Lot 038: 1988 BMW M3 E30

Based on the 1986 E30 3-Series the main reason for the production of the road car was to homologate it for Group A Touring Car racing to answer to the "2.3-16V"-model of the Mercedes-Benz W201 introduced in 1983 and part of the real history of this model on the road is its racing pedigree. Campaigned by BMW as well as other racing teams including Prodrive and Schnitzer Motorsport and having won more road races than any other model in history, the E30 M3 is considered by many to be the world's most successful road race car. Its wins include the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft, European Touring Car Championship and even the one-off World Touring Car Championship title in 1987. The E30 M3 is also a multiple winner of Guia Race, 24 Hours N³rburgring and Spa 24 Hours. In 2004, 'Sports Car International' named this car number six on the list of Top Sports Cars of the 1980s. This example is described by the owner as being in absolute 'concours condition throughout'. It has been maintained regardless of cost and has been a BMW Owners Club car and allegedly never used in the wet. The bodywork is exceptional and painted in metallic black with the interior in the matching black leather and it has recently had some wheel refurbishment and engine detailing to enhance its appearance even further. It has completed 96000 warranted miles from new and has a current MOT test until the end of March 2008. The history file contains lots of supporting paperwork including receipts, bills, MOT's and tax discs etc together with a full set of handbooks. For all the reasons stated above, and the fact that they are extremely rare as well, ensures that these early, all left hand drive cars, have become serious collectors items. The legendary early wide bodied cars are probably still as good as it gets in the road going version of a saloon car.