BMW M3, 1988

Location: Santa Monica, California

$56,100 USD | Sold

BMW has always been a car of uniqueness, both in their engineering, design and its cult-like following of enthusiasts. Like most automobile companies, they have successfully strategized through the ups and downs and have always prevailed with an interesting contribution to both racing and sports car history. As it often works in the automotive world some of the best road cars ever produced can be attributed to having been developed solely to go racing and meet homologation rules.

The BMW M3 is one such car, and in doing so it started a legacy that has yet to end 25 years on. When the E30 M3 was launched in 1985 it was done so to keep BMW current and competitive with Mercedes-Benz who had just released the 190E 2.3-16 Cosworth; a hot sedan that was starting to take over Group A Touring Car Racing. BMWs answer was the all new M3. As it made its way on the track in Touring Car Championships around the globe, it soon became a real contender and the benchmark for BMW Performance. Today, it has wins at world renowned races such as the 24 Hours Nurburgring, World Touring Car Championship Driver’s Title in 1987, and countless wins across the globe on both tarmac circuits and rally settngs.

By 1988 BMW finally started delivering U.S.-spec examples of the M3 to North America, both factory and privateer teams immediately put them to work on the track. A small enthusiast’s base was quickly growing for the new M Car, and would ultimately prove to be a love affair with the brand and the basis for BMW to keep making more units and making them better.

The example on offer here, a 1988 BMW M3 (E30), Chassis # WBSAK0302J2195382 was produced on April 1, 1987 and left BMW’s Regensberg, Germany factory as an Alpine White over Cardinal Red interior example, exactly as presented today. From what we can tell from accompanying records, this M3 was delivered new on September 21, 1987 by Reeves Imported Motor Cars of Tampa, Florida. The very first owner is not exactly known, though it appears a Mr. Brickman of Land O’Lakes, Florida owned the car since nearly new. This was surmised from viewing the accompanying service receipts from Reeves where the car was serviced from new until about 1999. Service records show consistent care and service by the selling dealer only and mileage is consistently reported as well.

In early 1999 the car was traded to a Cyril Ling of Bloomington, Illinois, mileage at this time showed 37,564 on the clock. During Mr. Ling’s ownership some light service was completed and a new set of Bridgestone Potenza tires were installed. It was only a year later in June of 2000 that the car was sold to its most recent owner, a Mr. Aguilar of Fresno, California, an avid BMW Club member, track instructor and all round BMW enthusiast. The M3 was a perfect fit for this caring custodian. At the time the mileage on the odometer showed to be 41,280. It was under Mr. Aguilar’s ownership in California that it accrued about 30,000 miles to total the current 71,185 miles we see today.

This time has not been without proper servicing and care, all the while making sure the car kept its integrity as a highly original and very correct example. It received regular service in the hands of BMW factory trained techs at European Auto Service and Tony’s Foreign Car Service, both of Fresno, California. Here it was always kept up, regularly enjoyed by its owner. It shows and performs as a fantastic example today with no needs. It is reported as turnkey and impeccably original.

The current condition of this M3 is excellent, it presents as a highly correct and original example with light patina in the right places and nothing out of the ordinary or that warrants refinishing. It is straight down the sides with no accidents or rust in its history. It is a car that can be enjoyed, driven, shown and be proud of. So many of these early BMW M3s ended up as well-used cars over the years and have accumulated very high miles, extensive modifications and/or became a teenagers first car. Thankfully this example was only ever in the hands of enthusiasts, collectors and qualified custodians.

These exciting track inspired cars are finally coming into their own and are now becoming recognized as a true collector car, a must have for any serious BMW collector or even that of a racecar collector or avid track going enthusiast. Offered with all of its tools, jack, spare and extensive service history from nearly new, this is undoubtedly an example worthy of consideration.

https://rmsothebys.com/auctions/ca14/lots/r0168-1988-bmw-m3/