Monday 22nd April 2013

BMW M3 Imola Individual: PH Carpool

Rare E36 M3 limited edition for this week's Carpooler

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Name: Gavin Booth
Car: BMW E36 M3 Imola Individual (AKA M3 GT2) number nine of 50
Owned since: November 2012
Previously owned: BMW E36 M3, BMW E46 330 Clubsport, 2x BMW E36 328i Sport, Focus ST, Civic Type R, Renault Clio 172, Saxo VTS, Corsa GSI...

Rare limited-edition E36 a dream come true

Why I bought it:
"I've always loved E36 BMWs and the Imola Individual is in my eyes the ultimate E36, extremely rare and appreciating in value. I saw it advertised up in Thurso which is about five hours north of Aberdeen. As far as I know it's currently the only one in Scotland. I saw the car, got it up on a ramp, drove it and bought it for a bargain price. It's got 128,000 miles but has the most detailed BMW service history I've ever seen. It's got a folder full of all receipts from new. All the problem areas with these cars have been addressed; fuel pump, brake lines, VANOS, etc. The car has been used and enjoyed but maintained correctly."

What I wish I'd known:
"Having owned M3s before and plenty of BMWs I pretty much knew what I was getting into."

Swanky interior all part of the Imola Individual pack

Things I love:
"Going out for an early morning drive. It's only used at weekends or dry days so every journey is just about enjoying the drive. I love the admiring glances the car gets as a nice E36 is very rare, never mind a one of 50 limited edition M3. Been stopped in petrol stations a few times and asked questions about the car."

Things I hate:
"Nothing. I love everything about the car!"

Costs:
"It's an M3 so not cheap to run. Preventative maintenance is the key with these. I've got a great local BMW specialist named Scott Feakes at Premier Motors in Aberdeen, who I use for any servicing and maintenance. It's relatively cheap to insure and tax, parts are fairly readily available and not hugely expensive. These cars can't be run on a budget though. If you go into one accepting it will need money spending on it then it won't be an issue."

Six-figure mileage but cleans up well

Where I've been:
"Nowhere of note as yet but hopefully a long summer of driving ahead."

What next?
"I will keep it! I am lucky enough to run my own vehicle storage business - Vehicle Storage Aberdeen - and the car is kept in an air chamber over the winter months. Long terms plans are to take it to Redish Motorsport for a full underside restoration, full suspension refresh and basically anything it needs it will get. Wheels will get a full diamond cut refurb, also new brakes are on the list in the next couple of months and just generally enjoy owning one of the rarest M3s around."

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Want to share your car with PHers on Carpool? Email us at [e-mail]!

 

 

[Luca Brasi]

Gorgeous, cherish hit!

[Krikkit]

Those seats are lovely, although I'm not sure about the same colours inside and outside!

[tinkertaylor]

That is so nice.

[pat_y]

I have a real soft spot for the Imola Individual, just wish i could justify the price increase over a standard Evo. It is the best colour for this car.

[rumple]

That car is porn.

[bigunit00]

2 for sale on ph at the moment.....

[Terminator X]

What's so special about it other than 1 of 50?

TX.

[Maldini35]

Lovely car.
Following the E30 M3 was always going to be very hard but despite what the experts would have you believe the E36 M3 is still a damn good car.
Great value now too.

[SpeckledJim]

It's strange that, for me, Imola is the very best colour for an E39, but, again just for me, it does nothing for an E36.

Terrific car though.

[Amirhussain]

Handsome looking car, always have loved the E36 BM.

[Mitch2.0]

Terminator X said:

What's so special about it other than 1 of 50?

TX.

Rear spoiler
Corner splitters
Imola Red exterior
Matching red interior

Mechanically it's the same as a normal M3 Evo Coupe.

[daveco]

Terminator X said:

What's so special about it other than 1 of 50?

TX.

Engines were strong examples, i.e. they put out close to if not the full 321hp.

[SPT28]

Was lucky enough to give one of these the full tlc treatment one weekend, looked pretty special by the time I'd finished even if I do say so myself

[SPT28]

Was lucky enough to give one of these the full tlc treatment one weekend, looked pretty special by the time I'd finished even if I do say so myself

[Antj]

aren't these basically GT2 models. A red later version of the original GT

[g3org3y]

Lovely

[Rob175kks]

Bloody love this colour! Great M3, nice to see its being so well looked after.

[tinkertaylor]

BTW, please edit this bit

"What I wish I'd known:
"Having owned M3s before and plenty of BMWs I pretty much new what I was getting into.""

[F1GTRUeno]

Are the kidneys wonky?

Lovely thing though. This and the green GT's are my choice of E36.

[sheps]

Antj said:

aren't these basically GT2 models. A red later version of the original GT

Yup, says so second line down.

Lovely car.