The E30 M3 was a very successful road race car. It won the 24 Hours Nürburgring, Spa 24 Hours, Guia Race, European Touring Car Championship, Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft, and the World Touring Car Championship titles. The production of the E30 M3 ended in 1992. Except for the hood and the roof, the E30 M3 is quite different from the E30 3 Series. The E30 M3 had a more aerodynamic body, was stiffer and had “box flared” fenders to make room for bigger wheels. Its caster angel is three times that of the E30 but it had the same large wheel bearings, as well as front brake calipers, as the E28 5 Series. The 2.3 liter 16v variant had 143 kW/192 bhp, can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.7 seconds and had a top speed of 143 mph (230 km/h). The 2.5 liter 16v variant had 175 kW/238 bhp, can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.2 seconds and had a top speed of 154 mph (248 km/h). All in all, there were 13 versions of the E30 M3 produced by BMW. Some of the models were limited editions and many European models were not sold in North America. But what made the E30 M3 truly unique are its speed, perfect balance and superb handling.

This BMW M3 is considered by many to be categorized under classic vehicle. The e30 m3 is truly a one of a kind car that still entertains its driver more than most of the current BMW M offerings. If you are looking for a true fun to drive car that has go-cart like handling the E30 M3 could be the car for you. As this BMW motorsport model is 20 years old buying one could be a good investment as long as you know what is it that you actually purchasing, many if not most of these BMW M3's spent plenty of hours around racetracks and it's not necesseraly a bad thing. Well kept examples are priced close to or over $20,000 and if you think you can save a bunch by picking one at about 10k you might be making a mistake, or probably just feel like spending some cash on repairs.

Model #

• Engine
• Horse Power
• Torque
• 0-62mph
• Top Speed
• Production numbers:
• Weight
• Length
• Width
• Height
• Production years

E30 M3

• 2302cc 4cyl DOHC
• 200hp@6750rpm
• 176ft-lbs@4750rpm/169w.cat
• 6.7sec
• 146mph
• 17,184
• 2640lbs
• 171.7 inches
• 65.9 inches
• 53.7 inches
• 1986-1990

E30 M3 convertible

• 2302 4cyl DOHC
• 195, 200, 215 hp versions
• 176ft-lbs@4750rpm
• 7.3sec/215hp version
• 146mph
• 786
• 2998lb
• 171 inches
• 65.9 inches
• 53.9 inches
• 1988-1991

E30 M3 sport EVO III

• 2467cc 4 cyl
• 238@7000rpm
• 177ft-lbs@4750rpm
• 6.5sec
• 154mph
• 600
• 2640lbs
• 171.7"
• 65.9"
• 53.7"
• 1989-1990

BMW E36 M3 Specs & Information

The E36 M3 was launched in 1992 at the prestigious Paris Auto Show. It succeeded the highly acclaimed road race car, the E30 M3. The E36 coupe was fitted with 3.0 liter straight-six engine called: S50B30 with 286bhp. In 1996, the E36 M3 ,s engine received a slight change in displacement to 3.2 liter, producing 321 hp, code: S50B32. It also had the larger brakes found in the M5 and a six-speed gearbox. The following year, BMW’s Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG-1) became one of the optional features of the E36 M3. The upgraded models became known as Euro models since they were significantly different from the ones sold in North America. Then the 3.2 Euro models became more commonly known as M3 Evo.

For the US market BMW started to offer the e36 m3 with a less exotic naturally less expensive cylinder head, the company deicided to part with the individual throttle body, and some other features of the European sibling, this change resulted in a significiant drop in power to 240hp, however the US version e36 m3 was still a close match from a standstill thanks to it's more flexible tourque curve @225ft-lb, and different gearing, the engine was designated as S50B30US.

In 1996 the US version of the e36 M3 received the same changes as the European model, with a slight change in displacement to 3.2l the new engine was designated S50B32US,/Evolution/. Power output stayed the same as the engine electronics were changed to OBD 2. The 1997-98 model year introduced the first ever sedan version of the M3 and the convertible entered the market in the same year. The sedan quickly became popular if not just for being the ultimate family sedan and fastest saloon at the time, given the fact that BMW stopped production on it's e34 M5 versions in 1995, but for having an excellent balance that was better than its coupe version as well.The performance of the sedan version was exactly the same as the coupe M3 being only about 30lbs heavier. Limited slip differential was standard on all BMW M3s.

The E36 M3 is truly an impressive machine with a very forgiving character, perfectly balanced with plenty of power on tap and even today it offers great performance that still cannot be matched by most manufacturers. The US version has the best fuel economy between all Motorsport cars.

The below pictures show some of the differences between a US spec S50 and the European engine with its indiviual throttle bodies, on the bottom right the M3 CSL, an estimated 85-120 examples made there is still no confirmation on the number of released cars from BMW.

BMW E46 M3 Specs & Information

The E46 M3 was released for the US market in the 2001 model year, and finished production in 2006, the e46 was the most successful M3 to date, and for the US market a major improvement from the e36 m3, as the E46 BMW m3 this time around shared the same engine as it’s European sibling.

For the first time on the overseas market BMW introduced the SMG transmission namely the SMG II, this gearbox is derived from the formula one race cars, with it's electronically controlled clutch setup. Shifting is done via the steering wheel mounted paddle shifters or the SMG shifter located as a normal transmission lever in the center consol. There are automatic and manual modes available. There is six manual moodes S1-S6 modes, the higher the S number the faster the shifting is done by the computer, and five automatic modes A1-A5. By having this type of setup the car is able to achieve 100 millisecond shift times.

The new engine was a 3.2 liter inline six code named S54B32 and with 333hp @7900rpm this was the first BMW M car to step over the magic mark of 100hp/liter. Doubla VANOS technology was carried over from the E36 M3 the benefits of this technology include more low to medium range torque for better acceleration.

The E46 M3 had BMW’s traditional individual throttle body setup ,which were placed near the cylinders to bring atmospheric pressure right to the cylinder. All throttles are operated from a single shaft. Electronic drive-by-wire throttle control was implemented as well for amazingly fast ability to jump to full throttle position making the car react insanely fast to driver imput.

We yet to see it but the E46 M3 has a really good chance to be the best selling M3 ever in the companys history. It has a truly amazing engine and very good balance. By now it's getting "affordable" to own and very good deals can be found out there. When shopping around for one of these cars you should defenetly make sure that if the car falls under the production #s of the cars with the rod bearing issues, in case it does ask the previous owner to provide you with proof of the service being done, otherwise you might have a good shot to blow the engine.

Clockwise: E46 m3 instruments lit up, interior, convertible, M3 E46 GTR on the track, SMG setup, and the BMW M3 CSL.

BMW E90 E92 E93 M3 Specs & Information

The new BMW M3 is loaded with new technology promoting further weight reduction, starting with the front axle being almot fully made of aluminum, including the central subframe of the car. The rear axle features all aluminum track control arms, this new suspension has almost nothing in common with the regular BMW 3 series cars. BMW equipped the new coupe with a carbon fiber roof first offered in the M6 /not available on the sedan models/ to further lower weight and center of gravity, allowing for even more responsive handling characteristics.

The interior of the vehicle is nearly identical to the 3 series cars, with the exception of even sportier seats, and most of the interior elements being covered in beautiful stitched Novillo leather. Taking a look at the dials will remind you that you sitting in something special, the tech hands are finished in red as in most BMW M cars, and the oil temperature gauge in the tach dial, the well known engine temp. indicator from the E46 M3 is still present as it is a useful tool or lets just say a good reminder not to rev the car more than suggested while it's still warming up.

To keep the new M3 on the road easier, there is four systems some are already known from earlier models or the M5:

-throttle sensitivity
-optional variable shock absorbers
-stability control
-power steering assist

The M drive botton is located on the steering wheel and can be used to switch the vehicle into sport mode, these elements are individually adjustable within the idrive system menu and for quicker access they are more conveniently located on the center console next to the shifter as well. The push botton start has been carried over from other models.

The E90 M3 yet again become the dream of car enthusiasts around the world, BMW pulled off yet again that many companies cannot achive since they opened their doors, -to be the one everyone wants to have, build, copy and sell.