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This Guy Is Asking €164,500 for a 1997 BMW E36 M3

The BMW E36 M3 was probably the most underrated model ever to be built by the Motorsport division. Looking over the history of the M3 badge it’s easy to see why but that doesn’t meant that some people didn’t see this car’s true value. However, asking €164,500 ($221,053 at the current exchange rates) for one seems a bit too much.
JML Lippert 356CS 8 photos
Photo: autoscout24.com
JML Lippert 356CSJML Lippert 356CSJML Lippert 356CSJML Lippert 356CSJML Lippert 356CSJML Lippert 356CSJML Lippert 356CS
Coming from us, some of the biggest so-called ‘fanboys’ of the brand in the world, it should say something. We were rather taken aback when we first saw the ad but then we started looking closer to see exactly what would justify such a price tag.

As it turns out, this is no regular M3. Those are sold at about 10 times less than what this man is asking. This is one of only two JML Lippert 356CS models ever made. That means the guys from JML worked their magic and managed to swap the 3.2-liter inline 6-cylinder naturally aspirated engine under the bonnet with a 5.6-liter V12 engine coming straight off a BMW 850CSi which was modified by the Motorsport division itself back in the day.

However, the stock engine on the 850CSi used to make just 380 HP not 500, like the seller claims his car has. Either he committed a mistake when writing the ad or he’s done some more modifications to increase the HP. Either way, the car weighs only 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) and rear-wheel drive which means it will be extremely hard to control it on the road.

According to the ad, the JML creation has only 32,950 km (20,000 miles) on the odometer and was built in 1997, being fitted with a sunroof, power steering, heated sport seats and radio from day one.

It all looks like an interesting proposition but, even if we do take into consideration the fact that this is one of only two such models ever made, it’s still not worth the money, in our book.

Sure, the S70 engine is brilliant and has more power than you’d ever need but it’s also really thirsty and hard to maintain. For this kind of money you could get a brand new M3 and an M4 at the same time, without breaking a sweat.
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