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Exterior photo of 1989 BMW M3

1989 BMW M3

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Details

Price: SOLD

Mileage: 150,500 Miles (TMU)

Engine: S14B23 Inline 4-Cylinder Engine

Transmission: 5-Speed G265 Manual Transmission

Exterior color: Zinno Red Metallic Exterior (138)

Interior: Black Leather Interior (0203)

Additional features:

Freshly Rebuilt S14

Miller MAF Conversion

11:1 High Compression Pistons

.030 Over Bore

VAC Oil Pan Baffle

Mishimoto Aluminum Radiator

Evo Lower Intake

Super Sprint DTM Muffler and Mid-Pipe w/ High-Flow Cats

Custom MoFab Tune 174 Wheel Horsepower / 163 Wheel Torque

BMW Evo Lightweight Flywheel

Sachs Performance Clutch

UUC Short Shift Kit w/ DSSR

Condor Shift Knob

Ground Control Coil-Over Suspension

Ground Control Hybrid Camber Plates

E36 Front Control Arms

Ireland Engineering Posi-Lock Camber and Toe Adjustors

Ground Control Rear Shock Tower Mounts

Fresh Suspension Bushings / Wheel Bearings

Rebuilt Driveshaft

Diff Mount Reinforcements

Z3M Finned Diff Cover

StopTech ST40 328 Front BBK

OEM Rear Brakes w/ StopTech Slotted Rotors

Carbotech Brake Pads

Fresh Gas Tank / Fuel Lines / Cooling System / Brake Lines

EVO II Front Lip w/ EVO III Replica Spoiler

EVO III Rear Spoiler w/ Carbon Fiber Gurney Flap

Depo Smoked Euro Smiley Headlights

Recaro Speed Seats Mounted on Wedge E30 Brackets

Kevin Chin Leather M3 Front and Rear Seats (included)

Momo Mod 88 Steering Wheel w/ OMP Hub and Rouge Quick Release

Lowered Steering Column

Awron DGA Center Vent Display

Custom M Tech Shift and E-Brake Boot

AC Schnitzer Pedal Covers

Crack-Free Dashboard

Bavarian Restoration Refurbished Instrument Cluster

Map Light Mirror

Premium Sound (Fresh Speakers)

Alpine CDE-134HD Stereo

13 Button On Board Computer

OZ Ultraleggera 17x8 Wheels

Dunlop Direzza ZIII High Performance Tires

Complete Mechanical Restoration

No Rust

Enthusiast Owned

3” Records Binder

Clean Carfax

Background

1989 BMW M3 exterior photo

The 1984-1991 BMW 3 Series, known generationally as the E30, is the one model more than any other that earned BMW its Ultimate Driving Machine reputation. E30s are one of our specialty vehicles at Glen Shelly Auto Brokers. The most iconic E30 was the E30 M3, which was built specifically for racing homologation by BMW Motorsport in an era where M stood exclusively for Motorsport. BMW Motorsport transformed the regular E30 into one of the most successful Touring Cars of the era with a completely revised suspension, aggressively flared fenders, front and rear aerodynamics, and the high compression, high-revving S14 engine. The S14 breathed through a pair of dual throttle bodies into a shortened version of the M88 head above a revised four-cylinder M10 block. It was high strung and lightweight, putting out nearly 200 horsepower in the initial 2.3-liter version. As a result, the E30 M3 was wildly successful in Motorsport, cementing a legacy that endures through BMW M GmbH today.

Summary

 exterior photo

This 1989 Zinno Red over black leather BMW M3 is a repeat visitor to Glen Shelly. We sold it to its current owner last year after it was meticulously rebuilt by a long-term owner and E30 M3 collector. The current owner is a retired professional cyclist who has since taken up performance driving. He traded in an E36 M3 for this E30 M3, then set about building it into its current form—a street legal track-focused M3, ready to be used as the E30 M3 was intended to!

Between the current and previous owners, virtually every mechanical component has been upgraded, rebuilt or replaced. Highlights of the build include a rebuilt 2.3-liter S14 featuring 11:1 compression pistons, a Miller MAF conversion, and MoFab tune good for 174hp and 163 lb-ft of torque at the wheels. An Evo intake lower airbox and trumpet combined with a Super Sprint DTM muffler and mid-pipe with high-flow cats handle airflow. A Mishimoto aluminum radiator and with the stock cooling fan keep things cool. All engine internals and accessories were overhauled or replaced along with the cooling system and ignition system. An Evo lightweight fly wheel and Sachs high performance clutch take the power through the stock G265 gearbox to the stock 4:10 differential featuring a Z3M finned diff cover. The suspension is made up of Ground Control coilovers with hybrid camber plates (which have a rubber bump to reduce NVH and they are also legal for SCCA street prep classes). The rear subframe is reinforced and adjustable thanks to Ireland Engineering Posi-Lock camber and toe adjusters. The front and rear subframes and trailing arms have been painted black, and the front control arms and all of the suspension bushings have been replaced. The driveshaft was rebuilt, along with a replacement gas tank, and fresh fuel and brake lines. StopTech Front big brakes and E30 M3 rear brakes with StopTech slotted rotors with Carbotech pads handle braking. Black OZ Ultraleggera seventeen by eight inch wheels wearing Dunlop Direzza ZIII high performance tires put the power to the road.

The exterior is painted in Zinnoberrot that presents very well, while still having enough imperfections to enjoy it without guilt—perfect for this car’s mission. Exterior modifications include an Evo II front lip with an Evo III replica spoiler, an Evo III rear spoiler with a carbon fiber gurney flap, Depo Euro “smiley” headlights, smoked front indicators, and black bumper stripes. The Evo II and III bits add a tone of DTM aggression that is missing with the stock lip and spoiler. Inside the interior is immaculate, with a replacement crack-free dash and impeccable OEM seats recovered with a Kevin Chin leather upholstery kit. Freshly mounted Recaro Speed seats with red stitching on Wedge brackets are currently fitted in place of the front sport seats (which are included). The steering column was lowered to accommodate the driving position and fitted with a Momo Mod 88 steering wheel mounted through an OMP hub with a Rouge quick release. Bavarian Restoration refurbished the instrument cluster under the previous owner. An Awron DGA center vent displays shows oil pressure and differential temperature, with the option to show transmission temperature (the latter needs a sender to be enabled). The premium sound speakers were replaced and are driven by a modern Alpine CD head unit. Other E30 bling items are AC Schnitzer pedal covers, a map light mirror, thirteen button onboard computer, and a complete tool kit.

As it sits, this is a turn-key E30 M3 ready to be enjoyed by its new owner. It presents fantastically, always drawing compliments and crowds, but is imperfect enough to be used and enjoyed without guilt—this is one you buy to use as the M3 was intended.

Exterior

1989 BMW M3 exterior photo

The Zinnoberrot paint is glossy and presents well, however the paint is not original. Different panels have been painted at different times, revealing a slight color mismatch under the direct sun. This is mainly due to a windshield cowl repair, which is a common rust area on the E30 M3—and an expensive repair to do correctly. There are no glaring paint or body imperfections, but close inspection does reveal some areas of paint lifting and flexing on the lower panels and fender flares. It sounds trite, but after spending weeks quietly coveting this car in the hangar, the imperfections combined with the Evo II bits actually add an air of racing patina to the car—or at least that is my story at Cars and Coffee. There is no rust whatsoever and the doorjamb VIN placards are in place. The bumpers, EVO II spoilers, trim, and seals are in place and in good shape. Common problem areas like the upper surface of the EVO III rear spoiler have no cracked paint and the front lip has no glaring curb scuffing. The windshield and window glass are crack-free and not pitted. The smoked “smiley” projector headlights have clean lenses and are a functional OEM upgrade from the US market projectors. The taillight lenses are in good shape. The OZ Ultraleggera wheels and Dunlop tires are perfect with less than 100 miles on both.

Interior

 interior photo

The interior on this M3 is fantastic; it is the most pristine cosmetic element of the car. There are no odors and it has never been smoked in. The carpet has no tears or stains. The Recaro Speed Seats and Momo steering wheel have been freshly fitted and are in perfect condition. The stock seats are also perfect. Clean M3 seats are hard to come by, and the recently recovered Kevin Chin leather on these is exceptional. The leather is soft and supple, and all seat functions work. The dashboard is likewise in excellent shape and free of the typical E30 dashboard cracks. The Awan DGA vent display fits nicely without requiring any modification to the dashboard. All instrument cluster functions work, including the odometer and trip meter. There are no warning lights or check panel warnings. The 13-button onboard computer and map light mirror function correctly. The Alpine stereo sounds great and the premium sound speakers have been replaced. The center console and all HVAC controls are extremely clean; the blower motor is quiet at all speeds, and the heat blows warm and the air conditioning blows cold thanks to being completely rebuilt when we sold the car to the current owner. The power windows, sunroof, and door locks function correctly. The trunk carpet is clean and the tool kit is complete.

Mechanical

 engine photo

The build records are extensive, but the previous owner completed all work himself so they consist mostly of parts and machining receipts. The current owner has receipts and invoices from himself and E30 M3 specialist Mark Hutto. They are organized chronologically in a 3-ring binder. Virtually all of the mechanical components have been replaced or rebuilt—many with difficult to source or no-longer-available E30 M3 specific parts. The result is an exceptional E30 M3 mechanical restoration. It is nearly as crisp and as tight as the day it left the show room, and an example of the result of proper stewardship. The S14 engine starts on command, idles smoothly, and pulls very strongly to redline. There is no excessive valve train or timing chain noise and it does not leak. It runs cool even on hot days and the Miller MAF combined with high compression pistons is a very nice upgrade. The Ground Control coilover suspension is perfectly suited to the mission. It is firm enough for the track, yet still compliant for street driving. The Ground Control hybrid camber plates are quiet, even on bumpy roads thanks to their internal rubber bumps. It is properly aligned and corner balanced thanks to the rear camber and toe adjusters. The Stoptech brakes are strong with correct brake bias and fresh Carbotech pads. There are no driveline or wheel bearing vibrations. This E30 M3 is a slap in the face to a market filled with examples that are too precious to use. It looks and presents fantastically, yet it has enough flaws to actually use and enjoy, combined with a build that will allow significant performance over a stock example. It would cost significantly more than we are asking to build and has many exclusive features.

VIN Decode

 exterior photo

VIN Decode

  • VIN: WBSAK0302K2198610
  • Type: 1003
  • Model: M3 – USA
  • Development Code: E30
  • Chassis: LIM
  • Steering: LL
  • Doors: 2
  • Engine: S14
  • Displacement: 2.30
  • Power: 197 Horsepower (originally)
  • Drivetrain: RWD
  • Transmission: Manual
  • Color:  Zinnoberrot (138)
  • Upholstery: Black Leather (Schwarz Leder – 0203)
  • Production Plant: Dingolfing
  • Production Date: 12-13-1988

Options

  • 401 Sliding / Vent Roof Electric
  • 410 Window Lifts Electric Front
  • 530 Air Conditioning
  • 540 Cruise Control
  • 551 On-Board Computer
  • 675 BMW Sound System
  • 925 Shipping Protection Package

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