4 Star Classics

A late spec E30 M3 with all the options.

MODEL HISTORY

The E30 M3 made its debut at the 1985 Frankfurt motor show and was a BMW motorsport division development based on the E30 3 Series. The reason for the development was to allow BMW to compete in Group A touring car racing against the likes of the Mercedes 190E 2.3 16V Cosworth, for some excellent footage of this racing follow this link to one of our favourite youtube videos - Touring car racing 1980s.

Group A rules demanded that each race car share its main components with the production road car, hence the wide arches to accommodate race wheels and tyres. The series required a high number of units to homologate the M3 (5000 units), so production was carried out by special teams at the normal Munich-Milbertshofe factory rather than the Motorsport unit in Garching.

While based on the E30 3 series, the M3 was a totally revised car designed and focused for use as a race car. The suspension was reworked resulting in three times more steering castor, a front anti rollbar linked to the struts, re-valved shocks and stiffer shorter springs, a wider track and stronger wheel bearings were added to cope with intense mechanical stress of track work. The power assisted rack and pinion steering is quicker (19.6:1). All the exterior panels on the M3 apart from the bonnet and sunroof are unique to the car with the rear screen re-angled for better airflow. Both front and rear screens are bonded in to the car to increase body stiffness.

The M3 weighed a mere 1200kgs and coupled with the cars immense handling and driving behaviour it is no surprise that BMW had no problem selling all 5000 units.

Equipment

16 inch cross spoke alloy wheels, Heated seats, Tinted windscreen, Electric windows, Electric mirrors, Sunroof,  Headlight wash wipe, Multi function computer, Central locking and alarm, Immobiliser, Rear sun blind, Rear headrests, CD player.

EXTERIOR

This late spec E30 M3 is finished in stunning Diamond Schwarz metallic black and is in excellent condition. The current owner has kept the car to an impeccable standard so the paint has a deep shine. There are no stone chips to the front as the present owner treated the front end to some paint work to remove them which is documented in the history file. None of the trim or rubber seals are perished or damaged and all the light lenses are clear and unchipped.

INTERIOR

This is a very highly spec'd M3 with many factory options including a full leather interior, heated seats and an electric sunroof. The leather is in great condition with no wear or sagging to the bolsters and still feels soft and supple to the touch. All the controls work as they should, the tool kit is complete and the carpets have been well protected with a quality set of mats. The only non standard addition being a Pioneers CD player and some upgraded speakers.

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION

This M3 has only covered 94,522 miles and has always been maintained to a high standard so is in fine mechanical shape and has also just benefited from a service at NBA Sports Cars in Dunsfold. Being the desirable late spec car it has the 215bhp engine that provides plenty of performance for some exhilarating country road drives. As with all E30 M3's the car has a 5 speed dog leg gearbox that feels tight and provides a quick change between 2nd and 3rd gear, perfect for jostling it down those twisty lanes!

WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES

All of the late spec cars where fitted with the 16" BBS wheels that we see on this car, these where refurbished in 2006 and remain to this day in perfect condition. All the tyres are of good quality, the fronts with about 4mm of tread and the rears with 7mm. The brakes are excellent on these cars and this example is no exception pulling the car up quickly in a straight line.

HISTORY FILE

This E30 M3 was first registered in Germany in January 1991 and comes with its original BMW service book that is fully stamped with all the services until it was exported to the UK in 1998 with 80,000 miles on the clock.

On arrival in the UK the car was converted from KPH to MPH, the new clock was calibrated to convert to the correct mileage and the old clock has been kept so could be refitted if the car goes back to Europe. Since coming to the UK a history file has been kept that includes all the receipts for work carried out and any parts used, for reference at the front of the file is a break down that shows dates, mileage and a summary of the work carried out. The last service was carried out last week at our preferred garage 'NBA Sports Cars' in Dunsfold.

The car also comes with all the owners manuals and every MOT certificate since arriving in the UK. The current owner has had the car for the last 3 years and is only selling due to an E9 CSL project.