History of the BMW E30 M3
Nov 3rd, 2007 by Tim Skipper
First introduced in 1987 for homologation into the German DTM race series, BMWs E30 M3 is widely regarded as one of the finest racing cars of its era. It cleaned up in DTM, in BTCC and many other racing series against the likes of Ford Sierra Cosworths and the Mercedes 190.
The required 500 road cars were made, and then a few thousand more each year as the racing car evolved from the first M3 through to the M3 EVO, M3 EVO II and finally the M3 EVO III. The engine, coded S14, is an over bored twin overhead camshaft, 16-valve unit. It started life as 2302cc and finished up in the M3 EVO III as 2467cc for entry in the 2.5-liter racing class.
Whilst sharing a similar basic shape to the lesser ‘cooking’ E30 road cars, the M3 shares only it’s roof and bonnet panels with the rest of the range. The front and rear wings are wider, the rear screen further raked, the elevated rear boot lid and spoiler arrangement sits on the back of the car; All in the name of cutting aerodynamic axle lift.
All the production cars were left hand drive, and in the UK the M3 was only available as a special order.
Underneath, the twin-tube Boge gas damper suspension configuration, proven with over 6,200 miles at the Nurburgring and Nardo speed bowl, features three times the castor angle of the road cars and a quicker 19.6:1 steering rack. The front and rear anti-roll bars are a stronger rate, as are the springs and various bushes.
Brakes are 284mm vented front discs (sourced from the E28 5 series, along with the wheel bearings), and 250mm solid rears. Bosch ABS was standard fit on all production M3s.
Other features unique to the E30 M3 are the dog-leg Getrag five-speed gearbox and ZF multi-plate limited-slip differential with a 25% preload, a larger 70 litre fuel tank and an oil temperature gauge in the bottom of the rev-counter, where the MPG fright-o-meter usually lives.
The result of all this is a Cd figure of 0.33 and an unparalleled high speed stability, increased feel and outstanding handling; at the time, unmatched by any contemporary saloon car.