23,069 Original Miles
Manual Transmission
2.3L 4 Cyl
192 hp @ 6750 rpm*
169 lb/ft torque @ 4750 rpm*
Capable 0-60 MPH: 6.7 seconds
Top Speed: 143 MPH
*Base Price in 1990: $34,325
*Seller Asking:
$92,500
Fast Facts:
- The E30 M3 was designed as a race car first and foremost to compete in Group A racing. A road car was only produced because it was required by the rules. Otherwise, BMW would never have bothered building an E30 M3 road car
- BMW originally wanted to power the M3 with the M88 6 cyl engine from their M1 supercar (the M5, which would also use the M88, hadn’t been released yet). The E30 engine bay required extensive surgery to make the M88 fit, but regardless, BMW built a running prototype
- However, the project was cut short as the 6 cyl added too much weight to the front end. The amount of suspension development work needed to offset this weight penalty would cost too much – the M88 engine adds enough to the bottom line as it is. Pricing the car too high was not a risk BMW could take – Group A racing rules allow BMW only 12 months to sell 5,000 street cars
- As a result, BMW axed the inline 6 and instead focused on developing the 2.0L M10 4 cyl (found in the 318i) to work with a 4 valve head (4 valves per cylinder, that is)
- Paul Roche, the man behind the M3’s engine, came up with the genius idea of enlarging the bores of the 4 cyl to match that of the 6 cyl engine, while also installing a forged crank with the same 84mm stroke as the 6 cyl. Having matching cylinder bores meant the 4 cyl could use the same 4 valve cylinder head as the 6 cyl M88 (known as the “S38” in the States). BMW literally took an M88 head and chopped off 2 combustion chambers to form the cylinder head, which paired perfectly with the 4 cyl. The newly created engine was code named “S14”
- Suspension development from the get-go was about optimizing the design for racing, with zero compromise for street manners. The logic was that, once the best race setup is found, it can be lightly softened for road use on the street car, without changing much else
- Many of the M3’s parts were borrowed from the E28 5 series, including the brakes (535i), axles, and 5 lug wheel hubs with its larger wheel bearings. This hub required an all new wheel (the E30’s were all 4 lug), so BMW hired BBS to design a lightweight wheel specifically for this car
Key Model Year Changes:
- 1990 was the first year of notable changes
- The old steel front control arms upgraded to aluminum, with new bushings
- New intake airbox from the euro-only Evo II model
- Updated M-Technic II steering wheel, new shift knob, new halogen headlights, fixed rear quarter windows, and a vehicle check control system
- The M3 didn’t not receive the same updates as the regular E30, such as airbags
- One owner. Purchased new in 1989
- Garaged since day one
- Black Diamond over black leather
- No accidents. Clean title and Carfax
- Original paint. Driver-side rear fiberglass bottom panel was repainted, from dog scratching it
- Oil changes have been performed per BMW maintenance guidelines, as well as fuel pump replacement
- Leather conditioner used annually
- Stock except for B&B Sports Exhaust muffler, cross-drilled rotors with new pads, and BBS wheels and tires (2018)
- Start-up is flawless. Runs and drives just as it did 30 years ago
- Location: Killeen, Texas – (more photos below
- Update: car has been sold
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*SAE rated from factory. May not reflect current output.
*Performance numbers pulled from either the factory brochure or reputable automotive road tests.
*Base price when new does not reflect original MSRP of this particular car, nor does it reflect what the original owner paid for it.
*Advertised price at time of posting. Sellers can raise or lower prices on their original ad at any time. Click on the original ad to view current price/availability.
*Performance numbers pulled from either the factory brochure or reputable automotive road tests.
*Base price when new does not reflect original MSRP of this particular car, nor does it reflect what the original owner paid for it.
*Advertised price at time of posting. Sellers can raise or lower prices on their original ad at any time. Click on the original ad to view current price/availability.
Mileage Disclaimer: NOC has not confirmed if the mileage stated by the seller is true and accurate. It is up to the buyer to verify these claims. Vehicle history reports, service records stating mileage, and even inspections of odometer tampering are recommended.
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