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The original BMW M3 was built to Group A's 5000-car homologation rule, but a subsection of that regulation allowed even hotter “evolution” models to race if 500 were built. It had been.
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BMW's fastest E30 generation M3 “Evo”, the Sport Evolution, is equipped with a larger engine, an adjustable rear wing, and many other elements that BMW wanted for racing.
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Only 600 M3 Sport Evolutions were built, and no new cars were sold in North America, making this French-market car a rarity.
The 1980s saw many wild homologation specials, but few cast as long a shadow as the original E30 series BMW M3. The car was designed as a track weapon for the German Touring Car Meisterschaft (DTM) and other FIA Group A touring car series, and BMW built 5000 road-legal M3s for legal use in racing. I needed to. In the process, a box-flared hero with uncompromisingly sharp handling was born, and he's now one of the most beloved BMWs of all time. What could be better? Of course, it's his even hotter factory E30 M3.
This 1990 BMW M3 Sport Evolution is up for auction on Bring a Trailer ( car and driver (Part of Hearst Autos) is the last and fastest of the M3 “Evos” trio. In creating these, BMW was trying to get ahead of the Group A arms race.
Founded in 1982, the Group A formula was intended to bring racers closer to regular road vehicles than traditional Group 2 rules. It worked well in the early days and became the official formula for many global series, including the DTM, European Touring Car Championship (ETCC), and the World Rally Championship. However, like pirate regulations, racing's sanctioned rules often require creative interpretation. Automakers quickly discovered regulatory loopholes the size of Crater Lake.
After the first 5,000 cars are built, a more specialized “Evolution” model can be homologated once at least 500 have been built. Thus began his Evo era, with cars such as the Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16, Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth, and Volvo 240T in DTM and ETCC. In Volvo's case, it built 505 cars, but later stripped them of many of their performance features and sold them as regular 240s, sparking protests from other automakers. It's a pirate's code.
When the 6 Series disappeared in 1985, the original BMW M3 was meant to dominate Group A, and that's exactly what happened. The M3's shell was based on his regular E30 two-door, but was lighter, wider, and more aerodynamic. The 4-cylinder S14 engine, which is the heart of the high-revving engine, generates 197 horsepower (enough power for a 2.3-liter 4-cylinder at the time) and is paired with a close-ratio Getrag 5-speed and limited-slip rear differential. It also had bigger brakes, revalved shocks, stiffer springs, and thicker anti-roll bars, but that was enough at first.
Fast on the track and very well sorted on the road, the light, supple M3 quickly racked up wins, eventually winning two DTM championships, two ETCC crowns, and the 1987 Tour de Tour. He achieved podium finishes in more than 1,400 races around the world, including a victory in the Corse Rally. Future Subaru Master Pro Drive hands. Achieving that streak required continuous improvement of the car.
The first M3 Evolution in 1987 (505 units built) had an improved cylinder head, but little else changed. The 1988 Evolution 2 (made by 501) had even more changes, including a higher compression ratio, hotter cam, thinner side glass, and more aerodynamic spoilers. By the end of 1989, ETCC folded due to rising racing costs, but in December of the same year BMW developed another innovation for his DTM, his M3 Evo, the Sport Evolution.
For this ultimate M3, the S14 six was bored and stroked to 2.5 liters, with bigger valves, a hotter cam, and other internal updates for 238 horsepower. The side glass has become thinner, and the Sport Evolution has a lighter bumper and smaller fuel tank. The bumper was made even more aerodynamic, and brake cooling ducts were used instead of fog lights. The tail spoiler features an adjustable extension with three settings: Monza, Normal and Nürburgring (to maximize downforce). A total of 600 pieces were made, all in black or red.
None of the M3 Evos were sold in the United States, but they're actually not the rarest E30 M3s. Convertibles and special editions named after racers Johnny Cossette and Gianfranco Brancatelli are rare, but the Sport Evolution is the fastest factory E30 M3. It's not just fun, it means bragging rights and investment potential.
This French-spec M3 Sport Evolution was sold new by BMW dealer François Bernardini in Corsica and imported to the United States in 2018. Immediately after importation, considerable maintenance work was carried out, including new gaskets, various seals, and a replacement fuel tank. Updated suspension bits including shocks and bushings. It has just 48,000 kilometers (30,000 miles) on its odometer, so it may have needed that much refreshment after a period of disuse.
Whatever the reason, it's here and ready to go. This is a unique opportunity to acquire a low mileage vehicle. knee plus ultra It's about E30 M3, but you'll need deep pockets. A recent sale of these rare Bimmers saw bids of over $180,000. This auction ends on May 5th.
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