BMW E36 M3 Masterpiece: When Years of Obsession Pay Off

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BMW E36 M3 Masterpiece: When Years of Obsession Pay Off

Рет қаралды 41,613

Күн бұрын

The BMW E36 M3, the M3 of the '90s, is not a universal favorite in the car scene. But this one is purple perfection. Turn your speakers up.
The American-spec model especially hasn't been revered like its predecessor the E30 or successors. But Alex Stearling's Techno Violet coupe might change a few minds about that.
[CARISMA is The Drive's new series exploring the connection between enthusiasts and their cars. See the full playlist: • CARISMA ]
The American-spec E36 M3 especially hasn't been revered like its predecessor the E30 or successors. Alex Stearling's Techno Violet coupe might change a few minds about that.
His journey to getting this car to where it's at today will probably sound familiar. He graduated from being obsessed with Hot Wheels as a kid to collecting actual wheels and tinkering with cars, and had a few projects before finding this one.
Getting immersed in car culture through VWVortex in that forum's golden era exposed him to the many ways in which cars can be customized. That clearly powered up a 1,000-watt lightbulb over his head, because as you'll see in this clip, he has refined tastes and a high standard for part selection on this car.
From wheels to door emblems to the e-brake boot, this E36 M3 has been dialed in to a gorgeous presentation without being over the top or goofy.
Stick around through the whole video and peep Stearling's wheel collection, too ... this can be a great piece of evidence to show your significant other if they start complaining that you're hoarding more wheels than you can use. (They're art, OK?)
Produced, shot, and edited by / tomgorelik
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Пікірлер: 111

@btownballer27 2 ай бұрын

For a car enthusiast, cars make life worth living. Hands down the best line of the video. I am half of me without a car in my life, and no, I don't mean some drab daily commuter. I've had my fair share, but something about having a car for people opens up a whole new community and has allowed me to meet some exceptionally grounded wholesome people.

@sampuhhupmas5666 Ай бұрын

You're absolutely correct. Without a doubt, I owe my current situation in life to a clapped E36 sedan I bought last summer. That car allowed me to go out more, meet new people and do stuff I am passionate about. It made me so much happier to just be here and I now feel more confident in everything I do, because I have a direction in life and goals to meet.

@JuliusMoore-co5hl Ай бұрын

That sounds pretty sad but everyone copes with reality somehow, I guess.

@urgetodrive 2 ай бұрын

Bought my Dakar Gelb e36 ///M3 brand new in 1995... and I've owned a LOT of cool cars since then. The e36 ///M3 is the only car I ever bought twice (owned a cabriolet as well). No disrespect to other generations of M3 but I honestly believe this is the best iteration. The boxy styling, bulletproof engine (US only), and unbeatable handling make this the best M3 ever.

@endederfahnenstange4283 Ай бұрын

The Euro spec engine is somewhat a different beast. Also very reliable, loads of power and a complete different soundtrack, than the S52/M52 US. The cars are pretty expensive over here. Early S50B30 start around 30k €.

@ISpinUWin Ай бұрын

Still have my ‘99 bought in ‘99. Still love it!!! Alex’s is a great example. Beautiful car, thanks for sharing it!

@Euphorica 2 ай бұрын

The e36 m3 was absolutely a fan favorite when it came out(and still remains so) . It was in Car and drivers 10 best every single year it was sold. And it also outsold the living daylights out of any e30

@rcs3289 Ай бұрын

I just sold my e36 I had owned for 25 years. It was a track built monster. Buyer didn't want my 18" BBS RK2s - imho best looking wheels for these cars!

@victorydiaz11 21 күн бұрын

Wheels still for sale? 😊

@basetpk 17 күн бұрын

these and style 42

@em_kranz 2 ай бұрын

I’m friends with Alex and can confirm this is the cleanest E36 in AZ!

@mr.buddha3657 2 ай бұрын

Such love for the car. The dedication to perfection is impossible not to respect. This man is awesome!

@HorrorUberAlles 2 ай бұрын

That metallic purple paintjob looks great on it! and the exhaust has a great bark to it! Kudos to the owner, he's got impeccable taste! 💯

@Bmwstephen 2 ай бұрын

the e36 platform is so versatile. I own an f87 m2 and couldn't even bring myself to sell my e36 m3 because there are so many aspects of it that makes it so fun,.

@brianbowden6302 Ай бұрын

Me too! F87 + e36 M3 so satisfied with my driving tools. F87 is pretty stock, e36 is tastefully modified! Boston green 4/5 on the M3

@ChewsReviews Ай бұрын

I have met lifelong friends through cars. My best man at my wedding was someone I met at a car meet almost 20 years ago. Cars have always been a constant in my life and will continue to be so. I've met some of the coolest characters through the shared love of cars. Great video, great owner and equally amazing car.

@DonBMW Ай бұрын

E36 M3/4/5 owner for 13 years. Has been amazingly reliable and fun to drive. Pulls like a freight train, easy to work on and large community support. At first this car was ignored by everyone (kinda liked that). But Something has happened in the last 2 years where I’m constantly getting thumbs up, folks taking pictures and folks calling me out at the stoplight. I keep it ultra clean, stock (except for Stromung exhaust). The E36 is having its moment right now. Prices are skyrocketing for clean examples.

@DonBMW 17 күн бұрын

I watched this video and a few weeks later purchased a 96 Techno Violet Purple. Car was owned by the same owner for 22 years!! It’s a real beauty and turns heads everywhere I go. It’s such a deep and beautiful color.

@bradcomis1066 2 ай бұрын

God damn this thing look amazing. Perfect. Best colour. Perfect stance and rims.

@Hiighjason__on_twitch 2 ай бұрын

E36 m3 for life! Don’t ever sell her bro She’s is way to clean!

@Javi-gn4gh 2 ай бұрын

Alex is such a chill guy, and his car looks and sounds even better in person.

@Dumbo3.1428 2 ай бұрын

Really cool car. I used to work at a BMW dealership as a mechanic and dream to this day of a nice e36. But the sound that the shifter makes puts me of big time.

@TranceFur 2 ай бұрын

Lol, really? Most car guys enjoy a very mechanical feeling and sounding shifter.

@Dumbo3.1428 Ай бұрын

@@TranceFur of course I get the feeling thing but the fast and the furious sounds are too much for me

@fatoputso7375 2 ай бұрын

I don't care, the s50/52 US spec is great. Stout, sounds amazing, super reliable. Great enhancements, bravo 👏

@jordangoodchap2682 Ай бұрын

I can't remember the channel, but I recently saw a video that was claiming and explaining US>EU regarding the E36 M3.

@fatoputso7375 Ай бұрын

@jordangoodchap2682 were your mods worth it over stock? I'm allowing a $6k budget on mine. I have all maintenance up to par, not sure if I should go engine upgrade or elsewhere

@mateo3388 Ай бұрын

@@jordangoodchap2682it was Jason Cammisa of Hagerty’s KZfaq channel

@RideTheLifeQc 2 ай бұрын

one great great car, cant wait to get one !!

@SpilkersKompass 2 ай бұрын

Beautiful memories on my first car - a M3 Coupe in Madeira black. ❤

@flat4- 2 ай бұрын

As a European car guy I grew up with all the models of the M3. You have a very nice example there ! The only thing you really need is a full intake carbon airbox, that unleashes sounds you never heard before ! For suspension I would recommend trying the Bilstein B16 PSS9, these are the best road worthy dampers you can buy besides WRC spec ones....

@happychappers8311 Ай бұрын

I agree. I'm not sure about the US version, but the euro with a carbon airbox sounds amazing. Mate it to an Eisenmann exhaust, and you're onto a winner.

@R8andGT3Fan 2 ай бұрын

Techno Violet...my God. 😍💜 Absolutely stunning car!

@weezintrumpeteer 2 ай бұрын

These videos are great - very unpretentious and enjoyable!

@drive Ай бұрын

That's what we're aiming for. Glad you're digging it.

@smoke4ndmears 2 ай бұрын

Tecnhooooooovioletttt! Miss mine!

@Floresmedia. Ай бұрын

I personally have an M3 & S2K combo as well and man is it a killer sett to have

@M3e36-99 Ай бұрын

I like the feel of the 50/50 weight bias. I kept mine stock.

@carguy7627 Ай бұрын

I always loved Techno Violet. I'm a fan of dark colored cars. I also loved the Carbon Black I had on my E46 M3. I like that this just celebrates being enthusiastic about your car. No judgement or comparisons or "the truth" about anything - just a guy who loves cars and wants to share that love with the world.

@ngfhfsd323wstgs 2 ай бұрын

Ho-lee shit. What a beautiful motor, glorious ride with tasteful mods. Absolute 10/10, delivered with conviction and adoration by the looks of things. Stunning car, really enjoyed this vid. Alex sounds like a legend too.

@drive Ай бұрын

Hell yeah. Thanks for watching.

@StefGio428 2 ай бұрын

Great piece here… his wheel game is dope

@endederfahnenstange4283 Ай бұрын

I owned 3 Miata/MX-5 (NA - first gen) for more than a decade before switching to a euro spec 95 S50B30. I have it for over ten years now and it still gives me goosebumps going out on B roads having fun in it.

@mowgli5679 Ай бұрын

I had a Dakar e36 m3 evo for 15 years and I miss it every day

@gregs8685 Ай бұрын

Right in the middle of BMW’s golden age from the mid 80s to 2012 when the e9x M3 went out of production. So many classics in this era, and the e36 is a standout. This period will never be duplicated.

@LuhSlaney Ай бұрын

love that purp

@stvnjmz Ай бұрын

gorgeous car and great story. The last couple minutes of the video are priceless as well!

@jdpst20 Ай бұрын

Had a Dakar 99’ m3 with a lot of mods but my fav part was the BBS RCJ rims you have sitting next to you. Loved those rims and miss that car.

@thatloudCG5 2 ай бұрын

Alex has a pretty decent S2000 too.

@benjamintchang3923 Ай бұрын

Excellent color, I love the shifting noises too

@lmc333 Ай бұрын

I feel like he is my twin, doing everything absolutely right... Doing what I would have exactly done too well done buddy. Thank you... Techno violet, the best e36 color

@AdhirSingh_SA_1995 2 ай бұрын

My first car was an E36 3 Series. It was only a 318is, and after driving many 'technically better' cars, it was one of the best cars I have ever driven👏. Oddly enough, I have never had the opportunity to drive an E36 M3, but have driven an E46, E90, and F80 M3👌. E36 M3 is definitely on my 'Driving Bucket List', even though I have been converted to an Audi person (for daily, city, highway, and some driving roads. BMWs are 98% of the time going to be the better driver's cars. The 2% for me is allocated to the B7 RS4, MK1 Manual R8 V8/V10, Porsche 911 or Cayman)😂. Haven't driven other cars yet to change that 98%. One day though🤞

@DonBMW Ай бұрын

Bruh nigh and day difference to other cars. I own both an E46 M3 and an E36 (US) M3. The E46 is almost 300 lbs heavier than the E36. The E36 is very nimble, torquey and amazingly reliable. In fact, the car that I drive the most is the E36 M3 and Ive owned it for 13 years.

@krisjary7146 2 ай бұрын

Just passion.... ❤

@kalleanka6607 Ай бұрын

I wouldn’t have managed through university studies without something else on my mind, now i can be a certified e36 only mechanic XD

@Beezy_Builds Ай бұрын

Love this

@urbanstrencan 2 ай бұрын

Just the best M car ever 😊❤❤

@jonfollows7553 Ай бұрын

Seeing his collection and he’s running BBS RK’s ❤ I had those on my GTI awesome! It was a mystic blue perfect effect as well 😂 this guy must be my brother from another mother

@e46562 Ай бұрын

That's a nice BMW E36 M3

@3DGEM3 Ай бұрын

I love my 99 Dakar m3 Cabrio, its been 15 years now.

@svideotube Ай бұрын

I feel you... Got a Euro version of E36 M3. totally understand how you feel

@AliasHSW Ай бұрын

Refreshing and happy to see the engine remains NA.

@michaeltulloch2315 Ай бұрын

great video, my type of enthusiast for sure. love being stuck in time with these machines

@drive Ай бұрын

right there with you

@Justin-ts4rb 2 ай бұрын

E36 best car

@pfajai237 Ай бұрын

The Corvette Saw Blade Rims were installed backwards. They are directional rims.

@martindworak Ай бұрын

Wow, I live in Mesa, AZ too, and I used have an Integra that was the exact same color, I even had a vanity plate that said BURPLE!

@V12BRO 2 ай бұрын

Alex is the goat. Glad to know him!

@AkxTremisT Ай бұрын

Wonderful video bro...loved how you expressed experience with your car 👍

@mrjackbagginz Ай бұрын

Hi its good to see jdm in the usa,. I have been boy racing for 20 straight years,. Living in nz we got the rare ones from japan,. My first car is arguably the most underrated car,,. Sat on 15 watanabes ,. My last car was a rotary and averages 320 km max with a full tank,. I am thinking of upgrading to m3 evo 98 as I found a good price but still not sure if it can be better than my lexus 4 cylinder hybrid,. I run reversed staggered tyres on staggered 20 aimgains and completely made the handling better,. Inhave tried on at least 15 different rims on my current car and found them,. You have the pair of gii2 ive been dreaming off,. Awesome video man keep it up

@WhiteMouse77 Ай бұрын

What an exquisite example with stunning styling!👌 I wonder how it would impress in comparison with Alpina B3 4,6 V8 that was based on the same lineup of its time 🤔

@2.fresh767 Ай бұрын

Nice.

@hoey3510 Ай бұрын

Best collectable bmw m car ever ..best chassis.. newer ones fatter and heavier..

@SrtRacerBoy 2 ай бұрын

I had a techno violet m3 also. Loved it, but always wanted a bit more power, and a 6 speed. So e46 M3 I went

@vanillaice887 19 күн бұрын

Last of the iron blocks,unless u want to deal with an s54 annoying buzz can.

@CanIbeFrank 2 ай бұрын

I'm not a car enthusiast. Cars are everything

@elas2k159 2 ай бұрын

Great production quality and very clean m3!

@drive Ай бұрын

Glad you liked it!

@dutchyjhome 2 ай бұрын

Nice car and nice rims....I would however always opt for the original BMW M3 Styling 24 rims...but that's personal I'd say ;-)

@gherasimtibi Ай бұрын

Get rid of that shifter bruh. Beautiful car

@toniwonkanobi Ай бұрын

Looks like dude has an S2000 in the garage too👀

@e46562 Ай бұрын

I drive a BMW E36 M3 and all BMWs

@MLC... 2 ай бұрын

Love the car! Hate these gear shifters!

@revvedupRacingSA 2 ай бұрын

When did the drive make a comeback

@wannabeproductions_ Ай бұрын

If the owner of the video sees this I have a set of Ccw classics I need to get rid of! Lol

@unearthednsx116. 2 ай бұрын

The mf wheeljesus himself

@jonathanbrumfiel9909 2 ай бұрын

😍

@samisvideo Ай бұрын

I see he likes wheels...

@solomonthadon 2 ай бұрын

👏🏽💯

@countryjerry52 Ай бұрын

Individualize by coping and hoping other bmw nerds catch it...... just wow

@m-u-hub 2 ай бұрын

they really destroyed the m2 m3 and m4 this time

@ahmedc5617 2 ай бұрын

👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽

@jonny63912 2 ай бұрын

Mill a spacer?

@bradcomis1066 2 ай бұрын

For those square hubs 😉

@ChrisSadowski 2 ай бұрын

Ever heard of a Bridgeport? lol

@jonny63912 Ай бұрын

@@ChrisSadowski lmao yes and as I said. Mill a spacer? I am a machinist by trade in what world does it make sense to machine a spacer on a mill? Put it on the lathe and drill out your stud holes or ok maybe toss it on the mill for the stud holes but still waste of time

@diegodelgado7285 2 ай бұрын

What's the HP number?

@greggdrake Ай бұрын

Probably sitting around 315 or so with those cams

@LateNightRituals Ай бұрын

Idk this guy, but we bestfriends

@deweberis2709 2 ай бұрын

Matt Moreman: Mine is better than yours 😉

@TranceFur 2 ай бұрын

Is it though? I don’t think Matt’s has this much engine work done. This M3 is nearly as pristine as Matt’s, but he’s a detailer and he’s rich, so he should have a spotless car lol