996 C2 and E30 M3

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Discussion

Mc lovin

Original Poster:

5,588 posts

222 months

Saturday 7th April 2012
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I thought I would start a thread on here so I can track my progress really, Please don't expect constant updates, sadly my wallet wont quite stretch to that at the moment.

It all started about 5 years ago now, with a long trip up to Arbroath in Scotland to collect a car that i'd been lusting after for years. I'll never forget the trip, my brother was with me and i think, truth be told he was more excited about it than i was, as he had taken time to come with me, i thought it only fair for him to have the first drive and drive it home.

The paint on the car was shot and the gearbox was on its last legs, but it wasnt rusty and that was a big plus for me, everything else was tidy enough and for £4.5k i wasnt going to argue.

This was the pic from the advert:



Then at home:






After driving it daily for 5months, it was time to get it in for paint, the whole car, as some panels had clear coat some didn't and i didn't want to end up with a mess so:








Then, due to my own stupidity I had to sell it to pay off some debts, I was 22 at the time so put it down to learning the hard way and moved on.

I managed to get back in a mk5 golf gti, then after that a defender and a string of other cars, nothing came close to the M3 and I still searched for it time to time, but as I sold it to a dutch dealership, I was doubtful i'd ever see it again.

Fast forward to last November when I got the 996:




It was a great car and having covered 11k in it between then and march i'd had my use out of it and spent a small fortune in fuel!

Randomly one eve whilst searching the internet I came across the M3, for sale in Holland! On the off chance I thought i'd try my hand and offered a trade for the 996. The seller agreed and a deal was done one Sunday night in Calais.








That pretty much brings things up to speed so far, I have to re register the car now, which I am in the process off, I've also purchased some 17" BBS RS's as I always thought the std wheels let the car down somewhat.

I know the car wont be everyones cup of tea, but you cant please everyone.

Updates to include the Usual carbon airbox evo rear wing and splitter blah blah blah as and when funds allow....


VWAUDI

297 posts

158 months

Saturday 7th April 2012
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Lovely M3, never seen one in that colour before.

Very strange you managed to trade the 996 for the same M3 you had before!

Mc lovin

Original Poster:

5,588 posts

222 months

Saturday 7th April 2012
quotequote all
VWAUDI said:
Lovely M3, never seen one in that colour before.

Very strange you managed to trade the 996 for the same M3 you had before!
Its Santorini blue, It was repainted in Germany years before coming into the UK, was red to start with!

When I sat in the car again, looking to my right to see the Porsche through the window, sat where i'd once covered my brand new suit and the entire dash in icing sugar having sneezed into my croissant one morning on the way to work, it was very odd, almost overwhelming, It was surreal.

Mastodon2

13,827 posts

166 months

Saturday 7th April 2012
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Looooooove that M3, never seen one in that colour before.

robsco

7,843 posts

177 months

Sunday 8th April 2012
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That M3 is gorgeous, lovely colour. Quite similar to Laguna Seca on an E46, and not a colour I've ever seen on an E30 before. Brilliant that you were reunited too, sometimes things are just meant to be.

Chris Peacock

815 posts

209 months

Sunday 8th April 2012
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Great petrolhead story..!

I think your spot on about the wheels, the originals are very underwhelming.

Still looks great though.

falkster

4,258 posts

204 months

Sunday 8th April 2012
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Great story!!

I do remember the car from a few years ago but don't know where from.

Mc lovin

Original Poster:

5,588 posts

222 months

Sunday 8th April 2012
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I guess the colour is a marmite thing, some people really like it, whilst others (mainly purists) hate it.

I did have some pics of it being run at crail raceway, sadly they have been lost over the years but I hope to find more history on it.

Edited by Mc lovin on Sunday 8th April 11:41

missing the VR6

2,323 posts

190 months

Sunday 8th April 2012
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One of my most favorite E30's ever, remeber seeing it for sale a few years ago and wishing I was dumb enough to go and get a big loan and buy it just for weekend use!

ady_GTi

325 posts

211 months

Sunday 8th April 2012
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Do you live in Oakley? Seen your M3 a few times around bucks. Looks amazing, always makes me jealous!

r1ch

2,878 posts

197 months

Sunday 8th April 2012
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Good story mate, great looking m3.

Killer2005

19,665 posts

229 months

Sunday 8th April 2012
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£4.5k for an E30 M3 yikes

Lovely collection you have.

Mc lovin

Original Poster:

5,588 posts

222 months

Sunday 8th April 2012
quotequote all
Thanks!

It cost me £4.5k 5years ago. This time around it was €15,500! It's had a new gearbox, brakes and mini adjustable suspension since being in Holland.

mig25_foxbat2003

5,426 posts

212 months

Monday 9th April 2012
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Thank you for putting some proper rear lights on it! What was the PO thinking with those horrible clusters?!

Glad you've got your baby back - did you ever replace the gearbox or did you just drive it gently? What are your plans for it now?

Track_Cit

539 posts

223 months

Monday 9th April 2012
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I think it looks awesome, and great story too smile keep us updated with the future mods I love these!!

boyoM3

160 posts

178 months

Monday 9th April 2012
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Great story mate. My friend has one in santorini blue. Lovely colour!

Disco You

3,687 posts

181 months

Monday 9th April 2012
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You're a legend for getting your old car back.

I adore the colour.

M3333

2,265 posts

215 months

Monday 9th April 2012
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I have seen a few E36 M3's in Santorini Blue, all i can say is cloud9

anomaly

459 posts

174 months

Monday 9th April 2012
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Lovely car. Is it US spec with the marker lights on the front bumper?

Mc lovin

Original Poster:

5,588 posts

222 months

Monday 9th April 2012
quotequote all
Thanks all!

Its an odd one, its got the front US side markers and cruise control but its a German car as far as I know!

The BBS RS wheels should be here in 2 weeks then they need stripping down, paint and wider outer rims, they are too narrow in their current form and at Et24 the offset is currently to low.

I will update the thread as they are done.