Used 1998 BMW M3 for sale near Phoenix, AZ

Cars, much like many other components of modern life, are showrooms for all the latest technology the modern consumer needs. In many ways this is great but at a certain point they lose their car-iness and become tools for abstracting the driver away from the driving itself. I would guess car manufacturers are responding to what the customers are asking for. But I fell in love with cars long ago not because their a tool or a means to an end. I like cars that are meant to be driven and that create a relationship between you and its interfaces. The E36 M3 is a performance car from an era where this relationship still mattered and this is part of why it lured me in in the first place. No WiFi, no Bluetooth, no color touch screen, no digital instrument cluster, no rear-view camera - mine doesn't even have a CD player. But BMW's iconic straight six engine mated to a five speed manual transmission is glorious to drive spiritedly and this is the reason I bought it. There isn't an abundance of assists getting in between you and the driving experience and correspondingly there are less electronic bits to go wrong. The E36 era of M3 is going on 20 years old - even for its youngest model - so a budget for maintenance is something to consider if this car is on your list of possibilities. There used to be chatter of a "$10k rule" on the enthusiast forums, meaning that regardless of whether you buy a $5k E36 M3 or a $8k E36 M3 you'll have to spend the difference between that and $10k to get it into reliable shape. Based on my experience that sounds about right. Problem areas are well documented on the enthusiast forums as are their solutions which make this platform alluring if you're interested in tackling DIY-level maintenance tasks yourself. The E36 M3 isn't for everyone but if you're after an unfiltered driving experience at a somewhat reasonable price it's a strong candidate. Going into it with proper expectations, ownership can be a gratifying experience.

Great looking cars and price too. They have a large variety of cars that look sweet.

Owning this car has been a near-spiritual experience for me. After years of owning economical four-bangers, I spent a weekend as a guest of BMW North America at Road Atlanta for Petit Le Mans 2010. Two weeks later there was an M3 parked in the spot outside my apartment and there was a new key in my pocket. These cars ain't for sissies. I'm not talking about driving - I swapped cars with my timid mother for a week while I was moving some stuff with her Toyota. She came away smiling. Where these cars bite you is in maintenance - either in the wallet if you're not mechanically inclined, or by devouring long hours of your time if you can swing a wrench. Being an aircraft mechanic was a blessing for me when it came to owning this car. The e36 M3's are not new cars. They may look new. They may smell new, and they often drive like new, but there's always some bit of rubber, somewhere, that has deteriorated away out of sight and awaits your attention. There is a huge amount of support on several forums that has proven worth its weight in gold, and the maintenance manuals are an absolute must, even if you're not doing much of the wrench work yourself. I've shied away from working on cars for years because I thought they were far more complex than the simple airplanes I maintained. Owning this car has taught me that with patience, persistence and a positive attitude, nearly any job on the car can be done yourself. These cars demand more upkeep than an American or Japanese car, but the effort is rewarded each time you get in and turn the key. M3's aren't rocket ships - they're quick, don't get me wrong - but they handle magnificently, and if you see a gap in traffic, you can gun it and pop right into the flow. I smile at every interstate exit/entrance ramp that I turn onto. Do your homework. Learn the car's weak points, i.e. rear strut mounts, Rear Trailing Arm Bushings, the VANOS variable timing system, etc. Test drive several of them. I fell in love at first sight and bought the first one I drove. The suspension was clapped-out and the engine wasn't running strong, but I had not benchmark to compare it to. After my 315,000 mile RAV4, it was a luxury ride. Buy this car and just try to frown as you walk up to it in the parking lot for your ride home after a long day at work. I dare you. These cars have soul.

The entire purchase experience was one that you would not expect at a typical car dealership. I dealt directly with the owner who was also the decision maker. What I liked especially was that the entire emphasis of the conversations that took place between the two of us were to address my questions and concerns, to better understand what I wanted rather than the glorification of the vehicle driven by the desire to sell. Also, the handling of the administrative tasks was executed smoothly and I also decided to puchase the extended warranty. I told all my buddies how happy I was with the purchase and the experience as well as the young owner who is also a car enthusiast. I hope you find this review helpful and good luck on your purchase.

Michael and the crew were absolutely amazing. I bought my daughter a 2016 wrangler from the team and I couldn't be happier. The most personable local dealership around. They helped from A-Z. Financing, securing the car - and we left happier than a chipmunk. Thanks again fellas.

This is a car I've wanted to own for years. Handling perfection with just the right amount of power and luxury. Comfortable even on long trips. Reliable when basic maintenance is taken care of. These cars are great bargains at current prices, get one before they're all gone!

Quick to respond but unfortunately I wasn't able to confirm a deal. Maybe next time

Coming from an Acura, found the BMW (and that too a 98) to be a world of difference when it comes to driveability. The car is a finely tuned machine. The car had some issues initially (as it had been sitting in a garage for the longest time and some annoying ones), if taken care of early, has been reliable. The interior is driver centric with all the controls easily within reach. These cars come with sport seats, have a pretty decent stereo system (HK), plenty of controls and a very effective air condition. The car is easy to work on if you have the right tools and there is plenty of support available online. The car can be a lot more expensive if not maintained by oneself. Absolutely loving every moment I'm in the car and hope to do so for a long time.

I recently sold my 2014 Corvette Z51 to Diamond Motorwork, and the experience was outstanding from start to finish. I worked with Luke, who was incredibly kind, patient, and professional. He made the entire process seamless — even going out of his way to meet me at my workplace to pick up the car and finalize paperwork. His flexibility and attention to detail made it easy to choose Diamond over other offers. The price was fair, their reputation solid, and they took the time to ensure I was comfortable with every step. I especially appreciated how Luke worked around my schedule and kept everything stress-free. The owner, Rami, was also very attentive. While Luke handled things so smoothly that Rami didn’t need to step in much, he was present and supportive throughout — especially when I requested a wire transfer instead of a check. That extra layer of reassurance gave me real peace of mind. If buying from Diamond is anything like selling to them, I’ll be stopping in there first when it’s time for my next car. Highly recommend Diamond Motorwork for anyone looking for a trustworthy, respectful, and hassle-free automotive experience.