1999 BMW M3 EVO

This is a BMW M3 Evo, which was introduced as an update to the standard car with a larger engine and new gearboxes. In the saloon form, it marries the inherent fast nature of the M3 with the practicality and luxury only a four-door vehicle can offer. It’s a 1999 car, comes with service history, and has a valid MOT. It has had five keepers (including the vendor), 105k miles on the clock, but also usable upgrades, like the adjustable BC coil-over suspension.

The vendor hasn’t done too many miles in it but mentions that it’s been serviced regularly, and under his ownership, has been dry-stored always. It’s also mentioned that the bodywork is largely clean with only a few scratches and some rust underneath. These bits are mentioned in detail below.

Accompanying the car, apart from the service record and other paperwork, is a set of keys (two), original documentation from BMW (owner’s handbook, original accessories brochure, etc.), and also a good old Haynes Workshop Manual for when and if you ever fancy working on the car.

It might sound clichéd (because it definitely is), but the M3 Evo is a bit of a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Especially in comparison with modern cars which tend to look faster than they actually are; the M3 Evo, on the other hand, is quite the opposite. Finished in Aegean Blue, this car looks like a well-specced 3 Series, but only a trained eye can spot the finer details. That’s the thing about sports saloons; not everyone has the slightest idea of how capable the car is.

With more than two decades and a hundred thousand miles later, the exterior can’t be expected to look like this E36 has just left the dealer’s forecourt — and it most certainly does not. This car is not devoid of some scratches, surface rust, and loss of paint. There’s nothing major, though, and the bodywork is otherwise solid, mentions the vendor.

Some areas of concern in that regard include the offside wing, which has a small patch of surface rust inside and a paint bubble at the bottom. The rear wheel arch on the same side has some rust, too. The paint might need some attention there as well as on the nearside front door and the wheel arch. The rear bumper has suffered some lacquer peel whereas there are small scratches on the boot lid and some stone chips on the driver-side wing mirror. The alloys do have some kerb marks, too.

In the E36, the driver is always the centre of attention, be it in the way the E36 drives or the way its centre console is designed. The unique layout has been followed in later BMWs as well, but in the E36, it arguably works best. The ‘M’ bits add uniqueness, in comparison to the standard 3 Series, in addition to complementing everything the M3 has to offer over a 3.

It’s a four-door car, which means it’s bound to be more practical and spacious than an M3 Coupe. This also makes it the car of choice for those who want a quick saloon (quick, even by modern standards) but don’t want the complications of a more modern (and probably less driver-focussed) car.

Keeping its age in mind, the example seems to have fared well, but like is the case with the exterior, it’s seen better days. The driver’s seat has a small wear patch, apart from the usual creases, and the passenger seat isn’t perfect, either. The wooden surround (around the centre console) needs attention as part of it is broken. The rear left window and the radio aren’t functioning. The sunroof, electric seats, and the AC work well, although the vendor mentions that the latter might need a service.

While critics were not kind to the E36 when it was new, the car’s appeal has increased over the years — and it’s not just the fans but the critics, too, who seem to enjoy the car now. As it’s been mentioned earlier, it’s still a great analogue sports car — one that has remained largely below the radar, due to an overpowering (in status) predecessor and a very successful (and modern) successor.

This example has some rust on the surface and some on the undercarriage. Apart from the aforementioned, rubber seals around the rear window will need replacing. It comes with a full-size spare wheel (also an alloy) and the tool kit is included as well.

The vendor who hasn’t added too many miles to the clock mentions that this M3 Evo drives well. He also undertook a long journey in it, and the car posed no problems at all.We were impressed with the way this M3 drove, but the suspension is certainly on its stiffer setting - an easy fix with some small adjustments.

The M3 Evo comes with a stamped service book. The first recorded service on the car was done at 1481 miles (running-in service), which was followed by inspections/services at a variety of BMW dealers/specialists. The latest service was done at 105.5k miles in November last year.

While the earlier MOT certificates aren’t available, the car has a valid MOT till November this year. A quick look at the mileage history suggests that it hasn’t done too much mileage in the last few years — hardly raking up a thousand miles in the last five years. It’s had a few MOT failures in the past, and the faults were rectified many times on the same day. In terms of tax status, the car is registered as SORN at the moment.

The vendor also mentions that while the car’s sorted mechanically, the only repair/replacement he got on the vehicle was the VANOS — a reconditioned unit has been installed.

We include an online HPI report run at the auction start which shows no finance outstanding and no insurance markers for theft or damage.

The E36 has been one of the unloved generations of the 3 Series, mainly because it was right in the transition phase between the sublime E30 and the more modern E46. But the market has begun to appreciate what the E36 has to offer. Especially in the M3/M3 Evo form, it’s a great car which has bucketloads of dynamic abilities, a very strong engine, and if you find the right one, it has all it takes to be a refreshing change from the overly assisted modern metal.

The five-owner example here ticks a fair few important boxes: saloon body style, manual gearbox (6-speed), BC coil-over suspension, 3.2-litre S50B32 straight six engine, detailed service record, etc. It will need work to sort out some of the mentioned issues, but none of those is big enough to detract from your buying decision. Unless you’re looking for a low-mileage, completely stock car.

Finally, the values of the E36 are climbing, which proves that enthusiasts have begun to appreciate the car. This also means that finding a good example in the future might become slightly more difficult. Having said that, the production run of more than 70,000 M3s means they won’t just suddenly disappear from the face of the planet, but it’s a good practice to hunt now and one must avoid cheap examples. Understandably, the prices of the half-decent examples are bound to rise too. We estimate £10,000 - £15,000.

And that’s no bad thing! Because, the deserved increment in values aside, the E36 deserves to be enjoyed by enthusiasts a bit more. For we can’t be sure when something like this will be made again, ever.

Inspection is always encouraged (within Govt. guidelines of course), and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.