1986 BMW M3 E30

Finished in Diamant Schwartz Metallic, this 1986 BMW M3 has been modified to Sport Evolution II specification with a front splitter, a carbon fiber rear wing, front brake cooling ducts and air intake chamber, Bilstein suspension, a front suspension strut bar, an AC Schnitzer stainless-steel exhaust system, an Alcantara steering wheel, and a set of genuine BBS split-rim alloy wheels.

The seller tells us that the 2.3-litre engine has had a full overhaul at 112,000 miles – it’s showing 118,000 now – including four brand new fuel injectors.

In his care for the past four years after being bought from a well-known car collector, it’s been dry stored over the winter months and has only been used for shows and other classic car events.
Read on to find out more about this left-hand drive legend.

 

Regular readers will know we’ve got a bit of a soft spot for black cars, albeit with the caveat that no other colour highlights dents, dinks and other damage more readily.

That’s okay though because this one has good shutlines, decent panel alignment, and no noticeable damage.
The clear front indicators and red stripe in the bumper add colour to the front end, while the rear of the car is dominated by the Sport Evolution rear wing.

A matching red accent on the rear bumper brings cohesion, and the fat twin tailpipes add visual drama as well as an impressive exhaust note. The aft lamps are in the same good condition as the Hella headlamps and driving lamps at the other end.

The side view is dominated by those iconic flared wheel arches and the 17-inch split-rim BBS alloy wheels, similar to those found on the M3 Evolution II, provide some additional presence to an already aggressive wide body stance. These beautiful accents are a real throwback to the eighties – and that’s never a bad thing, is it?

The rims are in a decent condition, albeit with some alloy corrosion on them in certain places. It would be prudent, therefore, to budget for them to be professionally refurbished when changing tyres at the next scheduled service.

The tyres all have road legal thread, however as they are quite dated, it would be sensible to change all four while you’re having the wheels done.

It's worth mentioning, if originality is your thing, you’ll be delighted to hear that the original E30 equipment alloy wheels come with the car, so you could always refit them.

As for other problems, there is a small crack in the paint on the nearside rear wheel arch and another on the same side of the rear spoiler. The paint around the roof-mounted aerial is also in need of attention. 

There are also some very small chips in both door mirror casings.

The cabin is typically spartan; for all their excess, cars of the eighties relied on solid engineering and top-notch materials to engineer in luxury. Nowadays, of course, they just bolt lots of plastic junk on and a touchscreen and call it good.

The seats, therefore, are simple, manually adjustable items. High-backed, their heavy bolsters hold you firmly during the sort of high-speed shenanigans the M3 is capable of. Their condition is very good, and the hounds’ tooth material that covers them is also evident in part on the door cards and rear seat bench.

The latter is also decorated with M Sport badges, and their condition is even better than those in the front.

A modern Pioneer headunit has been fitted, and this is supported in its role of entertaining you by the presence of JBL speakers on the parcel shelf, a pair of speakers in the footwells, and a period Fischer cassette holder between the front seats.

Alongside the wonderfully of-the-moment cassette case sits the handbrake with its tri-colour M-Sport gaiter stitching, a detail that’s also found around the gear lever.

The gear knob, with its distinctive dogleg pattern, falls readily to hand and the Evolution Sport II steering wheel is fat-rimmed and beautiful to hold but is a little patinated – but as the original E30 M3 M-Tech steering wheel comes with the car, you can decide which look you prefer.

The dashboard and centre console are both free of cracks and sun damage, the carpet is very good, and the seller suggests that the interior is equivalent in condition to a car that’s covered half this mileage. He also assures us that all the electrics work as they should.
 

We are told that the M3 “drives perfectly”, and provides an “absolutely amazing” analogue driving experience, with superb driver feedback on the windy country roads.  Obviously, because of its location we haven’t been able to verify this but with receipts showing a recent engine overhaul at 112,000 miles, it won’t have done any harm will it?

The engine bay is adorned with a carbon fibre air intake chamber and alloy strut brace, and the overall presentation of the engine and ancillaries is to the same standard as the rest of the car.

(Oh, and the original BMW E30 M3 air intake chamber comes with the car, too.)

The underside of the car is in original condition with no underseal hiding any skeletons. It does not show any signs of rust and seems to be in honest and original condition, with all jacking points in very good order. Please refer to underbody photos for further assessment.

 

Previously registered in the UK under registration D896 SNB, it was first registered in Ireland in 2008 where it has resided since. In the UK, it was previously recorded as a Category C write-off in 1997 on a different registration.

The vehicle comes with a Service Folder approx ''3 inches thick''  consisting of dozens of main dealer and independent BMW specialist service receipts, along with substantial evidence of all major maintenance works carried out over the years. The car has been maintained to a very high standard and the mileage is fully warranted. 

The E30 M3 is a bona fide legend thanks to its stunning looks, relative ease of maintenance, and the fact it drives every bit as well as its reputation would have you believe.

As a result, it is in huge demand right now and prices have soared.

Which is our way of breaking it to you that we think this one will probably sell for somewhere between £60,000 and £69,000.

That is a fair chunk of money, but then it’s a premium you should get back when the time comes to pass it on – and in the meantime you’ll have owned an M3, and that can’t be a bad thing, eh?

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located with the vendor in County Kilkenny, Ireland. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT.  To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.