BMW M3 Cabriolet For sale
One lady owner for 25 years.
118 000km and full BMW service history
Amazing condition and documentation
Description
This splendid M3 Cabriolet has a very special history. It was purchased new in 1989 by a then 53 year old German lady who kept it until 2014 when she sold it to the second owner, an important collector.
It was ordered new by BMW dealer « Helm Glöckler Gmbh » in Frankfürt, with a build date in May 1989. It was registered on July 25th 1989 and went on display in the showroom. It was built in the best possible configuration for an E30 M3 Cabriolet, destined to be a demonstrator car .
The main options are :
- Diamond Schwartz metallic body color
- Full silver Nappa leather interior
- Air Conditioning
- Heated seats
- Velour over mats
- Bavaria C Exclusive
- BMW sound system
- Typically 80’s cassette holder between the seats.
Certainly seduced by the car’s lines and performance, it was purchased according to the original order form on August 21st 1989, for an impressive 87,799 Deutsch Mark by a discerning lady owner. During her ownership she used the car very sparingly during the summer months and had it meticulously serviced at the Glöckler BMW dealership, which became « BMW Euler ».
She methodically kept all relevant documentation in a comprehensive file which covered every single service, TUV inspection and invoices for repairs and replacement parts. The car was never damaged or repainted during her ownership and at 78 years old, it was time to sell it on to its second owner in 2014.
After 25 years the M3 Convertible was still in good condition but due to its status as an iconic classic car, it deserved a refresh. In fact the car received much more with the body stripped down and repainted with all lights, badges, trim and accessories replaced. It also had a full mechanical service, new tires & dampers and great attention was paid to the presentation of the interior. Registered in 2017 it was placed in the owner’s prestigious car collection and only driven every year for the technical inspection. The mileage currently stands at 118 000km.
This fabulous and highly desirable M3 is offered today and it certainly ticks all the boxes.
It comes with its comprehensive history file including the original order form, bill of sale, service records and manuals. The car has enjoyed a quiet life with mainly one lady owner before passing to an important collector and is presented for sale in superb condition.
Examples of good M3 Cabriolets are very rare and this one would satisfy the most demanding and discerning collector.
Model history
If there’s one model in the history of BMW M that is representative of all convertibles of the brand, it is the BMW M3 E30 Convertible. It embodies the symbiosis of high performance and luxurious convertible driving like no other car made in the 1980s.
- BACKGROUND
The BMW M3 E30 wasn’t really planned, BMW M also had to build 5,000 units of a road version to homologate the model into Group A. During its initial development, performance was the baseline that M engineers had hoped to achieve. But they did even better than that, with successful performances turning into championship wins in its very first season in competition.
That came in 1987, when Eric van de Poele won the overall DTM title, while it also helped propel Winfried Vogt to European Touring Car Championship title glory. The crowning achievement that year was the inaugural World Touring Car Championship title by captured by Italian Roberto Ravaglia. A true motorsport legend was born. As a result, the 5,000 planned road-legal versions were quickly sold and BMW M, realizing it had a hit on its hands, quickly moved to cater to demand. This included the creation of rare special edition models such as the BMW M3 Evolution, the BMW M3 Cecotto, the BMW M3 European Champion signed by Ravaglia and, of course, the BMW M3 Convertible.
- FROM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP RACETRACKS TO THE OPEN ROAD
Like the two-door sedan, the M3 E30 Convertible is derived from motorsport, combining high performance and open-top decadence in a way that had never been seen before. After all, the M3 E30 was the only DTM homologation model that was also available in a convertible version. The first BMW M3 was as at home on a country road as it was on the racetrack – something that is still characteristic of all BMW M cars today. Only one feature was missing: the ability to feel fresh mountain air rushing over you whilst cruising through the Alpine passes. The Convertible brought both features together at its market launch in 1988.
- M MOTION – THE ENGINE
The E30 engine, with its wide, milled cylinder head, spark plug connectors arranged in line and M Power lettering on decorative stripes, is testament to the BMW M’s attention to detail. On the other hand, the four cylinder in line unit, with its compact design, 16-valve light alloy head, two overhead camshafts and a five-bearing crankshaft, bear witness to its proximity to motorsport. And so it should – the 2.3-litre engine is a derivative of the Formula 1 engine that propelled Nelson Piquet to become world champion in 1983. Initially, the M3 Convertible developed 195 hp and reached a top speed of 228 km/h. At the time this was outstanding performance for a four-seater convertible.
- THE INTERIOR: DESIGNED FOR SPORTY DRIVING
Typical of BMW and of BMW M, the cockpit is optimally aligned to the driver, with the centre console angled towards them. The M3 E30 Convertible’s interior was designed for maximum control and dynamics. In addition to the M Technic leather sports steering wheel, the driver is supported by M Sport seats with adjustable thigh support and precisely fitting side bolsters, even when cornering at speed. First-time owners had a choice of three interior colours: black, silver and natural, in fabric or leather. Those who opted for the optional leather upholstery could also fine-tune the interior and have the door, side panels and centre tunnel upholstered with fine Walk Nappa.
- CONVERTIBLE ON TOP, RACING CAR UNDERNEATH
Without the large rear spoiler, M3 E30 Convertible is more discreet than its two-door sedan sibling. Otherwise, it has the same motorsport-inspired flourishes, especially the muscular wheel arches that clearly distinguish the M3 Convertible from a regular BMW E30. This was a case of form following function – wider wheels and a larger track width were the actual reasons for its striking wheel arches, rather than just conveying a powerful appearance. The M engineers also reached deep into their bag of tricks in other respects. Plastic mudguards, boot lids, spoilers and bumpers all contribute to the low curb weight. The self-supporting all-steel body, which is welded to the car’s floor, provides the BMW M3 E30 Convertible with greater rigidity.
- EXTREMELY RARE, HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE
Only 786 units of the BMW M3 E30 Convertible were produced. This means that the most powerful production E30 convertible is also one of the rarest E30 vehicles ever. And as the first convertible from BMW M, it has taken its place in history and today, this iteration of the M3 E30 is a rare and sought-after classic.