Collector cars look a lot different than they used to. For example, the first-generation BMW M3, which was based on the E30 3 Series, used to command about $50,000 at most 15 years ago. However, one particularly pristine and rare 1990 example just sold at auction for a staggering £404,375 ($523,000 at current rates). That’s not just an incredible rise in value, it’s actually a record.
A Flawless Example Of A Rare Gem
1990 BMW M3 Sport EvolutionNeil Fraser/RM Sotheby’s
The RM Sotheby’s Woodcote Park Auction featured Lot 108, a 1990 BMW M3 Sport Evolution in remarkably original condition with just 4,503 kilometers (2,798 miles) on the clock. Manufactured for the German market, the rare sports car was issued a BMW Classic birth certificate in 2024, revealing a final assembly date of February 20, 1990. It was acquired by the selling owner about 10 years ago, and it was then imported to the United Kingdom in 2024. At that point, the now-previous owner treated the M3 to a thorough recommissioning, with another happening just prior to the sale.
The M3 retains its original coat of black paint, as well as its black leather interior. Given the Sport Evolution’s positioning as a hardcore track toy, we find it a little odd that the original owner optioned it with a sliding sunroof, power windows, and air conditioning. As one of just 600 built, the Sport Evolution is rarer by far than the series-produced E30 M3, and its uncommon condition and oddball options may have contributed to that shockingly high gavel price.
What Makes The Sport Evolution So Special?
1990 BMW M3 Sport EvolutionNeil Fraser/RM Sotheby’s
BMW introduced the original M3 in 1986 to fulfill a homologation rule for German touring car racing championship, with regular updates for the European market coming with the 1987 Evolution and 1988 Evolution II models – America missed out on those, unfortunately. In 1990, the Bavarians gave the M3 its final performance update, and as expected, they saved the best for last.
Out went the standard S14 2.3-liter inline-four, which made 197 horsepower in the base and Evo models and 217 hp in the Evo II. In its place came a bored and stroked version of the S14, now displacing 2.5 liters. A more aggressive camshaft profile helped the engine put out a total of 235 hp, while revised bodywork and some decontenting – those deleted and then added power accessories in the auction model – cut weight by 55 pounds.
The Sport Evo’s performance numbers may not be too impressive by today’s standards, but in 1990, its 0-60 acceleration of 6.5 seconds was an improvement over the standard M3 by about one full tick. It also wasn’t too far behind the contemporary BMW M5, which had a solid 100 additional horsepower over its kid brother.
As with any other Evolution trim, the M3 Sport Evo wasn’t offered in the US. We can only hope that this incredibly low-mileage example’s new owner will see fit to bring it out and churn over the odometer a bit more – perhaps even at the Legends of the Autobahn event during Monterey Car Week. Shipping any other ho-hum M3 across across the ocean for a car show would probably be overkill, but this $500,000 example surely deserves a trip to California.
Base Trim Engine
3L I6 ICE
Base Trim Transmission
6-speed manual
Base Trim Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower
473 HP @6250 RPM
Base Trim Torque
406 lb.-ft. @ 2650 RPM
Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
16/23/19 MPG
Segment
Compact Luxury Performance Sedan
Source: RM Sotheby’s
