Vehicle Details
- Year: 1996
- Make: BMW
- Model: M3 Coupe
- VIN: WBSBG910X0EW36590
- Mileage Shown: 177,746
- Transmission: Manual
- Title Status: Clean
- Color: Mint Green
- Seller: nobrakes
- Seller Type: Dealer
- Location: Scottsdale, AZ 85254
- Dealer Fee: None
- Lot #: V-0015267
Produced in March of 1996, this European-market M3 was ordered through the BMW Individual program, an exclusive service launched in 1991 offering personalized exterior finishes, custom-tailored interiors, and unique equipment for BMW's most discerning clientele. It comes finished in the rarely-seen color of Mint Green (W97) over a black leather interior with deviated Mint Green stitching. Power comes from an S50 inline six-cylinder engine paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox. Acquired by the seller out of Germany in 2019 and imported to the U.S. in April of 2021, this outstanding Mint Green E36 is now being offered for auction out of Arizona showing approximately 177k kilometers (110k miles) on the odometer.
This M3 is finished in the non-metallic BMW Individual color of Mint Green (W97) with black Shadowline trim. While exact production numbers are unknown, this M3 is believed to be one of only very few produced in Mint Green. Exterior details include pop-out rear quarter windows, Euro-spec glass headlights, front and rear fog lamps, Euro-spec clear corner lenses, and a power-operated sunroof. The M3 can be differentiated from a standard E36 3-Series by its revised front and rear bumpers, flared side skirts, body-colored aerodynamic mirrors, and fixed rear wing. The seller notes the car has been diligently maintained in climate-controlled storage and reports one small imperfection between the driver's side door handle and trim. Some other minor cosmetic imperfections are depicted in the photo gallery. The factory 17” BMW Style 22 wheels come mounted with new Continental Extreme Contact DWS 06 Plus tires.
The cabin is trimmed in a BMW Individual configuration of black leather with contrasting stitching in Mint Green. The heated black leather Vader sport seats feature power adjustability, power-retractable thigh supports, a Motorsport accent stripe, and deep bolsters. Other details include a leather-wrapped M-Sport steering wheel with Mint Green stitching, M3-branded door sills, and an M-badged instrument cluster with a 280 KM/H speedometer and 8k-RPM tachometer. The driver is supplied with an onboard trip computer, power windows, central locking, cruise control, automatic climate control, and a BMW Business cassette stereo. The seller reports all instrumentation and accessories to be fully functional.
This M3 is equipped with a 3.2L S50 inline-six engine sending as much as 321 HP and 258 lb.-ft of torque to the rear wheels through a 6-speed manual transmission. Generating over 80 HP more than the U.S.-spec version, the European-market E36 M3 engine features continuously variable VANOS valve timing on both camshafts, larger intake and exhaust valves, a 3.5” mass airflow meter, a higher 11:3:1 compression ratio, individual throttle bodies and intake runners, specially tuned exhaust headers, graphite-coated connecting rods, and larger Bosch fuel injectors. Upon delivery to the United States, this M3 received a new battery, new tires, and an oil service. Some associated service documentation is said to accompany the sale.
This sale will include a toolkit, first aid kit, roadside hazard kit, full-size spare, and a clean title. Tailored through BMWs Individual program, this incredibly rare Mint Green E36 M3 presents an excellent investment and collecting opportunity.
Auction Results
- Sold for: $66,366
- Auction End: Jan 27, 2022 10:19:22PM UTC
- Number of Bids: 47
Comments (122)
Great auction! You won't be disappointed with it. I'll probably be kicking myself tomorrow for not bidding some more. Well done!
Congrats to the winning bidder and all the best to the under bidders.
Congrats @Ccollection, it's a beauty. I will remain jealous.
Let me know if you decide to sell it ?
Sold for $66,366
Bid in the amount of $66,366
Bid in the amount of $63,613
@mcollector Not going to happen :)
@tantalic Only if you tell @ccollection to let me win lol
@tantalic let the bidding begin!
Bid in the amount of $63,363
@mcollector @ccollection - Can I at least take it for a spin?
Bid in the amount of $62,610
Bid in the amount of $62,360
Bid in the amount of $61,610
Bid in the amount of $61,360
Bid in the amount of $60,250
@tantalic I'm rooting for you
Bid in the amount of $60,000
Bid in the amount of $59,000
@tantalic Buy it and enjoy this thing
@tantalic don’t give up. Make THEM green with envy.
When you realize you are bidding against two users with collector in your name and that you probably don't have a chance. ????
Bid in the amount of $58,610
Bid in the amount of $58,360
Bid in the amount of $57,610
Bid in the amount of $57,360
Bid in the amount of $56,900
Bid in the amount of $56,610
Bid in the amount of $56,360
Bid in the amount of $55,805
Bid in the amount of $55,555
Bid in the amount of $54,360
Bid in the amount of $53,500
@Bill930P thanks. Keep hunting!
Bid in the amount of $50,750
I'm out. $50k was my max.
Bid in the amount of $50,500
Bid in the amount of $49,036
One of three mint green e36 M3’s ever produced. One of one with this interior.
Bid in the amount of $48,000
Bid in the amount of $46,250
Bid in the amount of $46,000
Bid in the amount of $44,750
Bid in the amount of $44,500
Popcorn is ready
Bid in the amount of $44,250
Thanks to all who have contributed including the forum guys, and to the bidders of course. We have extensive experience arranging transport. But do not hesitate to fly in and drive this car home across country. Good luck! Let’s sell this car.
Bid in the amount of $44,000
Bid in the amount of $43,000
Bid in the amount of $42,750
Cant wait to see the show here GLWS
Six hours to go to see if this fantastic German sports coupe finds its first real home in the USA. It took 25 years to make the trip and gave us its share of joy rides, thrill rides and smooth rides. Now it’s up for grabs. Pictures are great but they really don’t do it justice. It’s a wonder how this color got left off the standard M3 pallet, but the factory’s oversight is what makes it all the more special. In 1996 the Eurospec M3 got major upgrades. When we were on the hunt we could have picked up a ‘95 and shipped it home. But we were hunting for the “real M3”. We think we found it. Good luck bidders!
@Braymond141 the context of my comment was relating to this car and not all euro M3’s and the clear differentiation from the US Spec variant. Not odd at all.
Bid in the amount of $42,500
@Outlaw911 exactly what Jim said. Referencing only US cars having 5MT was an incomplete or incorrect statement on your behalf. I found it odd.
@nobrakes The installation for that Class II wing can be found here: https://www.mforum.net/forum/e36-m3-1992-1999/2996-rare-unique-parts-cars-let-s-share-pics-etc?p=3011#post3011
Scroll down a little and you'll see it with the drilling jigs. The purpose of that jig is to make sure the holes line up with the holes in the bottom of the wing. That is the point that's being made. Nothing more nothing less.
On a side note I'd like to add a clarification so that we compare apples to apples. If you're going to reference other cars based on US hp ratings then make sure you also quote the Evo in US hp. The evo is 321 PS ("pferdestarke") which is not calculated the same way as US hp rating. The correct hp for the S50B32 to the US audience about 316 hp.
Wishing you all the luck in this auction. It is most definitely a unique car.
@Outlaw911 He's pointing it out so people don't get the impression that all euro E36 M3's had 6-speed transmissions because you referenced all US cars as having 5-speeds.
@Braymond141 and this is a 1996. Not sure why the clarification was needed.
@Braymond141 last word? Where can you buy a replica for $200 ?
@Outlaw911 96-99 Euro (Evo) are 6MT. 93-95 Euro were 5MT.
@nobrakes does that knowledge include Euro? Yes, because there is no such thing as a US wing. The only one that could be classified as “US” is the Lightweight wing, but it is a standard GT wing before the third brake light is hand cut in by PTG. I have owned them all including the Lightweight version.
This has been drawn out enough. Potential buyers should be aware of this detail as the value of a real GT (Coupe) Class II wing exceeds $3k without risers nowadays. A replica is worth $200.
@Braymond141 rear wing or not, this is one cool car. Mint green euro-spec M3 says enough. Also like the 6- speed vs the US Spec 5-speed. GLWS.
@Braymond141 at the end of the day all information is gathered. Is your gathered knowledge inclusive of every European specification? The photo of a version of a GT wing has no visible label, and the mounting holes on that surface do not have the mounting that appears on the US model wings. They are In fact spaced inline and further apart than what you would expect to see, like what is in this car. Not sure what 10mm bolts are OEM or not But that doesn’t play a role because this was dealer installed. Admittedly I am no expert but will take the position that the wing on this car is the same variant that is pictured on the web link that has both TUV and BMW markings and the inline, wider spread spacing which this car clearly has. I am not certain either way until the wing comes off. We can agree to disagree.
@nobrakes there is no mystery, the rear wing is not real.
We already discussed the Sedan specific version without the recess. The mounting hole locations are identical in spacing on all OEM wings. Only the GT2/Clubsport differs in mounting with the holes being further forward on the trunk. The outer spacing remains the same.
The mounting locations on your wing are not OEM. The hardware used is not OEM. Your base mounting pad is flush with the Coupe trunk lid which rules out the (wider) sedan early version without the sticker indent.
I’m sorry for being so direct but it is all clear in your pics what it is not. The site you linked is gathered information from the other users posting in here.
From the earliest days after the US launch of the E36 M3 the grumbling began. It was rightly considered one of the best cars you could buy here, and the fact that it was head and shoulders better than the lesser 3 series is universally acknowledged. The automotive press teased us with what was being sold in Europe. It wasn’t the first time a euro spec model was better endowed than what rolled off our US showroom floors. But the M3 euro vs the US version earned the watered down 240 horsepower cars the description as “not real M3’s”. Having now, finally been able to say I have been around both of them, all I can say is OMG! 321 horsepower made the Euro M3 a 911 beater. It wasn’t until 2002 that a base 911 got 320 horsepower! The E46 US replacement was only launched with 330 horsepower. You do the math, check the curb weights on the two of them. The dividend of that extra power derived in part from those racy ITB’s is the sound that engine makes. Rolling through several hundred miles in the Malibu hills the shorter spaced gears served me well. That extra gear was equally appreciated on the open road. The US E36 M3 is a fantastic automobile and worthy of any collection or enthusiasts garage. The Euro Spec version is simply that on steroids.
Bid in the amount of $31,000
@nobrakes just to add to the wing mystery... a quick review of "BMW e36 M3 Euro wings" on google brought up some interesting discussions including one that shows a GT wink with no visible exterior indents or tags and a mounting bolt pattern that matches what is on this car.
Here is the link to the article with pictures of the underside, which I believe is our wing.
https://m-flight-europe.com/en/all-about-the-bmw-e36/how-can-you-recognize-an-original-bmw-e36-class-ii-2-rear-spoiler/
Unfortunately that can only be determined by removing the wing, and that is not happening on our watch, so it will have to remain a mystery.
@Braymond141 I will happily defer to those better informed on the variations of rear wings installed on these cars rather they come from the factory or the dealer. As confirmed by the previous owner in Germany, this is a dealer installed wing, his belief is that it is a GT wing. I do not have the knowledge to refute that either way. Thanks for sharing.
Bid in the amount of $30,600
@nobrakes The wing is not a Genuine BMW product. As Jim already mentioned, the mounting holes are incorrect. Anyone that owns a real one (most of us here commenting) can immediately identify this. Furthermore, a "GT" wing refers to one specific wing; A coupe fitment wing. No GT wing came without the indent for the TuV sticker on the right side of the base that hangs off the trunk. Only one Genuine BMW wing came without that indent and that was an early sedan version which was later revised to include the indent. Sedan wings hang 5mm over the edge of a Coupe trunk as sedan are wider (with the bolt holes remaining in the same position as the Coupe and all other Class II variant wings).
You do NOT have a Genuine Class II rear wing. Please update your posts to reflect this.
Update:
Regarding paint thickness, unfortunately we were not able to take paint gauge readings due to faulty equipment. This morning we had the car inspected by a bidder and BMW enthusiast. Together we went over all the panels and are confident this car is accident free and original paint.
Regarding the rear wing, we made contact with the previous owner who confirmed the wing is an M3 GT variant and was installed at delivery by the dealer. The third brake light was factory optioned, the wing was not.
Bid in the amount of $27,500
@garrege buyer will receive a clean private Arizona title.
Additional content has been added to the listing gallery.
@JimE36GTR good eye. Didn't notice that.
@Westopher Good point. However I'm not convinced that this is an actual Class II based on the way it was installed. It is not installed correctly for the OE Class II wing. The holes don't line up at least not in the pic. The kits come with plastic drilling templates so I'm not sure why they drilled the holes where they did.
Is the car registered in the USA (state?) or is that the buyer's responsibility?
I understand the 25-year rule, but despite that, there are hurdles to clear.
@MAlvarez you are able to tell if it is a proper coupe specific Class 2 wing by looking at the right rear corner of the lower wing. It will have an oval recess for a small part number sticker that is about 5cm wide by 1cm tall.
If that's not there, it could still be potentially an early class 2 sedan wing, but you wouldn't know unless it was removed like you said.
If the wing was put there by the factory the oval recess will 100% be there, if it's not there it was definitely added later, and not the correct part.
@PCARMARKET_MODERATOR hey pcar guys, please post the walkaround and driving videos please.
Additional content has been added to the listing gallery.
part seven...
The car performed flawlessly on the canyon runs and was received famously at the Bill's Kitchen Cars & Coffee event. From there we ran the coast to La Jolla for a few and then made the desert run to Arizona, where again it drove like a new car. My partner was blown away (like most are) when finally laying eyes on it in person. Since then, it’s been seen out and about various car meets in the Phoenix area but for the most part it’s been tucked away with the other classics currently in our care.
Ole Minty has given us a memorable back story we think is worth sharing. We brought it to the USA to enjoy but also to sell. We are thrilled to be partnering with Pcarmarket on this special car and congratulate the new owner in advance. Cheers!
Bid in the amount of $26,666
part six...
Months earlier, in anticipation for this trip we had reached out to numerous YouTube influencers, some who were regrettably unavailable and others who were just “too busy” to take an interest in what we had to say. Not so, the guys over at Smoking Tire. In fact, Matt and Zach were super receptive from the get-go and once we arrived we got the royal treatment and tour at West Coast Car Storage. They both loved the Mint Green M3 and after sharing our plans to spend time in and around Malibu, Matt Farah personally curated a route through the hills above Malibu which we dutifully followed back and forth from our hotel in Woodland Hills to Bill’s Kitchen, and more than once; 65 miles of canyon carving bliss that was covered in about 9 miles as the crow flies.
Before handing over the route Matt insisted on inspecting the car again because he did not want to read about us sliding off a cliff. Noting the date code on the tires he says, “no way!’ He called up a few of his regular vendors and voila, he arranged for a fresh set to be installed nearby. We thanked them sincerely for just being “regular guys” and were bid farewell.
to be continued...
Bid in the amount of $26,000
Bid in the amount of $25,032
@aaar35 Hi. The car is in Scottsdale, Arizona. You can private message us at the "contact seller" button at the top of this page to make arrangements.
where is the car located now? Is it available for viewing?
@atlrvr The wing attached to the car is a Class II “GT” spoiler that are otherwise found on the M3 GTs of this vintage. They later took this spoiler, with risers, and modified a 3rd brake light into it for the LTW cars we received in the USA.
The genuine GT spoilers are around $1500-$2500 nowadays, the part number is stamped underneath the base which would be the only definitive way of knowing whether its genuine. That said, for a car like this, from the EU, in a rare color, id imagine it is.
@billapex thanks, glad we were able to meet up, check out the car and go for a ride... you gave my partner, who you met with, something to rave about. He was saying he really didn't appreciate the car's power until he rode shotgun with you! Glad you didn't hold back LOL. Seriously, after driving the car the long way home from LA to Scottsdale I can say that the car is deceptively quick; the power delivery is very linear, and like all straight six bimmers silky smooth. The chassis is very composed, its an easy car to drive fast.
part five...
The car was not received without issues. The battery was dead, so it was first stop at AutoZone. At our next stop one of the windows would not roll back up. That stop was Beverly Hills Car Club, an establishment that earned my newfound respect. It was absolutely amazing the sheer volume and variety of unrestored classics packed like sardines in a menagerie of interconnected buildings. Alex Manos has been buying and holding old cars and especially tired old Porsches for so long now his genius is revealed, they’re like money in the bank.
We stopped for Tacos at Tito’s in LA and found the perfect YouTube solution for reprogramming the power windows. We also knew we would be needing tires, so we started making inquiries and were not having much luck finding a matched set for the staggered wheels. Where we were going we would be needing fresh rubber.
to be continued...
Bid in the amount of $21,000
Hi, all. Seller was nice enough to let me see this car in person and drive it. For 26 years old and 177k km, it's in remarkable condition. The previous owner really took pride in it, that's for sure. Ran and drove really smoothly.
@atlrvr wow, sorry about your old car, glad you came away unscathed... this one has new tires! I don't know the answer to your question. If you come upon it please share.
I love these cars. The second car I ever totaled was a 1996 M3. Up until I smashed it into a jersey barrier driving way too fast on bald tires in a downpour, it was the most balanced car I'd ever owned or driven.
I'm struggling with the rear wing. Mine had an integrated third brake light on the wing, which is correct, at least for US cars. This has the non-winged 3rd brake light in the rear window. Is this Euro-spec correct? I've been searching the interwebs but find no definitive answer.
part four...
Backtracking a bit to December 2020, we could not resist the temptation to throw out a teaser to promote the car and we posted a “coming soon” ad on the Dallas Craigslist. It was almost immediately picked up on a Reddit thread where it was flooded with polarizing comments and opinions. That post was then picked up and written about on Road & Track and Jalopnik, both of which spurred outrage, both for and against the color of the car and the ambitious asking price. Many just called it another Craigslist scam.
Then the publisher of zero260 dot com wrote a series of articles about it and we eventually became friends and would later meet in person in the parking lot of Bill’s Kitchen for the Cars & Coffee in Malibu.
to be continued...
@perfectiondenied agreed this is not a concours level car, not represented as such. It is considering age and miles in excellent overall condition, both cosmetically and mechanically. Most comparable examples show generally accepted signs of age such as worn seat bolsters, threadbare carpet, delaminated door cards, sticky buttons, failing A and C pillar trim; under the hood plastic finisher pieces that commonly fail and have long since been discarded are all present and in excellent condition. Aside from being driven, well maintained and enjoyed it has also been exceptionally well kept.
@PCARMARKET_MODERATOR thanks!
pics 204 - 206 show the car freshly registered and relocated to Aachen, Germany then in its holding pen in Venlo, Netherlands and finally the "ICBMW" being readied for launch to its new home in the USA.
pics 196 - 198 shows the car at the Long Beach warehouse, the first time to physically lay hands on it.
Additional content has been added to the listing gallery.
The color is very nice. A bit more wear and tear than I would like to see on the trim pieces, door cards, wheels, and other components. Much of this could have been resolved before listing as many of these parts are still available new from BMW. In its current form, it's a high-ish miles Euro E36 that has the potential to be restored to perfection, but nothing sets this apart from any other imported Euro E36 aside from the color. So I suppose it comes down to - how much is that Mint paint worth to you? Many PTS 911's are (1 of X) and it doesn't drive multiples of value in 2x to 3x range. Then again, we are in crazy land right now from a pricing POV, so if someone wants it, I am sure they are willing to pay.
@JNasty yes, AC, heat, all blendoors working properly
Bid in the amount of $20,000
Bid in the amount of $19,000
Bid in the amount of $18,000
@nobrakes - working AC, yes?
@PCARMARKET_MODERATOR thanks... pics 172-178 were the first images we saw when discovering this car, are they not irresistible? My partner text messages them over to me, then calls singing its praises, "it's Mint Green, it must be the rarest E36 ever built and its Euro Spec, do you realize how important it would be for the reputation of our dealership..." I stop him and say, "whoa, you had me at hello".
The pics that follow theses are of the Pre Purchase Inspection report as well as a VIN Check Report.
Additional content including a Pre-Purchase inspection, have been added to the listing gallery.
@ExclusiveMotors4u winning bidder will receive a private party Arizona Title.
part three...
The car was moved to a climate-controlled building in Holland owned by a Dutch friend who also has a home in the Phoenix area and who is active importing his own classic flips. It was a lot to ask for him to hold that car for a year or more and it cost us untold amounts of beer and finally a sweetheart deal on a Minerva Blue '77 Porsche 3.0 Carrera Targa we owned at the time.
So, there it sat in his building, only occasionally started, and moved around. An ocean of misery away, waiting.
Luckily, timing was perfect we were able to reserve one of the spots in his container, and not long after the March 2021 birthday we had the car papered up properly for export and loaded on a ship to the USA. That was early April with an expected arrival in Long Beach, California the middle of June. The ship was held up for undetermined reasons in the Panama Canal and narrowly missed the now infamous log jam of ships that stacked up off the coast of California. The car cleared customs at Long Beach Port and was moved to a forwarders warehouse nearby on July 23rd.
On July 30th of 2021 a friend and I arrived from Dallas in Orange County and Uber’d over to the warehouse. The parking lot was full of classic and interesting cars in all sorts of states of condition. Inside, there was only one Mint Green car, it wasn’t hard to spot, and it was our M3.
to be continued...
is it currently registered title in hand ?
Bid in the amount of $15,000
part two...
Knowing the car could not be exported to the USA until its March 2021 25th birthday we elected to register it locally in our trusted friend's name. That was completed on The 20th of February 2020. Knowing as early as November 2019 that we were going to make a deal one way or another on this car we made definite plans to travel to Germany in the summer of 2020. There we would get in this car and travel through Europe shopping for other 25+ year old cars to buy and consolidate into a shipping container to bring home and eventually sell in the USA.
Tickets were purchased and plans were made. My partner would return, and I would stay on continent to meet two friends from the USA to embark on a six day Alps motorcycle tour after which our wives would meet us in Milan for another 10 days touring Italy.
Well, we all know what happened next, the trip of a lifetime got corona'd.
to be continued...
Bid in the amount of $7,500
@atlrvr yes indeed, we will be documenting fresh paint gauge readings this weekend, stay tuned...
Greetings bidders and fellow enthusiasts, welcome to our auction!
This auction has been a long time coming. We first identified this car for sale in Germany in the summer of 2019; contacting the seller, located in Schiesheim, a village about 70km west of Frankfurt. The believed second owner since 2006 we began some cursory discussions that dragged on into the winter, we enlisted a trusted friend to make the 3+ hour trip from Aachen to meet the seller and inspect the car. We agreed to the price subject to a professional PPI which was completed on the 6th of February 2020. Monies were transferred and the car picked up by our friend and taken to his home in Aachen where we would decide what to do next.
to be continued...
Really would love to see paint meter reading here. Is that something that can be provided?
Bid in the amount of $5,500
Really excited to see this car come to market. Will be watching closely. Special e36 for sure
very nice car but "an excellent investment opportunity" it is not. miles are too high, that being said, get out an drive this beautiful car.
@DPL nice!
I'll be watching this one very closely. I'm in love
looks like it's in mint condition too.... I had to say it!
wow. gorgeous color! very unique e36