When the E36 M3 first came on the scene, it was a big step forward in usability over the outgoing E30 generation car. Thanks to its smooth, torquey inline-6, increased sound deadening, and a more comfortable, luxurious interior. Although it may not have been a homologation race car like the E30, that doesn't mean the E36 was any less exciting from behind the wheel. After its US debut, the E36 M3 took on all of the best performance cars on sale at the time in Car and Driver's Best Handling Car challenge where the BMW handily came out victorious over the likes of the Dodge Viper GTS, Acura NSX, and Ferrari F355. In more recent times, the E36 is gaining appreciation as a collectible and is lauded for its driving characteristics and having enough power to be fun, without being too fast to enjoy on the street.

This 1999 M3 was built during the final year of E36 production and is finished in the quintessential BMW color of Estoril Blue. At the time of cataloging, the car shows 141,821 miles and is offered in very solid driver condition, consummate with the miles shown. Overall, the car presents well, but there are numerous signs of wear around the exterior of the vehicle including a scrape on top of the front bumper and some rock chips up front. Moving around the car, there is some paint delamination on the mounting for the driver's side mirror and some bubbling and further delamination is present on the trim piece below the passenger side headlight. There are also various minor nicks and scratches around the car and the trim surrounding both rear-side windows have some minor spots of rust and peeling black trim paint. Although this list sounds extensive, the car still shows very well and all of these are things that could be slowly addressed over time, netting you a truly excellent looking car.

On the inside, the car has been converted to black leather which is an excellent combination when combined with Estoril Blue. Of course, the car is equipped with the essential M3 Vader seats, and the standard 3-spoke steering wheel on this example has been updated with a great feeling M-Tech-2 steering wheel. The car has also been updated with a Kenwood head unit and a ZHP shift knob which gives a nice weight to the gear change. When you look at the interior, it shows well but there are some cracks in the leather on both the front and rear seats. None of it is particularly serious and could likely be addressed with some leather conditioning and a bit of a re-dye.

Up front, the car is powered by BMW's famed 3.2-liter inline-6 known as the S52B32- although this unit is not original to the car, it runs strong and pulls hard all the way to redline. It has been modified with a stainless steel Magniflow Street Series exhaust that gives the car a nice tone but isn't too loud. The engine is then connected to a 5-speed manual with a UCC short shift kit and sends power back to a limited-slip differential. Under the car, the suspension has been updated with a set of Koni shock absorbers which tighten up the ride but aren't punishing on rough roads.

These days, it's getting hard to find an M3 that splits the difference between a total track rat and a costly show car but this is that car. Although it isn't perfect, it's set up to be enjoyed and would be the perfect car for someone who wants to do a bit of tinkering over time, to turn this car into a wonderful looking and driving example. To start with a car that is already finished in arguably the best E36 color, with some quality modifications is a great jumping-off point to make the car your own.