Gregor Wenner
Specialist Consultant
LOT 148
1987 BMW M3 E30 Coupé Chassis no. WBSAK050X01893109
Sold for €138,000 inc. premium
Lot 148
One owner and just 41,000 km from new
1987 BMW M3 E30 Coupé
1987 BMW M3 E30 Coupé
1987 BMW M3 E30 Coupé
Chassis no. WBSAK050X01893109
Chassis no. WBSAK050X01893109
• Delivered new in Germany
• Genuine 41,000 kilometres from new
• Factory sunroof
• Outstandingly original
• Always serviced at the same BMW dealership
• Comes with all books and tools
There had been expensive, limited edition M-Series models before the M3 but it was the latter's arrival that brought BMW's premier performance brand within the reach of less wealthy enthusiasts. For that we have to thank BMW's need for a car suitable for Group A racing, the rules stipulating that 5,000 units should be made in the first year of production. By this time (the early 1980s) BMW's single-overhead-cam slant-four engine would have been hopelessly outclassed on the racetrack so the required power increase was achieved by bolting on a 16-valve cylinder head, the basic architecture of which had already been seen in the six-cylinder M1 and M635. Bored out to 93.4mm, the Bosch fuel-injected M3 motor displaced 2,302cc and produced a class-leading 200bhp.
Although it looked pretty much like a standard E30 3-Series from a distance, the M3 shared only the bonnet with its less-exotic sibling. Most obvious difference was the wider front and rear wings while only the most observant would have noticed the more steeply raked rear window and raised boot, changes made in the interests of aerodynamic efficiency. Necessary chassis improvements included lowered and stiffened suspension, wider wheels, five-stud hubs, ventilated front brake discs, ABS and a limited-slip differential as standard. The gearbox was a five-speed close-ratio Getrag.
The M3 debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1985 with deliveries of this exclusively left-hand drive model commencing a little over one year later. Magazine road tests were soon reporting top speeds of circa 225km/h and a 0-100km/h time of around 7 seconds, highly respectable figures even by today's standards.
This 'First Generation' M3 was sold new in 1987 to the current owner, a resident of Wunsiedel, Germany, who is now aged 93. The car was ordered (and initially registered) by the son of the sole owner who was working as an engineer at the BMW factory, in order to enjoy the BMW employee discount on the purchase of this new car. But the car was destined for the father and he has been the only one to drive this M3. He drove the car until the age of 92 and was almost certainly the oldest M3 driver! Items of special equipment fitted include the following: electric sunroof; electric windows (front); headlight cleaning system; on-board Computer II with remote control; roof aerial; and a cassette holder.
One of three BMWs belonging to the elderly owner, the M3 has always been serviced at the same local BMW dealership; the original service booklet is present together with all invoices and TÜV reports dating back to 1987, guaranteeing the odometer reading of 41,063 kilometres. As one would expect of such limited use, and in the summertime only, the car is in excellent and outstandingly original condition. Even the owner's old carpets (serving as protection for the original floor mats below) are still inside the car. Following the owner's move to assisted living (unfortunate but necessary) he has now sold his beloved E30 M3.
This E30 M3's quite exceptional condition means that it is almost certainly the best currently on the market. Finished in a highly desirable colour scheme, and well specified, this German delivered 'pocket rocket' is guaranteed to appeal to younger collectors. Opportunities like this do not come around very often!
• Genuine 41,000 kilometres from new
• Factory sunroof
• Outstandingly original
• Always serviced at the same BMW dealership
• Comes with all books and tools
There had been expensive, limited edition M-Series models before the M3 but it was the latter's arrival that brought BMW's premier performance brand within the reach of less wealthy enthusiasts. For that we have to thank BMW's need for a car suitable for Group A racing, the rules stipulating that 5,000 units should be made in the first year of production. By this time (the early 1980s) BMW's single-overhead-cam slant-four engine would have been hopelessly outclassed on the racetrack so the required power increase was achieved by bolting on a 16-valve cylinder head, the basic architecture of which had already been seen in the six-cylinder M1 and M635. Bored out to 93.4mm, the Bosch fuel-injected M3 motor displaced 2,302cc and produced a class-leading 200bhp.
Although it looked pretty much like a standard E30 3-Series from a distance, the M3 shared only the bonnet with its less-exotic sibling. Most obvious difference was the wider front and rear wings while only the most observant would have noticed the more steeply raked rear window and raised boot, changes made in the interests of aerodynamic efficiency. Necessary chassis improvements included lowered and stiffened suspension, wider wheels, five-stud hubs, ventilated front brake discs, ABS and a limited-slip differential as standard. The gearbox was a five-speed close-ratio Getrag.
The M3 debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1985 with deliveries of this exclusively left-hand drive model commencing a little over one year later. Magazine road tests were soon reporting top speeds of circa 225km/h and a 0-100km/h time of around 7 seconds, highly respectable figures even by today's standards.
This 'First Generation' M3 was sold new in 1987 to the current owner, a resident of Wunsiedel, Germany, who is now aged 93. The car was ordered (and initially registered) by the son of the sole owner who was working as an engineer at the BMW factory, in order to enjoy the BMW employee discount on the purchase of this new car. But the car was destined for the father and he has been the only one to drive this M3. He drove the car until the age of 92 and was almost certainly the oldest M3 driver! Items of special equipment fitted include the following: electric sunroof; electric windows (front); headlight cleaning system; on-board Computer II with remote control; roof aerial; and a cassette holder.
One of three BMWs belonging to the elderly owner, the M3 has always been serviced at the same local BMW dealership; the original service booklet is present together with all invoices and TÜV reports dating back to 1987, guaranteeing the odometer reading of 41,063 kilometres. As one would expect of such limited use, and in the summertime only, the car is in excellent and outstandingly original condition. Even the owner's old carpets (serving as protection for the original floor mats below) are still inside the car. Following the owner's move to assisted living (unfortunate but necessary) he has now sold his beloved E30 M3.
This E30 M3's quite exceptional condition means that it is almost certainly the best currently on the market. Finished in a highly desirable colour scheme, and well specified, this German delivered 'pocket rocket' is guaranteed to appeal to younger collectors. Opportunities like this do not come around very often!
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