$49,500 – San Francisco, CA:
“1989 BMW M3, lachsilber, ~72,000 miles, all numbers matching, clean car with no stories, can enjoy as is or easily return to stock
After 6.5 years of ownership, it’s time to try something new. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with this M3. The car drives flawlessly. No history of accidents, paint, or body damage. It recently had an extensive service done and passed with flying colors. Trying for a local sale before sending this to auction.
Condition: I’d consider this vehicle in very very good condition. With some time and fine-toothed comb, this car could easily be brought to excellent show-car condition. This car has always been maintained at high-end shops which specialize in E30 M3s for the past decade. During my ownership, I have tracked the car twice and the car has performed flawlessly. Really makes you feel like a DTM hero! I have all maintenance records during my 6.5 years of ownership and moderate records from before my ownership.
Modifications (all bolt-on easy to return to stock):
– 3 Piece BBS E26 Motorsport Wheels, Black Magnesium Centers – was told they are DTM / Gruppe A related and Uber Rare (perfect offset to clear BBK with no spacers needed) 17 x 8.5 I believe
– Brembo Big Brake Kit
– Bilstein Suspension (Gruppe N setup)
– UUC front and rear Swaybars
– OEM aluminum control arms
– Poly bushings
– Recaro Speed Seats
– Euro door cards
– EVO Brake Ducts
– EVO front / chin spoiler
– VIS Carbon Hood
– EVO Steering Wheel
– EVO Undertray with Brake Duct Openings
– UUC Pedals
– Alpine headunit
– Smoked side markers
– Startec taillights (no cracking perfect shape)
– Xenon HID kit
– Hella smoked headlightsBody/Paint: This car is all numbers matching and original paint. I have photos of VIN stickers on each of the body panels (minus the hood which is a VIS carbon hood). The car has never had any body damage or significant paint work. The car had one minor paint repair during my ownership. In 2012 or 2013, one of the rear side markers came loose at a track day and was being held in place by the wire. It was flapping around and left a few scratches on the left rear surface of the deckled. Soon after, a friend who was watching the car for me scratched the same area of the deckled when reversing into his tandem parking spot in LA. He had the area repainted by a well respected paint shop (will try to get the name). The paint still has its luster and cleans up very nicely. There are some minor nicks and scuffs on the front Evo2 spoiler. Overall paint looks amazing for a
Recent Maintenance: The car was recently given a full inspection and service by renowned BMW mechanic Bill Arnold and he gave the car two thumbs up. He went through and ran a compression test and the car came back with flying colors (208-212 across all 4 cylinders). He also performed a valve adjustment and changed out all fluids (oil, brake fluid, transmission).
Opportunities for maintenance:
– One of the fog-light lenses has a crack starting to form. Doesn’t impact functionality in any way.
– One of the covers
– Minor scuffs on the front drivers side surface of the Evo2 lip
– Stitching at top of rear seat starting to give out (common on e30s)
– Minor nick on top drivers side surface of rear spoiler
– No A/C (no compressor)
– Due to width of wheels, tires rub past 0.5 lock. One of the lips bent on a pot-hole back in 2013 or 2014. I purchased replacement cutter halves which ended up being a bit wider than the originals. I have 4 0.0″ BBS motorsport outer halves that will be included in the sale. One of them has a dent and doesn’t hold air. I would try to replace the damaged lip and aim to return the wheels to a narrower setup (currently 17×9″, originally 17×8.5” I believe).
– Shifter linkage makes the typical vibration/buzzing noise in 4th or 5th gear. This is standard for the E30 M3 and requires changing out a bushing in the shift linkage.Ownership history (some dates and details are missing in the earlier part of the car’s life):
– 1st owner – 1989: This car started its life in Hawaii where it was owned by an investment banker on the Big Island.
– 2nd owner – The car was maintained by a father & son BMW specialty shop. The shop bought the car from the original owner and the car served as the shop’s show car. At that time, the car was completely stock save for E39 M5 wheels. The car was then bought by an individual in Irvine/Newport Beach in early 2000s.
– 3rd owner – This owner went through and performed all the extensive modifications you see today. He was of Yemeni descent and I was told he was deported in 2005/2006. The tow company that impounded his car ended up buying the car. They attempted to list it on eBay where it did not sell. The 4th owner was based in Orange County and completed the deal off-line.
– 4th owner: Purchased the car from the towing company in July 2010 with 58k miles. The car had been sitting for some time and this owner brought the car back to life. Upon purchase, the car had a broken windshield, no rear wing, rims / tires that didn’t hold air, and the motor was in need of a valve adjustment and had a few vacuum leaks. Also $1,500 dollar registration hold due from parking and towing / storage fees. The car was brought back to life and maintained by Bullet Performance in Costa Mesa CA.
– 5th owner: I bought the car in June of 2012 (What a day!). I had a PPI performed by Bullet Performance. Since then I have maintained the car and enjoyed it in it’s current state, making no major changes/enhancements other than replacing consumables as needed (e.g., brake pads, tires, etc.).Photos courtesy of Courtney Cutchen Photography (www.courtneycutchenphotography.com/). Happy to provide link with further photos to interested parties.
Feel free to reach out with any questions.
Do not need help selling the vehicle.
Will consider trades for youngtimers, air cooled 911, limited edition AMGs, Defender, JDM legends===
1989 BMW M3
condition: excellent
cylinders: 4 cylinders
drive: rwd
fuel: gas
paint color: silver
size: compact
title status: clean
transmission: manual
type: coupe “
Source: https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/d/san-francisco-1989-bmw-e30-m3/6811839553.html
