Lot 004: 1987 BMW M3 E30

"The M3 leaps through the corners like a cat, its feisty engine spinning and spitting until you snatch another gear or the rev limiter grabs it by the tail" (Car and Driver, November 1987) Determined to produce a FIA Group A Touring Car racer with which to beat the Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16, BMW unleashed its first generation M3 in 1986. A homologation special, the newcomer was visually differentiated from its lesser E30 siblings by a deep front airdam, wider track and pronounced wheelarch flares. Less obvious but no less effective aerodynamically were the two-door's repositioned rear windscreen and angled boot lid spoiler. Riding on lowered, stiffened suspension (McPherson strut front / semi-trailing arm rear), the M3 was powered by a 2.3 litre DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine allied to five-speed manual transmission. Derived from that of the M1 supercar, the Bosch fuel-injected unit's advanced valvetrain resulted in prodigious outputs (197bhp, 177lbft) and a 6,750rpm redline. A favourite among road testers on both sides of the Atlantic, the purposeful BMW was reputedly capable of 0-60mph in 6.5 seconds and 146mph. Campaigned by privateers like Prodrive and Schnitzer Motorsport as well as the factory, the M3 (E30) won numerous prestigious series including the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft, European Touring Car Championship and even the one-off World Touring Car Championship title in 1987. Finished in graphite metallic with black leather upholstery, this particular left-hand drive example was supplied new by Auto Rupprecht BMW of Lauf (Germany). Imported to the UK during 1998, 'E962 JJN' entered the current family ownership the following year. The subject of a thorough inspection at main dealer Cotswold BMW not long afterwards (a copy of which remains on file), it was subsequently maintained by Car Care of Tetbury among others before being taken off the road in 2002. Treated to a respray last year, other recommmissioning work included various welding and electrical repairs. Riding on BBS alloy wheels shod with Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres, the two-door shows an unwarranted 173,000kms (approximately 108,000 miles) to its odometer. Potentially great fun, this desirable E30 M3 is offered for sale with German handbooks, UK 3-series manual, numerous invoices, MOT certificate valid until November 2008 and road tax valid until May 2008.