Investment Pieces Don't Get Better Than This Pristine E36 M3 Evo

Now here’s a tasty morsel to get your teeth into. It’s just a little too late for Christmas but this 1996 UK-spec BMW M3 Evolution would make one hell of a treat with which to celebrate the new year.

We stumbled across it almost by accident, but it’s such a peach we just had to tell you about it. Despite 54,177 miles on the clock it’s a minter, presented in (in my opinion) the best colour the E36 was ever built in: Techno Violet.

Mechanically the M3 Evo was identical to the European-spec M3. The UK-only Evo tag came because BMW in this country wanted to give extra weight to the M3’s 1996 upgrades. The S50 straight-six was bored and stroked from 3.0 litres to 3.2, compression was raised and the dual-mass flywheel was strengthened.

Naturally it had double Vanos variable valve timing, graphite-coated con-rods, larger intake valves and a freer-breathing exhaust, among many other small upgrades that amounted to a big change.

In the middle of the cabin you’ll find the lever for a six-speed Gatrag manual gearbox. Huzzah! Out of sight the 3.2 M3 got revised geometry, firmer springs and dampers, uprated hubs and quicker steering, not to mention a shorter final drive ratio for acceleration that would definitely have got your attention.

Power rose from 282bhp to 317bhp, and arrived 400rpm later at 7400rpm. Torque jumped, too, by 22lb ft to 258lb ft. It also came in earlier by 350rpm, at 3250rpm, making it marginally more tractable in higher gears.

This one is almost perfect. We’re rarely fans of random 1990s splashes of wood in sports cars but we do love the pale grey leather seats with integrated headrests and tricolour M stripes. The engine bay and the longitudinal straight-six are as clean as a whistle, to use the old English phrase.

The 17-inch alloys have been refurbished to like-new status. The centre caps are brand new, just like the dinky little M badges. Wrapping the rims are Michelin Pilot SX boots at the front and Goodyear Eagle F1s at the back. The mismatch is a pity, but at least they’re all good quality tyres.

As you’d expect on such an immaculate car, the service history is complete inside its leather M document pack. The running-in service was carried out, then eight more after it including one at the present mileage. Should be in fine order, then, unlike Richard Hammond’s was.

The asking price is some £19,995. That’s not a small figure, but this is a rare, special and wonderful car from a heritage-rich brand of driver’s car. We can’t help but think that in 20 years’ time that number will have doubled, tripled or more. If only we had the cash today.