Classified of the week: BMW E30 M3 Convertible

It’s not very often you see one of these up for sale. It’s an E30 M3 Convertible, one of fewer than 800 built between 1988 and 1991. We know we shouldn’t like it, but we kinda do. 

Mechanically, it’s identical to the regular E30 M3 (as this one’s a 1990, it gets the 215bhp version of the N/A 2.3-litre six-cylinder), save for slightly different springs and shock absorbers to account for the (considerable) weight of the roof mechanism and chassis strengthening. 

Besides the same squared-off arches, wheels and interior of the normal car, this convertible has heated seats and electric windows. And that electric-folding roof, obviously. 

This one was imported from Germany in 1997, and eventually sold to the principal of a BMW dealer in 2011. It’s done 59k miles, and has supposedly been maintained regardless of cost, with bills on file amounting to £8K. 

Up for auction at Salon Prive this weekend, Silverstone Auctions expects the M3 to fetch around £40,000, which isn’t that different to what you’d pay for a finer handling, purer, but less rare M3 hard-top. Given the choice, Internet, which one would you go for?