Das Race: My '97 M3/4/5

[Jake]

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!

[CaptainHenreh]

Looks good.

[Kaan]

:up: needs rimz... i think you should stray away from the typical BBS joints.

[Jake]

: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.

[Kaan]

TRM C2

only $576 new!

[Sully]

What does the 5 stand for?

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[Jake]

What does the 5 stand for?

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M3, 4 doors, 5-speed

[SlimKlim]

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.

[Sully]

What does the 5 stand for?

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M3, 4 doors, 5-speed

10-4. Good find

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[Goodspeed]

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.

[SlimKlim]

Its your monitor, the 5 series is super dark blue, his car is metallic black. Adjust yo shit.

[ispoonwithmugen]

Dope!

[Beej]

So, every day, you have to be all, "nah, I'll take the Ford."

Looks clean, nice choice!

[Jake]

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.

[Sully]

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:

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[ScottyB]

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.

[D_Eclipse9916]

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.

[Jake]

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?

[D_Eclipse9916]

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: .

[SlimKlim]

I'll just leave this here.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/...x=11&Log=0