1988 BMW M3

This E30 M3 is an interesting proposition thanks to reversible decisions. The owner has taken some liberties, mainly surrounding his love for the color red and some minor modifications to the running gear, but with some diligence this car could easily be returned to a very stock exterior look (the red valve cover is probably here to stay for a while). One thing that is not reversible is the salvage title, which clearly contradicts his claim of a “clean MN title.” This confusion along with a lack of explanation as to why the engine was disassembled at 196k miles without doing a full rebuild raises question marks that E30 M3 buyers don’t like seeing these days. On the other hand, question marks can also keep it from smashing through the $30-$40k barriers we’ve seen many E30s surpass.

Click for details: 1988 BMW E30 M3 on eBay

Year: 1988
Model: M3
Engine: S14 2.3 liter inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 196,500 mi
Price: Reserve auction

Ladies and Gentlemen, I’m pleased to offer a legend of our times!

1988 BMW E30 M3 in Zennoberrot with Black leather interior.

This car has a clean MN CLEAN Title on hand. VIN# WBSAK0306J2197457

I have had this car for almost 5 years (adult driven) and hardly put any miles on since I got it.

/// Interior

Original ///M3 seat with normal wear and tear, No rips or holes

New Shift boot ///M color Stitching

E-Brake ///M color Stitching

BMW M-Technic II Sports Steering Wheel with ///M color Stitching

Headliner in excellent condition no tears, rips or holes

Boaster panels in the corner pilling

/// Exterior

The car was repainted 5 years ago. In excellent condition no rust, no paint pilling and no dings. The spoiler has two small little scratches on top.

AC Schnitzer style mirrors (after market) do have the original mirrors.

Black kidneys

All parts have original VIN tags.

/// Suspension

ST Suspension Techniques Sway Bar set 22mm front bar, 19mm adjustable rear bar, polyurethane bushings, adjustable rear links. (under 500 miles)

Bilstein Front Sport struts (p36-0335) (under 500 miles)

Bilstein Rear Sport Shocks(B36-2027/24-020275) (under 500 miles)

Front Strut & Rear/Shock Mounts (under 500 miles)

H&R Sport Springs (50406) (under 500 miles)
Front Control Arm L/R (OEM BMW Aluminum) (under 500 miles)

Stoptech E30 Stainless-Steel Brake Line Set – DOT-approved (under 500 miles)

Sparco Front Stress Bar (under 500 miles)

/// Engine

B&B (billy boat) Exhaust 3” Twin Round Tips (great deep sound)

Engine Mounts (under 500 miles)

Evo III-style 8mm Ignition Wire (under 500 miles)

Bosch spark plugs (x5dc) (under 500 miles)

UUC short shifter

All new the belts, Valve cover Gasket, Pan Gasket, Lower Gasket

/// Tires & Rims

BMW II-piece Polished Lip Throwing Star

Spare wheel is original basket weave

Front 225/40/17 Tires’ edge rubs little bit inside the wheel well when turning all the way left or right .

Rear 245/40/17 The tires rub little bit on the edge of the wheel well on the quarter (on bumpy road).

Replacements were done last year.

I’ll be honest to make up for the owner’s covertness: with stock wheels, kidneys, and ///Mblems, this car would sell for more. It would look like the clean M3 it is instead of a pieced-together tuner, and the stock 16s would help solve those rubbing problems while giving a clean and low stance. Alas, his love of red and minor modifications took him in another direction, and his M3 will probably go on the lower end of the vast E30 M3 value spectrum, which is still a once-crazy $20-25k.

-NR