10 Reasons Why Every Gearhead Should Drive The BMW E30 M3
In the 1980s, BMW’s Board of Management required a series production car to compete on the racetrack. Interestingly, organization rules of the time stipulated that the series car should be in the ilk of future race cars in most parts. The precursor to BMW M Division, BMW Motorsport Division, rigorously deployed its undiluted motor racing technology on the series-produced BMW 3 Series to create a homologation special, the first-generation BMW M3.
Related: These Are The 10 Coolest Touring Car Homologation Specials
The E30 M3 dominated Group A Touring Car racing, claiming over 1,500 victories in German, British, European, and Australian touring car championships, not to mention rallying and legendary races such as the 24 Hours Nürburgring and Spa 24 Hours. These unmatched racing successes cemented the road-going M3 as a motoring icon, revolutionizing the compact sport sedan/coupe segment and setting a benchmark for thoroughbred high-performance models. Although that was over three decades ago, here’s why every gearhead should drive the BMW E30 M3.
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The Timeless Design Language
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Under the experienced watch of Claus Luthe, BMW redesigned the standard E30 to create a timeless design that remains unmistakable to date. Other than the hood, roof panel, and sunroof, every body panel got altered to make a uniquely compact wide-body styling with a remarkable blend of boxy right angles and sharp straight lines.
Via BMW
The M3’s new design language also involved tweaking the aerodynamics by altering the C-pillars and rear window angle, complementing the deeper front splitter and aggressively flared fenders. These changes allow for effective airflow directly towards the distinctively large rear spoiler.
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An Intelligent Lightweight Construction
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The E30 M3 weighs approximately 2,500 lbs, which is significantly light considering modern M3s weigh over 1,000 lbs more. BMW engineers employed extensive weight-saving measures despite tweaking the standard E30 with a more comprehensive body kit and a larger rear spoiler.
Related: 10 Reasons Why You Should Consider Buying A BMW M3
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Admittedly, BMW had to rely on the traditional manner of manufacturing, using sheet metal for the body panel alterations and the broad wheel arches. The side skirts, front and rear bumpers, trunk lid, and rear spoiler were made of fiberglass-reinforced plastic to reduce as much weight as possible while maintaining a favorable 50/50 weight distribution.
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The E30 M3 Is Optimized For Performance
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The E30 M3 boasts a stiffer chassis than the standard E30, a significant improvement that ensures optimal performance from the core. BMW engineers opted to glue in the front and rear windows, which dramatically improved the car’s torsional rigidity.
via BMW M
Although the 3-Series trailing arm set-up in the rear got retained, the front suspension was entirely new and featured beefier dampers and a different stabilizer, while the lightweight aluminum control arms boasted more caster. In addition, the sway bar end links were relocated as well.
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Benefits From BMW’s Touring Car Racing Objective
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BMW intended to create a compromise between a race car and a road car that ensured that the siblings shared some characteristics. The homologated M3 benefits from racing parts development such as the aforementioned suspension upgrades and beefy 205/55 VR15 Pirelli tires.
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Although the braking system includes ventilated front and rear disc brakes designed for racing, ABS was standard to ensure the M3 was suitable for everyday use. European-spec models boast the race-oriented, manual dog-leg pattern gearbox with close ratios, while North America received the familiar ‘H’ pattern manual transmission configuration with the wider gear spacing. A clutch-type limited-slip differential was standard on all models.
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Uncompromised Everyday Practicality
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The M3 E30 proved revolutionary by integrating race-oriented specifications without sacrificing everyday practicality. The interior features standard equipment such as white-on-black analog gauges, air conditioning, a power sunroof, a central locking system, and electric windows.
Related: 10 Affordable SUVs That Can Go Practically Anywhere
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The M3 features a premium AM/FM stereo and a nine-function trip computer. Bavarian comfort features include manually-adjustable leather seats and a leather-wrapped Motorsport steering wheel.
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The Powertrain Boasts High Tech Engineering
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The lightweight construction, durability, and high-revving capabilities of the series-production 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine made it the perfect candidate for intensive power therapy. BMW engineers increased displacement to 2.3 liters and converted it to a four-valve arrangement to create the M-Power S14 engine.
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The athletic DOHC engine uses a modified cylinder head from an M1-derived S38 six-cylinder engine, and a block from the four-cylinder M10 functions as the foundation.
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Impressive Power Output Without A Turbocharger
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The sophisticated 16-valve four-cylinder S14 churns out 200 hp at 6750 rpm and 170 lb-ft of torque at 4750 rpm, remarkable figures for a 2.3-liter engine without turbocharged assistance. With the regulated catalytic converter, engine power decreases to 195 hp. When the M3 E30 arrived in the U.S. it boasted the highest output per liter of any naturally-aspirated piston engine.
via BMW
On paper, the M3’s 146 mph top speed and 6.7-second 0-60 mph time hardly make it fast by today’s standards. However, the linear power delivery afforded it enough punch to blow off rivals like the Mercedes-Benz 190E and go toe-to-toe with the Porsche 944S.
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Available As A Convertible
Via: Drive
The unexpected demand for the first M3 spawned the first mass-produced convertible in M history, making it the only DTM homologation model to do so. The E30 M3 convertible, launched in 1988.
Related: Ranking The Best Convertibles On The Market In 2022
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The four-seater convertible develops 195 hp and reaches a top speed of 142 mph. The convertibles that arrived after 1989 boast an extra 20 hp, while top speed rises to 149 mph. Unfortunately, none of the 786 examples of the E30 M3 convertible were sold to the U.S.
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Higher-Spec Special Editions
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BMW launched the higher-spec M3 Evolution from 1988 with 220 hp engine output, 151 mph top speed, a deeper front splitter, and a revised rear spoiler. In 1990, BMW Motorsport GmbH produced the final development stage of the first M3, the M3 Sport Evolution, limited to 600 units.
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The Sport Evolution was the most potent model in the E30 3 Series, featuring an increased 2.5-liter displacement with 238 hp engine output. Other limited-edition special series of the E30 M3 include 505 units of the BMW M3 Cecotto and 148 examples of the BMW M3 Europameister.
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A Highly-Coveted Modern Classic
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BMW produced the E30 M3 until 1991, with nearly 18,000 models leaving the production lines. Over the years, the significant provenance, expansive cult status, and dwindling numbers have seen the E30 M3 become one of the most highly-coveted German classics in today’s collector markets.
via Reserve Auto Group
In October 2020, a 1991 E30 M3 finished in Brillantrot with 18K miles on the odometer sold at a Bring-a-Trailer auction for $104,000. Surprisingly, a Zinnoberrot-finished 1988 model showing 8K miles shattered the record for an E30 with a final sale price of $255,000, more expensive than the E30 M3 from Paul Walker’s collection.
