[biotechee]

I know this isn't a BMW forum, but I'd like to leave no stone unturned!!!



I'm looking for a very specific 2001-2006 BMW E46 M3... Exterior color would be Tourmaline or Tourmaline Violet (not sure which it is technically refered to). This is called an "Individual" color. I believe there are less than five (5) in the US, perhaps only 3, but I am not sure.



I have a lead on one, but I have yet to confirm that lead.



If anyone here happens to know where one is, I would appreciate any and all info! Other options/features matter not...



Failing that, I would also like to know if anyone knows where a Dakar Yellow M3 might be!



Thanks in advance!

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[bombfactory]

Dakar Yellow might be do-able, even easier if you're looking for an E36. Although most of the Dakar E36 M3's I've seen out there (was that a '95-only color?) for some reason look pretty thrashed - maybe because they appeal to a younger, suspension-lowering and curb-bashing prone demographic?

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[biotechee]

Agreed the Dakar will probably be easier to find. I've actually seen one or two for sale periodically. Dakar was available for the E36 in other years besides the '95... might have been standard/optional only in '95 and an individual/special order for other years - not sure but have seen other E36 M3's ('96 and on) in Dakar.



I had an E36 318i and that car was completely awesome. Great gas mileage due to the 4 banger, handled very well (less than 3000 lbs dry), stopped on a dime, and never let me down for about 150K miles (I don't remember the final tally). Miss it much as a daily driver. Should have kept it. But, I much prefer the look of the E46 M3 versus the E36 M3. Additionally, finding an unabused, low mileage E36 M3 is becoming exceedingly difficult. Quite frankly, finding an E46 M3 with low mileage and extensive documentation is becoming quite difficult as well. Many of the older ones have been confiscated by punks and "tricked out" beyond belief. I would be looking for something as close to stock as possible, well maintained, up to date with service, etc. etc. Mileage and options really don't matter - for this search, it's all about the color!!!



Not unlike finding a unique 968, a needle in a haystack at this point.

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[bombfactory]

My daily driver is an E36 M3/4 - this is my third one, after a '95 M3 bought new (as usual, shouldn't have sold it!) and a brief, frustrating few months with an RMS stage 3 supercharged '98 sedan. Love my current one - 182K miles so far and it's been fantastic. Contemplating an E46 M3 drivetrain swap when the motor finally gives it up, but my mechanics say these things go 250K miles easy!



Good luck with your search - btw, I totally love Speed Yellow on the 968.

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[biotechee]

Thanks Austin! Yeah, I'm partial to SY on the 968 as well!! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



Ever come close to getting an E36 M3 LTW? Sick cars, not that a non-LTW isn't sick to begin with!



If a '98 Technoviolet/black M3 in top condition were available, I'd be giving that a serious look.



If you've got 182K on you I6 already, I think you'll see 200-250K easily. The E36 4 banger was bullet proof- never had one single issue with the engine.



Hopefully luck will smile on me yet again and I'll find my Tourmaline gem. The one I know about is a 2002. And if one does present itself, I would give serious consideration to unloading my cab for it. But I'll wait and see.



Do you frequent any of the BMW forums - M3F, E46Fanatics, BF? I just registered for M3F the other day, used to be on BF when I had the 318.

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[bombfactory]

I used to poke around more on the BMW sites, but once I was more or less done with modding the M3 it tapered off. Now I'm learning all I can about my 968 so I'm checking in here just about every day.



The E36 M3 Lightweight came along shortly after I had bought my '95. I remember seeing one in the showroom of Vasek Polak BMW in Hermosa Beach. It was priced at list and no one was giving it a second look. Way back then I had a friend who had a technoviolet '95 M3 with speedline wheels on it - very nice looking car!



I had a few 318i loaners while my car was at the dealer for service - omg talk about slow! To be fair, they were automatics. Plus in 1995, the M3 was one of the faster cars around, so just about anything was going to feel like a slug.

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[Cloud9...68]

I visit bimmerfest fairly often (I have three older BMWs); it's OK, but can get nasty at times. Can't hold a candle to this forum. I've heard good things about bmwmafia - I've heard it's very well moderated to keep things cordial and respectful.

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[bombfactory]

I stopped going to Bimmerfest (you're talking about the one in Santa Barbara - now Pasadena, right?) a few years ago. It just got too big and attracted every bonehead moron with a BMW in L.A. What was supposed to be a nice drive up to SB got ridiculous, with guys speeding, showing off and cops all along the route pulling people over...



Oh wait, you meant Bimmerforums! Ok I'll stop whining now.

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[pharriso]

Jim, there is a Tourmaline Violet M3 coupe about 5 miles from me on Woodbury rd in Syosset, Nassau County NY. Draws my attention every time I go by it.



I have a July 2006 Carbon Black 6 speed Cabrio, great cars!



Regards



Phil Harrison

'92 968 Tip Cabrio

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[biotechee]

Thanks Phil - sent you a PM with my email addy.

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[rxter]

Great post. You dragged an 8-post 6-year veteran out of the shadows.



Welcome back Phil !!!

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[biotechee]

You scared Phil off Rxter!!!! I've sent him an email and a PM hoping he would have some additional info on the M3 near him. No response yet. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/sad.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



I did locate a 2002 Tourmaline M3 and made contact with the owner. Unfortunately, he does not have plans to sell at the moment. I wonder if he'd be up for a trade?!



It kinda sucks as so many European manufacturers abandoned wild colors after the mid to late 90's. Or I guess I should say consumers abandoned wild colors. I know you could pay through the nose for a unique color (and still can) - I just wish there were more floating around on the used market. Saw a limited edition boxster in orange over the weekend. Drool.



I simply cannot stand silver, white, basic red, black, etc. Gimme purple, yellow, green, orange, bright blue, etc. and I'm a happy boy.

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[blau]

2002 Dakar Yellow:

http://newyork.craig...2515771137.html



2004 Dakar Yellow:

http://jerseyshore.c...2534465281.html





There are quite a few Phoenix Yellow Metallic ones around also if you're interested. I found the cars using jaxed.com's vehicle search...works pretty good, but it missed the jersey shore dakar yellow in my first searches..



I don't know if you're a fan, but I really like their Laguna Seca Blue in person, friend of mine has an M3 in that color and it looks great.

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[biotechee]

Thanks for the links Blau.



Had already viewed the 2002 Dakar. Looks a little too "modded" for me. The one in Jersey looks extremely nice however. Plus it is a 2004 so it should have the minor mid-model changes that took place starting with 2003.5 M3's. Definitely a nice car, plus the valve adjustment was done. If I had exhausted all avenues for Tourmaline, I'd be giving this guy a call no doubt.



I have to hold out a little longer to see if I can get a line on a Tourmaline though - my heart is set on it!



I do like Laguna Seca Blue as well- very nice. There's a darker blue, Mystic Blue, that looks very good as well. That apparently was a popular color from 2004 on. I'm pretty sure I will strike out with the Tourmaline, and by that time, all the good Dakars will be gone as well.



Phoenix Yellow is not the color for me. Looks like someone got a little over-zealous with the wrong paint color during mixing, came up with this horrible shade of metallic baby poop yellow, and decided to call it Phoenix Yellow to cover their a$s with the boss...

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[biotechee]

Some good news-



As it turns out, there are M3's delivered in other shades of purple, so all hope is not lost.



Two shades, Daytona and Techno, were also available on E36 M3's. The other purple I learned of, Mora, I had never heard of before. Have a picture of it and it is definitely a nice color.



For the record, I would gladly take any of these shades!

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[pharriso]

[quote name='biotechee' timestamp='1312820310' post='113989']

You scared Phil off Rxter!!!! I've sent him an email and a PM hoping he would have some additional info on the M3 near him. No response yet.



[/quote]



Just returned after 3 weeks in Europe... Give me a couple of weeks to get straightened out & attempt to make contact with the owner.

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[pharriso]

OK, took me a bit more than 3 weeks but this is the car I was talking about:









The car has a couple of small scrapes, but the color really works!



I'll send you the contact phone number by PM



Regards

Phil H

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[rxter]

Recently I've been pining for an E24 M6. Thinking about selling the RX8 and getting the old bimmer. Please tell me that I am crazy for even thinking about this. That is a great color BTW.

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[Cloud9...68]

As I tell people contemplating an old Bimmer (as the owner of three), "You're not just buying a car, you're buying a hobby!"

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[tamathumper]

Ouch! That's no small scrape on the front passenger-side fender! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/ohmy.png" class="smilie" alt="" />

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