be safe! It looks absolutely beautiful! That spec E36 ///Ms are so rare in good conditions.

 

[ShanGov]

Lovely!! Congratulations.

Thanks bud

Congrats!

This is what I call... "meant to be"... it was meant to happen in a certain way and at a certain time.

Enjoy, and be safe! It looks absolutely beautiful! That spec E36 ///Ms are so rare in good conditions.

Thanks bud. Exactly how I feel. Felt like it was the one that got away and when it came back, I knew it was meant to be

 

[2SCOOPS]

Congrats. Looks lovely.

 

[modocrat]

You're dangling the candy... We need interior pics!!

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

Stunning. Congratulations bro

 

[ShawnM]

Congrats man. Stunning looking car. Makes one happy to know that these cars goes to people that will take good care of them.

Enjoy!!!.

 

[individj]

great choice congrats and enjoy

 

[Madejagsie]

4 door E36 M3 just slaps different. It looks awesome

 

[Mytfine]

Congrats man, looks stunning, keep the cars tradition, 3m the front and enjoy it as a daily.

 

[Gordvisr]

congrats man she looks good