Manufacturer: BMW Model: M3 Convertible First Registered: 19...

by Barons Auctioneers

NOTICE: Sorry, no more registrations are being accepted for this sale.

1/9

Estimate

£24,000 - £27,000

Fees

Manufacturer: BMW
Model: M3 Convertible
First Registered: 1989
Registration No: RegNo
Engine No: Not Quoted
Chassis No: WBSBBO5050EB86063
MOT: Feb 2013
Colour: Macau Blue
Details:
The E30 M3 made its debut at the 1985 Frankfurt motor show and was a BMW Motorsport division development based on the E30 3 Series. The reason for the development was to allow BMW to compete in Group A touring car racing against the likes of the Mercedes 190E 2.3 16V Cosworth, for some excellent footage of this racing follow this link to one of our favourite YouTube videos - Touring car racing 1980'S

Group A rules demanded that each race car share its main components with the production road car hence the wide arches to accommodate race wheels and tyres. The series required a high number of units to homologate the M3 (5000 units) so production was carried out by special teams at the normal Munich-Milbertshofe factory rather than the Motorsport unit in Garching.

While based on the E30 3 series the M3 was a totally revised car designed and focused for use as a race car. The suspension was reworked resulting in three times more steering castor, a front anti roll-bar linked to the struts, re-valved shocks and stiffer shorter springs, a wider track and stronger wheel bearings were added to cope with intense mechanical stress of track work. The power assisted rack and pinion steering is quicker (19.6:1). All the exterior panels on the M3 apart from the bonnet and sunroof are unique to the car with the rear screen re-angled for better airflow. Both front and rear screens are bonded in to the car to increase body stiffness. The M3 weighed a mere 1200kgs and coupled with the cars immense handling and driving behaviour it is no surprise that BMW had no problem selling all 5000 units.

The M3 convertible took the refinement and joy of open top motoring from the 325i and combined it with the race car heritage of the M3 allowing the driver to enjoy the best of both worlds. Just 786 M3 convertibles were produced and unlike the M3 coupe were hand built at the Motorsport factory in Garching. The convertible uses much of the body work (apart from the boot lid and spoiler), the drivetrain, chassis and S14 four pot engine from the tin top M3 but adds structural reinforcements to the chassis and the extra weight of the power roof, in total approx 180kgs. To deal with the extra weight the M3 convertible uses slightly different springs and shocks.

Vastly expensive when new, £14,000 more than the saloon, it cost £38,000, more expensive than a 911 and twice as much as its smaller 325i convertible sibling. The M3 convertible was of course highly specified and the fastest 4 seater convertible available at the time.

The only drawback for UK drivers was the fact that all M3's were LHD. However, this does did not deter the the previous owner of the car offered. He just employed a marque expert to convert his car to right hand drive, at vast expense, in 1997. It was then used on high days and holidays on dry summer days and was kept in a heated garage, when not use, as part of an enviable collection of classic vehicles, all in the same superb condition.

The current owner has continued to cherish and maintain the car as part of their collection.

The car was converted to right hand drive in 1997 and is one of only a handful of converted right hand drive E30 M3's and maybe the only convertible in the world.

Described as being in exceptional condition throughout, the car runs and drives superbly with just 58000 miles/ 94000km on the clock. It has recently undergone a major overhaul and service to bring it up to it's 1st class mechanical condition. This was carried out by a well known and respected specialist BMW garage, using new genuine BMW parts, specific to the E30 M3 and other new specialist items and included;

Eibach coil springs all round - Rear suspension top mounts. - Rear axle beam bushes (e46 M3 upgrade) - Water pump and gasket for S14 engine - Hydraulic timing chain tensioner. (Evo E30 M3 upgrade) - Chipped ECU, to replace faulty unit. - Distributor Cap and Rotor Arm for S14 engine - Predator stainless steel exhaust system throughout, with modified manifold by specialist -Continental sport contact 2 tyres all round - Thatcham category 1 approved car alarm. All components were mainly replaced due to age and not wear.


The vendor states that there is no rust anywhere on the car. It has never been welded, repaired, painted, or restored. The car is in completely original condition throughout, without marks, dents or scratches, though a tiny chip has appeared, following a man with a strimmer cutting communal grass verges, who may be responsible. The alloy wheels, sporting new tyres, are also in unmarked condition. The car won a trophy for one of best 10 in show (out of over 450 cars) at a BMW only car show in 2011



A rare opportunity to acquire what is probably a unique example, which can only appreciate in value.



Note: The current registration is being retained by the vendor and the car will revert to a 1989 registration.

Closed
Auction Date:
18th Dec 12 at 1:30pm GMT

Fees apply to the hammer price:

Flat Fee Registration
12.00% inc VAT*

*These fees include buyers premiums and internet surcharges.
Please see the auctioneers terms & conditions for more information

Other Lots in this Auction

Barons Auctioneers

Sale Dates:
18th Dec 2012 1:30pm GMT (Lots 101 to 182)