1988 BMW 320is 'Italian M3'

1988 BMW M3 Description

If you're in the northeast come check the car out Oct 22nd 2016 at SIGFEST in North Jersey.
RARE E30! This 320is, 1 of 2,540 coupes ever built and 1 of 4 registered in the USA, has been meticulously maintained. The 320is was only manufactured for the Italian and Portuguese markets as a replacement for the poorly selling 325i due to tax regulations. The car is fitted with the same motor as the E30 M3 only it was de-stroked to 2.0L from 2.3L. The smaller S14 engine performed so well that BWM used it to compete in the 2.0L Super Touring series with the E34 chassis!
Paint: Delphine Metallic
Upholstery: Anthracite Cloth
Motor: S14B20
Trans: 5-Speed Dogleg
Drive: 3.46:1 w/LSD
Mileage: 130K
The car was optioned with Sports seats, electric windows, slick top sunroof delete, electric cooling fan, map lights, and rear headrests.
Recently the car was services with new tires, replacement OEM steering rack, replacement OEM exhaust, cooling fan serviced, complete A/C conversion R134A.
More Photos
Records
MRegistry Article
Europhile Article
Bimmer Magazine tested the 320is in 2009 and wrote," Like the E30 M3 sold in the US, the Italian 320is is highly strung. But unlike the M3, however, it hides its demeanor beneath an elegant and restrained exterior. Don't be fooled by appearances: driving the 320is is like an affair fueled by passion and adrenaline. I want it, and badly!"
When the German car magazine Auto Motor Und Sport tested the 320is against the M3 they wrote, "The bigger engine actually has less power in the lower rpm range. A fourth gear run from 40 to 100 kph took the M3 13.6 seconds but the 320is only took 12.8." They said the 2 liter engine revved more smoothly and finished the article by writing, "Less is indeed more."
Or as Auto Motor Und Sport wrote, "The 320is reacts to the slightest steering action more willing than the M3, appears to be handling better, but also demands more attention from its driver than the good-natured and understeering M3."
BMW World Magazine tested the 320is against an EVO2 M3 and came away saying, "It's the 320is I'd take home."
A $1000 Non Refundable Deposit is due within 48hrs of Auction End