1999 M3 convertible - Real or no?

[AdrenalineFed]

So,I'm still pretty new to the BMW world and still learning being a year in as an E46 XI owner and just a few days ago I bought 1999 328i convertible with "M" markings on the exterior trim and steering wheel. Started doing some research to try to find some legitimacy but keep finding conflicting information. First was the VIN which I guess for most M3's is supposed to start with WBS but mine WBA which should be a Non-M. However, according to Road and Track, the 1999 M convertibles were still a projected 2 years out so they put the 3.2 L "M" drivetrain in the E36 chassis. Could this explain the VIN designation? Also a Turner Motorsport employee said similiar when trying to find parts for my new project as '99 M was not listed under E36 chassis. He said it was a carryover from '98 and to order parts as such. Anyone else offer insight?

[notMpowered]

All e36 m3s VINs started with WBS.
99 m3 convertibles were sold, and nothing weird about them.

[AdrenalineFed]

So somebody did an M conversion?


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[AdrenalineFed]

Copy, you’re right. I guess someone just put a bunch “M” parts on it.... well hell

[notMpowered]

Well it’s not converted, as those wheels wouldn’t even clear M brakes. The front bumper is an M bumper, skirts are m3, and m-tech mouldings. Some non-m cars were offered with a m-tech cosmetic package. Not sure if yours was one of them or if they were just added on by one of the previous owners.
Run your VIN through an online decoder and it will tell you the factory options it came with.

[scooper]

I believe the last few years 98-99 the non-M e36 had some kind of "M" package that was basically cosmetic. The bumper and some trim, but no s52 motor, drive train, and brakes. If there your vehicle was fully converted your current style 30 wheels would not fit the M brakes.

[AdrenalineFed]

Well hell....little disappointed but not totally. It’s not in horrible shape, only 100K, and runs smooth. Don’t get to be one of you Elites yet. Thanks for everyone’s time and info. Maybe I’ll belong to your group one day!


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[Braymond141]

You do not have an M3 and you don’t have an “M”, you have a 328 with factory Mtech body parts on it. “Mtech / M Sport” parts are not the same classification as a Motorsport built car. It’s a styling package only. Do not be one of those guys that calls your 3-series an M3.

The Coupe and Convertible E36 were produced into 1999 (September 1999 to be exact). Only the sedan E36 ended in 98 as the E46 sedan was rolling out.

There is zero confusion to what your car is or finding parts for it. Realoem search by VIN for parts, VIN decoder for the build sheet https://www.mdecoder.com/ .


Now go back to the WBA section where you belong.

[Hova]

You do not have an M3.

Now go back to the WBA section where you belong.

[AdrenalineFed]

Got it. Thanks.

[realjones]

Side mirrors are a dead giveaway too that it's a 328 beyond the other stuff mentioned. Your bumper also don't have the lower lip on it? Odd that you'd have twisty side skirts with the no spoiler lip (can't say i'm too familiar with factory options though).

Conversions to M3 bumpers are extremely common so also possible those parts were added later along with the steering wheel. I'm assuming it's debadged in the back.

[Braymond141]

Regensburg Factory shut down in April.. 99/04 (14th april iirc about the factory) are the last proven E36 Coupe/Vert. Or else they would classify as year 2000 being over the 5th month in production.

E46 sedan in Europe did exist in late '97.

The only E36s with production into 2000 was compacts (e36/5) as they share a lot more in common with the other last e36s, the Z3 (e36/7/8) which were also going on production into early 2002.


The guy should post his last 7 digits of the vin, seems like a fully loaded car if it has mtech aero kit. Which it is likely as his side mouldings read ///M and not ///M3, this was the designation bmw choose to separate real m3 from mtech kit. If it's a real '99 or very late '98 it also uses E46 rear trailing arms with single piece brake lines unlike crappy e36 multi piece design of course all '99 have 4 seperate brake lines and asc+t. You will never find your rear brake line parts on any diagram haha!
unless you go straight for e46 diagrams...
I have a '99 coupe. These come with a lot of reinforcements from factory over other e36s.

The best are '99 m3s as the attention to detail and "reinforcements" are done to perfection.

The 1999 328 Convertible was produced until 9/99. Go look it up.

No BMW does not simply call a car the next model year after a certain production date. The 1995 US M3 was produced from 93-96 as one example. There are exceptions at production introduction and production end. May is also not the cutoff date. My 1996 M3 is a June of 1996.

And what are you even talking about with “99 done to perfection”? Reinforcements started on the 95 model year M3.

[emccallum]

The bearded guy behind the car putting on the M license plate cover is a dead give away!

[pizzaman09]

I have a 1999 328is with the M sport parts. It's one of the most highly speced 328 I've seen. All options ticked except for the 18 button OBC.