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Featured ride: Avi’s E36 M3

Saturday, 05. 16. 2009  –  Category: Features, Main

Avi, a Service Manager at a Bay Area auto dealership that shall remain nameless, is the proud owner of this Alpine White 1998 BMW M3. What caught our interest in this car was the fact that it wasn’t by any stretch a garage queen, but rather that it’s a well-tuned, well-maintained daily driver. Sure, it has some road scars, some stone chips on the bumper and a door ding or two, but that’s just the sort of thing that builds character. And besides, who wouldn’t want to get behind the wheel of this beastie, seeing that it has been worked over with a Dinan supercharger kit, Dinan suspension, a nice looking set of AC Schnitzer wheels, and a host of other modifications? Luckily we had a chance to get together on one of the nicest days of early spring to shoot some photos in a setting that just can’t be beat; Treasure Island, between San Francisco and Oakland in the middle of the Bay.

The car has apparently been a Bay Area car since new, as it was purchased from the second owner in the East Bay. Avi shared a story with me about the previous owner, who sold the car to upgrade to an E46 M3 instead but apparently continues to regret that decision to this day! The car puts out an estimated 370HP at the rear wheels in its current state of tune, with boost topping out around 11PSI. the beauty of the whole package is that it comes with that highly prized CARB certification sticker under the hood, which should keep the smog folks off of Avi’s back.

Cruising around Treasure Island, it’s quite easy to see how tempting a heavy right foot might be with an engine like this at your disposal. At idle and at cruising speeds a soft, barely audible whirr/whine from the front end reminds you of the fact that there’s a compressor kicking under the hood, ready to spring into action at any moment. When you do decide the put your foot into it it’s all too easy to lose traction, but the chassis picks up the slack as it is well capable of handling a rear end that wants to step out. All in all, it makes for a very entertaining combination, and one that definitely gives you that particular tickle you get in your torso when you know your organs are getting shifted around a bit! It’s an experience that’s worth a good chuckle

Up until now Avi hasn’t taken the car to any of the Bay Area tracks to put it through its paces, but did at one time participate in an autocross day and some casual bracket races at Sears Point.  Unfamiliar with the bracket racing format, he admitted that he came in well underneath his intended bracket, and was summarily disqualified. Between the car, the setting, and the fun conversation about his car, While he clearly appreciates his ride, he admits he has considered passing on the torch to a new owner on occasion (and at the right price, of course), so should anyone be interested in his M3, please check out the pics in the gallery and feel free to contact us. We’re happy to pass on info for any interested parties.

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Tags: AC Schnitzer, BMW, BMW M3, engine, M3, photos, Racing, wheels