Newbie 1990 M3? - United Bimmer Community

**E30topless** · 02-28-2008, 12:29 PM

Hey my name is Jeremy and ive picked up a 1990 e30 convertible which was imported from Germany. The owner (a coworker of mine), told me it is an M3 convertible, it has all the M badging in and out, i wanted know how i can be sure it is an M3 and not just a e30 convertible with M badges? What would the vin be for an M3? The car was in a barm in Germany for several years and has been restored by BMW in Germany before being imported into Canada.

witeshark · 02-28-2008, 12:48 PM

Does it have the flared M3 bodywork? I'd have a look at BMW M registry Welcome

**E30topless** · 02-28-2008, 01:13 PM

it only has the wheel flares not the fender flares.. which is the first thing i noticed and it threw me off. ive seen pictures on the net of what others are calling M3's without the fender flares as well. Looking at the BMW registry all the vin's start with WBSBB0 so im assuming that is the M3 vin.

**H3-2.1** · 02-28-2008, 01:28 PM

If it does not look the one in the pic above, then that should immediately tell you something...

denyo77 · 02-28-2008, 01:53 PM

aww e30 M verts are soooo beautiful... I'd trade my Touring to get one
now I need to find a dumbass that'll actually do the trade

**elsabor67** · 02-28-2008, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H3-2.1

If it does not look the one in the pic above, then that should immediately tell you something...

I second the same. M3 Verts were never imported into the US. I don't know about Canada but still, any car can have the M badging everywhere and not be a M3. I would ask for pics of the whole car inside and out and any documentation proving it is an M3.

**E30topless** · 02-28-2008, 03:21 PM

i know that the M3 verts where never released in north america this one was imported to Canada from Germany 4 years ago, after it had been restored in Germany. Looks very similar to the picture, he has the original germany factor spec sheet that came with the car. So i'll have to take a good look at it. M3 or just a E30 convertible it is in great shape, a really good looking car. My first BMW and i look forward to driving it.

**H3-2.1** · 02-28-2008, 03:37 PM

Any pics?

**E30topless** · 02-28-2008, 03:41 PM

Only with a cell phone camera. Hopfully the weather is nice this weekend so i can get some nice shots of it.

nick_318is · 02-28-2008, 03:41 PM

take the vin and throw it in realoem.com it might tell you if it comes up with m3 parts?

**H3-2.1** · 02-28-2008, 03:46 PM

Well, I hope it works out for you; an E30 M3 cab...

Cheers,

**Numark318i** · 02-28-2008, 04:11 PM

sweet. if it is an E30 M3..ill trade you my 330, my 318, a work truck and a saab for it.

haha.

pics

**celsdogg** · 02-29-2008, 01:37 AM

bmw only made 700 M3 cabrios, so if this one, that is quite rare.

all true ///M cars come from Garching and should start with WBS in the vin. check it on all the body panels. it should also come with that dynamite S14 under the bonnet!

**E30topless** · 02-29-2008, 11:25 AM

I got the ownership today, VIN is WBA, and i checked it with realoem.com, its a 1990 320i convertible with the M20 motor, still the car is in excelent condition soft top and hard top. Looking forward to my first BMW. I will post pics as soon as i get some.

Thanks for the help.

denyo77 · 02-29-2008, 01:48 PM

the 2.0 liter engine was the worst of all the e30 engine setups, they drank like the 2.5 liter and had only little more power than the 1.8, + they were heavy like the 6-cylinders.
But on a vert in which you'll probably cruise rather than race it'll be fine nonetheless

good luck with it