The BMW E30 M3 was the first-ever M3 BMW produced. It was manufactured from 1986 thru 1991 with a total run of 17,184 units worldwide. The main reason for its production to the public was to be eligible to compete in Group A racing which required the entry cars to share the majority of its components with a road car. The rules stated at least 5,000 examples had to be available to the public to be eligible for entry into racing. The E30 M3 was first designed as a race car by the Motorsport division then reworked the necessary changes for it to be a roadworthy car.
BMW offered 11 interior upholstery options for the base model E30 M3 & Evolution I throughout its life. These options were available in full leather or full fabric. The special edition models had 10 interior upholstery options, these included all leather, all fabric or a combination of both. Refer to the model code chart below to see which models had which upholstery options. NOTE: Not all options were available on all models and all years.
Where can I learn more about the BMW E30 M3?
Make sure to learn the E30 M3 paint color options by clicking HERE
BMW E30 M3 Coupe model codes
| MODEL CODE | MODEL DESCRIPTION | YEARS OFFERED |
| AK01 | Euro spec without catalytic converter Includes Evolution I & II |
03/1986 thru 08/1989 |
| AK03 | North American spec with catalytic converter | 03/1987 thru 12/1990 |
| AK05 | European spec with catalytic converter Includes Europa Meister 88 editions |
05/1986 thru 05/1989 |
| AK05 | European spec with catalytic converter Includes Cecotto & Ravaglia editions |
04/1989 thru 12/1990 |
| AK07 | European spec Sport Evolution with catalytic converter | 12/1989 thru 03/1990 |
BMW E30 M3 Coupe interior upholstery options 1986 thru 1990
| UPHOLSTERY NAME | OPTION CODE | SPEC OFFERED | YEARS OFFERED |
| Anthracite Country cloth | 0211 | AK01, AK03 | 03/1986 thru 12/1987 |
| Pearl Beige Country cloth | 0214 | AK01, AK03 | 03/1986 thru 08/1987 |
| Anthracite Uberkaro cloth | 0304 / 0379 | AK01, AK03 | 09/1987 thru 12/1990 |
| Silver Uberkaro cloth | 0305 / 0380 | AK01, AK03, AK05 | 09/1987 thru 12/1990 |
| Anthracite M-Technic cloth | 0461 | AK05 | 04/1990 thru 12/1990 |
| Black Bison leather | 0203 | AK01, AK03, AK05 | 03/1986 thru 12/1990 |
| Pearl Beige Bison leather | 0206 | AK01, AK03, AK05 | 03/1986 thru 08/1987 |
| Silver Bison leather | 0292 | AK01, AK03, AK05 | 09/1987 thru 12/1990 |
| Natur Bison leather | 0295 | AK01, AK03, AK05 | 09/1987 thru 12/1990 |
| Cardinal Red Bison Leather | 0295 | AK01, AK03, AK05 | 03/1986 thru 08/1989 |
| Crimson Red Bison leather | 0324 | AK05 | 09/1989 thru 12/1990 |
| Anthracite Country cloth | 0211 | AK01, AK03, AK05 | 03/1986 thru 12/1987 |
| * The above chart includes the Evolution I, however excludes the convertible |
Special Edition EMW E30 M3 interior upholstery options
| SPECIAL EDITION | UPHOLSTERY NAME | SPEC CODE |
| Europa Meister | Silver extended nappa leather | 0319 |
| Tour de Corse | Black Bison leather | 0203 |
| Evolution II | Silver Uberkaro cloth / Silver Bison leather bolsters | 0305 |
| Cecotto / Ravaglia | Anthracite M cloth with Black Bison leather bolsters | 0344 |
| Silver M cloth with Silver Bison leather bolsters | 0345 | |
| Black Bison leather | 0203 | |
| Black extended Nappa leather | 0318 | |
| Silver extended Nappa leather | 0319 | |
| Sport Evolution | Anthracite M cloth | 0316 |
| Black nappa leather | 0393 |
