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1988 BMW E30 M3 Sport Evolution II
his magnificent Evolution II is one of just 501 built between March and May 1988 and one of only 40 earmarked for the UK market. Extraordinarily, the centre console mounted build plaque only acknowledges the existence of just 500 cars of which this is number 275. With 220bhp the Evo II is the most powerful of the 2.3 litre M3’s and incorporated wide-ranging modifications to ensure the M3’s continued success in international racing.
Apart from major revisions to the engine, the Evo II gained a taller diff., wider alloys, modified front and rear spoilers made of lightweight materials and brake cooling ducts in place of the fog-lights. Bumper supports and boot-lid were lightened and thinner glass was specified for the rear screen and side windows. The Evo II was offered in one of only three colours (Macao Blue, Nogaro Silver and Misano Red) and all displayed a colourful Motorsport-inspired cam cover and plenum chamber.
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The second owner kept the car for another couple of years but covered just 2,500 miles. The registration was changed to E549 GMX on 29th January 1992 when he sold the car. With 9,300 miles now on the clock, the car was purchased on 21st February 1992 by a Mr. S for £17,000 from BMW Reg Vardy, Bromley. Mr. S changed the registration to DDZ 192 on 3rd September 1992 and drove some 5,000 miles in an 18 month period. During his ownership the car was maintained by Carrs BMW in Bury St Edmunds.
On 18th September 1993 the car was purchased by a Mr. L who purchased the car for £14,000 when it had a recorded mileage of 14,478 miles. He went on to own the car for the next 14 years under the registration E453MDX. His ownership is characterised by an almost obsessive servicing and maintenance routine carried out under the auspices of Dick Lovett, Swindon. The service file is littered with hand written notes to Dick Lovett with specific instructions before each service regarding brake and suspension set up and strict instructions not to wash the car – for fear of incorrect or poor valeting! Mr. L also went to the trouble of sourcing all original and specialist parts (brake pads, oil & consumables) before every BMW service and gave specific instructions on suspension set up for each trip to the dealer.
He was totally fastidious about brake and suspension arrangements. This is epitomised by his decision to order and fit a full BMW Group N Motorsport suspension system. Not content with that, he bubble wrapped every single component of the original EDC suspension system (down to every nut and washer) and kept them safely stored. He then took a trip to Germany and took part on a 3 day specially organised and official BMWdriver training course at the Nurburgring. A window sticker is displayed on the offside rear window confirming the event. During 14 years of ownership, Mr. L covered just 15,000 miles in the car. Unfortunately he passed away in 2007 and his widow then sold the car to Mr W on 7th July 2007. By this time, the car had a recorded mileage of 31,288 miles. An Inspection 2 service was carried out and th the original bubble wrapped EDC suspension system together with an original brake and exhaust system refitted.
Mr. W only covered some 500 miles during his brief ownership before selling the vehicle. We purchased the car on 7th November 2008 with a recorded mileage of 31,885 miles.
Chassis Number 2191631 was manufactured in 1988. This car is Number 275 out of a run of 501 vehicles specially produced by BMW Motorsport between March & May 1988 for racing Homologation purposes. This particular example is rarer still as it is one of only 40 officially supplied UK cars. As such, the speedometer and trip computer are shown in Miles (rather than Kilometres) and in English.
It was first registered on 2nd of July 1988 and was supplied by L & C of Tunbridge Wells. This is particularly relevant as the car is believed to have been first owned and used by Tim Hignett, the founder and chairman of L & C. Tim is a renowned collector of rare and unusual BMW’s and it is fully understandable as to why he would have used his influence to make sure he secured the use of one of these exceptional vehicles. All the service and maintenance work was carried out by L & C Tunbridge Wells during his ownership. It is believed that he kept the vehicle for a couple of years and covered just over 7,300 miles.
