1988 BMW M3

E30 Coupe

4 - Cyl.

Manual

WBSAK0303J2196315

Clear

Gasoline

For Sale 1988 BMW E30 M3 Background and Owner History: This is a well cared for, 3 owner BMW M3. It was originally purchased in December 1987 from Martens Nissan BMW in Suitland, Maryland for $35,281 by an retired gentleman who took care of the car and did not abuse it in anyway. It was sold sometime around 1994 to the second owner, an Engineer in Waldorf, MD. with about 27,000 miles on it. The second owner kept this vehicle in his garage, babied it and regularly exercised it by driving it to his office. In 1994 it only had around 27,000 miles on it! I purchased this vehicle in September of 1998 with 71,000 miles on it and have owned it ever since. Today it has 126,000 miles and has been maintained and not abused. I have much of the service paperwork and the original dealer window decals and ownership history. I used to be a avid BMW Car Club member and M3 listserv member and maintained and drove this car as it should be driven, not babying it, but also not abusing it. It has never been raced on the track or driven excessively hard. It has NEVER been driving on salty roads or in the snow, NEVER. Why I am selling my M3: I am selling this car as I am moving back to Germany. I left the car in the states when I lived in Germany from 2003 - 2007 with my brother who started it, serviced it, and drove it frequently. However, I have decided that in the best interest of the car that it is time to look at selling it. Germany is just too rough on these cars and I do not have the room in my new house or the time to maintain this car as it needs to be maintained. I have set the reserve on the car at what I think is a reasonable level, however, if I do not reach the reserve, I will be shipping this car to Germany as I know that I can at least get my reserve plus shipping cost there as rust-free E30 M3s that have not been abused are rarer in Germany than in the states. Condition and Description of Vehicle: I know this car very well and I am going to be upfront with all the issue I know about since I am firm on my reserve price. Body: Body is in great condition, no known rust. like I said it has never been driven in the snow or salt. Paint: It needs new paint. The clear coat is peeling in places, well the car is almost 25 years old! See pictures for more details. There are a few minor “door dings” and dents that will need to be removed to restore the body to perfect condition. Body Panels: The car was in a minor accident when owned by the first owner prior to 1994. the hood, front grill work and drivers side fender were replaced with BMW factory parts, however, as anyone who knows M3 knows, there are no VIN Stickers on these two parts as they were replaced. All other VIN Stickers are original and replaced. There was no structural damage to the car and the repairs were done by WagenWerks in Alexandria, VA. WagenWerks is the premier body shop for exotic and expensive cars in the DC area and they have been doing excellent work for many, many years. Interior and Upolstery: The interior is in excellent condition except for the leather that has aged and dried. Seats are all in good condition structurally. I am even throwing in a pair of E30 Recaros that can be used in the car while you have the interior out for restoration! Carpets, headliner, dash, and rear package shelf are all in excellent condition with minimal wear (See pictures). Steering wheel leather is in good condition for age and not torn or ripped. Put a brand new “EVO” lighted shift boot in the car three years ago although I did not hook it up. It is for the “Dog Leg” or Close Ratio Euro Transmission though and this car has the US standard 5 Speed. Bought it in Germany when I lived there and they sold me the wrong one. You could probably sell this to someone else that is looking for a CR boot cover for the retail price and repurchase the correct one if you care to! It is pretty much brand new. Interior Electronics: On Board Computer: The battery finally died this summer. it will need to be replaced. Factory Radio: It is in place, but does not work. I have included a nice modern VDO stereo that is not installed that has the orange “glow” that matches the dash lights. I had this installed in my E30 Touring when I lived in Germany. (See pictures) Cruise Control: stopped working this summer, probably just cable adjustment, but I haven’t had time to troubleshoot it. Both window motors are working well and all other dash lights are working. HVAC: Air Conditioning does not work. Compressor stopped working about 5 years ago. I didn’t need it anyway so removed the belt and drove without it. It will probably need a new compressor to get it working again. Heater/Defroster system/blowers work well with no known issues. Engine: This is the original engine and has not been overhauled and is in sound mechanical condition. The engine has never been abused. I have always run Mobile 1 in it and changed it religiously and maintained it slightly over the dipstick indicator mark as recommended by the experts. The only modification to this engine was the addition of a Turner Motorsport Oil Pan Baffle. Valves have been adjusted and shim replace at appropriate mileage intervals. Valve Cover Gasket and Intake Gaskets have been replaced several times when required as these parts wear out every so often with use and age. This car has never been chipped or modified in anyway. Water pump was replaced with OEM at 88,000 miles. I replaced the clutch at 95,000 when the flywheel was chipped by the starter and I used a heavier duty clutch assembly when I did this. including all seals and bearings while I had it apart. The Starter was also replaced at this time. Transmission has no known issues and is standard US E30 M3 5 Speed. I have always run redline fluid in it and it has performed as they should. Also at 95,000 I put in a UUC “EVO” short shift kit with delrin bushings to reduce the shift throw and the dreaded vibration of the stock shifter. Other than the oil pan baffle, this is the only Mod that was done to the car. In the past year I replaced the rear exhaust with OEM from the “Cat Back” because the original one finally gave out! That’s about it. This is a very mechanically sound car that needs a little TLC to return it back to it’s former glory. Oh yes, I am also throwing in a rare part, an OEM extended fuel tank (see picture). I bought this in Germany with the intent on installing it one day, but never did. I only have the tank pictured and do not have the other parts to make it work.