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2008 BMW M3 (E90) – Manual

At a Glance

Well Maintained | Ghost Immobiliser | Good History | BMW Individual Interior

  • Mileage~90,861 on clock
  • TransmissionManual
  • Engine4.0-litre
  • LocationUckfield, East Sussex

AUCTION LIVE

Days
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CURRENT BID£5,201
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AUCTION LIVE

ENDS IN: 56 Days 12 Hr 51 Min51 Sec

CURRENT BID

£5,201

Introduction

Alan Stuart
Professional Consigner

The M3 transformed the sports saloon landscape - blending luxury practicality with thrilling raw performance.

The BMW E90 M3 marked a significant chapter in the M-Series legacy. As the fourth generation of this iconic performance model, it broke tradition by introducing a 4.0-litre V8 engine, moving away from the straight-six that powered its predecessors.

Inspired by the brand’s racing heritage, the M3 integrates advanced engineering technologies that enhance both performance and safety. Its lightweight aluminium chassis, adaptive suspension, and high-performance brakes contribute to dynamic capabilities that make every drive unforgettable.

This evolution brought a new level of power, boasting ~414BHP and establishing the E90 M3 as one of the most exhilarating sports saloon's of its time. First launched in 1986 as a track-oriented street car, the M3 has always balanced performance with precise handling. By 2008, BMW had refined this formula, merging cutting-edge technology, aggressive styling, and everyday usability, making the E90 M3 a game-changer for enthusiasts and drivers alike.

The M3 has a 'BMW Individual' interior finished in Novillo red leather, an optional upgrade from factory. Other upgrades included on the car cover; big end bearings replacement in July 2019, de-cat pipes fitted and a remap for enhanced performance in November 2020. The M3 has been fitted with a Ghost immobiliser for increased security.

The BMW is supplied with a current MOT valid until 29.11.2024.

This listing was written from information supplied by Alan after meeting Joshua the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

Sheer driving pleasure - it's a car that impresses me every time I step foot in it.

Josh, who has owned the car for the past year, has been a longtime admirer of all things BMW., he said, "I grew up seeing these M3s and always dreamed of having one. Over the years, I’ve owned several fast cars, but this particular model holds a special place for me. There's something about driving it that brings an incredible 'on the road' feeling. Shifting gears and hitting the road—it’s pure power and performance".

The M3’s design is another standout for Josh, he went on to say, "What I love most is how it looks. Every angle—whether it's the front, side, or rear—is just beautiful. It's a car I'm really proud to own".

Selling the M3 hasn't been an easy decision for Josh, he said, "I’ve gone back and forth about whether to sell it," he admits - "The main reason is that I'm looking to upgrade, I love the power in this car but I'm looking to get a newer model. It’ll be tough to let this one go".

Josh will be happy to answer any questions in the comments section below.

Josh
Vehicle Owner

Ask Questions

CONTACT OWNER

Exterior

With its aggressive stance, wide arches and quad exhausts, this car makes a powerful statement.

Wheels and Tyres

The 18" alloy wheels, finished in a dark silver colour, all appeared to be in great condition. We didn’t notice any major damage or concerns. The hubs showed a little sign of corrosion, although this is a fairly common occurrence.

The M3 is fitted with Kumho Ecsta tyres on all four corners showing 245/35 at the front and 265/35 dated from 2023 to the rear. The tyres are date coded from 2023. All tyres appeared to be in great visual condition with no initial concerns on the tread remaining.

Josh told us he has another set of M3 wheels fitted with winter tyres, which could be negotiable in the sale, he said they are in need of a refurbishment.

Bodywork

While looking over the BMW during our visit, we found that the car maintains great visual panel gaps with all four doors, the bonnet and boot open and close smoothly. We did not observe any major scratches.

The roof showed a small mark when we inspected this area a little closer - we've noted this in our exterior review video.

Our high-resolution images and videos provide a detailed look at these observations, so please take the time to review all the media files to assess the car's condition for yourselves.

Paint

The paintwork on the M3 has a lovely finish across all the panels. The Jerez Black Metallic (paint code A73) colour looks great and shows a slight blue tint which stands out well in the light.

We did note a few stone chips over the exterior, notably on the front of the car and the wing mirrors, although these didn't detract from the overall appearance of the BMW.

The images are taken from a few different angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there yourself. Please take the time to fully assess these high-resolution images and videos of the car to form your own opinion about the condition of the paint.

Glass and Trim

The glass and trim sections on the BMW were in great condition, consistent with the car's age; we didn't notice any cracks or discolouration during our visit. The window seals looked smart and showed no concerns.

Front and rear lights, trim sections and badging show with a lovely condition and again, no major concerns noted. The M3 has been upgraded with carbon style front splitter sections which stood out well.

Check out the exterior gallery and review video. We guide you through all areas of the car as if you were standing there yourself, so you can see in greater detail how the car is presented.

Interior

High-quality materials, supportive leather seats, and a driver-focused design, the M3 interior combines comfort and sportiness.

Seats and Carpets

The M3 features a 'BMW Individual' colour interior. The smart Novillo red leather sports seats show well and are equipped with electric adjustment, a highlight on the front seats are the embossed 'M' logo in the headrests.

As expected, we noted some wear on the driver seat bolster section, although this looks in line with the age of the car. On the rear seating section of the BMW, this section showed well without any real concerns.

The main carpet in the interior is in great condition and compliments the interior very well. The carpet was trimmed with blue and red M Sport style stitching. Over in the boot, this area showed without concern.

We cover the cabin area of the M3 in more detail in our interior review video.

Dashboard

The driver focused double dial setup with the black dash looks in great condition, free from any significant marks, cracking or signs of warping. We noted no warning signs on the dash when we started the car up. The BMW showed ~90,861 on the clock when we visited the car.

All the numbers and dials on the dash appeared clear and legible. The dials showed well and looked smart on the drivers section. The gauges, switches, and controls all appeared to be in good condition, with surfaces free from fogging or scratching - there were a few signs of wear to some of the buttons.

Our interior gallery section offers a closer look at the M3 dashboard.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The Alcantara bound steering wheel is in great condition, showing only minor signs of use. The wheel also features lovely blue and red M Sport style stitching.

The gearstick and handbrake present well, just a few signs of age. The gear knob and gaiter was replaced in 2021 with an illuminated setup, which cost over £150.

Additional images of the cabin area, including the steering wheel, are available in our 'Interior Gallery' section for more details on what the BMW M3 has to offer.

Mechanics

Powered by a 4.0L V8 delivering ~414 BHP, the M3 showcases exceptional performance with an unforgettable driving experience.

Engine and Gearbox

Starting up from cold, we noted no concerns and the BMW performed without issue when running and out on the road. Showing in great visual condition, we saw no issues, smoke, or unusual noises.

The 6-speed manual engaged gears smoothly on the road, with no crunching or other unwanted noises from the gearbox. The gearbox showed no concerns with its performance while driving.

We took the car out around some local roads with the current owner to get a better feel for what this vehicle is all about. On the drive, we run through the motions, taking the M3 through to the gears and getting an overview from Josh's perspective on how the car performs.

Suspension and Brakes

We noted no knocks, bangs or issue from the suspension when we were on the road in the car, and it gave us no concerns in its performance or handling.

The brakes bring the car to a halt in a straight line with no juddering reported to come through the pedal. The stopping power and control felt great, worked as to be expected and was in line with our expectations.

The Drive

The M3 provides a thrilling experience, combining precision, power, and agility. The rear-wheel-drive setup, paired with its finely tuned suspension, offers sharp handling and a balanced feel through corners.

Whether you're driving down along main roads or navigating twisting country lanes, the M3 provides an engaging, responsive drive with a soundtrack of pure automotive performance. It's the perfect blend of everyday comfort and track-ready excitement.

Electrics and Other

Josh told us that he has had no issues with the electrical elements on the car and to the best of his knowledge, everything was working as it should do.

The BMW features a Roadview dash cam which is included as part of the final sale. All switches, dials, and gauges appear undamaged and in great condition. The integrated sat nav performed without issue, although may require a software update for applicable map updates. The boot area contains a first aid kit and warning triangle.

History and Paperwork

Having had sensible upgrades already completed, the M3 is well set for future miles ahead with its next owner.

The car had 2 ignition coils replaced in July 2024, side repeaters and down pipe gaskets were replaced in April 2023, an upgraded front splitter was fitted in April 2022, the regulating lambda probe was replaced in September 2021, a genuine 6-speed illuminated gear knob with gaiter was changed in the same month. Oxygen sensor and sensor servicing was carried out in August 2021.

The idle control valve, de-cat pipes fitted, braided brake lines were updated in November 2020. During the November works, the BMW was remapped and a code delete was actioned. Brake discs were replaced in May 2020 and big end bearing replacement was completed in July 2019.

The number plate on the car is available as a separate purchase as part of the final sale. If the plate is not purchased by the future owner, the car will be returned to its original registration.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a history check on the vehicle - this is a professional check operated by HPI that will highlight if the car has been previously stolen, recorded as being in an accident, or have any outstanding finance - note, this does not include a mileage history check.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, and as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment on the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bid/s, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Service History
Date Type Mileage
28.11.2023 MOT 86,898
04.03.2023 Service 81,772
30.11.2022 MOT 81,711
05.11.2021 MOT and Service 81,495
25.11.2020 MOT 80,598
21.09.2019 MOT 79,210
05.07.2019 Service 78,799
13.06.2018 MOT 73,690
Service 73,601
10.08.2017 MOT 73,346
30.03.2017 Service 72,995
08.07.2016 MOT 71,703
31.07.2015 MOT 65,130
04.11.2014 MOT 57,157
24.07.2014 Service 51,968
22.11.2013 MOT 40,799
15.11.2013 Service 40,374
12.06.2013 Service 36,013
22.11.2012 MOT 25,458
15.06.2012 MOT 23,046
13.04.2012 MOT 22,415
30.01.2012 Service 21,624
31.03.2011 MOT 18,239
08.02.2010 Service 13,165
08.05.2008 Service 976
09.04.2008 Pre-Delivery Inspection
Key Details
  • ModelM3 (E90)
  • TransmissionManual
  • Reg. Date09.04.2008
  • CC3,999
  • Mileage~90,861
  • HistoryGood
  • ColourBlack
  • Interior ColourNovillo red
  • Interior TrimLeather
  • Chassis #WBSVA92090E040349
  • Engine #20334232
  • Matching #sYes
  • Last Service28.11.2023
  • MOTYes - Exp. 29.11.24
  • HPi ClearYes - All Clear
  • Former Keepers10
  • Tyre BrandKumho
  • Security SysGhost
  • # of Keys1
  • CO2 (g/km)295
  • LHD or RHDRHD
  • VisitedYes
  • Sale TypePrivate
  • Owned~1 year
  • Key FeatureCondition
  • Vehicle RegistrationM3 YEX
  • Fuel TypePetrol
  • Body TypeSaloon
  • Auction ID2187


    Auction Bidding

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    Current Bid £5,201
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    Auction Ends Thu 17th Oct at 7.20pm
    Bidding History
    Previous Bids  2
    £5,201 bid by Telster14.10.24 @ 12:58:17
    £5,000 bid by Adarmo03.10.24 @ 22:34:28
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    Ask Owner
    Post a comment or ask the owner a question about the car.
    1 Comment
    Telster
    Telster
    6 hours ago

    Do you know if the rod bearings were replaced, or inspected, when the main bearings were done? Or is there any evidence they were done another time? Thanks.

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    Insurance Quote


    Average annual insurance premium for a M3 like this is £418 via our trusted partner ClassicLine.
    GET AN INSURANCE QUOTEAnd get 10% off when you mention us.

    *Quote is based on a garaged vehicle in CV32 5QY (Leamington Spa), travelling 3,000 miles per year, 1 driver who is 45 years of age and is free on accidents and convictions – valid Autumn 2024.

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    Vehicle Location

    Uckfield, East Sussex

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