1990 BMW E30 M3 Convertible

Based on the 1986 model year E30 3-Series, the E30 M3 used the BMW 2.3 litre S14 engine and was produced from 1985 to 1992. In contrast to later M3 models, the E30 M3 was campaigned by BMW as well as other racing teams including Prodrive and AC Schnitzer in many forms of motor sport including rallying and racing. The latter included campaigns in the World Touring Car Championship, Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft, and the British, Italian, French and Australian Touring Car Championships.

The M3 differed from the rest of the E30 line-up in many ways and although using the same basic body shell as the standard E30, was equipped with twelve different and unique body panels to improve aerodynamics and aesthetics. The "box flared" wheel-arches to accommodate a wider track with wider and taller wheels were the most distinctive of these but in fact, the only exterior body panels shared were the bonnet, roof panel, sunroof, and doors.

Of the 16,202 E30 M3s produced only 786 convertibles were sold by BMW and of these only 476 were fitted with the 215hp engine, as is this fabulous example here. Built at the Regensburg BMW factory on the 6/11/1990, but interestingly not registered until January 1993, it's finished in the sophisticated colour combination of triple black, with 'Diamontschwartz' metallic paint, black interior and a black soft-top. This gleaming metallic black really suits the M3, setting off the aggressive stance and wide rear wing to perfection. The factory fitted options include heated front seats, a warning triangle, and the boot lid mounted tool kit is present and correct.

This left-hand drive example was imported from Germany on 1st October 1997 and purchased by our vendor, after an exhaustive search on the 31st July 2011. Prior to our vendor's custodianship, the car was meticulously maintained, and the service book shows twenty-three service stamps. As the dealer principal of Trainer BMW of Swansea, our vendor has maintained this car in-house without sparing expense. The bills on the file amount to a shade under £8,000, with regular maintenance, oil changes, and safety checks made after each lengthy journey.

The car shows it's 96,000 kilometres (59,000 miles) remarkably well with just the right amount of patina to the front seat bolsters. The vendor's father recently took the car on a tour of Germany, motoring without fault, and out of a stock of literally hundreds of other BMWs, he chooses to use this car for special trips, regularly attending Goodwood and other motoring events where the car is appreciated for its rarity and condition.

The car will be presented to auction freshly serviced with an MOT until August 2017, complete with book pack, service book, Swansea V5c, most MOTs and SORN documents since being in the UK, and a history file bursting with five years of main dealer receipts. Please note retention proceedings have already begun to remove the private registration number which is not included in the sale.

To conclude, it is a pleasure to offer such a wonderful example of a model that is rarely seen on UK roads, an example that has been meticulously maintained by the workshop staff at a BMW main dealer, as one would expect when the car in question belongs to the boss!