One to Buy: 27k from new Black Sapphire Met. 1995 BMW E36 M3 3.0 Coupe
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Although not originally conceived as a homologation special as its predecessor the E30 M3 had been, BMW’s E36-based M3 went on to have a successful career in the burgeoning 90’s GT racing scene.
Introduced at the Paris Motor Show in October 1992, the new M3 line up would go on to comprise a Coupe, Convertible and hitherto unseen four-door Saloon.
BMW initially had no plans to sell the E36 M3 in the USA (mainly because its 286bhp engine could not meet American emissions standards), however, requests from customers eventually saw that decision reversed.
The US-spec. M3 was launched at the Los Angeles Motor Show in January 1994. It came with a special S50 B30 USA engine that featured a lower compression ratio and a less complex cylinder head with the two-stage VANOS timing system from the M50 motor.
The 240bhp US-spec. M3 was only ever offered as a Coupe was also the sole E36 M3 offered with an automatic gearbox.
Production was discontinued several months after Rest of World market cars in January 1996. 8515 manual examples were built along with 1705 automatics.
Bonhams will be offering a really super example of the US-spec. E36 M3 Coupe at their Quail Lodge auction on August 18th when this 27,600 mile example from 1995 goes under the hammer.
Configured in handsome Black Sapphire Metallic, it features all the goodies fitted as standard to these high specification North American M3s.
