1996 BMW M3 Evolution Cabriolet

Finished in metallic Estoril Blue with a matching blue fabric roof and a grey leather interior, this wonderful BMW M3 Evolution Cabriolet also benefits from a detachable Estoril Blue hardtop, giving you all the advantages of a soft-top with the all-weather security of a coupé.

First registered on the 10th of June 1996, its had a lot of money spent on it recently including having the gorgeous leather interior re-Connolised, the steering wheel refurbished, and a set of four new Toyo Proxes tyres fitted to the correct 17-inch alloy wheels.

Still showing well under 80,000 miles on the odometer and sporting a very good service and maintenance history, this appreciating modern classic needs some light cosmetic fettling, a prerequisite that is reflected in its very attractive reserve price.

The bodywork looks very smart indeed. With good shutlines, straight and ripple-free panels, and a complete absence of the sort of damage an urban life can inflict, we think it tells only a good story.

It’s current condition is partly due to the front and rear bumpers having been resprayed only recently but is also clearly due to some careful conservation over the years on the part of its owners.

Of course, the wonderful Estoril Blue colour helps enormously. One of our favourites, it’s as timeless and elegant as something like silver but much more vibrant.

The M3’s impressive coachwork is supported by a good hardtop, which not only turns the car’s lines into that of a coupé but also means that the finished vehicle is as practical as it is handsome.

Then, when the sun comes out, you can store the metal roof in your garage and rely solely on the folding one. This rises and falls as it should and tucks away neatly out of sight when it is lowered beneath a metal tonneau cover. This combination of roofs makes this delightful M3 Evolution a genuine all-year-round proposition.

The details are good including the AC Schnitzer doors mirrors, the lower rubber trim on the front spoiler, and the glazing, badges and light lenses.

The 17-inch alloy wheels are in a good condition being straight and free of dings, dents and other serious kerbing damage. True, they would benefit from being lightly refurbished when you get the chance but then that need is counterbalanced by the four new Toyo Proxes tyres, so #swingsandroundabouts, eh?

As we will never tire of explaining, our experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.

Aside from the inevitable stonechips and minor marks, there are some scratches to the hardtop (slide #48), some discoloration to the rear bumper insert (#49), door trims (#102 and #152), and the rear diffuser (#70 and #71). The folding blue roof is also a little stained and has a couple of small holes in it (#187).

A new gearknob for the six-speed manual gearbox complements a recently fitted short-shift kit - and if you value originality over practicality then you’ll be delighted to hear that the original gearchange mechanism is in the boot.

Looking very smart, the interior also boasts a refurbished steering wheel, and a replacement Alpine stereo in the dashboard. Other than this, the interior looks to be standard and is all the better for it.

The grey leather seats have been recently re-Connolised and while they look smart, there are some deep cracks to the surface of the driver’s seat still plus a little softening of the outer bolster. They’re all still firm and supportive though, and as gloriously comfortable as any we’ve tried.

The rest of the interior is just as impressive, including the dashboard, which lacks any extraneous dials, gauges, switches, or holes, something that isn’t always the case with performance cars of this era.

The boot is very good. Home to a decent and matching spare wheel and a legal tyre, lifting the carpet shows a solid boot floor – and the rust you can see looks to be surface only and there as a result of something ferrous being left lying on top rather than anything more intrusive or serious.

The rest of the issues are just as niggling and don’t come even close to being serious. For example, one of the blanking switches has a piece of tape on it (#8) presumably covering a hole, the boot carpet has some oil stains (#53), the toolkit in the boot lid is a little rusty (#56), the rear carpet in the cabin is a little stained and has some wear (#110), the armrest is cracked but still usable, the headlining has come away near the edge of the hardtop (#216), and the seats could do with a bit of a clean (e.g. #140).

That might sound like a lot but it really isn’t and anyway, aren’t you itching for an excuse to escape the family and spend some quality time in the garage?

Very well fettled over the years, we’ve pieced together the invoices and stamps in the service booklet to produce the following list of work completed:

• 14.06.1997 and 8,391 miles – BMW Oil Service by Neep of East London

• 24.08.1998 and 10,542 miles – Inspection I and fresh brake fluid by Neep BMW of East London

• 16.03.2000 and 18,631 miles – BMW Oil Service by Prophets of Gerrards Cross

• 20.11.2000 and 25,552 miles – Inspection II and fresh brake fluid by Sytner BMW Gerrards Cross

• 18.07.2002 and 33,329 miles – oil service by Sytner BMW Gerrards Cross

• 01.01.2004 and 38,522 miles – service by Cooper Banstead

• 13.02.2005 and 42,499 miles – service by Cooper Banstead

• 04.02.2006 and 48,342 miles – Barons of Farnborough

• 23.04.2007 and unknown miles - service

• 07.05.2008 and 59,054 miles – service by TJS

• 20.05.2008 and 59,132 miles – two new VANOS units by Tice BMW Dorchester

• 23.05.2008 and 59,132 miles – new front discs and pads plus drive belts, steering rack gaiters, drop links, and bushes by

• 21.07.2009 and 60,963 miles – new trailing arm bushes, rear damper mounts, and a new rear screen by Emtec of Salisbury

• 24.08.2009 and 60,963 miles – new hood seal, an airflow meter, and an oxygen sensor by Emtec of Salisbury

• Unknown date and 70,056 miles – oil service by J Teck Autos

• Unknown date and 72,148 miles – oil service by J Teck Autos

• Unknown date and 75,550 miles – oil service by J Teck Autos

• 16.05.2019 – new battery

• 14.01.2021 – reconditioning of VANOS unit by Mr. VANOS

• 16.02.2021 – new radiator and reconditioning of VANOS system – the latter two items set the owner back in excess of £1,400 and are two big items that you should be glad have been ticked off the list.

The vendor tells us that it has had a recent full service plus a change of brake fluid, fresh gearbox and differential oils, the rear calipers reconditioned and the brake pads replaced, and a new clutch fitted that included slave and master cylinders, although we can’t see an invoice for any of this.

We’ve driven it and can confirm, as you can see in the video, that the engine is very sweet and it drives as it should.

The engine bay is nicely presented and sports a chromed front strut brace.

The BMW’s MOT certificate, which is valid until September 2021, was gained without a single advisory point, something it also achieved in 2019.

It has a number of expired MOT certificates plus a sheaf of invoices and bills to confirm the work that has been done to it over the years. It also still has its original owner’s handbook, the stamped service history booklet, the balance of the book pack and the soft storage wallet.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of this and other paperwork to support our claim that this car has been maintained to a very good standard.

Languishing in the shade of the revered E30 M3, the E36’s time has come. Now rightly recognized as one of the best handling performance BMWs of them all, they’re finding a willing audience among folk for whom dynamic performance is as important as good looks and a rock-solid reputation.

Folk who appreciate cars that the E36 is likely to look after their bank balance, too. Long underappreciated, prices are starting to rise, albeit slowly and this slow-burn makes it exactly the right time to treat yourself to your very own.

How much are you going to have to find to make it yours? Well, with the price of the very best ones fetching £40,000+, we think this one will sell for somewhere between £12,000 and £17,000.

Why so cheap? Well, the fact is it does need some light cosmetic fettling but the work that needs doing is minor and could be accomplished over the next couple of years, after which you will have a wonderfully well-preserved example with a low mileage and a good service history.

Makes you think, doesn’t it?

Inspection is encouraged, within Govt. guidelines of course. 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’.