RM Sotheby’s has revealed lots for its upcoming Villa Erba sale, featuring a collection of the finest BMW M sports coupes ever
Held every two years at Lake Como in partnership with Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, the RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba sale is host to the world’s greatest classic and historic cars. It seems 2023’s sale is due to be no different, with a selection of BMW M’s finest offerings going under the hammer with no reserve alongside other, equally impressive exotica.
Set to be sold as part of the ‘M Power Collection’, it only seems appropriate to begin with this ‘Brillantrot’ E30 Sport Evolution, a further limited edition of the iconic original homologation special. This example is one of just 600 ever built, and features an upgraded variant of the naturally-aspirated S14 four-cylinder engine with a 165cc increase in displacement. It also features bespoke adjustable aero and improved cooling. This particular car is one of just eight German-market cars in the trademark red, and has spent the majority of its time with the family of the Schmidt Motorsport Technik racing team.
Gratuitously skipping over the E36, it was the E46 CSL that brought the M3 up to the standards of true supercars in 2003, reducing the standard car’s weight and adding an even more highly-strung nature to create a truly captivating machine. Defined by elements such as its carbon plenum, screaming naturally aspirated engine and intense track-focused handling setup, it was defined just as much by its performance as it was that glorious intake bark. This particular example is finished in Silver Grey Metallic and has had just two owners in its time.
The E92 M3 GTS is by far the rarest of the group, with just 138 examples sold worldwide. Despite the relatively standard-looking bodywork (save for the wing), the E92 GTS’s changes emitted from under the powerdome bonnet where BMW M swapped out the standard 4-litre S65 V8 in favour of a motorsport-derived 4.4 unit that bespoke to this and the even rarer four-door M3 CRT. The GTS targeted the ultimate track day sports cars like a Porsche 911 GT3 RS with 444bhp, more aggressive aero and uprated, adjustable suspension. This low 6172-mile car is finished in the iconic Fire Orange, has just two owners from new and even comes with a handful of rare BMW M accessories and a branded bottle of champagne…
Unlike the CSL and E92 GTS above that instantly won hearts and minds, the F82 M4 GTS was a slightly more fickle low-volume M car that repelled as many enthusiasts as it attracted. In reality, it paired a heavily focused update to the chassis with an uprated version of the standard S55 straight-six, utilising a water-injection system to achieve a much higher 493bhp output. It too came with lightweighting measures such as a carbonfibre bonnet, titanium exhaust system and the removal of the rear seats, but some found the F82 to be too much of a handful on anything other than smooth, bone-dry tarmac. For others, though, this represents the most extreme of BMW’s early turbocharged cars, and will be a future icon for that status alone. This Frozen Dark grey example has had just a single owner from new.
Among strong competition, the G82 M4 CSL failed to earn our hearts during eCoty 2022, but there’s no doubt that it’s an impressive sports car that, like the F82 GTS above, needs the right conditions to excel. Powered by a 542bhp variant of the BMW M’s S58 twin-turbocharged 3-litre straight-six, it’s one of the most extreme modern BMWs in a generation. As with the last CSL, it features a collection of carbonfibre elements like the bonnet and an E46 CSL-esque boot lid to help keep the weight in check, as does a reduction in sound insulation and the use of a titanium exhaust. Just 1000 examples will be built to mark the division’s 50th year, with this particular example coming in Frozen Brooklyn Grey complete with delivery stickers, an M4 CSL-specific car cover and more.
Also going under the hammer on May 20th is the ‘Black On Black Collection’, featuring a Ferrari F512 M, 512 TR, three Testarossas and a Lamborghini Diablo VT all finished in, you guessed it, black paint. Also up for sale is a 2011 Lexus LFA featuring a vibrant blue leather interior, a 1964 matching numbers Aston Martin DB5 in 'project' condition, and last but most certainly not least, an incredible 1992 Mercedes 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II DTM.
Keyword: RM Sotheby’s offering an ultimate BMW M collection