The BMW M3 (E30) film. Everything about the first BMW M3 generation.

[Dackelone]

With the BMW M3 E30 we start our five part series about the best-selling model of BMW M. The BMW M3 of the first generation is a legend. It influenced all following M3 generations. See BMW insiders give a look behind the scenes of the development of this powerful sports car. Besides the series model the limited edition “BMW M3 Sport Evolution” promises even more power. Moreover the BMW M3 was the most successful Touringcar ever.

[SakhirM4]

Thanks for sharing!! Almost bought one new, but decided it was too expensive and settled for a 325is. Sure wish I had bought the M3.

A friend just sold his 1988 M3 for $48k.

[Doctor///M]

Awesome! Looking forward to the rest of the series!

[Reedomn]

And to think the M2 will only be 10k more all these years later!!

[djDori_C]

Great video!! ��

[TheBingoBalls]

I love the fact that no one really know's it's a M3 unless you know cars...not that there's anything wrong with having a car that screams M car.

[Gonven]

A true M car

[eforty6_m3]

my unicorn...thanks for sharing. Cool video!

[r3dbimmer89]

Talk about the glory days....

[Blksnowflake]

Well thats one of my lottery cars.

[PopsnBurbles]

The E30 M3 had performance, dimensions, heritage, aesthetics, and fun. It was basically a race car for the streets. I don't think BMW will release a car as awesome as the E30 M3...at least not for a loooong time.

[bmellion]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

Thanks for sharing!! Almost bought one new, but decided it was too expensive and settled for a 325is. Sure wish I had bought the M3.

A friend just sold his 1988 M3 for $48k.

Attachment 1333795

That is gorgeous!

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by PopsnBurbles

The E30 M3 had performance, dimensions, heritage, aesthetics, and fun. It was basically a race car for the streets. I don't think BMW will release a car as awesome as the E30 M3...at least not for a loooong time.

Bite your tongue!

Keep watch for the return of CSL, specifically an M2 CSL

[M3 n X5M]

Originally Posted by PopsnBurbles

The E30 M3 had performance, dimensions, heritage, aesthetics, and fun. It was basically a race car for the streets. I don't think BMW will release a car as awesome as the E30 M3...at least not for a loooong time.

The car type, or category of the E30 M3 does not exist today and will never return. The cars did not need all the safety features we demand today (air bags, crash mitigation materials), or the electronic nannery, or the super high performance demands and instead could be focused on feel and connection of driver to the road in a super light package.

Today, the M3's category has huge demands, sub 4 sec runs to 60 mph, 12 sec quarter miles and race track laptimes that are better than a 1990 super car or even hyper cars, and computers that track millisecond changes. So the cars are padded with computers, insulation, air bags, large chassis, huge wheel base and super fat rubber. Only the Alfa 4C or other "unfinished" feeling (light and tossable) car will come close to that kind of "street race car."

So, it is impossible to expect a similar couple to the E30 M3 from any manufacturer. It would not pass regulation and would be too slow to compare to modern BMWs. The weight is unachievable with all the extras required today. An E30-like M3 with today's performance and without the safety would be a widow-maker at the first sign of impact.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by M3 n X5M

The car type, or category of the E30 M3 does not exist today and will never return. The cars did not need all the safety features we demand today (air bags, crash mitigation materials), or the electronic nannery, or the super high performance demands and instead could be focused on feel and connection of driver to the road in a super light package.

Today, the M3's category has huge demands, sub 4 sec runs to 60 mph, 12 sec quarter miles and race track laptimes that are better than a 1990 super car or even hyper cars, and computers that track millisecond changes. So the cars are padded with computers, insulation, air bags, large chassis, huge wheel base and super fat rubber. Only the Alfa 4C or other "unfinished" feeling (light and tossable) car will come close to that kind of "street race car."

So, it is impossible to expect a similar couple to the E30 M3 from any manufacturer. It would not pass regulation and would be too slow to compare to modern BMWs. The weight is unachievable with all the extras required today. An E30-like M3 with today's performance and without the safety would be a widow-maker at the first sign of impact.

somehow, I bet the folks over at Mazda disagree..

Curb weight - Mazda Miata NA- 940 kg (2,070 lb)
Curb weight - Mazda Miata NB -1,065 kg (2,348 lb)
Curb Weight- Mazda Miata NC- 1,110–1,153 kg (2,447–2,542 lb)
Curb Weight - Mazda Miata ND- 998 kg (2,200 lb)


As a 17 year owner of an E30 M3... I recognize that E30 M3 curmudgeons insist that a car like the E30 M3 cannot be made again... however.. Mazda seems to have been able to stay true to the roots of lightweight vehicles both with the Mazda Miata and the RX-7/8


For all the added weight that in autos... there have been many advancements in reducing weight..

Cars made 30 years ago didn't have the advantage of

lightweight plastics
CFRP for roof, vehicle core, driveshafts, etc
aluminum body panels
aluminum suspension components and subframes (the E30 M3 did have AL control arms on the 1991 model)


With respect to car type - compact, RWD, 2 Door coupe - Pretty sure the 1M and M2 fit the same type as the E30 M3.
This car type is still available.. however I do agree that the amount of isolation, and electronic nannies are indeed ever increasing.

Competitors still in this category are the following

Audi TT, Subaru BRZ, Nissan 370/Infiniti G37, Hyundai Genesis Coupe, Porsche Cayman

I've not included the Camaro, Mustang, corvette, M4, Nissan GTR and other large 2 door sports cars as they are in a different segment. .

[tacoman]

Old School Fridays...

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by tacoman

Old School Fridays...

White, for me, is the best color for an E30 M3 - beautiful

[DJKapeesh]

Originally Posted by PopsnBurbles

The E30 M3 had performance, dimensions, heritage, aesthetics, and fun. It was basically a race car for the streets. I don't think BMW will release a car as awesome as the E30 M3...at least not for a loooong time.

1M?

[3GFX]

Cool video, I wish they did something with the first GEN z4. Or if they did a Z car series, z1 to current gen z4.

[Law]

Originally Posted by PopsnBurbles

The E30 M3 had performance, dimensions, heritage, aesthetics, and fun. It was basically a race car for the streets. I don't think BMW will release a car as awesome as the E30 M3...at least not for a loooong time.

Originally Posted by DJKapeesh

1M?

While the 1M will certainly be venerable for many years to come, it certainly lacks the heritage and story that a car like the E30 M3 has.

The E30 M3 was conceived as a race car & sold as a street car, literally a street legal race car, and is still the most successful touring car in history.

The 1M was conceived as a street car and sold as a street car.
Its engine and chassis have not been entered into any factory-backed racing program/series.

What BMW did with the E30 M3 would've been equivalent to BMW Motorsport selling a street legal Z4 GT3 at your local dealership.
That is a feat, that has yet to be repeated.

[Dackelone]

All I gotta say is...


The boys in Garching got the 1M right!

[PopsnBurbles]

Originally Posted by Law

While the 1M will certainly be venerable for many years to come, it certainly lacks the heritage and story that a car like the E30 M3 has.

The E30 M3 was conceived as a race car & sold as a street car, literally a street legal race car, and is still the most successful touring car in history.

The 1M was conceived as a street car and sold as a street car.
Its engine and chassis have not been entered into any factory-backed racing program/series.

What BMW did with the E30 M3 would've been equivalent to BMW Motorsport selling a street legal Z4 GT3 at your local dealership.
That is a feat, that has yet to be repeated.

As much as I love the 1M (I love it more than the E30 M3), this is my point exactly...the E30 M3 is special in that sense because of its heritage. The E46 M3 GTR is the only other BMW after the E30 M3 that I would acknowledge as such but that wasn't really meant for normal folk to buy while the E30 M3 was mass produced. All other factors are obviously just as important but the production of a TRUE successor to the E30 M3 (for mass production) hasn't arrived yet. With that said, God knows the things I would do to get a street legal Z4 GT3.