The second generation of the M3, the E36 was launched with a new body style, chassis, and 6-cylinder engine. This 1997 example comes finished in Artic Silver over a Mulberry leather interior. It was acquired by the seller with approximately 25k miles, its second owner, from Circle BMW of New Jersey and it was subsequently extensively upgraded for track use. Notable modifications include Stoptech brakes, Schrick cams, forged connecting rods with ARP bolts, a Z3 steering rack, coilover suspension with Koni dampers, a Sparco driver’s seat, and much more. It is now being offered by its seller out of New York while showing just over 157k miles on its odometer.
This E36 comes finished in Artic Silver and has been upgraded with an Alumilight custom fabricated splitter supported by Hard motorsports brackets and a rear wing. The sunroof has been deleted and the roof has been wrapped in a carbon fiber-look vinyl to cover the replacement panel. The seller notes that the front bumper, hood, and the driver’s side front fender have been refinished and that the rear side windows rubber has deteriorated, there are minor chips throughout, and a small stain is present on the hood. A collection of detailed images can be found in the gallery. Additional upgrades include an open headlight air intake, fog light delete covers, GTR LED headlight bulbs, and chicken wire backing all front grill spaces. It rides on a set of Kosei K1 wheels which come dressed in a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4s tires bearing date codes from 2018. An additional set of Kosei K1 wheels dressed in racing tires will accompany the car as well as the original set of Style 23 M Contour wheels. The CARFAX indicates that the car was deemed a total loss, while the seller notes that the car was involved in an on-track accident at Watkins Glen in 2009.
The cabin has been fitted with a Sparco Evo driver’s seat and an OMP passenger seat along with 6-point OMP harnesses (exp. 2025) and an Autopower 4-point bolt-in roll cage. Modifications include a Momo steering wheel, oil temperature and pressure gauges mounted on the steering column, a water temperature gauge mounted on the center console, air-fuel ratio gauges mounted on the A-pillar, a “hybrid” pedal kit, and diamond plate floors. Additionally, the headliner has been removed as well as the center armrest, some sound deadening, and the air conditioning. The door panels remain in excellent condition and retain their original wood trim along with the center console, dashboard, and glove box. The seller notes that the HVAC and sound systems remain functional and that the radio does not receive AM stations, there are a few pixels out on the dash, and the air/fuel ratio gauge is not working.
Power comes from a 3.2-liter S52 inline-six which has been extensively upgraded with Schrick Sport 276/270 cams, 24 lb. fuel injectors, Pauter forged connecting rods with ARP bolts, an Off Camber Autosport throttle body, AA headers, track pipe, and catback exhaust, and a custom engine tune by AA. The rear wheels are driven by way of a 5-speed manual transmission and a mechanically locking limited-slip differential with 3:64 gears. The suspension features TC Kline coil overs with Koni double adjustable dampers valved with 500lb front and 600lb rear springs, and Eibach front and rear adjustable sway bars with polyurethane bushings and adjustable drop links. Stopping power is provided by Stoptech ST40 front calipers with Pagid black pads and Stoptech rotors, while the rear uses Wilwood Superlite calipers, E46-sized Meyle rotors, and Hawk DTC 50 pads. In 2022 the cylinder head was removed and inspected for cracks and 3 new intake valves were installed. The seller notes that the ABS light sometimes illuminates, but usually clears itself with time. The seller has provided a comprehensive list of modifications as follows:
Engine
Drivetrain
Steering and suspension
Brakes
This sale will include an extra set of Kosei K1 wheels with Hankook Z214 racing tires, a set of Bridgestone RE71R 200 tires, the original set of Style 23 M Contour wheels, original factory electric and heated front seats, rear seats, other assorted other spare parts, 2 keys, owners literature, and a clean title.
The seller would like you to know: "I have owned this car for over 20 years, it is totally sorted out for the track, but can be driven on the street it is street legal. There is a glaring Carfax error that I am working on correcting. I did have an accident at Watkins Glen in 2009, but the car was repaired perfectly, Carfax lists it as a 'total loss' which it never was, regular insurance does not cover track damage and the car was never submitted to my insurance company and I did not have track insurance at this event... so as far as I know no insurance adjuster has ever looked at the car, and I was shocked to find this out, I.E. the erroneous Carfax. I assumed my Carfax was clean."
Comments (9)
Sold for $17,000
Bid in the amount of $17,000
Bid in the amount of $15,000
@Intermeccanica Well, I am sorry that I have no photos, this was way back in 2009, and I don't know of any photos that I might be able to access, being the body shop that my car was initially brought to has changed ownership, and I have contacted them in the recent past and they have no record going back that far from the previous body shop owner.
I can tell you that the front bumper, driver's side headlight left front fender crumpled hood crumpled, radiator taken out, but no damage any further back, A pillar from top to bottom no damage, driver' side door no damage, the driver's side wheel cracked and lower control arm and strut broken. If you are local you can take a look at the car and if not, I will gladly bring it to a shop of your choice to inspect. This car was perfectly repaired, and wears street tires very evenly, and track tires as well. Hence I never even considered dumping this car, and have driven it for all these years on street and track.
@seller, it would be great if you could upload photos of the previous accident/damage so that we can see what was repaired, thanks.
"Regarding the carfax report as a "total loss"; the car was never a total loss. It was in an accident at Watkins Glen back in 2009, I believe in May, the car was towed to what I now regard as a grossly overpriced body shop in New Jersey, and an insurance adjuster did look at the car, and claimed total loss. BUT the claim was never paid or anything done at this body shop with it because the accident took place on a race track, and so the accident claim or anything related to it was disclaimed.
I subsequently had the car totally repaired at another shop out of pocket and the car was out of service for about 2 months during repairs back in 2009. Since that time it has been registered, inspected, insured and driven to and from and on the track every single year through 2022."
@Dom33 Yes this car is a total blast on the track, very balanced and does whatever you want it to do. And I still love driving it on the track, but early last season, 2022, I decided that I was tiring of driving it back and forth to the track, which I have done for years; I could go the trailer route but didn't want to do that, and for somebody younger than I, it is still very street drivable, and one can drive it to the track.
Great driving video, this must be a blast on the track!