BMW M3 Evolution Imola Edition (aka GT2)
Discussion
After a 10 year gap from my last E36 BMW, I found myself behind the wheel of an e36 M3. A car that stood out for me as a kid because it was genuinely an ‘affordable’ performance car that I aspired to. Affordable is so subjective but I felt that if I managed to build my career and work hard, I would one day be able to go and buy a M3, yes I did and do aspire to other makes such as Astons but they are hardly affordable hence the use of affordability when referring to an M3 and the benchmark it has set for others to follow in driving dynamics.
So in April 2017, whilst I was looking for a e46 M3 CS manual with low miles, I came across this e36 and subsequently bought it. All of a sudden I had just bought an e36 instead of an e46 but the fond memories of my old e36 coupe (non M3) came flooding back and how I had aspired for a M3 was becoming a reality.
For those who are unfamiliar with the M3 Evolution Imola edition, it was a limited run out model of the e36 coupe. There were only 200 built for Europe (150 LHD 50 RHD) and they benefitted from all being in Imola red (became a mainstream colour for the e46 subsequently), red leather with Alcantara on the vader seats, additional airbags, harman kardon upgrade, electrics seats, dual zone climate, sunroof etc etc. All in all they were incredibly well specced cars for 98/99 and even by modern standards for a car nearly 20 years old it can still hold it’s on.
I had looked into this model before many years ago but not really recently, therefore after agreeing a deal, I frantically did further research for any specific issues outside of the norm for the e36s and to my relief majority of comments seemed complementary.
This brings me onto the car that I bought and have now had for several months, initial nerves were justified as unfortunately found a few issues to address straight away which spoilt the first few weeks of ownership but once sorted I have been incredibly happy (*touch wood*) with it and unlike most garage queens I will use this car for attending shows and few Sunday drives to keep things ticking over as it isn’t just a pure investment piece. So far in 7 months at time of writing I have done 1k miles with majority in one weekend attending the National BMW festival.
Details of the car and what I have been able to cross reference/verify since purchase too:
The car was registered in March 99 by what is now Cooper Norwich and in the history file I have the inspection sheets for when the car when in to them from 99-02, subsequently bill of sale in ‘03 from a BMW M3 specialist in Reading at the time who unfortunately isn’t in business any longer. I have been advised by another specialist in the area that they were very good and unfortunately the quality of cars available dwindled and hence they shut down rather than actual issues with the garage which was reassuring to hear from a third party. The previous owner had the car for over 13 years for which it was sorn’d for 8 years and hence the low miles (51k miles at present) and also explains the condition of the car. I spoke to the previous owner who appeared to be very thorough and has all receipted for work undertaken including a few £’000s in past 2 years updating various trims and bring the car back to former glory. All the parts are genuine BMW and having had it’s inspection 2 at BMW I felt I need to continue this trend going forward again so hopefully will start going back into the network for regular maintenance. I also have confirmation from BMW UK that this is 1/50 made and chassis number cross checked.
However, in my ownership I have replaced alternator, re done the vanos as a precaution to address the biggest weakness and a few other smaller items to get the car to a position I am completely happy with. I would now like to do a couple of other things to try and keep the car as close to mint as possible but will not be doing any non standard modifications as feel the understated nature of the car and performance is more than enough on our roads nowadays.
Finally, for those of you who may have attended the BMW national festival this year will recognise the car from the display and up on stage as to my amazement it won the concours category for 90’s era of the car, which was completely unexpected as I wanted to go and get a feel for these events as well as let people view the car rather than it being an urban myth that these cars existed etc.
Some photos of the car......
So in April 2017, whilst I was looking for a e46 M3 CS manual with low miles, I came across this e36 and subsequently bought it. All of a sudden I had just bought an e36 instead of an e46 but the fond memories of my old e36 coupe (non M3) came flooding back and how I had aspired for a M3 was becoming a reality.
For those who are unfamiliar with the M3 Evolution Imola edition, it was a limited run out model of the e36 coupe. There were only 200 built for Europe (150 LHD 50 RHD) and they benefitted from all being in Imola red (became a mainstream colour for the e46 subsequently), red leather with Alcantara on the vader seats, additional airbags, harman kardon upgrade, electrics seats, dual zone climate, sunroof etc etc. All in all they were incredibly well specced cars for 98/99 and even by modern standards for a car nearly 20 years old it can still hold it’s on.
I had looked into this model before many years ago but not really recently, therefore after agreeing a deal, I frantically did further research for any specific issues outside of the norm for the e36s and to my relief majority of comments seemed complementary.
This brings me onto the car that I bought and have now had for several months, initial nerves were justified as unfortunately found a few issues to address straight away which spoilt the first few weeks of ownership but once sorted I have been incredibly happy (*touch wood*) with it and unlike most garage queens I will use this car for attending shows and few Sunday drives to keep things ticking over as it isn’t just a pure investment piece. So far in 7 months at time of writing I have done 1k miles with majority in one weekend attending the National BMW festival.
Details of the car and what I have been able to cross reference/verify since purchase too:
The car was registered in March 99 by what is now Cooper Norwich and in the history file I have the inspection sheets for when the car when in to them from 99-02, subsequently bill of sale in ‘03 from a BMW M3 specialist in Reading at the time who unfortunately isn’t in business any longer. I have been advised by another specialist in the area that they were very good and unfortunately the quality of cars available dwindled and hence they shut down rather than actual issues with the garage which was reassuring to hear from a third party. The previous owner had the car for over 13 years for which it was sorn’d for 8 years and hence the low miles (51k miles at present) and also explains the condition of the car. I spoke to the previous owner who appeared to be very thorough and has all receipted for work undertaken including a few £’000s in past 2 years updating various trims and bring the car back to former glory. All the parts are genuine BMW and having had it’s inspection 2 at BMW I felt I need to continue this trend going forward again so hopefully will start going back into the network for regular maintenance. I also have confirmation from BMW UK that this is 1/50 made and chassis number cross checked.
However, in my ownership I have replaced alternator, re done the vanos as a precaution to address the biggest weakness and a few other smaller items to get the car to a position I am completely happy with. I would now like to do a couple of other things to try and keep the car as close to mint as possible but will not be doing any non standard modifications as feel the understated nature of the car and performance is more than enough on our roads nowadays.
Finally, for those of you who may have attended the BMW national festival this year will recognise the car from the display and up on stage as to my amazement it won the concours category for 90’s era of the car, which was completely unexpected as I wanted to go and get a feel for these events as well as let people view the car rather than it being an urban myth that these cars existed etc.
Some photos of the car......
Edited by Dhaval-9z41y on Tuesday 28th November 08:48
V8_Fastback said:
Lovely.
These are my ultimate E36.
I used to regularly see one parked up on the outskirts of Norwich (circa 2004/5/6), more than likely this one as that's where it started life?
It may not have been this one as was only there until 2002/3 thereafter it was in the kent area until last year and now in Sussex.These are my ultimate E36.
I used to regularly see one parked up on the outskirts of Norwich (circa 2004/5/6), more than likely this one as that's where it started life?
LanceRS said:
Epic car, well done. These have definitely improved with age. Mine was only a lowly 328, but I loved every minute (did 110k miles in it). Keep up the good work.
Thank you for the kind words, the car is tucked away for the winter now so already looking forward to bringing it out in March/April 
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