1990 BMW M3 Base

Motorcar Classics offers this investment-grade 1990 BMW E30 M3, finished in rare and sophisticated Diamondschwarz Metallic over black leather, a color combination that perfectly underscores the model's motorsport pedigree and enduring desirability. This two-owner example retains all original body panels with VIN tags present and no known history of damage or paintwork, an increasingly uncommon trait among E30 M3s that have often seen hard use or restoration over the past three decades. Showing 76,687 miles, it is powered by BMW's legendary 2.3-liter S14 four-cylinder, rated at 192 horsepower and paired with a crisp 5-speed manual gearbox, delivering the high-revving character and razor-sharp response that made the first-generation M3 a benchmark driver's car. Tasteful, period-appropriate upgrades include an open-element air filter, Borla cat-back exhaust, and a Pioneer in-dash CD player with changer, all reversible if a future owner prefers complete factory specification. Developed as a Group A homologation special, the E30 M3 was BMW Motorsport's first M3 and quickly became one of the most successful touring cars of its era, dominating DTM and other series and cementing the M3 name as a global performance icon. Approximately 17,000 E30 M3 coupes were produced worldwide, with only a fraction delivered to the U.S., and values have climbed steadily as enthusiasts and collectors recognize its direct racing lineage, analogue driving experience, and historical importance as the origin of the M3 legend. For collectors accustomed to later E36 and E46 M3s, this car represents the genesis of the bloodline: a lighter, more focused homologation car with flared box-arches, wind-tunnel-honed aero, and a race-bred four-cylinder that stands in deliberate contrast to the six-cylinder formula that followed.With its desirable color combination, documented two-owner history, original panels, and carefully preserved condition, this Diamondschwarz 1990 BMW E30 M3 stands as a compelling opportunity to acquire a correctly presented example of one of BMW's most historically significant and collectible M cars.