2/24/25/2012 Update: This BMW has been sold, just 15 hours after the listing here on BaT. Stay tuned for more BaT Exclusives!

From 2/24/2012:

This 1988 BMW M3 (VIN WBSAK0302J2195544) is offered in the very rare Lachssilber/Cardinal color combination. The car is a very clean driver with Dinan suspension and some minor tasteful modifications. The car has 142k original miles with extensive recent maintenance, and during the last valve adjustment at 135,300, a compression check showed 207, 212, 200, 215. It is available in Santa Barbara, California for $16,900.

We like the stance and conservative upgrades, and the photos show that the seller obviously keeps it very tidy. The suspension has been upgraded with Dinan springs, Dinan-valved Bilstiens all around and Dinan adjustable sway bars (22 mm front, 16mm rear). BMP strut and shock braces have also been added front and rear, along with fixed front camber plates. Wheels are 16″ BMW OEM wheels with Goodrich G-Force 225/45 tires added 7k miles ago. Zimmerman cross-drilled rotors were also added front and rear, and the painted tow-hood covers up front help clean up the look.

These are some of the significant repair/replacements done in the last 20k mi

Rear wheel bearings

Catalytic converters (50 state legal)

Muffler (BMW OEM)

Clutch master and slave cylinders (BMW OEM)

Alternator bushings (BMW OEM)

Fuel filter (BMW OEM)

The interior is in excellent unrestored condition as can be seen in the photos. The A/C systems rarely still function in these cars, and this car has just had the A/C fully serviced and it is working very well. The previous owner that installed the suspension mods also had a roll bar installed, that ha since been removed. Pictures show the care that was taken to cause minimal impact to the carpet. A BMP shift shifter was also added.

Unlike so many cryptic Craigslist and ebay ads for these cars, this seller is very up-front about the condition and any flaws on this car, and presents very good photos and info. The car was initially purchased in New Jersey, spending its first ten years in the Midwest. He points out that it has had non-structural rust professionally repaired in three places (sun roof replaced, LR wheel well and rear license area). In addition, the seller includes several photos of mechanical components with surface rust. All the VIN numbers are intact except the RF fender and front bumper cover. According to the seller, the previous owner reported that damage was done at less than 10 mph, and the CarFax remains accident free. There has been minor body work that has called for respray of RR quarter, rear bumper, trunk lid, spoiler. Also re-sprayed were the LF fender and hood.

Check out the additional photos of the car in the Flickr album and slide-show below.