For Sale at Auction: 1988 BMW M3 in Amelia Island, Florida

Chassis No. WBSAK010202191592
M3 Evolution II No. 151/500
Engine No. 60964350
Transmission No. 008303AEZ

The BMW M3 Evolution II refined the original M3 into a more focused performance weapon engineered to help BMW fight for the title in the 1988 German Touring Car Championship. It featured a more powerful 2.3-liter "S14" inline-four-cylinder engine that featured an increased compression ratio, revised cylinder head, camshaft, and exhaust manifold- raising horsepower to nearly 220 sent through a Getrag "G265" dogleg five-speed manual transmission and limited-slip differential. The cars were further enhanced for racing with 16x7.5-inch BBS wheels, thinner side and rear window glass, a lighter trunk lid, a deeper front splitter, and a secondary rear lip spoiler.

None of the 500 M3 Evolution IIs produced were bound for the U.S., making these homologation specials an exceedingly rare sight on American soil.

This 1988 BMW M3 Evolution II is number 151 of the 500 examples produced, and is finished as new in Misano Red over Silver Uberkaro cloth and leather upholstery. Highlights from its considerable list of factory options include an electric sunroof, Electronic Damping Control, air conditioning, heated seats, on-board computer II with remote control, and more. It has been further enhanced with a competition stainless steel exhaust and a larger diameter front sway bar.

The included Birth Certificate from BMW Classic indicates this example was manufactured on 4 May 1988 and delivered new to Lampertheim, Germany. According to its CarVX report, this example was then registered in Japan in February 1990, and remained there for 34 years. Purchased by the consignor in 2024 and imported to the United States the following February, it received a fresh servicing including new Pirelli P-Zero tires before beginning a tour of the Pacific Northwest. It was then displayed at several key events on the East Coast including the 2025 Turtle Invitational, the Amelia Island 50 Years of the BMW 3 Series showcase, the Bridgehampton Concours, and the Lime Rock Park Historic Festival 43, where it won Best in Class in the BMW 3-series 50th Anniversary category.

It is now offered with a mere 79,141 kilometers (49,175 miles) at cataloging and is furnished with its complete original toolkit, multiple awards and accolades from the events it has attended, and F.I.S.A. homologation paperwork.

Already a regular at prestigious automotive gatherings nationwide, this car was hand selected by BMW North America and Hagerty to be displayed at Cars & Caffeine 2026 at the Amelia Island Concours. This invite-only event will celebrate several key BMW anniversaries, notably the 40th Anniversary of the M3, and this car will be on display on the Amelia Concours lawn on Sunday, March 8th alongside a curated selection of some of the finest representatives of the BMW marque in the country.

As a rare, exceptionally-specified, and award-winning example of BMW Motorsport's defining homologation special, this 1988 BMW M3 Evolution II is an eminently worthy addition to any serious BMW or thoughtfully-curated German marque collection.