With the launch of the E36 M3, BMW confirmed how engaging a coupe could be, be it on the highway or a racetrack. 1992 was the year that introduced the second-generation M3, which was initially available as a coupe, with a convertible joining the game in 1994. The E36 M3 Coupe was special because of a few things, including the powerhouse- the 3.0-liter straight-six engine found for the first time on an M3. If you want one of these iconic 1997 M3 coupes, there's one listed on Bring a Trailer, and it could be the deal of a lifetime. There are, however, a few reasons for the lower bidding price.

The seller obtained this 1997 iteration of the E36 M3 in 2010, which now comes with a clean Virginia title and a Carfax report. While there are imperfections on the exterior, the M3 with the Arctic Silver Metallic finish looks great even today. The exterior features foglights, dual exhaust tips, four-wheel disc brakes, a rear spoiler, a sunroof, side sills, and aerodynamic bumpers. A set of 17-inch wheels are fitted to the car with Goodyear Eagle F1 tires. Dents and curb marks are prominent on the wheels and the bumpers.

A 3.2-liter S52 straight-six engine powers this 25-year-old M3 with a factory-rated 240 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The power is sent through the rear wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox. The valve cover gasket was reportedly being replaced in April 2022. In addition, the AC compressor was replaced in August 2021. If you are curious, a limited-slip differential and a sport-tuned suspension were standard on the E36 M3.

The cabin is a typical BMW with extensive use of good quality materials. The front seats are power-adjustable and heated. In contrast to the wood grain trim accents on the center console and dashboard, Nappa leather upholstery looks excellent. The additional cabin features include dual-zone climate control, Alpine CD stereo, cruise control, emergency brake lever, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The digital odo indicates 148,000 miles, from which the current owner has added about 36,000 miles.

There are a lot of things that make the E36 M3 coupe special, but to make it short, the E36 M3 was the first-ever M3 to sport a six-cylinder engine that produced considerably more power. Secondly, the cabin was luxurious as it sat on the top of the 3 Series lineup. The cabin was reasonably practical, too, for a two-door coupe, thanks to a more boxy design. Finally, the overall design still looks great. No weird kidney grilles, just straight-up business. However, BMWs are known for their reliability issues and high maintenance cost. So if you end up bidding for this M3 coupe for cheap, it may cost you a fortune in the future.