1988 BMW M3
HIGHLIGHTS
Comprehensively Restored German Market Example
Tastefully Modified By Former Prodrive Technician
Stunning Details Throughout, Utilizing Only BMW OEM Parts
SPECIFICATIONS
VIN - WBSAU050601894550
Engine – 2.3L, 4 Cylinder
Gearbox – 5 Speed Manual
Drivetrain - Front Engine, RWD
PRICING INFORMATION
Price - $125,000
OVERVIEW
The BMW E30 M3, produced between 1986 and 1991, is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series and an icon of automotive history. Developed as a homologation model for Group A Touring Car racing, the E30 M3 boasts aggressive aerodynamics, including a rear wing and widened fenders, improving stability and handling. Different from the standard car in many important ways, it is powered by the S14 engine, a 2.3-liter inline-four producing 192-215 horsepower, depending on the model year and market. Known for its razor-sharp handling, lightweight construction, and rear-wheel-drive architecture, the E30 M3 delivers an exhilarating driving experience.
Its motorsport success cemented its legacy, with multiple championships in touring car series worldwide. The E30 M3's timeless design, mechanical simplicity, and rich heritage make it a sought-after classic, revered by enthusiasts and collectors. It remains a benchmark for performance coupes of the period and a testament to BMW’s engineering excellence.
Built in November 1988, this BMW M3 first served as the personal car of a director at BMW in Munich before being sold to its first private owner in Germany. He held onto it for a decade before passing it on to a UK-based buyer in 1998. At some point the car endured engine and cross-member damage, and in 2001, a Prodrive technician acquired the M3 with a clear mission: to build his dream car, an endeavor that would span several years.
With extensive experience at Prodrive—where M3s were built for the BTCC in the late '80s and early '90s—the new owner had an intimate understanding of these machines. His career as a World Rally Championship technician took him across the globe, maintaining and servicing high-performance Group A, Group N, and WRC-spec cars like the Escort Cosworth, Mitsubishi Evo, and Subaru Impreza. This demanding schedule stretched out the M3’s restoration timeline, but his commitment never wavered.
In 2008, after a meticulous, no-expense-spared rebuild, the car was finally completed. The original 2,302cc S14 engine was fully overhauled, enhanced with an upgraded timing chain and tensioner, a Motorsport-style carbon-fiber airbox, upgraded fuel injectors, and a Group A wiring harness. A Prodrive-tuned Alpha-N engine management system optimized for road use brought the power output to 231bhp, verified by a dyno sheet in the car’s documentation. Because of the lack of a standard idle air control valve, this car’s idle is lumpy until it gets some temperature, but it otherwise runs superbly.
A full Miltek stainless steel exhaust was also installed. The gearbox received an overhaul, while the differential was upgraded with a Motorsport cover featuring cooling fins. A new oil pan—replacing the damaged original—was fitted with a protector, and the suspension was refined with improved springs and a full set of fresh BMW bushings. Brakes were upgraded with removed ABS and 4-piston Alcon calipers. Modifications to the engine bay create an incredible visual appeal not available in a factory car, and mirror the original M3 racing cars of the 1980s very closely.
A complete body restoration followed. The shell was stripped down and resprayed in Brilliant Red (308), with only genuine BMW screws, clips, and fasteners used during reassembly. The interior saw an equally thorough refresh, with new BMW carpets, fresh leather upholstery, and BMW ‘Evo Red’ seat belts. Every aspect of the build was handled personally by the Prodrive technician, except for the paintwork and upholstery.
The final result spoke for itself—when the car debuted at its first show, it secured a ‘Best in Class’ award and drew admiration whenever it left the garage. However, the owner rarely drove it, covering fewer than 2,000 kilometers over 13 years, choosing instead to preserve its pristine condition while establishing his own workshop. With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, he made the difficult decision to part ways with the M3, ensuring it was in peak condition before listing it for sale. It was sold to a German dealer, and imported into the US in 2023, when it was bought by its current owner.
This M3 embodies the essence of the ‘ultimate driving machine.’ It retains the distinctive sound of the racing variants—thanks to the Motorsport airbox—evoking the golden days of DTM racing. The odometer reads approximately 77,600 kilometers, supported by a well-documented history, including a comprehensive folder of BMW parts invoices.
Tastefully and capably built as maybe the ultimate hot-rodded E30 M3, this example dazzles with not only its visual appeal, but spectacular driving dynamics.
Please contact Jason at +1-206-355-7727 or Hans at +1-425-417-5877 for more information on this vehicle.
