1990 BMW M3 Restoration

During the Sixties, the German luxury automobile manufacturer began acquiring a reputation as a leading manufacturer of sports-oriented cars. While BMW’s history dates back to 1916, their supercar-worthy BMW M division was only established in the Seventies with their first car released in 1978. One of the division's highly successful M lines is the BMW M3, the first of which was based on the second-generation BMW E30 3 Series. The E30 M3 was produced from 1986 to 1991 when it was succeeded by the E36 M3. The model was a super hit and remains one of the best sports cars of all time by Automobile Magazine. This sublime example of a 1990 BMW E30 M3 Coupe is one of only 5,330 ever made for the North American market, and has covered just 500 miles after a complete restoration. Owning this car would be a truly once-in-a-lifetime chance, and we urge you to act fast, since cars like this go like the proverbial hot cakes.

Exterior and Interior

Part of the restoration included a repaint job finished in October 2021 and done in Anthracite by Auto City in San Francisco. Reportedly the car was bought brand new at Stevens Creek BMW. The M3s differentiation from the regular E30 includes a front body-colored splitter, a rear apron, and sill panels that were changed and made aerodynamically viable. The seller reports that the sunroof, rear spoiler, fog lights, and the factory body flares are all original. It sits on a set of original BMW 15” basketweave wheels done in silver with silver-colored brake calipers. The interior features a predominantly black color scheme with grey used for the cloth linings. The seller reports that the original black leather Recaro seats and rear bench have been redone to like new by Karliz Interiors, while new BMW M floor mats were added. The plain black BMW branded 4-spoke steering wheel looks inconspicuous due to its styling. The center-located transmission stick has a weighted M3 shift knob. Keeping the occupants cool is an AC system thoughtfully converted to use R134a refrigerant.

Engine

Powering this 1990 BMW M3 is a 2.35L displacement S14 inline-4 engine coupled to a 5-speed Getrag manual transmission with Limited Slip Differential and has been fluid serviced. On its own, this engine has fine racing pedigree in its DNA, based on the M/12/13 engine that powered the Brabham, Arrows, and Formula Benetton Formula 1 cars of the Eighties. The seller reports many upgrades done on the car including King XP P=max racing rod bearings, new connecting rod small end bushings, a magnafluxed crankshaft and micro-polished by Ed’s Crankshafts in Hayward CA, 11mm lift 270’ duration Elgin cams, cylinder head and ITB’s port matched and flowed 30mm venturi, radius valve job, combustion chamber polished valve/valve seats unshrouded, 95mm JE Pistons 10.3-1 compression, Dry film lubricant skirt, ceramic crown coating, an Evo lightweight flywheel, CSF aluminum radiator, new Behr heater core, a header back system built by DECCAT with a Stella muffler and the new exhaust is reported to be CARB approved, ARP rod bolts, new connecting rod small end bushings, ARP Main stud kit, ARP Head stud kit, ARP Head stud kit, E46 cam chain tensioner, new chains and tensioners, new clutch, new wires, plugs and cap, Kolbenschmitt main bearings, new coolant, and fluid reservoirs, and a new driveshaft bearing, new O2 sensor. The seller reports that the engine rebuild has been fully rebuilt with photo documentation. A new set of Bilstein B6 dampeners keep the car steady, while the stopping power is enhanced with new brake calipers rebuilt with ATE OEM seals, new brake pads, new discs, and new stainless steel braided lines. The seller also reports that the upgrades are photo-documented.