1988 BMW E30 M3 Evolution 2

This left-hand drive Nagaro Silver M3 EVO 2 was delivered to its first owner in June 1988, being number 183 in the production run. We are reliably informed it spent some of its early years in the Isle of Wight.

Fast forward ten years, it was bought by a Mr Ashby from a dealer in Chiswick. He kept it for two years before selling it on to a friend, in whose family it has remained ever since.

It was part of an extensive collection of cherished cars and has resided in a heated and dehumidified garage for the last two decades. The owner sadly passed away some five years ago and his brother has recently reawakened it from its slumber in order to facilitate a sale.

He has carried out some recommissioning work in order to get the car running properly and we are told it now runs smoothly. It is a lovely original example, and has covered 163,500km (c 101,400miles).

With a known history of well over twenty years, we can be sure the car had no paintwork during that time. It is quite possible that the car still sports all factory original paint.

The front spoiler has some marks and above the front bumper there is a small dent and some stone chips. The door mirror backs also have some small stone chips and as do the leading edges of the front wings. One mirror also has an area of paintwork bubbling.

The is also a small dent in the roof above the passenger door and the rear spoiler has a tiny area of damage in one corner too.

The wheels look to be in good order, though new BMW monogrammed centre caps would just finish them off nicely. The tyres have plenty of tread but are old and show signs of perishing. Replacements are needed.

There’s a sliding steel sunroof for that alfresco vibe and it appears to operate as it should.

E30 interiors are a delight. A simple dash, with everything easy to read. Controls logically laid out and easy to use.

The chequered cloth seats, of the sporty variety up front, are in good order, though there are some marks to the leather sections, especially in the middle of the rear seat cushion.

A retractable sunblind is fitted to the rear window, a nice period touch.

The carpets and mats appear to be in good condition, though perhaps a steam clean might lift them a tad.

The boot is remarkably clean, as is the wheel well, which houses a full-size spare. The boot mounted tool kit is present and still boasts all its bits and pieces.

It should be noted that the speedometer reads in miles per hour, but the odometer reads in kilometres - a km speedo overlay is included.

Lift the bonnet and prepare to be wowed by that wonderful M-Power engine, here with a white, EVO 2 air box. It has just had new plugs fitted, the injectors cleaned and the fuel tank drained and refilled. We are told it now runs as it should.

A new gearbox was fitted by Munich Legends back in 1998 under warranty at a cost we are told of around £6,500 so there should be no issues in this regard. The clutch was changed too.

The M3 has had little use in the last 20 years, covering less than a thousand kilometres in the last fifteen years. Even though it has been safely stored during its leisure time, there are signs of surface corrosion on some of the car’s underside. A good scrub up and a generous coating of underseal would be a great place to start.

The car has not been MoT’d since 2014, so we would suggest a good look at the many photographs we have provided.

Clearly the car will need an element of recommissioning and we would imagine there may be some areas that need to be addressed before submitting the car for an MoT.

There is a generous sheaf of bills from the M3’s early years and a reassuringly full service book. Over the last twenty years, the car was maintained by the late seller’s brother, a trained mechanic with his own garage.

Recent work carried out includes a new radiator and track rod ends. The fuel tank was replaced around ten years ago along the with fuel pump and all the fuel lines.

Occasional servicing was carried out, as befitting a car that mostly stood idle and the current oil looks nice and clean.

UPDATE: The BMW has just passed its MOT with a couple of minor advisories - the tester commented that there is a small amount of surface rust under the sills in a couple of places. The paint has been broken there where someone in the distant past has jacked it up incorrectly; neither the 'dent/damage' nor the corrosion are significant and could be dealt with simply if required. 

We include an online HPI report run at the auction start which shows no finance outstanding and no insurance markers for theft or damage.

We know this rare beast is going to attract a lot of interest. Whilst acknowledging that a little work is likely to be required before that first thrilling drive, it should be borne in mind that this is an unmodified and we think completely original car.

It is still a fast car even by today’s standards. It is a driver’s car, capable of engaging in a way that is now missing in its later brethren.

Undoubtedly still on an upward trajectory price wise, we believe the car will sell for between £60,000 and £80,000, though the sky’s the limit.

A true ‘80s icon, sitting here with us, waiting for its lucky new owner. So come on, put down that Easter egg and place a bid. You know you want to!

Inspection is always encouraged, within government guidelines of course. The car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon. To arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Please feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.