1990 BMW E30 M3 Sport Evolution

Number 139 of only 600 BMW E30 M3 Sport Evolutions produced Featuring the larger 2.5-litre engine married to a Getrag 265 five-speed gearbox Finished in Jet Black Metallic with full Black Nappa leather interior Supplied with a German Fahrzeugbrief, UK V5c, service book and Sport Evolution Handbook Odometer showing just 127,765km equivalent to 79,389 miles Has any other of BMW's M-cars captured the imagination quite as fully as has the E30 M3? Even the M1 'supercar' doesn't quite match up. There's just something about the clean lines of this left-hand-drive only, wide-arched, bespoilered poster car of the 1980s that appeals to anyone with petrol in their veins. The M3 is a high-performance version of the 3-Series developed by BMW's in-house Motorsport Division and completely set the world alight in terms of performance. Upgrades over the standard 3-Series include more powerful and responsive engines, improved handling/suspension/braking systems, aerodynamic body enhancements, lightweight components, and interior/exterior accents with the famous tricolour Motorsport emblem. Interestingly, the BMW M3 remains the only car ever to have earned more titles than the venerated Porsche 911 in Motorsport. The M3's raison d'etre was originally to head off the challenge - from Mercedes in particular - in 'Group A' Touring Car racing and it was obviously necessary to build the road cars, introduced in 1986, in sufficient numbers to comply with the homologation requirements, however, they were always intended as production line cars rather than hand-built specials. The heart of the transformation from competent second-generation 3-series saloon to performance icon was the 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine - a development of the 2002's and 320's M10 engine, overbored and strengthened to the specification of the six-cylinder M88. The valvetrain and cylinder head design came from the M1's straight-six. The full-race cars were unbelievably successful, dominating Touring Car racing throughout the World and taking countless titles including the prestigious German, Australian and British series, not to mention the World Touring Car Championship in 1987. The next generation E30 M3 or 'Evolution' model (Evo II) was about as close as you could get to driving a 'Group A' racing-car in 1988. The 'Evo II' was a significant development of the original M3 and was slightly more powerful thanks to a new camshaft, pistons and intake system, and a little more svelte thanks to a lighter flywheel, boot lid, windows and bumpers. Later, the limited edition 'Sport Evolution' model (referred to as Evo III) increased engine displacement to 2.5-litres and had enlarged front bumper openings and an adjustable multi-position front splitter and rear wing. Brake cooling ducts were also installed in place of the front fog lights. The cars themselves were very different with unique aerodynamically sculpted body panels, increased caster angle through major front suspension changes, and aluminium control arms. They had special front and rear brake calipers and rotors, a special brake master cylinder, and a 'Getrag 265' five-speed gearbox with a limited-slip differential. Only 600 M3 Sport Evolutions were built in late 1989 and early 1990 and were available in black or red only. We are very pleased to offer this 1990 BMW E30 M3 Sport Evolution, no.139/600, which according to the original German 'Fahrzeugbrief' registration document contained in the file, was registered new to a Mr U. Zimniak of Ostfildern, a South Eastern suburb of Stuttgart in 1991. Finished in Jet Black Metallic (Glanzschwarz), the interior features full Black Nappa leather Recaro Sports seats embossed with the legendary M-Sport colour flashes, suede-trimmed steering wheel, handbrake lever and gear knob and bright red seat belts giving the interior a purposeful look. Other options ordered from new include; air-conditioning, electric tilt and slide solid sunroof, electric windows and mirrors, a rear manual blind, and the RDS radio cassette with the BMW Sound System speaker set. During the next eight-year period in Germany, the car was serviced eleven times, as recorded in the original service book, before being imported into the UK in June 1999, by which time it had covered just over 98,000km. Thoroughly pampered by its three UK owners, this exceptional example boasts a large history file, its original service book and 'Sport Evolution' handbook, its spare key, glovebox torch and the majority of its BMW tools. Under the watchful eye of our vendor, the car has been the recipient of a sympathetic re-commissioning which has included some light trim work, a bare-metal respray which looks simply divine and masses of original parts ordered through Synter BMW Nottingham for which there are reams of invoices. Now in utterly outstanding condition throughout, the odometer reads a mere 127,765 km, equivalent to 79,389 miles. Supplied with a UK V5c and MoT valid until 16th April 2019, this last version of the iconic E30 M3 is now a seriously sought-after motorcar and with only 600 made in total, this is an incredibly rare opportunity to purchase one of BMW Motorsport's finest creations.