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 8 color options for the base model E30 M3 throughout its life. The special edition models had 4 unique paint colors. The E30 M3 convertible models shared all of the special paint colors from the Special Coupe models at some point throughout its production period.
BMW E30 M3 Coupe Model paint color options 1986 thru 1991
| PAINT NAME | PAINT CODE | SAMPLE | YEARS OFFERED |
| Alpine White | 146 | 03/1986 thru 12/1987 | |
| Alpine White II | 218 | 01/1988 thru 12/1990 | |
| Henna Red | 052 | 03/1986 thru 08/1987 | |
| Cinnabar Red | 138 | 09/1987 thru 08/1989 | |
| Brilliant Red | 308 | 09/1989 thru 12/1990 | |
| Salmon Silver Metallic | 203 | 03/1986 thru 08/1989 | |
| Sterling Silver Metallic | 244 | 09/1989 thru 12/1990 | |
| Diamond Black Metallic | 181 | 03/1986 thru 12/1990 |
BMW Special Edition E30 M3 Model paint color options
| PAINT NAME | PAINT CODE | SAMPLE | SPECIAL EDITION |
| Macao Blue Metallic | 250 | Europa Meister, Evolution II, Cecotto / Ravaglia | |
| Diamond Black Metallic | 181 | Tour de Corse | |
| Misano Red | 236 | Evolution II, Cecotto / Ravaglia | |
| Nogaro Silver Metallic | 243 | Evolution II, Cecotto / Ravaglia | |
| Brilliant Red | 308 | Sport Evolution | |
| Black II | 668 | Sport Evolution |
BMW E30 M3 Convertible Model paint color options
| PAINT NAME | PAINT CODE | SAMPLE |
| Alpine White II | 218 | |
| Brilliant Red | 308 | |
| Diamond Black Metallic | 181 | |
| Black II | 668 | |
| Macao Blue Metallic | 250 | |
| Misano Red | 236 | |
| Nogaro Silver Metallic | 243 | |
| Sterling Silver Metallic | 244 |
