BMW E30 M3 reviewed by Car Magazine

Car Magazine, a South African publication, reviews the legendary BMW: M3 E30 — one of the best M vehicles of all times. Until now, the E30 M3 remains exciting is to BMW enthusiasts because of its classic beauty and power. The verdict? This car will help us appreciate the M3’s rich legend. Here is an excerpt from their review set in a Spanish super-track:

The fabulous Ascari Race Resort in southern Spain was the venue and the boxy, gleaming black E30 sitting on the circuit’s pit apron had been commandeered from BMW’s Group Classic museum. Its two-door body actually looked quite dainty in the company of the E36, E46 and current E90 versions also at hand, but the flared wheelarches – particularly the rears – did display some attitude.

Dubbed S14, the engine was created in just two weeks using only the crankcase from BMW’s cooking 3 Series 2,0-litre engine. For the M3 the motor was stretched to 2,3 litres and blessed with four valves per cylinder technology and a crank capable of spinning to a dizzy 10 000 r/min – the road version was limited to 6 750, which clearly left scope for development… The cylinder head was an M88 six-cylinder item with two combustion chambers lopped off and the resultant “hole” covered with a plate. Although then managing director of technical development Paul Rosche’s brief was to create a ‘sporty engine for M3′, BMW was emissions conscious and included a three-way catalytic converter in the engine’s configuration, yet still managed to squeeze 143 kW from the mill. The road car was capable of 230 km/h (235 without the cat) yet fuel consumption was rated at slightly less than 9 litres/100 km.

Devoid of any guardian angels, the E30 was a joy to drive over the Ascari’s challenging and undulating course. It did not feel particularly fast, but I was soon pushing cornering limits with confidence. Without any electronic ‘nannies’ the car’s progress was entirely in my hands and getting the tail to hop out exiting the twistier corners simply increased the car’s grin factor. By modern standards it rolled a little, but this merely helped me settle into a rhythm that Ascari’s snaking, undulating, banked, fast and tight topography simply begged to be exploited. The car revelled in this scenario and my dream anticipation was unsullied. It was a great feeling and the experience helped me understand and appreciate even more the legend of M3.

Source: Car Magazine