1998 E36 M3 Coupe

[Llarry]

I recently scanned some photos of my '98 M3, along with an old U.S. price list. The color combination was Bright Red (Hellrot) paint with Mulberry Nappa leather.

You'll note that the price list, which includes M3s and the M roadster, does not list an extra charge for metallic paint; it was available at no cost. Ah, the old days...

[sspade]

She's a real beauty, thanks for sharing. Really prefer the coupe, and the right trans of course!

Assuming not but had to ask, still have it or move on to greener pastures? How long did you hold onto it (from 1998).

I see nice ones on M3List in the $25k range occasionally, depending on a zillion factors obviously. Keeping an eye on them personally; appreciate the low tech atmosphere compared to today's modern rocket ships.

[Llarry]

Originally Posted by sspade

She's a real beauty, thanks for sharing. Really prefer the coupe, and the right trans of course!

Assuming not but had to ask, still have it or move on to greener pastures? How long did you hold onto it (from 1998).

Actually I only had it for two and a half years. I took delivery in mid-1998 and sold it late in 2000. The manual "Vader" seats bothered my back a lot. Otherwise I loved the car. I replaced it with a 225 hp 2001 330Ci Coupe that I figured was "almost as good as an M3." Yeah, right -- NOT! The real replacement did not come until 2005, when I bought my second M3, an E46 M3. That one I kept for 7 years and wish I still had. Then I defected to Porsche with a Boxster S in 2012 -- kept that for 8 years and for several years had both the Boxster S AND a 2017 M3. First world problem -- what to drive? M3 or Boxster?

[Toddbmw]

I had a 1999 E36 M3, Hellrot with black manual Vader seats (bought used in 2007).
The only thing I was disappointed about with the car, was the lack of cruise control. Being an option (on a $40K car), my car did not have it. Which it needed due to the angle of the throttle pedal, giving my right foot a pain during long highway drives.
Oh, and the manual seat levers. Everyone who moved the seat to get into the back, always pulled the wrong lever, the middle lever, which I think raised the bottom of the seat, they would not see the backrest lever.

Interesting now, I do not use cruise on any of my cars (Jetta and M240i), those cars seem to have a better throttle pedal position.

[JRF]

My '98.5 is running on BaT right now.... I already miss her. The e36 M3 does not get near the love it deserves. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1998-bmw-m3-162/

[IcewaterPete]

Great memories! It will interesting to see if the one on BAT can get back to its 2022 price.

[M-technik-3]

Originally Posted by JRF

My '98.5 is running on BaT right now.... I already miss her. The e36 M3 does not get near the love it deserves. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1998-bmw-m3-162/

The build quality of the interior is it's major downfall. I have a 95 and the door panels literally fail apart. The glue they used is the worst but the idea was in 10 years they would all be recycled anyway.

Fantastic car for the average car on the track.

[Marcoose]

I’ve owned a ‘95 M3. My only M, actually. Loads of fun. Great memories. Both in the front and back seat. LOL.

[JRF]

Originally Posted by M-technik-3

The build quality of the interior is it's major downfall. I have a 95 and the door panels literally fail apart. The glue they used is the worst but the idea was in 10 years they would all be recycled anyway.

Fantastic car for the average car on the track.

Agreed 100%, the interior quality of the e46 and e9x are both soooooooooo much better than the e36.

I love the vaders, overall ergonomics, and the absence of technology in the e36..... but the quality of the materials is definitely poor. Does not hold up well at all.

[Cos270]

Originally Posted by JRF

Agreed 100%, the interior quality of the e46 and e9x are both soooooooooo much better than the e36.

I love the vaders, overall ergonomics, and the absence of technology in the e36..... but the quality of the materials is definitely poor. Does not hold up well at all.

That's why I sold mine this summer. Thing was a total rattle trap at 140K miles. Made worse by Michigan roads, I'm sure. The interiors were literally designed not to last, so who can blame them. But it was still a terrible place to spend time nonetheless. The car handled beautifully and that NA straight six was a peach, though.

[Hagasan41]

Hellrot is such a fantastic color on the E36. Definitely my favorite followed by Estoril Blue and Techno Violet. Love mine!

[Llarry]

Originally Posted by Hagasan41

Hellrot is such a fantastic color on the E36. Definitely my favorite followed by Estoril Blue and Techno Violet. Love mine!

Agree on the colors. Very nice M3. How many miles? Do you still drive it regularly?

[Hagasan41]

Originally Posted by Llarry

Agree on the colors. Very nice M3. How many miles? Do you still drive it regularly?

Thank you! 1999 with 74k that's a garage queen next to the E92. They go out for the occasional cars and coffee and back road jaunt. Took advantage of some BF sales and picked up an Eisenmann sport exhaust and Dinan strut bar along with some other odds and ends. Picked up a set of new OEM euro tailights as well from a company in Greece that specializes in classic BMW parts.

Thank you for sharing photos of yours. They are great cars for sure and make a great stable mate to the E92.

[Llarry]

Originally Posted by Lsiseda

So how much is the total cost of repainting this car, I want to refer to it to repaint my car.
dynamons world

Delayed and inadequate response: This is a question for a quality body shop. My layman's answer is "a lot to do a quality job."

[TboneS54]

Post Covid on west or east coast especially, $20k for a great job. You can get it done cheaper if you're not changing color.

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by Lsiseda

So how much is the total cost of repainting this car, I want to refer to it to repaint my car.
dynamons world

Most paint jobs are paid for in hamburgers. My last paint job cost me 414 hamburgers. They probably have really good hamburgers in your country (I'm guessing it's not New York).