The M3 debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1985 with deliveries of this exclusively left-hand drive model commencing a little over one year later.

Magazine road tests were soon reporting top speeds of circa 140mph (225km/h) and a 0-60mph (0-97km/h) time of around 7 seconds, highly respectable figures even by today’s standards.

Although it looked pretty much like a standard E30 3-Series from a distance, the M3 shared only the bonnet with its less-exotic sibling.

The most obvious difference was the wider front and rear wings while only the most observant would have noticed the more steeply raked rear window and raised boot, changes made in the interests of aerodynamic efficiency.

Necessary chassis improvements included lowered and stiffened suspension, wider wheels, five-stud hubs, ventilated front brake discs, ABS and a limited-slip differential as standard.

The gearbox was a five-speed close-ratio Getrag.

This stunning M3 comes in a ‘ Diamantschwarz-metallic ’ exteri...