When I graduated college in 1997, I said I will own a '97 M3 one day. I also said I'd own a '97 911 Turbo, but that day hasn't come yet! While the 911 Turbo took ostentatious to a new level, the M3 perfectly represented what I wanted in a sports car: understated, classic lines, not too loud, but underneath, a wolf in sheep's clothing. Fast forward some 8 years later and I finally purchased my M3. I bought a Cosmos black on black, 5 speed luxury package, with 62K, garaged, perfect condition, always dealer serviced, all records, and recent Inspection II service completed. The car is an absolute blast to drive. It is fast enough off the line, and still fast for 2006 standards, but it really shines in the corners and hugs the road as well as any car I have driven, including 911s. It is no wonder that the E36 M3 is a very preferred track car in BMWCCA events. The car connects with the road like it is on rails. I have driven the E46 M3 with SMG and would take my E36 M3 over it any day. The E46 is faster, but it is much heavier and does not have the connection with the road that the E36 does. I've put my E36 vs. the E46 and it more than holds its own. I love driving my M3 anywhere, in town or on trips. In today's gas crunch, it gets nearly 30 mpg on the highway and never less than 25 mpg around town. This is my favorite car to drive, hands down.

Maintenance wise, the car is not as bad as one would think. Parts are not that expensive compared to other high end sports cars. It is very easy to work on yourself, grab a Bentley manual and you will be ready to tackle easy oil changes and belt changes. I have replaced the brakes and rotors, waterpump and thermostat. The early model E36 M3s had a waterpump problem, so this is something to look for. The shock mounts should also be checked before buying. The electric window motors seem to fail fairly often as well.

Bottom line is, if you can find one in good shape, seriously consider it. I paid $16,000 for a nearly flawless car. What would you rather have, a new Honda Civic for a bit more money or a classic BMW rocket-ship that still turns heads today?
Amount Paid (US$): 16,000
Condition: Used
Model Year: 1997
Model and Options: Luxury Package