On the planet of BMW accumulating there’s a single letter that separates their commonplace choices from the model’s commonplace automobiles amongst collectors. That letter is M.

Except you’ve gotten by no means learn a narrative about BMW wherever, you already perceive that the M automobiles from BMW are those geared in the direction of fanatic drivers. Among the many many various M automobiles supplied, the one which has constantly been the most well-liked is the M3.

The M3 was initially launched in 1985 on the Frankfurt Auto Present and was successful. It was a hand fabricated E30 3 collection automotive with racing impressed bodywork and a extremely tuned 4-cylinder engine underneath the hood. That authentic M3 established the legend of the M3 by profitable on racetracks world wide and is now a BMW icon.

The M3 that adopted was primarily based on the subsequent era E36 BMW 3 collection chassis, and it took a automotive that was good and made it each a bit of extra civilized but additionally elevated the ability dramatically by placing the S52 inline 6 cylinder underneath the hood. Sadly for us residing within the States, the European M3 acquired the a lot greater spec S54 engine however when in comparison with the unique U.S. specification E30 M3 the brand new mannequin was sooner, higher dealing with, and extra snug. Don’t low cost the S52 because it is a superb BMW inline-six engine and in addition has fewer service necessities than the S54. This automotive when new had a 0-60 time of 5.9 seconds and a 1/4 mile time of 14.3 seconds. These had been robust numbers in 1997 and these automobiles nonetheless really feel quick immediately.

BMW additionally did one thing fascinating with the brand new M3 in that they supplied the automotive in quite a lot of physique types: the coupe, a convertible, and even a sedan. By doing this, BMW did my pal, editor of Grassroots Motorsports journal David Wallens, calls a digital “Swiss military knife efficiency automotive,” and he’s proper on the cash. It doesn’t matter what your wants are for a automotive, there may be an E36 M3 that matches the invoice.

The Choose of the Day is one in all these automobiles, a 1997 BMW M3 sedan being supplied by Gateway Traditional Automobiles in Tulsa, Oklahoma. 

This M3 is painted in Alpine White with a Gentle Gray Nappa leather-based inside. Whole mileage is said to be 143,312 miles. It’s working on BMW Kind 24 wheels clad with Bridgestone Potenza tires.

I did a bit of vin analysis on this particular automotive. I’m happy to say it’s precisely as offered and is probably going a automotive that has each authentic paint and an authentic inside. I point out this as a result of, whereas BMW paint on this period was fairly good, the interiors historically didn’t maintain up properly. The images of this instance present an inside in fine condition, with the leather-based on the game seats seeking to be in good situation, with the exception being a small challenge with the motive force’s seat backside that might be simply repaired.

Additionally, this automotive is fortunately outfitted not with an computerized as most E36 M3 sedans are likely to have, however a manufacturing unit 5-speed. This makes the automotive not solely faster but additionally much more enjoyable to drive.

The asking worth for this 1997 BMW M3 sedan is a really cheap $21,500 and if you would like a basic M3 but additionally want 4 doorways, it’s actually the one approach to go.

To view this itemizing on ClassicCars.com, see Choose of the Day.