BMW M3


The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, BMW M GmbH. M3 models have been produced for every generation of 3 Series since the E30 M3 was introduced in 1986.
The initial model was available in a coupé body style, with a convertible body style made available soon after. M3 saloons were offered initially during the E36 and E90 generations. Since 2014, the coupé and convertible models have been rebranded as the 4 Series range, making the high-performance variant the M4. Variants of the 3 Series since then have seen the M3 produced as a saloon, until 2020, when the M3 was produced as an estate for the first time, alongside the saloon variant.

E30 generation (1986–1991)

The first BMW M3 was based on the E30 3 Series and was intended to be a homologation special to satisfy the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft and Group A Touring rules, which required a total of 5,000 of the base model to be built with a further 500 evolution specials. It was presented to the public at the 1985 Frankfurt Motor Show, and began production from March 1986 to June 1991. The E30 M3 was mainly produced in the coupé body style, but limited volumes of convertibles were also produced.
The front splitter, the rear apron, sill panels, as well as changes to the body in the area of the rear window and the bootlid improved the aerodynamics. For aerodynamic reasons, the rear window was flattened and the tailgate was made of light, glass-reinforced plastic raised by approximately 40 mm for better air flow. The changes over the rear of the car resulted in lower lift forces and better straight-line stability. In addition, the windscreen was glued in – not, as with the other E30 models, framed with a window rubber and piping. As a result, the M3 achieved a relatively low instead of as in the standard 3 Series. The only exterior body panels the regular 3 Series and the M3 shared were the bonnet, roof panel, and sunroof.
The brake calipers, discs and master cylinder were unique to the M3 model.
The transmission was a Getrag 265 5-speed manual. European models were outfitted with a dogleg version with close ratios and a 1:1 ratio for fifth gear. North American models used a traditional shift pattern and had wider gear spacing with an overdriven fifth gear. A clutch-type limited-slip differential was standard equipment.
In 2004, Sports Car International named the E30 M3 number six on the list of Top Sports Cars of the 1980s. In 2007, Automobile Magazine included the E30 M3 in their "5 greatest drivers cars of all time" under their 25 Greatest Cars of All Time.

Engine

The E30 M3 used the BMW S14 four-cylinder engine, a high-revving DOHC design with a head closely based on that of the BMW S38 six-cylinder engine and the block from the BMW M10 four-cylinder engine with a 7,250 rpm redline. In countries where the M3 was sold with a catalytic converter, the initial versions were rated at and had a top speed of. In countries where a catalytic converter was not fitted, the engine was rated at.

Suspension & Brakes

Differences from the standard E30 models included:
  • 5-stud wheel hubs
  • 225/45R16 Pirelli P700-Z tyres
  • offset control arm bushings in the front suspension, for increased caster angle
  • front aluminium control arms introduced in 1989
  • revised front strut tubes with bolt on kingpins and swaybar mounted to strut tube, similar to the E28 5 Series
  • front wheel bearings and brake caliper bolt spacing from the E28 5 Series
  • 280mm x 25mm vented front & 282mm x 12mm solid rear discs
  • brake calipers similar to the E28 5 series

    Special Editions

Evolution 1

In 1987 an "Evolution" model was released. Although not designated by BMW as an Evolution model, these had a revised cylinder head to improve performance. Power was unchanged from the standard M3. Visually, these were unchanged from the standard E30 M3. In total, 505 were built between March and May 1987. To celebrate the M3’s victory at the 1987 Tour de Corse, BMW France commissioned a batch of 50 Evolution 1 special editions.

Evolution 2

To keep the M3 competitive for the 1988 season, the Evolution 2 was released. 501 examples were built between March and May 1988, it featured a revised camshaft, pistons and an increased compression ratio from 10.5:1 to 11.0:1. There was also a more efficient air intake and a lightened flywheel. Visually the Evolution 2 featured a BMW Motorsport tricolour camshaft and intake plenum cover. Power increased to at 6750 rpm and at 4750 rpm. For the Evolution 2, BMW installed a slightly reduced final drive ratio to provide a higher top speed.
Visual changes included a deeper front air dam with brake cooling ducts instead of fog lights, while the boot lid featured a rear spoiler complete with a new trailing flap. These assemblies were all made lighter than on previous iterations of the M3. More weight was saved thanks to the installation of thinner side and rear glass.

Sport Evolution

For 1990, a more powerful and lighter "Sport Evolution" model with a limited production run of 600 units, was produced with an upgraded engine rated at at 7,000 rpm and at 4,750 rpm. The top speed was increased to. Sport Evolution models have enlarged front bumper openings and an adjustable multi-position front splitter and rear wing. Brake cooling ducts were installed in place of front foglights.

Ravaglia and Cecotto editions

In April 1989, the Ravaglia and Cecotto limited editions were released, both named after Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft racing drivers. Power was increased to with a catalytic converter. Cecotto Edition production consisted of 480 cars, plus 80 cars for the Swiss market de-tuned to to meet Swiss emissions limits. The production run for the Ravaglia Edition consisted of 25 cars.

M3 Pickup prototype

In 1986, BMW produced an "M3 Pickup" prototype pickup truck, based on the convertible model. The M3 Pickup used the narrower body of regular E30 models and was originally powered by the 2.0-litre version of the S14 engine from the Italian-specification M3. It was used by BMW M as a transporter for roughly 26 years before it was officially retired in 2012.

Production volumes

Total production of the E30 M3 was 17,970 cars.

Motorsport

The M3 E30 competed in many forms of motorsport and was highly successful in touring car racing. In full race trim, the 1988 M3's naturally aspirated engine was rated at approximately. The E30 M3 won the 24 Hours Nürburgring five times and the Spa 24 Hours four times, often competing against cars with significantly larger or turbocharged engines.
To keep the car competitive in racing following year-to-year homologation rules changes, homologation specials were produced and sold in limited volumes. These include the Evo 1, Evo 2, and Sport Evolution, with upgrades including weight reduction, improved aerodynamics, taller front wheel arches, bigger brake ducts and more power output from the engine. With the introduction of the 2.5L evolution engine into racing in 1990, power increased to approximately.
The M3 also competed as a rally car, with Prodrive-prepared examples contesting several national championships and selected rounds of the World Rally Championship between 1987 and 1989. By the latter year, the cars, based on the regular M3, were equipped with six-speed gearboxes and were rated at. The M3 was not very competitive with the four-wheel drive cars on loose surfaces, but it was a very effective car on asphalt. Its most notable success was a victory on the Tour de Corse in 1987, driven by Bernard Béguin.

Championships

The M3 model of the E36 3 Series was released in November 1992 and was initially available as a coupé only, with a convertible version added in 1994. A saloon version was also added in December 1994, to fill in the gap caused by the lack of the M5 saloon model between the end of E34 M5 production in 1995 and the launch of the E39 M5 in 1998.
In September 1995, a facelift version of the coupé was introduced. Changes included the engine displacement increasing to, the manual transmission upgrading from a 5-speed to a 6-speed, different wheels and clear indicator lenses. The facelift changes were applied to the saloon model in November 1995 and the convertible model in February 1996. The kerb weight of the 1996 M3 coupe in European specification is.
The facelift also saw the introduction of a 6-speed "SMG" automated manual transmission, the first time an automated transmission was available on an M3 outside the United States. The SMG transmission was praised for its fast shift times and operation in performance situations, but criticized for behavior in everyday driving situations.
In 1996, BMW M hand-built an E36 M3 Compact prototype as an M-car which would appeal to younger customers. It included various performance and styling features of the E36 M3, including the 3.2-litre S50 engine. The M3 Compact was reviewed in the German magazine "Auto Motor und Sport", but never reached production.

Engine

The E36 M3 is powered by the BMW S50 straight-six engine. It was the first M3 to use a six-cylinder engine, which has since been used in the majority of M3 models.
In most countries, the initial version generated at 7,000 rpm and at 3,600 rpm. North American models used the less powerful BMW S50B30US engine instead.
The facelift models in late 1995 were upgraded to a version of the BMW S50 engine, generating at 7,400 rpm and at 3,250 rpm. North American models used the less powerful BMW S52 engine instead.