7Post - 7 Series Forum - Classic BMW (Pre-2005 Models) https://www.7post.com/forums/ Discussions for pre-2005 BMW models. en Wed, 29 Apr 2026 05:33:14 GMT vBulletin 60 https://www.7post.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg 7Post - 7 Series Forum - Classic BMW (Pre-2005 Models) https://www.7post.com/forums/ For sale a 1997 E36 M3 Coupe Luxury Pckg on Dakar Yellow II/Mulberry https://www.7post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2237354&goto=newpost Tue, 14 Apr 2026 01:02:15 GMT Up for sale a 1997 E36 M3 Coupe with luxury package on Dakar Yellow II exterior and Mulberry interior color. In 2014 – 2022, it is mostly driven in California for a short drive to/from work every other Fridays occasionally. I almost never driven the car in the rain. Hence, the undercarriage is... Up for sale a 1997 E36 M3 Coupe with luxury package on Dakar Yellow II exterior and Mulberry interior color.

In 2014 – 2022, it is mostly driven in California for a short drive to/from work every other Fridays occasionally. I almost never driven the car in the rain. Hence, the undercarriage is very clean. This is my second car and I have other car as the daily transport. Originally planned to keep the car for my retirement years and enjoy to drive a simple classic car (light weight, compact size, no complicated electronics & sensors or interruptions from driving assistance features, and very simple to maintain with less parts that can possibly go wrong), however, my life situation has recently changed and now need to prepare for a transfer to overseas station.

I have owned and maintained several E36 M3s since 2008 until purchased this beauty in mid 2014 with about 88k miles from the 1st owner, a mature senior family man of heart surgeon doctor and a pilot. He purchased the car under BMW European delivery program back in 1997.


I am the second owner of a low population 1997 BMW M3, 5-speed manual with 99899 miles (may go up a little) on Dakar Yellow II over Mulberry Leather (1 of 3 in this exterior/interior color combination out of 516 Dakar Yellow II). This is one of the reason I kept it stock (usually a coilover, brace, and intake is a must to drive items on my previous E36s). Vin numbers on panels matches, no accident other than a very minor parking lot fender bender in a gated parking lot at my work place while the car is parked (I have pictures of the damage), which left a quarter size dent on the driver side rear quarter panel and scuff and chip paint on driver side rear view mirror and door. During the repair, I decided to replace all the rubber/plastic seals/trims as well. It costs around $2000 in genuine BMW parts alone back in 2018 or at least now doubled in price of those parts today. I planned to replace the door sill cover, however, it just never happened.

It has a clean California title and has been garaged for most of its lifetime during my ownership and previous owner. Car is very clean for its age and has been very well taken care of throughout its life.

No modifications other than the BBS RC wheels I luckily came across right after obtaining the car. I still have the original BMW contour wheels. OEM Contour wheels are in slightly rough shape but could definitely be restored. Originally a California car until Nov 2022 when I had to transferred to Texas.

Maintenance History:
Engine: No issues, no modification, stock.
Always replaced engine oil with liqui moly Top Tec 5w-30 fully synthetic motor oil on every oil change 5000 miles or 6 months along with OEM / OEM brand engine oil filter.
Feb 2026: New air filter and Battery
2015: replaced belts and tensioners, valve cover gasket and grommets, spark plugs, and fuel filter.

Front Suspension:
Sept 2015: replaced with OEM front control arm, control arm bushings, inner and outer tie rods, boots, sway-bar bushings and end links.

Rear Suspension:
2015: replaced rear trail arm bushings

Drivetrain: Manual 5-speed transmission. Rear differential oil replaced in 2015 and last replaced in 2022

Interior: Comes with Premium package and Sport package options.
Pros: It has front heated seats, sport seats with thigh support, HK audio system, multi CD magazine in the trunk, mulberry leather interior (extremely rare) and wood panels. There are only 2 dakar yellow II /mulberry leather interior E36 M3 with sport seats and 1 dakar yellow II /mulberry leather interior E36 M3 with vader seats produced out of the BMW factory.
Cons: Headliner will need to be repaired / re-upholstered due to its age
Wood trim on center consol is missing (this is the condition when I purchased from 1st owner)
Normal wear and tear on driver side upper seat rest bolster
Glovebox cover may need to be re-glued but not necessary. Normal with its age
Radio is working fine, however, screen pixels is not working and needs to be repaired (common issue with BMWs in the 90s).

Exterior: Most of the aging weather seals/strips rubber/plastic parts had been replaced in May of 2018. Items replaced were: front windshield cowl, front and rear windshield weather seal, moonroof weather seal, driver & passenger doors weather strips, rear quarter panel weather seals/strips, genuine BMW moldings kit, and rear bumper diffuser.

Brakes: no modification.

Exhaust: no modification

Wheels/Tires: Originally came with 17” OEM contour wheels. Shortly after ownership, replaced with 18” x 8.5” BBS RC ET 38 fresh powder coat painted in 2015, front tires 235/18 and rear 255/18. Tires are now old, will recommend to replace it with new set of tires.
Note:
1. One of the wheel had a hairline crack (hardly visible) caused it to lose lots of air weekly. This turns out a common issue with old BBS cast wheels. Had the wheel repaired (welded) at the wheel shop and powder coated. No issue ever since.
2. One wheel has a small curb rash


Always received compliments everywhere its driven.
Current location: Houston, TX

Serious buyer only, feel free to contact me
Asking $35,000
Attached Images
               
]]> Classic BMW (Pre-2005 Models) bimmersfreak https://www.7post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2237354 low mileage 2003 BMW 745Li - good buy, or run? https://www.7post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2237031&goto=newpost Sat, 11 Apr 2026 19:31:06 GMT I picked up a 2011 X3 a while back and as a result, I've become a bit more comfortable with older BMWs with the N52. Currently looking at a 2003 745Li with less than 100K miles. Any thoughts on this model? I think this model year has a N62? Are these generally reliable at this age, or are there known major issues I should be aware of? ]]> Classic BMW (Pre-2005 Models) FCaz https://www.7post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2237031 e39 generator issue i cant really explane https://www.7post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2236149&goto=newpost Sat, 04 Apr 2026 18:38:50 GMT Hi all,

Its ongoing issue with my friend's car's M57 engine, and the issue started with the belt tensioner making noise when the lights were switched on. A small ticking noise is coming from it, and we have taken the most common way of fixing it by throwing money at it. The water pump was replaced, the belt tensioner was replaced the alternator was replaced. By all this, the result was that charging got better, and we had fewer places to put the blame. Noise now sounds like a chain is stretched. If you remove the belt noise stops. So today we removed the plus cable from the generator and were surprised that the noise stoped but if you just remove the small connector, the noise stays and gets worse when the lights are switched on. So my question here is, have any of you run into something like this. ]]> Classic BMW (Pre-2005 Models) symbiontsik https://www.7post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2236149