Highlights 

• One of the roughly 243 last M3 E30 coupés produced in 1989, with the 2.3 litre 16-valve engine without catalytic converter according to the document shown in the photo
• Hartge preparation carried out at delivery: EPROM chip, Bilstein suspension, aluminium strut brace, Hartge steering wheel and gear knob, single DTM wiper
• Body repainted in Macao Blue 250, a special colour selected during preparation at the delivering BMW dealership
• Current owner since September 2005
• Approximately €45,000 invested in mechanical preparation, invoices available since leaving the dealership
• Historical file including the original purchase invoice and service books
• Matching numbers according to the vendor
• French roadworthy inspection (contrôle technique) valid until 5 May 2028

The appeal

The BMW M3 E30 is one of the most iconic homologation cars of the 1980s. For some enthusiasts, however, examples prepared by Hartge, the German specialist based in Merzig, represent an even more exclusive proposition. This 1989 M3 stands out for its specific preparation, its Macao Blue colour and an particularly comprehensive history.
 
According to the vendor, it is one of the roughly 243 last M3 coupés fitted with the 2.3 litre 16-valve engine without catalytic converter. Originally delivered in red, it was repainted in Macao Blue 250 to order at the BMW dealership that carried out its Hartge preparation. The original purchase invoice, for 365,760 francs, notes a special paint finish.
 
The car was used in Switzerland by its first owner for approximately 15 years, then serviced notably at Pius Buchs S.A. in Meyrin, near Geneva. Taken back by BMW Bresse Auto Sport in the Ain department in August 2005, it was then acquired by its current owner in September of the same year.
 
In 2006, the engine was completely disassembled, inspected and rebuilt with competition components, including Wössner pistons, H-section connecting rods with ARP Racing fasteners, Group A camshafts, double valve springs, a revised oil pump, a new chain tensioner and new guides. The preparation was tuned on the dyno to 235 hp, with a rev limiter set at 8,500 rpm. The gearbox, limited-slip differential, cooling system and braking system have also received significant work over the years.
 
The bodywork has been addressed in 2020, notably the sills and wheel arches. More recently, the paint has been polished and protected with a ceramic coating. The vendor describes a sound and balanced chassis, precise steering and a predictable rear end. Original parts replaced during the various works have been kept for the next buyer.
 
With its documented history, Hartge preparation and engine producing 235 hp according to the vendor's measurements, this M3 E30 is a particularly interesting example for enthusiasts of 1980s German sports cars.

History and documents

• Initial registration in 1989
• Delivered new in red, then repainted in Macao Blue 250 during the Hartge preparation at the delivering BMW dealership
• Original purchase invoice for 365,760 francs, noting a special paint finish
• First owner who kept the car for approximately 15 years
• Serviced in Switzerland at Pius Buchs S.A. in Meyrin until May 2000 according to the documents presented
• Taken back by BMW Bresse Auto Sport in the Ain department in August 2005
• Used for approximately two months by a dealership employee before the sale to the current owner
• Current owner since September 2005
• Approximately €45,000 invested in preparation and mechanical works, invoices available since leaving the dealership
• Service history and detailed invoices compiled in a folder
• Service books and historical documents available
• The vendor states that genuine BMW parts were preferred whenever possible
• Matching numbers according to the vendor
• Standard French registration document (carte grise)
• Roadworthy inspection valid until 5 May 2028

Condition

• Macao Blue 250 paint, applied to order during the Hartge preparation
• Bodywork touch-ups carried out in 2020 on the lower front guards, wheel arches and sills at the lifting points
• Front guards removed during the works to inspect the bodywork and access the sills
• Front and rear bumpers repainted
• Some minor signalled stone chips and light wear marks
• All original bodywork panels are present
• Paintwork recently polished and protected with a ceramic coating
• Wheels recently repainted grey, in line with the Hartge specifications announced
• Original yellow indicator lights damaged and replaced with white lights; two original round yellow driving lights are retained and supplied with the car

• Original leather upholstery according to the vendor, regularly maintained to preserve its patina
• Carpets in very good condition
• New original BMW floor mats
• Two seam repairs to the seats carried out by an upholsterer
• Seat recline adjustment cable repaired
• Original windscreen and windows, etched with the original registration number
• Grey headlining in very good condition
• Four original speakers
• Aftermarket radio

• Alarm with siren and secret code
• 16-inch five-stud wheels, shod with 225/45 R16 tyres
• Hartge aluminium spare wheel, with a 225/45 R16 tyre
• Opening rear window
• Electric front windows
• Velour carpets
• Rear leather headrest with manual adjustment
• Headlight washers
• Dipped beam adjustment
• Air conditioning
• On-board computer II with stopwatch, average speed, fuel consumption and temperature
• Roof antenna
• French-style yellow headlights as original equipment
• Limited-slip differential
• ABS
• Leather sport steering wheel
• Central locking
• Leather sport seats for driver and passenger
• Interior mirror with integrated reading light

The vendor states that the equipment is functional, with the exception of the headlight adjustment switch and the headlight washers.
 

Mechanicals

• BMW S14 2.3 litre four-cylinder 16-valve engine, producing 200 hp in its original configuration without catalytic converter
• Getrag five-speed manual gearbox, with first gear bottom left
• Rear limited-slip differential, serviced and recalibrated

• EPROM chip
• Single DTM-type wiper
• Hartge badges at the front and rear
• Aluminium strut brace
• Engraved Hartge Bilstein dampers
• Eibach short springs
• Hartge four-spoke steering wheel
• Hartge gear lever knob

• Group A Wössner pistons
• H-section connecting rods with ARP competition fasteners
• Group A BMW camshafts
• Double valve springs
• Modified cylinder head
• Replaced valve seat inserts
• Prepared intake and exhaust ports
• Nitrided and lightened crankshaft
• New engine bearings and seals
• Balanced flywheel
• Recalibrated oil pump
• Timing chain guides and tensioner blades replaced
• Modified timing chain tensioner
• Moving parts precisely weighed
• Engine block painted in blue epoxy and rocker cover repainted
• Dyno-tuned, with an advertised output of 235 hp
• Rev limiter set to 8,500 rpm

• Upsized injectors
• Modified original exhaust manifold
• Maxx Automotive carbon intake box
• Programmable management with alpha-N sensor
• Cooling system fully renewed: hoses, thermostat, engine and heater radiators, expansion tank
• Air conditioning compressor removed to fit the carbon intake box; original compressor and condenser retained

• Gearbox serviced
• Clutch master cylinder and clutch replaced
• Synchros and driveshaft flector replaced
• Slight play in the gear lever knob, attributed to gradual wear of the selector linkage; gears function correctly according to the vendor
• Rear trailing arm bushes replaced in 2007 with slightly offset units, intended to improve handling
• Dampers replaced with Group N Bilsteins
• The four original Hartge dampers are retained

• Aviation-type brake hoses
• Discs and pads replaced
• Brake fluid renewed
• Air filter, spark plugs, engine oil, oil filter, fuel filter, tyres and spark plug leads replaced as part of routine servicing
• Oil changes carried out every 500 to 3,500 km according to the vendor's information
• Intermediate exhaust pipe replaced with a stainless Powersprint unit
• Rear silencer replaced with an original BMW unit featuring a polished chrome tip
• Original exhaust and silencer retained

• Connecting rods
• Pistons
• Exhaust components
• Original yellow lights
• Injectors
• Intake box
• Air flow meter
• Air conditioning components
• Four original Hartge dampers