There’s a saying that the best things in life happen unexpectedly, and I guess that is what happened here. I was in the market for a Porsche, but the //M gods decided I needed another M3.
During a late night peruse of some online car classifieds last week, I came across a clean Estoril Blue E36 M3 Coupe. I thought to myself that if I were to own an E36, this would check all the boxes for me- final year of production, 5-speed manual, coupe, in Estoril Blue without Lux-package.
I decided it was at least worth a look in-person, and woke up at dawn on a Saturday morning to make the 3-hour trip to Indiana. Also grabbed my checkbook “just in case” as I headed out the door.
Once I saw the car in-person I knew I had to have it. I’ve never seen Estoril blue in-person before, and it is a stunning color.
Car as-purchased. All stock besides the Alpine head unit and subwoofer in the trunk that was installed sometime in the early 2010s.
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Dove grey Vader seats are undoubtedly a cool design, but are not resilient to wear and tear. Hoping to investigate having these redyed or reupholstered.
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Current intentions are to revert the audio system to stock, install new Michelin PS4S tires and do some small cosmetic fixes throughout. Current Sumitomo tires are flat spotted.
Also have a set of OEM Euro-spec taillights with clear indicators on the way, but undecided if I will install them or not. I bought them thinking the amber indicators make the car look dated, but at the same time the car as-is gives off a cool 90s vibe I want to maintain.
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Mileage check-in - 85,562 miles
During a late night peruse of some online car classifieds last week, I came across a clean Estoril Blue E36 M3 Coupe. I thought to myself that if I were to own an E36, this would check all the boxes for me- final year of production, 5-speed manual, coupe, in Estoril Blue without Lux-package.
I decided it was at least worth a look in-person, and woke up at dawn on a Saturday morning to make the 3-hour trip to Indiana. Also grabbed my checkbook “just in case” as I headed out the door.
Once I saw the car in-person I knew I had to have it. I’ve never seen Estoril blue in-person before, and it is a stunning color.
Car as-purchased. All stock besides the Alpine head unit and subwoofer in the trunk that was installed sometime in the early 2010s.
Dove grey Vader seats are undoubtedly a cool design, but are not resilient to wear and tear. Hoping to investigate having these redyed or reupholstered.
Current intentions are to revert the audio system to stock, install new Michelin PS4S tires and do some small cosmetic fixes throughout. Current Sumitomo tires are flat spotted.
Also have a set of OEM Euro-spec taillights with clear indicators on the way, but undecided if I will install them or not. I bought them thinking the amber indicators make the car look dated, but at the same time the car as-is gives off a cool 90s vibe I want to maintain.
Mileage check-in - 85,562 miles
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