A True Legend - The BMW E30 M3

 In 1986, BMW launched their new high performance coupe. A box arched, slab faced rocket with a rear wing and a dog leg gearbox. No one quite knew just how important this car was going to be.

This is the story, of the BMW E30 M3.

The whole point of the E30 M3 was to go racing. BMW had seen what Mercedes was achieving in sales with the 190E being involved in DTM, so the Bavarians wanted to get involved. For that, 5000 cars would be built to qualify for homologation.

And what a car they made. They completely redesigned the basic E30. The front splitter, rear apron, sills and entirely new C Pillar would put onto the car. All of these made it look phenomenal but also were to go racing. The C pillar change allowed for a flatter rear screen which allowed for better air flow. Meaning the E30 M3’s were very stable at high speeds.

The only bits shared with a standard E30 series? The bonnet, roof panel, sunroof and the inner door panels. Everything else changed. The M3 had its own brakes, interior, gearbox and most importantly, the engines.

At its core, sat the E30 M3’s engine. This would change during its life but to begin with its 2.3 litre 4 cylinder made just under 200BHP in road spec to start with in 1986. The S14. These actually trace their routes back to another famous 2 door BMW racer, the 2002. The S14 shares the same architecture as the M10 from the 2002. Albeit heavily updated and uprated. Now 200BHP may not sound a lot but it only had to move around 1200KG. Besides, it wasn’t about acceleration. It was about holding the speed.

In race spec though, the S14’s would make well north of 350BHP.

To get the most out of the E30 M30, especially the early cars, you had to properly beat on them. Pulling every ounce of Rev’s from the plucky little 4 banger.

The E30 M3’s chassis was developed to reward a certain driver. At low speeds, the steering would be heavy and soulless. But, once the car started to move and flow on a road, everything came alive.

The steering, chassis and suspension were always known for communicating with its driver constantly. Every part of a corner, the car would let you know.

Photos: BMW Group