One to Buy: Sterling Silver 61,000 mile 1993 BMW E36 M3 3.0 Coupe
In a similar fashion to its E30 predecessor, BMW’s E36 3-series became the benchmark against which all entry-level Saloons, Coupes and Convertibles were measured. Its combination of handsome looks, superb driving dynamics and excellent build quality resulted in BMW’s absolute domination of the sector around the globe.
At the head of the E36 line-up was BMW’s latest iteration of the now iconic M3, a variant originally launched back in 1985 to homologate a Group A competition car for international touring car races.
Whereas the E30 M3 was powered by a raucous four cylinder motor designed for competition use, the E36-based machine was comparatively refined on account of its more spacious bodyshell and silky smooth straight six engine. Unsurprisingly, it proved a massive commercial hit and in many respects paved the way for every BMW Motorsport product since.
In total, over 70,000 examples of the E36 M3 were completed between 1992 and 1999, among the finest examples of which is chassis ‘33449’ set to go under the hammer at RM Sotheby’s St. Moritz sale on September 16th.
Configured in the desirable colour combination of Sterling Silver over an Anthracite M cloth and Amaretta interior, chassis ‘33449’ was completed on June 28th 1993 and supplied to the German domestic market.
Today this desirable car has covered a little over 61,000km which is backed by a detailed service history from new. Presented in superb condition throughout, this collector grade example of arguably the 1990’s best compact supercar will be sold at No Reserve.
Reprinted below is RM Sotheby’s description for this exceptional example of the original three-litre E36 M3:
Estimate: CHF50,000 - CHF70,000
Chassis No. WBSBF91030JC33449
A tastefully specified and well-presented example of the E36-generation M3 Coupé
Finished in Sterling Silver over an Anthracite M cloth and Amaretta interior
Powered by a 2,990-cc straight-six engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox
Accompanied by an owner's manual, service book, and tools
Following the runaway success of the first-generation BMW M3, both on the track and in showrooms, the announcement of its successor in November 1992 was understandably met with some trepidation. Fans of the marque need not have worried: not only did the E36 bring with it much needed modernisation in terms of styling, it also boasted a useful increase in power thanks to the all-new six-cylinder, 282 horsepower S50 engine.
Initially launched in coupé guise only, early examples such as this—before the arrival of the uprated ‘Evolution’ model in 1995—featured a 2,990-cc straight-six engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. The car offered here was completed on 28 June 1993, prior to being road registered on 7 July of that year. It was finished in the timeless combination of Sterling Silver over an Anthracite M cloth and Amaretta interior.
The accompanying service book indicates that the car spent its early life in north-west Germany, benefitting from no fewer than nine service stamps. The most recent service took place on 27 July 2020 in Norway, after the car had been imported to the country in 2019; accompanying invoices amount to more than NOK 30,000 (approx. CHF 2,500) and detail, among other works, replacement of fuel hoses. Service records support the indicated mileage at the time of cataloguing of 61,264 kilometres, while the car is accompanied by an owner’s manual, service book, and tools.
This well presented and tastefully specified M3 will appeal to those seeking a top-quality example of BMW’s E36-generation sports coupé.
