So the Miata sold, right? And my plan was to buy a $2k 325i with 100k miles from a friend-of-a-friend. Well, after I heard the 325i had been sitting for a few years, and every seal/bushing was probably in need of replacement, I started looking at other 325i's.
And then I thought, "Self, you've owned a few of these BMW Civics, why not expand the search to include those really fancy 325i's that got the stroker motor with different camshafts from the factory?"
...and that's how I ended up buying an M3.
It's a 1997. 145k on the clock. Was a Houston car up 'til 2006ish, went to New Jersey, and then was purchased by a guy named Pierce who took it to college in Wake Forest, NC. It was his college car for the past five years, and now he sold it to buy a new 135i. :evileye:
Typically "college car" means "run away fast" but this one is a slightly different case. Pierce is an enthusiast but not a DIY-er, which means he (with Daddy's credit card, presumably) took it to the same indy-Euro-shop in NJ every time he was home, and said "do what it needs!" and handed them an AmEx.
He paid to have the door handle gaskets replaced. Really. Bills between $1,500 and $3,500 every time.
TL;DR: It's in pretty good shape for the age and price.
Has TCKline S/A coilovers, Bavarian Sound Works speakers, and a B&M short shifter. I like the shifter but not the knob. If anyone has a stock ///M knob, PM me plz.
Plans are to throw racing seats in it, Navin's Momo steering wheel, and find a Kirk 4-point rollbar. Then it's TTD time. With some pace-car-duty thrown in there. It's wildly fun to drive as it sits.
Have some photos!
Now:
'16 Ram 1500 | '97 BMW M3 | Some Press Loan
Then:
87 BMW 325e | 91 BMW 535i | 96 BMW 328i | 95 BMW 325i | 95 Mazda Miata | 13 Focus ST | 09 BMW 128i | 00 Pontiac Firebird | 05 Yukon Denali | 96 BMW 328iC | 11 Ford F-150 | 06 BMW M3 | 10 Range Rover SC | '03 Ford Ranger | '18 Ford F-150 | '01 BMW X5 | '98 Volvo S70 T5M
Looks good.
1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442
:up: needs rimz... i think you should stray away from the typical BBS joints.
#99 - 2000 Civic Si (Future H2 Car, Former H1 car)
IPGparts.com, AutoFair Honda, Amsoil, QuikLatch Fasteners
NASA-MA Tech Inspector (Retired)
Kaan Wrote::up: needs rimz... i think you should stray away from the typical BBS joints.
I'm gonna keep the DSII's as the street rimzz. Currently looking for a square 17" setup for track use.
Now:
'16 Ram 1500 | '97 BMW M3 | Some Press Loan
Then:
87 BMW 325e | 91 BMW 535i | 96 BMW 328i | 95 BMW 325i | 95 Mazda Miata | 13 Focus ST | 09 BMW 128i | 00 Pontiac Firebird | 05 Yukon Denali | 96 BMW 328iC | 11 Ford F-150 | 06 BMW M3 | 10 Range Rover SC | '03 Ford Ranger | '18 Ford F-150 | '01 BMW X5 | '98 Volvo S70 T5M
TRM C2
only $576 new!
#99 - 2000 Civic Si (Future H2 Car, Former H1 car)
IPGparts.com, AutoFair Honda, Amsoil, QuikLatch Fasteners
NASA-MA Tech Inspector (Retired)
What does the 5 stand for?
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
2004 Honda S2000
2001 F-150 4X4 6" lift on 37" tires
2007 GSX-R 600
2008 SX-R 800
1992 (slammed by PO) 240sx Coupe (SOLD)
1999 BMW POS ///M3(SOLD)
1998 Honda Civic EX beater (SOLD)
Sully Wrote:What does the 5 stand for?
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M3, 4 doors, 5-speed
Now:
'16 Ram 1500 | '97 BMW M3 | Some Press Loan
Then:
87 BMW 325e | 91 BMW 535i | 96 BMW 328i | 95 BMW 325i | 95 Mazda Miata | 13 Focus ST | 09 BMW 128i | 00 Pontiac Firebird | 05 Yukon Denali | 96 BMW 328iC | 11 Ford F-150 | 06 BMW M3 | 10 Range Rover SC | '03 Ford Ranger | '18 Ford F-150 | '01 BMW X5 | '98 Volvo S70 T5M
Kaan Wrote:TRM C2
only $576 new!
+1 my TRM MT1Rs were the bitchinest wheels, kinda regret selling them for the heavy ass bladez I have now.
Now: 07 Porsche Cayman S | 18 VW Tiguan
Then: 18 VW GTI Autobahn | 95 BMW M3 | 15 VW GTI SE | 12 Kia Optima SX | 2009 VW GTI | 00 BMW 540i Sport | 90 Mazda Miata | 94 Yamaha FZR600R | 1993 Suzuki GS500E | 2003 BMW 325i | 95 Saab 900S
Jake Wrote:Sully Wrote:What does the 5 stand for?
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
M3, 4 doors, 5-speed
10-4. Good find
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
2004 Honda S2000
2001 F-150 4X4 6" lift on 37" tires
2007 GSX-R 600
2008 SX-R 800
1992 (slammed by PO) 240sx Coupe (SOLD)
1999 BMW POS ///M3(SOLD)
1998 Honda Civic EX beater (SOLD)
Sweet purchase Jake, I'm sure you and the other MM3 MMad Scientists will have it in beast mode before long. Maybe its my monitor, but I can't quite tell - is that black? It almost looks like super dark-blue to me.
Its your monitor, the 5 series is super dark blue, his car is metallic black. Adjust yo shit.
Now: 07 Porsche Cayman S | 18 VW Tiguan
Then: 18 VW GTI Autobahn | 95 BMW M3 | 15 VW GTI SE | 12 Kia Optima SX | 2009 VW GTI | 00 BMW 540i Sport | 90 Mazda Miata | 94 Yamaha FZR600R | 1993 Suzuki GS500E | 2003 BMW 325i | 95 Saab 900S
Dope!
Previous vehicles:
2006 Toyota Tacoma
2011 Jeep Patriot
1998 Land Rover Discovery
1995 Land Rover Discovery
1995 BMW M3
1995 Mazda Miata
2000 Jeep Cherokee
1989 BMW 325is
2004 Subaru Forester XT
1984 BMW 325e
2003 Subaru WRX
2004 Honda Civic SI
2015 Scion TC
2000 Ford Expedition
Follow my adventures on instagram.
So, every day, you have to be all, "nah, I'll take the Ford."
Looks clean, nice choice!
2001 M5
2016 M3
2014 Grand Cherokee
Been had: 1984 318i | 2003 S2000 | 1990 330is | 2005 STi | 2005 M3
Beej Wrote:So, every day, you have to be all, "nah, I'll take the Ford."
...I drove the M to work today. And plan on driving it all week. You know, just to find the quirks. I wonder which one will get driven more this first month of ownership.
Also, custom plates coming in the mail shortly.
Now:
'16 Ram 1500 | '97 BMW M3 | Some Press Loan
Then:
87 BMW 325e | 91 BMW 535i | 96 BMW 328i | 95 BMW 325i | 95 Mazda Miata | 13 Focus ST | 09 BMW 128i | 00 Pontiac Firebird | 05 Yukon Denali | 96 BMW 328iC | 11 Ford F-150 | 06 BMW M3 | 10 Range Rover SC | '03 Ford Ranger | '18 Ford F-150 | '01 BMW X5 | '98 Volvo S70 T5M
Jake Wrote:Beej Wrote:So, every day, you have to be all, "nah, I'll take the Ford."
...I drove the M to work today. And plan on driving it all week. You know, just to find the quirks. I wonder which one will get driven more this first month of ownership.
Also, custom plates coming in the mail shortly. We all know Jake, that Ford will start to collect a lot of dust :wink:
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
2004 Honda S2000
2001 F-150 4X4 6" lift on 37" tires
2007 GSX-R 600
2008 SX-R 800
1992 (slammed by PO) 240sx Coupe (SOLD)
1999 BMW POS ///M3(SOLD)
1998 Honda Civic EX beater (SOLD)
that's a kickass find. nice list of goodies on there too! i could see this being the first in a long line of E36M purchases for you.
2010 Civic Si
2019 4Runner TRD Off-Road
--------------------------
Past: 03 Xterra SE 4x4 | 05 Impreza 2.5RS | 99.5 A4 Quattro 1.8T | 01 Accord EX | 90 Maxima GXE | 96 Explorer XLT
BFc.com reply: NEEDS MOAR LOW...
Looked great, can't wait to hear your impressions after a month. They are old and a bit stiff, but the perfect amount of power/balance/LSD to play around on the way to work made it one of the best commuter cars I have ever had.
2020 Ford Raptor
2009 Z06
1986.5 Porsche 928S
I have driven it to work twice. I have done two massive drifts through the same left-hander. It's stupid easy to throw around. Only thing better in this weather would be if the top came dow.......
......Dangit, I'm gonna end up like DJ, aren't I?
Now:
'16 Ram 1500 | '97 BMW M3 | Some Press Loan
Then:
87 BMW 325e | 91 BMW 535i | 96 BMW 328i | 95 BMW 325i | 95 Mazda Miata | 13 Focus ST | 09 BMW 128i | 00 Pontiac Firebird | 05 Yukon Denali | 96 BMW 328iC | 11 Ford F-150 | 06 BMW M3 | 10 Range Rover SC | '03 Ford Ranger | '18 Ford F-150 | '01 BMW X5 | '98 Volvo S70 T5M
Jake Wrote:I have driven it to work twice. I have done two massive drifts through the same left-hander. It's stupid easy to throw around. Only thing better in this weather would be if the top came dow.......
......Dangit, I'm gonna end up like DJ, aren't I?
The sideways smoke clouds the brain...but I don't care :twisted: .
2020 Ford Raptor
2009 Z06
1986.5 Porsche 928S
Now: 07 Porsche Cayman S | 18 VW Tiguan
Then: 18 VW GTI Autobahn | 95 BMW M3 | 15 VW GTI SE | 12 Kia Optima SX | 2009 VW GTI | 00 BMW 540i Sport | 90 Mazda Miata | 94 Yamaha FZR600R | 1993 Suzuki GS500E | 2003 BMW 325i | 95 Saab 900S
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