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BMW M3 Sport Evolution

Mileage: 93,156 Top Speed: 154 Year: 1990 0 - 60: 6.1 MOT Expiry: Apr 12 BHP: 238 Tax Expiry: Aug 11 Transmission: 5 Speed Dogleg Manual Exterior Colour: Brilliant Red Engine Capacity: 2467cc Interior Colour: Black Nappa Leather Engine Configuration: Inline 4

BMW M3 Sport Evolution | £POA

Mileage: 93,156

Model History

The E30 M3 made its debut at the 1985 Frankfurt motor show and was a BMW motorsport division development based on the E30 3 Series. The reason for the development was to allow BMW to compete in Group A touring car racing against the likes of the Mercedes 190E 2.3 16V Cosworth, for some excellent footage of this racing follow this link to one of our favourite youtube videos - Touring car racing 1980s.

 

Group A rules demanded that each race car share its main components with the production road car, hence the wide arches to accommodate race wheels and tyres. The series required a high number of units to homologate the M3 (5000 units), so production was carried out by special teams at the normal Munich-Milbertshofe factory rather than the Motorsport unit in Garching.

 

While based on the E30 3 series the M3 was a totally revised car designed and focused for use as a race car. The suspension was reworked resulting in three times more steering castor, a front anti rollbar linked to the struts, re-valved shocks and stiffer shorter springs, a wider track and stronger wheel bearings were added to cope with intense mechanical stress of track work. The power assisted rack and pinion steering is quicker (19.6:1). All the exterior panels on the M3 apart from the bonnet and sunroof are unique to the car with the rear screen re-angled for better airflow. Both front and rear screens are bonded to the car to increase body stiffness!

 

As time progressed the Touring Car Championship rules and regulations changed and therefore so did the M3 by receiving mechanical and aerodynamic updates. This resulted in special editions to homologate the changes.

 

The last and most desirable final homologation was produced from 12/89 - 03/90, The Sport Evolution. This was the most extensively modified M3 of the three Evolution models. The engine received an increase in capacity to 2467cc by way of a longer throw crank and a cylinder bore increase. Larger valves and aggressive cam timing were added the result being an increase in power to 238bhp at 7000rpm. To keep the engine cool special oil sprayers were added under the pistons. The gearbox remained the same ratio but the final drive ratio changed to 3.15:1.

 

Aerodynamically the Sport Evolution had a unique adjustable front and rear spoiler, re-profiled grill slates with sealed gaps and was 10mm lower than the standard car. On top of the aerodynamic homologation changes the model also received wider front wheel arches to allow for larger race wheels and a smaller fuel tank.

 

Cosmetically the cars were available only in two colours, Brilliant Red and Jet Black both sporting 16 x 7.5 inch BBS wheels but with the spokes painted Nogaro Silver. The engine bay carried red spark plug wires while the interior carried the red theme in its seatbelts. Special Recaro sport seats were added in Anthracite M cloth with the option of upgrading to Black nappa leather with M-tri colour logos, while the steering wheel, gearknob and handbrake lever were all covered in suede leather. To finish the interior off a special plaque was added to the dashboard denoting the car as a Sport Evolution.

Equipment

Air Conditioning, Sunroof, Adjustable suspension, Recaro leather seats, Multi function Computer, BMW factory fitted Alarm with automatic window close, Electric window, Sunroof and mirrors, Graduated tinted front screen, Adjustable front and rear spoilers, Brake cooling ducts, Suede Steering wheel, gearknob and handbrake lever.

Exterior

The Brilliant red paintwork is in fantastic condition and carries a deep shine. The bumpers are finished with the correct black stripes and the front and rear spoilers intact and in excellent condition. The car has always been kept garaged by the last owner of 11 years with his other classic BMW's so there is no fading or discolouration to any of the paint or trim parts.

Interior

The Sport Evolution gets the wonderful Recaro Sport seats with fixed head restraints, the first owner elected to go with the optional leather seats rather than the standard anthracite cloth. These still remain in perfect condition with no wear or sagging to the bolsters and carry the correct M-tri colour logos.  For the true race car feel the steering wheel, gear shift and hand brake lever remain trimmed in suede leather.

 

This example also benefits from the options of a sunroof and air conditioning. Another rare option is the adjustable suspension control that allows the driver to change between sport and comfort mode with the flick of a switch. All of the trim is immaculate with no age related wear or marks.

Engine & Transmission

This well kept example has a first rate service history with 18 stamps in the book, so as you might expect the car is in fine fettle. The timing chain has been replaced as a precautionary measure and the last service was less than 1,000 miles ago. The 2.5L S14 engine is the most powerful unit ever fitted to the E30 M3, resulting in a more urgent and progressive power delivery than other models.  The dog leg 5 speed box works as it should in a smooth and efficient manner.

Wheels, Tyres & Brakes

The wheels are the correct 16" cross spoke alloys with the Nogaro silver centres all of which are in immaculate condition, the tyres are all nearly new and are a set of matching Toyo Proxes T1R's. The front brake brakes are enhanced on the Evolution Sport to match the higher performance and additional cooling is provided through some cooling ducts instead of the fog lamps. The brakes feel very positive and pull the car up quickly, there is minimal wear to the disks and pads.

History File

The car was first registered in Germany in April 1990 before being imported to the UK in 1997. While in Germany the car was always serviced at BMW and had the all important running in service done, all the German service receipts are still with the history and the book is fully stamped.

 

For the first couple of years in the UK the car was looked after by BMW, the book is stamped and the receipts have been kept. The current owner purchased the car in July 2000 and has since had the car looked after by the well known and our preferred BMW Specialist MJF Engineering in Dorking. Regardless of mileage the car has been serviced every year and as a precautionary measure the timing chain was replaced in 2002. Again all receipts have been kept in the file and the book has been stamped.

 

There is also a copy of Auto Car Magazine from 1998 where the car was featured and had a glowing write up, BMW Car magazine are also featuring the car in next months magazine alongside our red M3 convertible.