Vehicle Details
- Year: 1988
- Make: BMW
- Model: M3
- VIN: WBSAK0303J2197674
- Mileage Shown: 137,843
- Transmission: Manual
- Title Status: Clean
- Color: Salmon Silver Metallic
- Seller Type: Private Party
- Location: Deal, NJ 07723
- Lot #: V-0048837-DT
Produced from 1986-1991, the first-generation (E30) BMW M3 was a purpose-built homologation car offered to consumers to satisfy Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (DTM) production requirements. It went on to become one of the most legendary sports cars of all time. One of approximately 5,300 examples produced for the North American market between 1987 and 1990, this 1988 example is finished in Salmon Silver Metallic over a Black Bison leather interior. It is powered by a 2.3-liter inline-four-cylinder S14 engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential, while additional equipment includes 15” basketweave wheels, a sunroof, aftermarket exhaust components, and more. This E30 M3 is now being offered for auction by its seller out of New Jersey showing approximately 138k miles on the odometer.
Finished in Salmon Silver Metallic, this E30 rides on 15” basketweave wheels wrapped in Dunlop Direzza DZ102 tires. Compared to a standard E30 3-series, all body parts are unique to the M3 apart from the hood and roof panels, with the M3 further distinguishable by its boxed fenders, model-specific bumpers and rocker panels, and fixed rear wing. Equipment includes body-colored mirrors, integrated front fog lights, and dual exhaust outlets. The seller notes bodywork performed under previous ownership included repairs to the left quarter panel, left door, and beneath the fuel door, as well as repainting the right door. Additionally reported is corrosion on the driver’s rear inner fender, as well as imperfections on the front bumper cover. Detailed images are provided in the gallery along with paint meter readings, and a clean CARFAX report.
The cabin is upholstered in Black Bison leather and features manually adjustable front sport seats along with a rear bench. Equipment includes a three-spoke M-Tech I steering wheel, VDO instrumentation, an onboard computer, an AM/FM/cassette stereo, air conditioning, cruise control, and power windows, mirrors, and locks. The seller notes the seats were dyed for cosmetic purposes and confirms all gauges, electronics, and accessories to function as intended.
Powered by a 2.3-liter DOHC inline-four-cylinder S14 engine, the E30 M3 sends up to 192 HP and 170 lb.-ft. of torque to its rear wheels by way of a Getrag 5-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential. The seller notes that work performed under prior ownership included the installation of Samco silicone coolant hoses, aftermarket exhaust components, and the replacement of the coolant expansion tank. Maintenance performed in 2023 included changing the coolant and oil.
This sale will include the owner’s manuals, a toolkit, a spare tire, a BMW-branded windshield sunshade, a BMW flashlight, and a clean title.
The seller would like you to know: “This is a car I lusted over since I was young and had this exact car on a poster on my wall for years. The E30 M3 is an absolute legend and to own it had been a dream for many years. I am not a dealer, I am a true BMW M car and Porsche enthusiast downsizing my collection. All my cars have been meticulously maintained and cared for, I am borderline obsessive about it, and it shows. A car from my collection is a car you can get in and drive worry free. This particular car gets a ton of attention, it is gorgeous in and out and a real head turner. Good luck to all potential buyers, I am here to answer any questions.”
Comments (0)
Bid in the amount of $58,000
Bid in the amount of $54,000
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Bid in the amount of $53,030
Bid in the amount of $52,118
Bid in the amount of $50,420
Bid in the amount of $49,000
Bid in the amount of $47,000
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Bid in the amount of $45,000
Bid in the amount of $42,030
Bid in the amount of $40,000
Driving videos are loaded! I am here to answer any questions today.
@Dm3.6turbo I shot 3 videos today and forwarded them to my Pcar rep, hopefully they will post today. Please feel free to keep checking back. Thank you
@wilhit10 hi, I did not have the proper tools to remove the battery so I took photos from the underside, which would I suppose show any corrosion. Please find the photos added to the gallery. Thank you.
Additional content has been added to the gallery for this listing.
@Dm3.6turbo sure, I will be with the car this afternoon and will take the requested photos and driving video to be posted later this afternoon. Thanks
Seller ,please Post a driving video
@niwde Thank you so much for your kind words, it's always great to hear from a previous owner. I totally agree, this M3 has always been cared for and is absolutely above average inside and out.
I have not seen any leaks at all so they may have been addressed prior to me acquiring the car. Also, I had my mechanic go through it when it arrived and never told me there was a need for the engine to be resealed.
I agree 1000 miles is not a lot but please bear in mind I own several cars and have a busy work life. The car never sat for an extended period as I try and go to the garage every other week to drive the cars. The car has been driven enough to prevent any issues from sitting but yes not many miles were added. Lastly, I paid $83k with fees plus shipping plus about $5k in misc items so I am in about 90k on it. I know the market shifted and I set my reserve accordingly, this is a beautiful, well maintained and very attainable E30 M3.
Iconic M3. Good luck to the seller and buyer!
As one of the previous owners of this specific M3, it has all the right check boxes for its originality. It’s been a well cared M3 by its current and previous stewards.
Yes, it has had its noted repairs, body work and pain job. As a well-informed buyer/bidder, you should refer to the original listing on BAT.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-bmw-m3-159/
Many of the discrepancies such as the leather seat condition have been addressed by Albert while the more concerning issue related to oil leaks and resealing of the engine remain open in my opinion.
Lastly, not that being a garage queen is a bad thing either… less than 1,000 miles have been added under the current ownership.
The market has leveled out since the Albert’s purchase but this particular M3 is slightly above the average in my opinion.
@wilhit10 I don't see anything on the description stating there is corrosion there.I will be at my garage on Sunday to show the car to a prospective buyer and will gladly take some photos. Thank you
Do you have a picture of the corrosion under the plastic battery tray? It's a place where 4 panels converge and an little rust is typically showing is the tip of the ice berg. It's not an easy repair if its bad.
David,
No Lien , I own the car and have the title in hand. Yes, I can hold for a reasonable amount of time in my garage in New Jersey.
Thank you
A couple of questions,
Is there a lien on the title?
Can you hold it for about 2 weeks if I am the highest bidder?
Thanks
@Jayharry Hi, the tires are excellent, plenty of thread left. The AC is freezing cold. It was serviced last December , I had the coolant and oil changed as well as fluids topped off. The AC fan was making some noise on start up which was repaired as well. Everything works as it should, thank you
What's the condition on the tires? Does the AC blow cold? When was the last time the car was serviced ? Thank you
Bid in the amount of $36,000
Bid in the amount of $30,250
@BFRI Good morning
I checked the wheel well and the corrosion appears to be surface only, please see new photos.
Regarding any paintwork, none of it was done during my ownership and so I only have the same information that was provided by the previous owner. Please refer to the paint meter photos as well as the detailed walk around video I submited. Any paintwork was professionally done and looks great as you can see. The peeling on the door and the front lower lip are the only notable imperfections I see and I would otherwise rate the paint 8/10, especially on a 36 year old car. I welcome you to come and view the car or send a representative if you are not local, I am very flexible and willing to show. Thank you
@BFRI thanks for your questions, I will check all the records and any history I can find on these items and will report back to you tomorrow morning. Have a good night.
@bfri thanks for your questions, I will check all the records and any history I can find on these items and will report back to you tomorrow morning. Have a good night.
@PCARMARKET A few questions about the body / paintwork. My appologies if i missed the info somewhere.
1. I see the reciepts for the driver's door repair done in 2016 which left some pealing on the edge of the door. However, no mention of the driver's side quarter being painted in the paperwork? was this just to blend it or was there an additional repair at some point?
2. There is a note about a repair below the fuel door and the passanger door being repainted, but there is no paperwork with details on that repair. Any additional info you can share about that? was that whole side repainted?
3. I also see a note about driver's quarter having corrosion. Could you please add some pictures?
thank you!
Bid in the amount of $30,000
@BFRI An incorrect comment from the seller has been removed, the car is located in NJ
Bid in the amount of $20,000
Absolutely beautiful car, I wish I had room for it lol! Good luck with your auction!
Hi everyone and welcome to my first Pcar Auction! If you are viewing this listing, you are either in the market for a E30 M3 or you simply appreciate these special cars, either way, thanks for viewing! This is not a garage queen even though it shows as one, it is absolutely gorgeous in and out but has been driven and enjoyed, making this car attainable with a reasonable reserve. I will be available to answer any questions to the best of my abilities and can arrange for the car to be viewed or inspected so please feel free to reach out. The car is titled in New York but is currently stored in my garage in Deal, New Jersey where I spend my summers. I am a small collector of cars from my childhood, including several BMW M cars, Porsche and Ferrari. All my cars are well maintained,always kept in my 3000sf garage and never driven in inclement weather. Please feel free to check out my insta @my_cars_of_deal and again please reach out here or by clicking the "contact seller" with any questions. Thank you! Albert
Is the car located in NY or CA?