All BMW M3s are desirable (OK, the E36 not that much), but none more so than the E30.
BMW first introduced the M3 with the E30 3-Series back in 1986 and built the sporty two-door until 1992. A host of different variants of the first-gen M3 were built, with the most prized and powerful of all being the M3 Sport Evolution.
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Compared to the regular M3, the Sport Evolution features an upgraded 2.5-liter four-cylinder pumping out 235 hp at 7000 rpm and 177 lb-ft (240 Nm) of torque at 4750 rpm. In the current automotive world, where hot hatches have long gone beyond the 300 hp mark, 235 hp may not seem like much. However, it’s not to be scoffed at, especially when you consider a. its age, and b. that it has no forced induction.
Carfection’s Henry Catchpole recently had the opportunity to drive a pristine E30 M3 Sport Evolution and was suitably impressed by how small, beautifully balanced, and light on its feet it feels. The M3 Sport Evo also happens to still look absolutely stunning, despite its age.
BMW only ever built 600 examples of the M3 Sport Evo and prices have skyrocketed as collectors look to get their hands on E30 M3s. The Sport Evo is even more sought after and not only is it hard to find one, but some examples have hit the used car market with asking prices approaching the $200,000 mark. To put that into perspective, a brand new, F80-generation M3 starts $66,500 in the U.S.