After you spend any amount of time with a certain make or model, it becomes easier to separate the wheat from the chaff. The E36-chassis BMW M3 is a car I’ve quite familiar with, having owned a 1995 coupe and a 1999 convertible. These cars are certainly desirable and rising in value, but only if found in truly exceptional condition. There are plenty of rough, over-modified M3s on the market today, and many of them end up as engine donors for earlier, lighter models looking for an instant horsepower upgrade. This 1997 M3 coupe listed here on craigslist has just under 75,000 miles and is listed for $28,000.

The E36 chassis BMW is often derided for being cheaply constructed, and that’s not an inaccurate assessment. However, as cars get increasingly complex and loaded with safety and luxury features, the low-rent qualities of the E36 become endearing. The M3 feels incredibly light and lithe compared to modern BMWs, and the occasional rattle and busted door panel clip becomes dismissable when you realize how satisfying it is to drive a rear-wheel drive coupe with a limited-slip, good power, and a conventional 5-speed. The seller’s car is quite clean, but it does show some modifications but they are all easily reversible (both the seller’s words and my sentiments as well.)

The tweaks include a Magnaflow exhaust system, aftermarket coilover suspension, and an M-Tech 2 steering wheel. There’s also a set of clear front turn signals and red/clear taillights, but like the enhancements mentioned above, all of these parts can be swapped over in a weekend. The interior shows the preferred Vader seats, and based on the presence of these extremely supportive buckets and the front air dam with the mesh insert, we can deduct this is a sport package car. This doesn’t necessarily unlock any additional performance capabilities, but the seats alone are worth the purely cosmetic upgrade package.

There are cars that have risen in value quickly and plateaued, and others that still have room to run. The E36 M3 is in a place where their value is known, but because of the still-generous supply of available cars for sale, many of (myself included) feel like we still have time to find a good one. However, as it has happened time and again, we all wake up one day and realize all of the affordable, good cars are gone. This 1999 M3, powered by the S52 inline-six with 240 horsepower and 236 lb.-ft. of torque, looks mint inside and out, and is likely one of those cars we’ll be kicking ourselves over in 10 years when it was still under $30,000. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Curvette for the tip.