BMW E30 M3 (1987)

In 1983 Nelson Piquet won the Formula 1 championship in a Brabham powered by a BMW engine. The engine's designer Paul Rosche was told by BMW's CEO that 'we need a sporty engine for the 3 series.' This fabulous, four cylinder motor was to become the heart of the M3. The production of the celebrated E30 road car was to homologate the M3 for Group A Touring Car racing and was campaigned successfully by BMW as well as other teams including Prodrive and Schnitzer.

Built between 1987 and 1990, the M3 was supplied in various guises for both the European and US market. Equipped with 12 different and unique panels from the standard E30. Improved aerodynamics were afforded by an additional trim piece that reduced the angle of the rear windscreen and box-flared wheel arches on the front and rear to accommodate a wider track and wider wheels and tyres. Suspension was greatly improved too and the brakes had special callipers and a revised master cylinder.

This model was completed in 1987 and provided much enjoyment until acquired by its previous owner several years ago. As of April 2010, BMW opened its Classic Centre up to customer cars alongside the restoration and maintenance of its significant heritage fleet.

A small but very capable workshop, with all of the knowledge of BMW’s archives and manpower behind it, any customer cars to be restored would be sharing floor space with the likes of 328s, Mille Miglia winners to one-off prototypes.

In 2011, the then owner of this example returned his E30 M3 to BMW. The official Classic Centre then set about the most comprehensive restoration.

A base car was identified which had been modified from new, but proving the ideal candidate for restoration. The car was stripped back and sand-blasted to reveal its bare metal; each and every component singled out and either restored or replaced. The engine was examined closely and upon identifying the signs of wear, thoroughly rebuilt and fitted to the car. The interior was retrimmed in correct leather and the car once more wears its original Salmon Silver.

A restoration carried out with absolutely no expense spared. There are invoices in the history file totalling 127,500 Euros! Upon completion, the car was displayed on the BMW Classic stand at Techno Classica Essen in 2013, taking pride of place celebrating 25 years of the M3 model.

The incredible restoration journey was documented in a book produced by BMW and signed by those who worked on the car. Since these works were completed, the car has covered just 3,980 kms. We sold the car to its current custodian in 2014 and since then it has been used sparingly, residing within the owner’s collection of other ‘Young-timers’ in our care.

A remarkable opportunity to purchase an iconic late Eighties Sports car in almost 'as new' condition, this factory restored example presents as you would expect with just 3,980 kms from new.