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1989 BMW (E30) M3 CECOTTO EDITION

This 1989 BMW M3 (E30) Cecotto Edition is a highly desirable limited-run performance car, which remains in excellent cosmetic and mechanical order thanks to a prior restoration. It is powered by the high-revving 2.3-litre S14 engine that produces 212bhp, driven through the rear wheels via a five-speed Getrag manual transmission. The odometer shows 153,717 miles (247,385 km) from new, though its impressive condition belies that mileage.

Built in recognition of the E30 M3s multiple touring car championship successes, BMW produced a special edition of the car taking its name from two of the drivers responsible for its results. Just 480 individually numbered examples of the M3 Johnny Cecotto edition were built, as well as 25 units of the UK-only Roberto Ravaglia edition.

These cars featured the uprated and catalyst-equipped S14 engine that would subsequently become the standard-fit powertrain for European specification M3s from September 1989 onwards. They were also equipped with the M3 Evolution II front and rear spoilers, thinner rear window glass and 16-inch alloy wheels with black painted centres.

Understood to have been completed at the factory in mid-1989, it was first registered in Germany. It spent most of the first decade of its life there, before being imported to the UK, and re-registered as G295 FBL. The vendor - a Portuguese national then living in Britain - acquired the car in December 2005, when the odometer recorded around 135,000 miles (217,000 km). Immediately after that, the owner took the car with him to Portugal, where it has remained since.

The bodywork of this E30 is in great condition, with no evidence of any previous accident damage. It has been treated to a respray in the past, and it still presents very well. The Macao Blue paintwork looks very smart, with only a few minor imperfections as shown in the media gallery, including scuffs on the sunroof panel. The vendor has taken care to apply a high-quality ceramic protection treatment every three years to keep the finish looking unmarred and glossy.

The car sits on the correct 16-inch cross-spoke alloy wheels, which are all in pristine order. While the Cecotto never came with any bodywork graphics, the owner has personalised the finish with the red pinstripe as featured on the M3 Sport Evolution model. This is an adhesive sticker, so can easily be removed by the next owner if desired. A Milltek sports exhaust is also fitted. The car is always cleaned with care by hand, and has never been in an automated jet wash during the vendor’s ownership.

The cabin features the original Sport seats, which were ordered from the factory upholstered in full black Bison leather. It is understood to have previously been re-trimmed, but has retained this specification, and the leather remains in excellent condition. The rest of the cabin is in equally good order, with no known faults with any of the switchgear.

Ahead of the driver, the speedometer fascia was swapped to a miles-per-hour priority when the car was in the UK, but the odometer readout is still in kilometres. The cabin also features M3 door sill plates, leather-trimmed M steering wheel and gear knob, and a plaque on the centre console confirming that this is car number 147 of the 505 original Cecotto and Ravaglia models.

During the vendor’s ownership, it has been inspected and serviced annually, and its last scheduled maintenance was carried out in September 2019 by Clínica do Motor in Porto, Portugal. This comprised of a standard service and roadworthiness inspection (IPO), along with valve adjustment and new front brake pads. Prior to this, it was also serviced in September 2018 and September 2017 with Inspection visits per BMW’s schedule recommendations.

In 2015, the car was given a major overhaul upon its arrival in Portugal. This included a fresh set of forged pistons and rings for the S14 engine, as well as polishing of the intake manifold. The clutch and release bearing were renewed, along with the oil in the engine, gearbox and differential, as well as the brake fluid and clutch fluid. A new gearbox linkage was fitted, with fresh bushings and seals. The oil pump and oil cooler were replaced, and Mishimoto silicone water hoses and high-pressure fuel lines were installed. The electric fan was renewed and a fresh Bosch battery was fitted, with an isolator switch neatly integrated in the boot.

At the front of the car, the engine mounts were replaced, along with the link rods for the Eibach anti-roll bar. At the rear, the shock absorber mounts, rear trailing arm bushings, rear subframe mounts and the rear differential mount were all renewed. A trailing arm camber and toe adjustment kit was fitted, and the rear anti-roll bar was given new reinforced bushings. Finally, the bonnet received a new hydraulic strut, a new alarm and immobiliser system was installed, and numerous parts were sand-blasted and refinished to get the car into pristine condition.

The alloy wheels are fitted with Hankook Ventus tyres in size 225/45 R16 all round, which are date-coded to 2016 and remain in perfect condition with plenty of tread remaining.

This BMW M3 Cecotto is a superb example of one of its era’s defining ‘poster cars’. The E30 M3 is already a relatively rare machine, but this limited-edition modern classic is a particularly desirable model that also boasts a terrific factory colour. Its exterior and interior remain in great condition following restoration, and a thorough mechanical overhaul in recent years means this sought-after and involving performance car wants for nothing.

Recent IPO / MOT history: