BMW M3 (E90) | High Mile Club

Buying a high-mile, bargain V8 isn’t the work of a moment. You’ll have read countless horror stories of blown engines and pricey consumables costing more than the car itself, and every trip to the pumps will be accompanied by the thought of ‘I’ll be doing this a whole lot more when the V8 comes.’ But then you factor in the happiness eight rumbly cylinders will bring and how every twist of the key will be infinitely more joyous than any ‘normal’ car, and those nagging doubts are swiftly drowned out by the sound of thunder. Besides, the price of petrol isn’t nearly as high as it has been in recent years.

Naturally, you can minimise the peril of budget V8 ownership by finding a car that has been on the receiving end of much TLC. Stacks of service history is a must, while recent specialist care brings extra peace of mind. A seller who knows as much of the car’s background as possible is always a plus, too, and it’s useful to have an expert on hand to check the car over before paying up. Then it’s a matter of waiting for the right car to come along with all the aforementioned boxes ticked. A car like this E90 BMW M3.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: ‘isn’t a 112k-mile V8 M3 a recipe for disaster?’ And you’d be right to reach for the barge pole. The E9X M cars were known for rod bearing and throttle body issues that, if left untreated, could result in your wonderful S65 V8 going up in smoke. What’s more, M3s of this vintage have been relatively affordable for some time now, which does make them susceptible to the kind of owner that likes to run things on a shoestring budget. 

However, this example isn’t like any old high-mile 3er. It’s up for sale at Munich Legends, one of the nation’s top M specialists, and has been in the company’s possession for the last 13 years and 94k miles. During that time, it has featured in numerous publications, including Top Gear (you can watch it being driven alongside the BAC Mono here) and the firm reckons it has been ‘driven by princes and rock stars’, too. So yes, it’s an ex-demo, but it’s picked up some incredible stories along the way.

But above all, its long stint in the ML locker means it has been looked after by the same folks who prepare cars for historic racing and concours events, so while it’s undoubtedly lived a busy life, it’ll likely have been pampered along the way. Keeping its E90 in ‘great condition’ has always been a priority, the company says, with recent work including restoration work on the underbody, while the bearing shells and throttle body niggles have all been sorted in-house. The wheels are due a refurb, too, though the firm will only do so when a buyer emerges and a finish is decided upon (silver would go very well with the purple paint, if you ask me). 

Then there’s the price. At £18,500, it’s priced towards the low end for an E9X M3, which puts it in the same territory as some Convertibles and other cars in the 100k-mile club. For a point of reference, this Audi RS4 of similar vintage and mileage can be had for a £3k discount, while this C63 is even more murdered out for a further £2k off. A great mix of bargain German V8 muscle for the price of a lightly-specced Dacia, but I’d gladly pay extra for peace of mind. 

Engine: 3,999cc V8
Transmission: seven-speed dual-clutch, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 420@8,400rpm
Torque (lb ft): 295@3,900rpm
MPG: 22.2
CO2: 295g/km
Year registered: 2008
Recorded mileage: 112,000
Price new: £51,440
Yours for: £18,500