When the BMW E30 M3 was released in 1985, it was a
revelation to anyone who drove it. The newly minted Group A racing class was
dominated by turbocharged cars, with high-revving naturally aspirated engines nowhere
to be seen on the winner’s podium. Then the M3 appeared with its 2.3 liter 4
cylinder engine screaming at 8,000 rpm and kicking out . As far as the racers
of the day were concerned, this wasn’t just an overgrown street car, it was the
future of motorsport.
What makes the E30 M3 so special
The 1985 E30 M3 has become one of the most sought after cars
in the world. The sleek racing car design is what makes it so special and
timeless. It's also one of the first cars to be able to be modified for performance
which is why this model is still so popular today.
A brief history of the car
In 1985, the first generation of the BMW M3 was released.
Built to compete with Mercedes' 190E 2.3-16 and Audi's Sport Quattro, the car
was designed by Hubert Hahne, who at the time had never been involved in any
racing car design before. The car originally came equipped with an inline
4-cylinder engine that produced 197 hp and 210 Nm of torque. In 1987, this
engine increased in size to 3 liters and 217 hp, which made it one of the most
powerful production cars of its time. This engine size was maintained until
1991 when the second generation BMW E36 arrived on the market with an inline
6-cylinder engine that generated 240 hp and 250 Nm of torque.<
Technical specifications
BMW's E30 M3 is the final evolution of the original BMW
Motorsport division. With its 2.5L, 4-cylinder engine, and rear wheel drive,
this car can reach speeds of up to 140 mph and has a curb weight of just under
3000 pounds. The body is made from steel with an aluminum bonnet, doors, and
boot lid. The exterior paint scheme is composed of four colors: white for the
base coat and three stripes for each side; silver for the headlights; black for
the window trim and bumpers; red for the grille; and blue for any other
decorations. In 1995, it was voted as Car of the Century by Top Gear magazine.
Why it’s so special
The BMW E30 M3 is one of the most iconic cars ever made.
With a timeless design and nearly perfect driving dynamics, it’s easy to see
why. Introduced in 1985, the car was an instant success because it was
everything that people wanted from an ideal sports car: light, powerful,
great-looking and well-balanced. Plus, it had what some consider to be the
greatest engine ever made: the four cylinder 2.3-litre S14 unit. It was so good
that it was used for over 20 years in various models across Europe and Asia
before finally being retired in 2004.
Why it’s so timeless
The BMW 3 Series is one of the best selling cars of all
time, with over 29 million sold. The original model, which was introduced in
1975, has been upgraded with new features and technologies since its release.
It’s rare to find an automotive enthusiast who doesn’t know about the 3 Series.
So it should come as no surprise that this car is timeless.
The 1984 release of the E30 M3 was arguably one of the
greatest moments in automotive history. It was the first production car to use
a six-cylinder engine instead of four cylinders and it used technology that
hasn’t been seen before or since on any other production car.
Why you want to own one today
I want to own one today because these are cars that will be
in an enthusiast's collection for decades to come. They represent the pinnacle
of performance back in the day and can still be used as daily drivers today
with relatively few modifications. These cars have also become very popular in
recent years, so you'll never worry about having to worry about depreciation or
not being able to find parts.