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Exterior photo of 1990 BMW M3

1990 BMW M3

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Details

Price: SOLD

Mileage: 118,700 Miles

Engine: S14B23 Inline 4-Cylinder Engine

Transmission: 5-Speed G265 Manual Transmission

Exterior color: Brilliant Red Metallic (308)

Interior: Black Leather (0203)

Additional features:

Carbon Fiber Airbox w/ Snorkel

Miller Performance Alpha-N Conversion

Mishimoto Aluminum Radiator

Super Sprint Header/Race Exhaust

Evo 3 Alcantara Shift Knob

Ground Control Coil-Over Suspension w/ Modified Front Strut Housings

OEM Sport Evo Shock Mounts

Ground Control Rear Shock Mounts

Fresh Suspension Bushings / Wheel Bearings

Evo 3 Front Splitter and Undertray (OEM)

Euro Grilles

Evo 3 Front Bumper Seal

Evo 3 Fender Seals

Evo Style Front Brake Ducts

Euro Smiley Headlights (Hella)

M Tech 2 Steering Wheel (370mm, wrapped in alcantara)

Leather Shift Boot

Crack-Free Dashboard

Map Light Mirror

Premium Sound

Factory Stereo

13 Button On Board Computer

16” Genuine Evo Wheels (Refinished Nogaro Silver)

Toyo Proxes R1R Tires

No Rust

Enthusiast Owned

Clean Carfax

California Car

Extensive Recent Maintenance

Background

1990 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 1990 Brilliant Red over Black Leather E30 M3 is one of the finest examples we’ve ever had. It is a “sum greater than its parts” made up of some rare and tasteful upgrades. Moving from front to back, the list includes an Evo 3 front splitter and undertray, Evo front bumper seal and fender seals, Evo front brake ducts, Euro grilles, and Hella Euro smiley headlights. The 2.3-liter S14 engine breathes through a DTM-style carbon fiber snorkel and air box, while exhaling through Super Sprint headers and muffler (with catalytic converters deleted)—the combination of which produces sounds reminiscent of the Group A DTM racecars! A Miller Performance Alpha-N conversion handles engine management, with a Mishimoto aluminum radiator keeping things cool. The valve cover has been wrinkle-coated in red—an eye-catching accent to the carbon air box. The interior features an alcantara-wrapped 370mm M Tech II steering wheel, along with a matching Evo 3 shift knob and e-brake handle. A BMW factory fire extinguisher is mounted under the driver’s seat. Handling is accomplished through E30 M3 Ground Control coil-overs behind sixteen-inch Evo 3 wheels refinished in the correct Nogaro Silver. The Ground Control suspension was fitted with Sport Evo shock mounts and tuned to Sport Evo settings. Notable factory options include a map light mirror, premium sound, and the thirteen-button on board computer.

The documentation dates back to the original purchase documents from Plaza Motors of Creve Coeur, Missouri on February 3, 1991. The purchase price was $29,656, including an extended service plan—that’s $56,201 in today’s money—a relative deal compared with the price of a modern M3 / M4. By June of 1991 the records show it being serviced by Cunningham BMW in El Cajon, California and remaining there for the majority of its life. The service records show frequent and regular services through the late 1990s, after which the Carfax picks up with regular mileage stamps starting in 1997 until the present—supporting the current mileage. Other than a brief stint in Indiana in 2017, it remained in California until coming to Colorado under the current owner, who we are selling it on consignment for. The Carfax is clean, and all VIN tags are present on all panels with the exception of the hood.

In 2014, at 111,503 miles it was repainted in the original Brilliantrot in a glass-out paint job done by Miramar Auto Body & Paint of Miramar, California. Castro Motorsport in Hollywood, California installed all of the modifications mentioned above in 2018 and 2019 along with a host of other maintenance and repairs. The work included: fresh brakes all around, throttle body service, valve adjustment, spark plugs, rebuilding the alternator, fresh drive belts, vacuum hoses, fuel lines, a coolant flush w/ BMW coolant, expansion tank, washer fluid tank, AKG subframe bushings and OEM trailing arm bushings. Fresh Toyo Proxes R1R tires were mounted at the same time. In preparation for sale we replaced the power steering feed and suction hoses, replaced the rear sway bar end links, both front control arms and bushings, inner and outer tie rods, and replaced the oil pan and valve cover gaskets. Undercarriage pictures are on our website if you are reading this elsewhere.

As it sits, this is an exceptional E30 M3 ready to be enjoyed by its new owner. It presents fantastically, always drawing compliments and crowds, and has the performance and sound to back up its looks. If you live in an emissions county, we can install catalytic converters for an additional expense.

Exterior

1990 BMW M3 exterior photo

The Brilliantrot paint is very glossy and is a clearly high quality repaint. There are no glaring paint or body imperfections, only minor paint chips around high-impact areas. Spending the overwhelming majority of its life in California, you would be hard-pressed to find any rust anywhere—all of the usual culprits are clean; the battery and jack trays, front cowling, and front fender boxes are all dry. A paint gauge report is available on request. The bumpers, EVO 3 lip and under tray, trim, and seals are in place and in good condition. Common problem areas like the upper deck of the 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 Hella “smiley” projector headlights have clean lenses and are a functional OEM upgrade from the US market projectors. The taillight lenses are in good shape; there is a hairline crack in the left lense. The sixteen-inch wheels are refinished in the Evo color scheme and are nearly perfect—they look fantastic. The Toyo Proxes R1R tires are very sticky and have plenty of tread remaining.

Interior

 interior photo

The interior on this M3 is fantastic; it mirrors the excellent exterior condition. There are no odors and it has never been smoked in. The carpet has no tears, but does have some light staining in out-of-sight areas. The front seats appear to be original leather, and are in very good condition. They have some creasing from use, but no significant bolster wear and no tears. The leather is soft and supple; all seat functions work, although the seat recline shocks are soft. The dashboard is likewise in excellent shape and free of the typical E30 dashboard cracks with the exception of a very minute crack on the top of the instrument cluster hood. 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 Premium Sound stereo sounds great. The center console and all HVAC controls are extremely clean; the blower motor is quiet at all speeds, and the heat blows warm and, unfortunately, so does the air-conditioning. The power windows, sunroof, and all door locks function correctly. The trunk carpet is clean and the tool kit is complete.

Mechanical

 engine photo

This M3 is in very good mechanical condition, and the few minor gripes we found in our initial inspection of been sorted, as detailed in the summary paragraph. The owner we are selling it on consignment for has records for $15k of work and modifications since 2018. The result is an exceptional E30 M3. It is nearly as crisp and tight as the day it left the showroom, and an example of the result of proper stewardship and tasteful modification. The S14 engine starts on command, idles smoothly, and pulls very strongly to redline. There is no excessive valve train or timing chain noise; it runs cool even on hot days. The Miller Alpha-N tune has very slight hesitation before the engine temp comes up, but it runs wonderfully when once at operating temperature. The tune, carbon air box, and exhaust add notable performance and make unbelievable sounds in the process! The clutch take-up is correct and does not slip. The shifter is tight and the G265 transmission changes gear smoothly; there is very slight shifter wobble at certain speeds in 3rd gear, but it is nothing that will need attention anytime soon. The Ground Control coil-over suspension is perfectly suited to the mission. It is firm enough for the track, yet still compliant for street driving. The Ground Control camber plates are quiet, even on bumpy roads. The brakes are strong with fresh pads and rotors. There are no driveline or wheel bearing vibrations. It looks and presents fantastically, while having the performance to back up its looks; perfect if you want to take it to autocross or a BMW club performance driving school!

VIN Decode

 exterior photo

VIN Decode

  • VIN: WBSAK0315LAE33567
  • Type: M3
  • Development Code: E30
  • Chassis: LIM
  • Steering: LL
  • Doors: 2
  • Engine: S14
  • Displacement: 2.30
  • Power: 197 Horsepower
  • Drivetrain: RWD
  • Transmission: Manual
  • Color:  Brilliantrot (308)
  • Upholstery: Black Leather (Schwarz Leder – 0203)
  • Production Date: 09-20-1989

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