Highlights
- Excellent condition
- Low mileage example
- Gorgeous purple paintwork
- Drives beautifully
- Well maintained example with plenty of service history
- Long MOT
The Appeal
The E36 M3 is arguably one of the most desirable and iconic vehicles of all time, which has amassed an enormous global following and continues to appreciate by the day. Whilst the previous generation M3 was built for homologation purposes, the E36 generation was a fresh canvas for BMW to combine their luxury styling with legendary performance.
By 1995, the E36 M3 had already sold nearly double that of its predecessor in just 3 years of production, yet was still set to achieve its full glory. In typical BMW fashion, the manufacturer decided that an excellent vehicle wasn’t quite enough, and would later bless the world with perfection, in the form of the Evolution edition.
First unveiled at the Frankfurt Motorshow in late 1995, the E36 M3 Evolution stunned audiences and critics, boasting a larger 3.2L straight-six engine, and a new Getrag six-speed manual gearbox.
Today, very few E36s remain in fair condition, let alone M3 Evolution examples, making this an incredibly rare opportunity to own a slice of BMW’s greatest work. With prices of these cars skyrocketing, and fewer examples available each year, this is a vehicle you cannot afford to miss.
The History and Paperwork
- Just 70k miles covered
- Very well maintained
- Previously exported to Spain
- Recently recommissioned
- Original BMW booklets
- 13 total service stamps
- V5C document present
- MOT until May 2023
This gorgeous E36 began life in 1999 and has been enjoyed by numerous previous owners, covering just 70k miles over the years. This mileage is indeed believed to be correct, supported by the likes of previous MOTs, service history, and the overall condition of the vehicle. With just how incredible these cars are to drive, low mileage examples such as this seldom pop up for sale, making this E36 M3 Evo all the rarer.
As suggested by a note on the V5C document and official check, this vehicle was previously exported to Spain where it no doubt enjoyed the sunny weather and Spanish roads. Despite taking a little break in the sun, the vehicle was held to its regular maintenance schedule, as shown by a Spanish service centre stamp from 2010 and has been confirmed by Experian with a letter of confirmation which will be provided with the sale for your peace of mind.
Once returned to the UK shortly after, this E36 was enjoyed once more on British roads and was given a suspension refresh as per the confirmation of the most recent Mot station. This example was retired into storage in 2017. This M3 was then recommissioned May this year giving a full inspection and a clear Mot pass, even the air conditioning still blows cold. Since recommission and Mot the car has been tested over 200 miles and has since performed absolutely flawlessly.
In order to ensure this mighty BMW continues to be a dependable toy for the lucky new owner, the current keeper embarked on a 200 mile road trip in the vehicle and is happy to report absolutely zero issues with how the car performs. This is certainly a car that deserves to be driven, and will no doubt surprise its new owner with its performance, mechanical condition, and dependability.
The Interior
- Original leather interior
- Fantastic condition
- ‘90s BMW luxury comfort
- Clean & tidy
It’s certainly difficult to compete with the incredible purple exterior, but this E36’s cabin definitely stands out from most other examples. Other than a new head unit, the interior is believed to be in original condition and has been preserved absolutely brilliantly. It’s certainly an interior befitting of the low mileage covered. And perhaps the best part? BMW M badges adorned everywhere, reminding passengers that this E36, is the real deal.
As one would expect, some areas of the interior show signs of wear but hardly detracts from the overall finish as the seats are in superb condition. In fact, the seats remains as comfortable as BMW intended, All seats appear to have hardly been sat in, with the rears seats in a condition that could quite easily fool you for new. All carpeting throughout the car follows suit, clearly reflecting years of care and attention to detail.
The leather steering wheel and gear knob are also in excellent condition, showing very few signs of use. All controls are not only believed to be in full working order but also show minimal wear on contact points. Continuing the pattern, are both door cards, which would no doubt benefit from a dash of TLC, but are in great condition for their age.
In the boot, you’ll find near-immaculate carpeting and trim pieces, along with the original BMW toolkit. Rather impressive considering the age of the vehicle, is that the toolkit is fully intact, and retains original tools from over 20 years ago. Under the bottom panel, you’ll find a Yuasa battery and a shiny spare wheel fitted with a Bridgestone tyre.
In the boot, you’ll find near-immaculate carpeting and trim pieces, along with the original BMW toolkit. Rather impressive considering the age of the vehicle, is that the toolkit is fully intact, and retains original tools from over 20 years ago. Under the bottom panel, you’ll find a Yuasa battery and a shiny spare wheel fitted with a Bridgestone tyre.
The Exterior
- Superb condition
- Gorgeous Techno Violet paintwork
- Original M3 wheels
- New roof
- Excellent glass condition
The E36 is without a doubt one of the most iconic BMW generations to date, known for its boxy front-end, muscular stance, and sleek side profile. As if the M3’s sporty styling wasn’t quite enough for this particular E36, the car also shows off absolutely stunning Techno Violet paintwork, arguably the greatest OEM colour available.
The paintwork is in superb condition, showing only incredibly minor chips noticeable upon close inspection. Due to the age of the car, it is believed that this is the result of a previous respray, which has clearly been carried out to the highest of standards. Unlike many other E36s seen on the market, this example is yet to show any noticeable signs of bubbling, or the wheel arch corrosion typically found on older E36s. The underside is also reported to follow suit as passed by the sellers local Mot station.
All exterior badging, trim pieces, and details are also in excellent condition, as is the folding soft-top roof. The roof is very likely a new component, as it is in near-flawless condition, even showing pristine white stitching seldom seen on aging examples.
The car sits on a near-perfect set of M3 alloy wheels, complete with shiny centre caps and M sport badging. The wheels come wrapped in a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tyres with plenty of tread to enjoy. These are of course a highly regarded tyre, that will no doubt help the M3 put down its masses of characterful power.
The Mechanics
- 3.2L straight-six
- 6-speed manual gearbox
- Starts right away
- Drives fantastically
- Well maintained example
- Refreshed suspension
- Recently recommissioned
- New battery
- Fully operational convertible roof
Buyers will be pleased to know that this gorgeous M3 fires up straight away, and performs with zero known mechanical or electrical faults. Being the Evolution variant, the car does of course feature the large 3.2L straight-six, which pairs beautifully with the 6-speed manual gearbox which was replaced from the original phase one SMG some years ago to provide a very rewarding driving experience. The engine performs brilliantly, happily revs through the gears, and boasts fully-operational VANOS with which an invoice demonstrates its replacement.
Although the vehicle hasn’t required much over the years, especially following the vehicle’s time spent off the road, there is plenty of service and maintenance history to peruse through. The vehicle has been serviced at regular intervals, as noted by a total of 13 service stamps in the booklet, the first 6 of which are from a BMW main dealer. The car has also been given a new battery, professionally checked over, and fully road tested to ensure perfect performance following its time in storage.
As this is one of the few E36 M3 examples available today that hasn’t been modified or fitted with aftermarket performance parts, buyers have the opportunity to preserve the car’s purity for a collection. On the other hand, this is the perfect blank canvas to build however you please. A welcome modification would perhaps be a stainless steel exhaust, to let that mighty 3.2L lump sing its straight-six melody.
Summary
This E36 M3 Evolution is perhaps the perfect vehicle to enjoy the summer, treating passengers to BMW’s finest comforts, ‘90s top-down motoring, and superb performance that still rivals modern vehicles today. The car is in superb condition both inside and out, continuing to turn heads wherever it goes, and will no doubt make the perfect weekend toy or collection piece for one lucky buyer.
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