A 36-year-old, high-mileage BMW E30 M3 will cross the auction block in the USA soon expected to fetch up to $180,000 – nearly twice as much as the latest M3 sedan costs. The car is in great condition and is one out of roughly 500 Evo II homologation specials, explaining the price.
The Evo II (see video) reached the market in late 1980s shortly before the start of an annual DTM championship in Germany. According to reports, BMW had made 501 such cars from March until May 1988. This one was number 463 in that batch.
Each Evo II had its 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine upgraded with better pistons and distribution shaft, as well as different compression ratios and a lighter flywheel. While the original produced 200 PS (197 hp / 147 kW) and 238 Nm (176 lb-ft) of torque, the upgraded power unit pumped out 218 PS (215 hp / 160 kW) and 245 Nm (181 lb-ft). It also took advantage of a new gearbox with revised gear ratios and an exclusive, lightweight body kit.
This example was originally sold somewhere in France and later got into the United States. It underwent some major maintenance not long ago that reportedly cost nearly $40,000. With 177,500 km (110,000 miles) under its belt it’s nowhere near new, but both the body and the cabin seem to have aged nicely.
