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BMW M3 Sport Evolution

Mileage: 12,568 Top Speed: 154 Year: 1990 0 - 60: 6.1 MOT Expiry: 12 months BHP: 238 Tax Expiry: Expired Transmission: Dogleg Manual Exterior Colour: Brilliant Red Engine Capacity: 2467cc Interior Colour: Black Leather Engine Configuration: Inline 4

BMW M3 Sport Evolution | £84,995

Mileage: 12,568

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 in only 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

Brilliant Red, Black leather interior, Electric sliding sunroof, Electric windows, Headlight beam adjustment, Cruise control, Blaupunkt stereo system, Roof Antenna, PAS, Michelin MXX tyres, Green tinted glass.

Exterior

Finished in the striking Brilliant red paintwork this Sport Evolution looks incredible. The final homologation of the most successful touring car of all time and it's clear from the adjustable rear wing, front splitter and wide front and rear arches that the ultimate incarnation of the E30 M3 meant business. This example has been preserved from new, this is clearly apparent when inspecting the body work which is in exceptional condition having spent the majority of its life in dehumidified heated storage. The underside is still coated with its factory yellow wax and in addition has been lightly undersealed to protect the underside. The paint work is in superb condition looking as fresh as the day it rolled off the production line at the Milbertshofe factory Munich. All of the trim, window surrounds and aerodynamic rubbers are also in good condition with mininal wear.

Interior

This Sport Evolution is equipped with the desirable black leather seat option with the M tri-color logo subtly stiched into the seat back. All of the interior is in pristine condition with not a mark or scratch to any of the surfaces. The fresh, new leather smell is still present and abundant as you slide into the Recaro bucket seats that still retain their factory matt leather finish. The Recaro seats still feel supportive, once seated you immediately realise that you are connected to something very special. Sitting in the drivers seat you are faced with a beautiful suede steering wheel and gearknob that are in perfect condition avoiding the usual fate of the suede becoming heavily worn from use. The car has been spec'd with some comfort options including electric windows, electric sunroof for ease of operation and air-conditioning to help make the cabin a more comfortable place to be on hotter days. 

Engine & Transmission

Looking under the bonnet the engine bay is deliciously clean, looking like new and in keeping with the cars minimal mileage. It has been serviced regularly while in use and when stored always recomissioned correctly. Recently the car has had a full inspection 2 service with all fluids changed as it has appeared from hibernation in its dehumidified air chamber of a home. The 2.5L S14 engine is the most powerful unit ever fitted to the E30 M3, resulting in a more urgent, stronger and progressive power delivery than other models. The dog leg 5 speed box works as it should, a constant reminder that you're in a very special machine.

Wheels, Tyres & Brakes

The wheels are the correct 16" cross spoke alloys with the Nogaro silver centres all of which are in immaculate condition with no blemishes to be found whatsoever. The tyres are original specification Michelin MXX tyres and the spare wheel and tyre never used or fitted.

 

The front 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.

 

History File

Number 131 of 600 Sport evolutions was built on the 26th of January 1990 and delivered to an Italian Main dealer. The car sat unregistered in the showroom until it was registered and sold in 1994 to its first Italian owner. Kept as part of a collection it remained in the Main dealers on show and sparingly used until its first preperation service on 4.8.97.

 

All owners books, service records, manuals and paperwork are present and tracks the history of the car to when it was new. Included in the history file is also comformation from the main dealer. Bought by a UK E30 M3 Sport Evolution enthusiast in 2000 the car has remained in good hands and again used sparingly but regularly run to total only 724KMs in 11 years.