1990 BMW M3 E30 Auction on Bring a Trailer Nears Close

A 1990 BMW M3 E30 is listed on Bring a Trailer with 73k miles and a clean Carfax. Review details, specs, and auction highlights as bidding nears completion.

The auction for a 1990 BMW M3 (E30) on Bring a Trailer is entering its final hours, with bidding reaching $65,888 and more than 1,600 users watching the listing. The level of engagement alone signals that this is not merely a three-decade-old sports coupe, but a car with established market credibility and lasting appeal.

This example is described as one of approximately 5,300 units produced for the North American market between 1987 and 1990. It shows 73,000 miles, around 1,000 of which were added by the current owner, who acquired the car in 2011. Registration history includes California, Alaska, and North Carolina. The car is currently titled in North Carolina and physically located in California.

Finished in Brilliant Red (paint code 308), a factory color documented for the E30 generation, the car features a black Nappa leather interior. The listing notes that factory VIN stickers are present and that the Carfax report shows no accidents or reported damage. In the E30 M3 market, such details play a significant role, as originality and documented history directly affect collector perception.

Power comes from the 2.3-liter S14B23 inline-four, factory rated in U.S. specification at 192 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque. The S14 engine is closely tied to BMW Motorsport’s homologation efforts of the late 1980s and underpinned the model’s success in touring car competition. It is paired with a five-speed Getrag manual transmission and a limited-slip differential driving the rear wheels.

While not entirely stock, the modifications are period-appropriate in character. The car rides on 17-inch BBS wheels and is fitted with Bilstein dampers, H&R springs, a Stromung exhaust system, and a Racing Dynamics strut brace. At the same time, key original equipment remains in place, including the sunroof, rear spoiler, sport seats, air conditioning, onboard computer, and cassette stereo. This blend of authenticity and carefully chosen upgrades often defines how enthusiast-owned E30 M3s are presented on today’s market.

Recent service reportedly included fresh fluids, a new battery, belt service, and repairs to the door lock system. The listing also notes that the car last passed a California emissions test in January 1997, a detail that may be relevant depending on the buyer’s intended registration location.

Globally, approximately 17,000–18,000 E30 M3s were produced across all variants, and the model is widely regarded as BMW’s most successful touring car platform. Against the backdrop of sustained collector interest in documented and well-preserved examples, the strong bidding activity reflects the continued demand for cars that combine motorsport pedigree, traceable history, and recognizable period upgrades.

The final hammer price will be known shortly. Regardless of the outcome, this listing illustrates why the E30 M3 remains more than a classic sports coupe—it stands as a homologation icon whose appeal has proven remarkably resilient.