1987 BMW E30 M3 Coupe

The BMW E30-generation M3 began life as a Group A homologation special and was the first M car truly for the mass market. Both works-backed and privately-run M3 entries quickly found success in the World, Italian, Japanese, and German Touring Car Championships. It won the 1988 European Touring Car and 1989 German Touring Car series, two British Touring Car crowns (1988, 1991), and three consecutive drivers' championships in the Italian Touring Car series (1989, 1990, 1991). Additionally, it won six more consecutive titles in the Japanese Touring Car Championship (1988 through 1993).

With its motorsports pedigree, the M3 came infused with track-derived technologies like independent front and rear suspension assemblies with gas dampers and servo-assisted, ventilated disc brakes. Beneath the bonnet, the Paul Roche-designed, 2.3-liter double-overhead-cam four-cylinder engine had an advanced 16-valve, aluminum alloy cylinder head, a Bosch fuel injection system, and produced nearly 200 horsepower. Power was sent to the rear wheels via a 'dogleg' pattern, close-ratio Getrag five-speed gearbox and limited-slip differential.

This 1987 BMW M3 Coupe has had two recorded owners since new. It is a German-market example that left the factory wearing a Henna Red exterior over a black leather interior. Its specification includes manual windows and sunroof, a sound system, aerial, BMW Bavaria cassette, onboard computer, air conditioning, and 16-inch light aloy wheels. Currently, there are 48,054 kilometers on its odometer.

This BMW was delivered to BMW Auto-Huser in Munich on February 12, 1987, and was subsequently sold to its first owner on April 2 and registered in Munich with his personal vanity number 'HM-6545.' After twenty-five years, the car was sold in January 2012 by its second (and current) owner who subsequently registered in Leverkeusen as 'BD 666.'

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2024