M3 E30

About the M3 E30

The first M3 was a racing car BMW had to sell 5,000 times. Group A rules set that number, so the Motorsport division built the S14, a 2.3-litre four-valve four with a head adapted from the M1's six, and fitted it to a two-door with flared arches, a flatter C-pillar and a tall rear wing. Road cars made 200 PS without a catalyst and 195 PS with one, weighed 1,200 kg and put first gear at the bottom left. America got it from 1988 with 192 hp. The 1990 Sport Evolution stretched the engine to 2.5 litres and 238 PS, 600 cars only. Roberto Ravaglia won the 1987 World Touring Car title in one, and BMW built 17,970 by 1991, 786 of them convertibles.