1990 BMW M3

BMW 3-SERIES M3 Sport Evolution

£95,000

Mileage: 152,588 mi
Engine: 2.5L
Fuel: Petrol
Gearbox: Manual

Description

This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at the NEC Classic Motor Show 2026 on Saturday the 14th of November, NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT. Estimated price: GBP 95,000 - GBP 110,000.

The BMW M3 Sport Evolution is a homologation masterpiece forged in the fires of German motorsport. It is the ultimate development of BMW’s E30-generation M3, itself an earlier special of 5,000 units executed in 1987 for Group A homologation requirements. During the interceding race seasons, FIA regulations lowered homologation quotas to just 500 chassis, and thus the M3 Sport Evolution was born, encompassing 100 race customer chassis and 500 production chassis for a total of 600 examples.

The bonnet, roof, and door cards are the sole standard E30-generation components presented by the Sport Evolution’s composite bodywork. The Evo 3 is instantly recognizable by several functional, race-bred modifications including unique multi-position adjustable front splitter and rear wing. Both could be manually set to three distinct positions—Monza (low drag), Normal, or Nürburgring (maximum downforce). Boxed wheel arches were implemented to clear 18-inch racing wheels on the track, although the road car was fitted with 16x7.5-inch BBS cross-spoke alloy wheels wrapped in 225/45 ZR16 tyres. The Evo 3 was roughly 35 kg lighter than a standard E30 M3, achieved by fitting thinner glass, a lighter boot lid, a lighter exhaust, and removing creature comforts like air conditioning, electric windows, and audio systems (though buyers could option them back in).

The M3’s S14B25 dual-overhead-camshaft inline-four-cylinder was taken out to 2467cc (2.5-L), the head gas-flowed with enlarged, sodium-filled valves and more aggressive camshafts fitted, all resulting in an output of 238bhp, fed through a five-speed, dogleg, close-ratio Getrag transmission to the limited-slip differential. Offered solely in left-hand drive with either the option of Jet Black or Brilliant Red paintwork, very few were supplied to the United Kingdom.

A recognisable name in Ford motor racing circles, winning a Formula Ford 2000 Championship in the early 1980s and enjoying successes in his Lotus Cortina in Historic Touring Car Championships more than three decades later, our vendor had always wanted an M3 Sport Evolution. Unlike the other cars in his Collection, he planned to use the BMW strictly for his private enjoyment and set out to buy the best he could find, finally sourcing this fabulous car in 2017 from one of the leading dealers in modern and historic classics in Europe, FS Automoveis in Portugal.

Importing the car himself and registering it with the DVLA on 13th November 2017, he is the car’s sole UK keeper. According to the accompanying service book, the car had covered 152,587 kilometres by May 2017, and had benefitted from a respray with the objective of offering a “showroom worthy car” but retaining as much originality as possible. The equivalent of some £2,000 was spent by FA Automoveis before our vendor’s purchase, on a service and a new set of tyres. Unusually for a car sourced from Europe its history is well documented, and the book pack includes its stamped service book. Joining the myriad receipts is a letter dated 30th October 2017 from BMW UK confirming the car’s manufacture in February 1990.

Plans changed, as plans do, and the M3 never fulfilled the role of 'daily driver', spending its time being trailered to events and shows meaning that it has only cover a few road kilometres whilst in our vendor's Collection. As expected by an owner who understands such things, the car has been started and run up to temperature regularly. Although having covered hardly any distance since 2017 (the current mileage is the equivalent of 94,813), our vendor will purchase a service pack, and change the oil and filters himself in his well appointed private workshop and generally prepare the car for sale. Prior to auction, however, the intention is to trailer the car to an MOT testing station, and no doubt the waiting room chair shall be repositioned to ensure he has an eye over proceedings.