1997 BMW M3

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What changed

A four-door sedan joins the coupe.¹

What it came with

3.2L inline-six (S52)²

240 hp, 236 lb-ft · 1996–1999

Transmissions: 5-speed manual^2,3, 5-speed automatic^2,3,1
Drivetrains: Rear-wheel drive¹
Trims: Coupe^3,4, Sedan (1997–1998)^2,1

Colors

Alpine White III 1997 ⁵
Arctic Silver Metallic 1997 ⁵
Cosmos Black Metallic 1997–1999 ^5,6
Bright Red 1997–1999 ^5,6
Dakar Yellow 1997 ⁵
Dakar Yellow II 1997–1999 ^5,6

Compare with another year

Buy

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

Cooling system All years One source so far

What to check: Look for coolant leaks, and ask when the radiator, water pump, thermostat and hoses were last replaced.

In an owner forum thread, four owners name the cooling system; one refreshes it every 60,000 miles and another says it needs replacing at about 100,000.

Sources ⁷
Rear subframe and suspension bushings All years One source so far

What to check: Look at the rear subframe and trailing arm bushing pockets for cracks, and feel for a sloppy rear or shifter.

In an owner forum thread, five owners name the bushings. One replaced the subframe and differential bushings at about 170,000 miles, and one says the subframe bushings are very hard to replace.

Sources ⁷
Power steering leaks All years One source so far

What to check: Look for leaks at the steering rack and along the hoses and their clamps.

In an owner forum thread, one owner warns of leaking racks and another had a power steering hose blow between 60,000 and 100,000 miles.

Sources ⁷
Interior trim coming apart All years One source so far

What to check: Look at the headliner, the glovebox and the trim, and try the electric seats.

In an owner forum thread, one owner warns of sagging headliners and glove boxes and stripped electric seat gears, and another says interior parts tend to fall apart but can be fixed.

Sources ⁷
Rust and seals All years

What to check: Look at the sills and wheel arches for rust, and at the windscreen and window seals.

Named by one owner in an owner forum thread; Turner Motorsport adds the drain plugs behind the front seats.

Sources ^7,8

Recalls

97V131000 1995–1997
A worn plastic bushing can let the cruise control or throttle cable catch, holding the throttle partly open. Dealers add a spring steel clip to each cable.^9,10
99V063001 1997
The side airbag system can be set off by potholes or kerbs, and can trip the battery's safety terminal so the engine will not restart. Dealers reprogram the control unit.¹⁰

What buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

Sought after: The coupe, for the track All years One source so far

Turner Motorsport calls the coupe the preferred E36 M3 to build for racing, and the lightest body.⁸
Avoid: A car without a maintenance history All years Less sought after

In an owner forum thread, five owners advise buying the best-kept car with the most maintenance records, and one warns against lowered, very stiff modified cars. Turner Motorsport warns that a car without service records may have made-up service claims.^7,8

Before you pay

Open the buyer's checklist

Every warning and recall for this generation, with a box to tick.