I almost threw up when I went through my saved eBay searches today and saw a stock Alpineweiss E30 M3 with 67k miles that was asking $59k and had been bid up over $40k. The ceaseless rise of the E30 is just crazy, folding values over on themselves and dollars into sellers’ pockets. I still love the M3 as a car, but the insanity surrounding them has tainted my love with disgust and disdain. As I tire of the creampuffs setting new records every time they come up, I become more interested in what I’ve grown to think the E30 M3 was about: making it into the Bimmer/racer you wanted. I’ve joined the scorn at removing the S14 before, but as I fall more in love with my S38 every day, I now see it as the ideal E30 swap. With more character, rarity, and power than the standard E36 swaps, getting an M3 (or any E30) with one of these beasts interests me greatly. Today’s E30 M3 comes fully redone after a big-mileage life, and looks extra awesome for it. A Sport Evolution bodykit backs up the significantly improved grunt on the outside, and the creator has made an awesome choice with a plaid interior on ///M seats. At this point in time, this is my ideal E30 M3.
Click for more details: 1989 BMW M3 for sale on eBay
Year: 1989
Model: E30 M3
Engine: S38B36 3.6l inline-6
Transmission: 5-speed Getrag 260
Mileage: 205k on chassis, 16k on rebuild
Price: Reserve auction
1990 BMW M3 S38 Engine Description:
Diamondschwarz on Sport Cloth Interior, Stunning S38 Engine E30 M3!
Vehicle Specs:
- S38 3.6L Inline 6 Cylinder Engine
- E34 M5 Clutch Kit
- Getrag 260 5-Speed Gearbox from E28 535i, better low end ratios in 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears
- 3.73 Limited Slip Differential
- Cold Air Intake with Heat Shield
- Full dual exhaust with X-pipe + catalytic converters with Magnaflow muffler (passed smog in CA)
- Ground Control Suspension with KONI Dampers
- Fully Reconditioned Polished 17†X 8.5†BBS RS Wheels
- Deep Tread Remaining on Bridgestone RE-11 Sport Tires
- Euro “Smiley†Smiley Head Lights with City Lights
- Carbon Fiber Hood with Windshield Washer Nozzles
- EVO Hood + Bumper Seal Kits
- EVO Red Bumper Trim
- Euro Headlight Grills
- Front Carbon Fiber Splitter
- MA Shaw EVO 3 Rear Spoiler with Adjustable Carbon Fiber Gurney Flap
- Leather Steering Wheel with M Tri-Color Stitching
- M Tri-Color Seat Badges
- M Tri-Color Leather Shift + Hand Brake Boots
- Air Conditioning Delete
- Privacy Glass Window Tint
The condition of this car is fantastic! The exterior finish shows excellent! The interior is also very nice with no rips, tears or significant wear marks. This car has resided in California and Washington since new! The body and undercarriage is extremely clean with no signs of rust or corrosion.
The S38B36 engine was rebuilt with new pistons, rings, bearings, seals, gaskets, match ported head, new timing chain guides + tensioner, water pump, thermostat, radiator + fan clutch.
The rebuilt engine is stock with the exception of 3.8L cam gears and a performance chip. Although the engine is relatively stock, it still produces 282 hp + 260 ft./lb’s torque at the wheels!!
The body received an extensive 2-stage full exterior repaint in 2010, no expense spared.
The engine rebuild and installation was also performed in 2010; at the time of restoration, the chassis had approximately 189K miles. Since the M3 was completed, the car has driven 16k miles matching the odometer.
This S38 E30 M3 is not for the faint of heart!
This car pulls very hard through the RPM band while still retaining the E30 M3’s excellent handling abilities!
Enthusiast Auto has completed our Comprehensive Pre-Purchase Inspection and Work Order verifying the condition of this M3 as a Wicked Fun Driver + Investment Vehicle.
Clean Vehicle History Report – No Accident History. Non-Smoker.
Yep, I’m in love. This may well go towards that $40k mark too, but I like the uniqueness and bold-but-appropriate choices. And no S14 is going to haul like this, as the E34’s lightly modified S38B36 is now making B38-levels of power. Screw the creampuffs; let’s get fast and wild.
-NR
This car is stunning, probably one of the best M3s I’ve ever seen but at that price I’ll settle for a very nice E30 325is and an equally nice E28 or E34 M5 and keep the change. I always wanted an E30 M3 but the recent insanity with the asking prices has pretty much removed them entirely off my bucket list. Oh well.
This may well go towards that $40k mark
If I know this dealer as well as I think I do, they probably have the reserve set way, way higher. Here’s some more eye candy of the same car, by the way:
http://www.euroclassicmotors.com/galleries/E30M3.html
Having had two E30 M3’s, I also prefer the S38. The S14 is an engineering marvel but really needs to be pushed hard to deliver any performance. I also wish I had kept both of them considering the crazy prices right now. I think an E36 M3 is a much better value right now.