To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' Amelia
Island event, 8 - 9 March 2019.
Estimate:
$100,000 - $150,000
- Attractive Diamond Black over black leather
- Excellent highly original condition
- Original numbers-matching engine
- $15,000 in recent servicing
- Showing only 27,800 miles
After BMW's Motorsports division proved its mettle with the
limited-edition M1, engineers set to work on a competition version
of their 3-Series model range. The E30 generation M3 bowed in
late-1985 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. While it may have looked at
first glance like a standard 3-Series coupe with a body kit and
boxed fender flares, it was more race car than road car underneath.
The S14 inline four-cylinder cranked out an impressive 192 hp while
various suspension modifications and brake upgrades helped the M3
make the most of its power.
The 1990 M3 offered here was originally sold to the U.S., meaning
it was fitted with an overdrive manual transmission with a
conventional shift pattern rather than the dogleg setup in the
European model. Additionally, later M3s such as this one benefit
from a larger intake as well as a driver's side airbag compared to
the earlier U.S.-bound examples.
Originally delivered to California, the car was exported to Japan a
few years later. The M3 subsequently returned to North America in
2008 and remained with its enthusiast owner until late last year.
The only modifications from stock are the exhaust temperature
sensor and side marker lights that are mandatory in Japan. At some
point, the BMW received a high-quality two-stage repaint in its
correct Diamond Black metallic finish.
The M3 shows just 27,800 miles and is in excellent, well-preserved
condition. Its original black leather interior exhibits few signs
of use and its exterior was recently treated to $3,000 worth of
paint correction and ceramic coating. The consignor, a BMW
specialist in Cincinnati, Ohio, completed about $12,000 worth of
mechanical work, including a valve adjustment, full tune-up, intake
resealing, new front control arms, various suspension bushings, and
a new heater core. Its numbers-matching engine performed well in a
compression test with essentially even readings for all four
cylinders.
This well-preserved, ready-to-enjoy M3 includes two BMW keys and a
full set of original books, manuals, and tools.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/am19.
