BMW E30 M3

[e30m3Mark]

Sad day today.

After 4 and a bit years, due to financial constraints down to my recent poor health, my M3 is moving on to a new custodian. I know it's only a car but it has been such a big part of my life in recent years and it feels a bit weird to think it won't be sat in the garage after tomorrow. The only good thing is the new owner is just as much a fan of BMW as I am and he'll be using the car as it was intended to be. He already has a pretty sweet e46 M3 that replaced a track focussed 325ti.

So that's about it. I shouldn't moan really. I've always tried to stay positive and think about the things I do have, as opposed to those I don't and I still have enough left to buy something Bavarian and M powered.

[RichardM5]

Sorry to hear that Mark, after the issues you've had it looked like you finally had it sorted. Hopefully it's gone to a good home.

[e30m3Mark]

RichardM5 said:

Sorry to hear that Mark, after the issues you've had it looked like you finally had it sorted. Hopefully it's gone to a good home.

Thanks Richard. I thought it was going to be OK but last Wednesday night I found myself in an ambulance and back in Treliske hospital. Long story short, I'm unable to work (well full time anyway) for a while and my partners wage doesn't cover everything. Lee (Cheapstraitsix) is most certainly the right man for the job judging by his previous BMW and how he has used and maintained them.

[anonymous-user]

Sorry to hear about the further health problems, Mark. Yours had been one of the best reader’s cars threads to follow, albeit with some very big downs as well as ups.

Hope you can get in top of the health stuff and do stay positive, stay focused on the good things you do have, which sound like they will include new Mness... post it ASAP!

[bigvanfan]

Stunning car , I still miss my black 87 m3! Not what you want to hear I know, anyway more importantly get your health sorted out 👍

[daniel-5zjw7]

Sorry to hear that Mark, but it sounds like the right decision in the circimstances. Whats coming next? E36 or 46?

I wondered if it was Lee! Nice guy, I have the Koni suspension on mine from his old ti. Ask him to show you the vid of him doing a 360 down the straight at Silverstone in the E46 M3!!

[MJK 24]

Really disappointed that this thread is coming to a close. I’ve really enjoyed following the ups and the downs of such an iconic car! I’m glad you seem to have found a good home for it.

Wishing you all the best with regard to your health and getting back to work. I also hope you’ve benefitted to some extent from recent prices rises from cars such as these.

Good luck.

[LanceRS]

As above, sorry to hear that your health has suffered again, hope it gets sorted.

Also sorry to see that the car is going, I hope that you manage to get maximum enjoyment from it’s replacement and look forward to the thread on it.

Best of luck.

[0a]

Mark, what a fantastic thred.

I was the buyer of your e23 back in the day, and I remember our conversation back from the dropoff point at Heathrow about this M3 - you were fizzing with excitement about the M3 and the move to the far south.

I have followed this thread since it popped up.

What a use of an M3 you have had!

All the best.

[e30m3Mark]

Thanks guys.

Well Lee picked up his E30 M3 yesterday afternoon and apart from the seat position being awful (as we're somewhat different height and build) he got home without a hitch. We met at ARM's workshop, as I had the new tyres fitted, tracking done and oil changed and I must admit it felt a bit strange watching someone else drive off in 'my E30' but Lee was clearly as excited about taking ownership as I had been, so I'm reassured that it's in good hands.

Anyway, much as I'll miss the E30 there are other distractions on the horizon...

[anonymous-user]

That E46 looks tasty mark.

Not a bad trade in IMO

[Butter Face]

Shame it finally had to happen mate I’ll miss seeing it around.

The E46 looks like a suitable downgrade ( ), I’ve always loved that Laguna Seca blue.

[LanceRS]

Glad you have something decent as a replacement. Very unusual to find one with that interior, it looks familiar

It might just be the angle of the picture, has it got a square set up and does track time beckon?

Anyway I look forward to seeing it next Sunday.

[e30m3Mark]

I've always liked the E46 M3 and it was the things like that interior and no sunroof that really sold me on this example. So many LSB cars came with blue leather and I just couldn't have lived with that.

The car goes over to ARM today but not before I go pick up a set of AP brakes, which apart from a rear cage, is about the only mod I had planned. I definitely plan to get out on track in the new year.

[darreni]

Well done Mark. I still miss the looks of my old E30 M3, but the E46 is a leap forward as an overall package.

Get a strut brace for the front too, it does make a difference. The Oem BMW one will be a cheap & easy retrofit.

[anonymous-user]

Congrats on the new motor but also contracts to CSS with his new purchase

[e30m3Mark]

Thanks guys.

Strut brace is on its way and I picked up these today.

image1 by markbrown100, on Flickr

Also opted to fit a stud kit.

[helix402]

Maybe worth starting a new thread for the E46.

[daniel-5zjw7]

Love the E46 Mark, pretty much my ideal 46 M3, which has always been interesting colour, no sunroof, basic spec, half leather, manual and 18s. I'd love those seats in my compact but never find them for sale. I imagine only a very small number of cars were spec'd without full leather.

Are you fitting a gen M3 strut brace?