01 · Überblick
The Cecotto under a different name
In April 1989 BMW launched two special editions of the M3, named after the two most successful drivers of the model line: the Cecotto after Johnny Cecotto and the Ravaglia after Roberto Ravaglia. The reasoning behind it was simple: in Great Britain, the 1987 Touring Car World Champion was the better-known name — so the series intended for the British market carried his name and signature on the plaque.
Technically, Ravaglia and Cecotto are identical. Both received the catalyst version of the S14B23 uprated to 215 PS, which was adopted into the regular series from the end of 1989. With 25 examples, all right-hand drive, the Ravaglia is the rarest M3 variant of the model line — rarer than any Evolution stage.
BMW Group Classic consistently lists both editions on a shared model page.
For context: the Ravaglia is not a distinct technical variant, but the British edition of the Cecotto Edition — BMW Group Classic lists both on a shared page. And do not confuse it: the European Champion edition from 1988 also carries Ravaglia’s (printed) signature on the plaque, but is a separate special edition based on the 195-PS catalyst M3.
02 · Historie
One year, one series
- 1987 Roberto Ravaglia becomes Touring Car World Champion on the M3 — the only title of its kind ever awarded.
- 1989 In April, the Cecotto and Ravaglia Edition appear. 25 right-hand drive cars go to Great Britain.
03 · Modellübersicht
Ravaglia and Cecotto compared
Technische Daten anzeigen — komplette Modellmatrix
| Modell | Motor | Hubraum | Leistung | Bauzeit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M3 Cecotto | S14B23 Kat | 2.302 cm³ | 215 PS (158 kW) | 1989, 480 units |
| M3 Ravaglia | S14B23 Kat | 2.302 cm³ | 215 PS (158 kW) | 1989, 25 of the 505 Cecotto, UK only |
04 · In detail
In detail
Coupé, right-hand drive
All 25 vehicles as right-hand drive for Great Britain, with numbered plaque and Ravaglia signature.
05 · Motoren
The engine
S14B23 Kat · 2,302 cm³ · 215 PS geprüft
The stronger catalyst tuning introduced with the two editions: 215 instead of the previous 195 PS with catalyst. From the end of 1989, the series adopted this specification — Cecotto and Ravaglia were the forerunners.
Technische Daten anzeigen
| Hubraum | 2.302 cm³ |
| Leistung | 215 PS (158 kW) |
| Höchstgeschwindigkeit | 241 km/h |
| Besonderheit | Introduction of the strong catalyst version |
BMW Group Classic
06 · Technik
Einordnung
Why there are two names
The rarest variant
07 · Identifikation
Identifikation
A Ravaglia is technically a Cecotto — the differences are steering, plaque and market.
- Lenkung
- exclusively right-hand drive (Great Britain)geprüft
- Plakette
- with Roberto Ravaglia's signature instead of Cecotto'sgeprüft
- Technik
- identical to the Cecotto: 215 PS catalyst, Evolution II lookgeprüft
- Stückzahl
- 25 — register and Wikipedia, not individually confirmed by BMWplausibel
- Fahrgestellnummern
- within the shared chassis number range of the Cecotto Edition (AE40337, AE40339, AE40341, AE40367–AE40868); a separate list of the 25 British vehicles has not survivedgeprüft
08 · Motorsport
Motorsport
The edition’s namesake won the Touring Car World Championship title on the M3 in 1987 and the European Championship title in 1988. The edition itself is a road car with no racing history.
09 · Kaufberatung
What to look out for when buying
With 25 vehicles, every history can be traced individually.
Plaque with Ravaglia signature, right-hand drive and the vehicle information from BMW Group Classic — nothing more is needed for identification.
10 · Die Konkurrenz
Die Konkurrenz
M3 Cecotto
The technically identical sister model for the continent — with its own page.
11 · Galerie
Galerie
12 · Quellen