The BMW E30 M3 is a true legend in the world of sports cars. Produced from 1985 to 1991, this compact, high-performance vehicle quickly established itself as a favorite among car enthusiasts and racers alike.
The E30 M3 was developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, BMW M GmbH, as a homologation special for the World Touring Car Championship. In order to qualify for the championship, BMW had to produce at least 5,000 road-going versions of the car. However, due to its incredible performance and handling, the E30 M3 quickly became a cult classic, with over 17,000 units produced by the end of its production run.
One of the key features that set the E30 M3 apart from its standard E30 3-series siblings was its engine. Instead of the standard four-cylinder found in the 3-series, the E30 M3 was powered by a high-revving, four-cylinder engine that produced 192 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque. This engine was based on the four-cylinder engine used in the BMW M1 supercar, and featured a high-compression ratio, individual throttle bodies, and a DOHC valvetrain. This engine was paired with a close-ratio five-speed manual transmission or an optional four-speed automatic.
The E30 M3's performance was further enhanced by its lightweight body and sport-tuned suspension. The car featured a lightweight aluminum hood, trunk lid, and sunroof, as well as thinner gauge steel for the doors and fenders. Additionally, the car featured sport-tuned suspension, with larger anti-roll bars, coil springs, and Bilstein shocks. This combination of a powerful engine and lightweight body made the E30 M3 a formidable track machine, and it quickly became a favorite among amateur and professional racers alike.
Throughout its production run, the E30 M3 received several updates, including the introduction of a more powerful Evolution model, which featured a larger, 2.5-liter engine that produced 238 horsepower and 205 lb-ft of torque. Additionally, the car received several cosmetic updates, including a larger front air dam, rear spoiler, and revised side skirts.
The E30 M3's racing heritage is undeniable, it was quite successful in many motorsports events, including the European Touring Car Championship, the British Touring Car Championship, and the 24 Hours Nürburgring.
Today, the E30 M3 is considered a true classic and its value has been increasing in recent years. Many car enthusiasts consider it to be one of the greatest sports cars of all time, and it remains a popular choice for track days and vintage racing events.
In summary, The BMW E30 M3 is a true classic sports car that was produced from 1985 to 1991. It was developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division as a homologation special for the World Touring Car Championship. The E30 M3 was powered by a high-revving, four-cylinder engine that produced 192 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque. The car featured sport-tuned suspension and a lightweight body, making it a formidable track machine. The E30 M3 received several updates throughout its production run, including a more powerful Evolution model, and it was quite successful in many motorsports events. Today, the E30 M3 is considered a true classic and its value has been increasing in recent years, many car enthusiasts consider it to be one of the greatest sports cars of all time.
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/bmw/m3/e30-series/
https://www.bmw-m.com/en/topics/magazine-article-pool/bmw-m3-e30-portraet.html
https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/3-series/e30/m3/
https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/m3/first-drive-0
