RE: BMW E30 M3: PH Heroes

[tighnamara]

Debaser said:

How can this be a PH hero? I’ve learned from the forum experts that anything with semi trailing rear suspension is a deathtrap.

That rear suspension means it’ll handle like a load of crap, as badly as any other old 3 series, or 968 club sport.

Handles as good as the driver

[E30M3ZONE]

Still got one so I'm biased but hustling one on a b road keeping speed through the corners due to relative low power is what its all about...the steering and balance is stunning.

Final iteration of the warmed over saloon with n/a 4 cylinder twincam, gearbox and back axle that started with the Lotus Cortina.

Edited by E30M3ZONE on Saturday 10th March 13:32

Edited by E30M3ZONE on Saturday 10th March 13:33

[blade7]

Josco010 said:

Don't worry mate you should not be crucified, the e30 m3 was not for everybody to start with. You either understood the reason d'être or did not. When new it was not very fast, no was it about big power, the Sierra, Audi's, Vauxhalls etc all had big power, but were soundly dealt with by the little 4 banger

Lol, I remember Sytner whining about the RS500's leaving him for dead in BTCC. It's hardly comparing oranges with oranges, but the RS500 ran away from the M3 on most tracks. Today I'd still have an RS500 over an E30 M3 road car.

[blade7]

E30M3ZONE said:

Final iteration of the warmed over saloon with 4 cylinder twincam, gearbox and back axle that started with the Lotus Corrina.

[JoshMay]

[quote=Honeywell]So essentially the same weight, torque, power and performance of a Toyota GT86.

Give me an E46 M3 convertible with the SMG any day! I appreciate it’s not a real drivers car for ‘men’, but the power is more useable and you don’t have to razz the nuts off it! Far more power (326bhp) for half of the money for an almost mint one! I’ve driven both, but the one I wanted to keep was my 2005 E46, a great day every day super car that can fit a family plus luggage. Never regretted it.

[howardhughes]

CaymANTH said:

Had two - loved them. As stated above, you need to get to know them to appreciate the brilliance (which basically means revving the nuts off them). Makes me chuckle when people talk about the poor performance - they're a 30 year old car - a 1987 Ferrari 328 is slow by comparison to more modern stuff, so is a Ferrari Daytona, Mercedes Gullwing etc etc. Buy and enjoy them for what they are, a true touring car legend !!

This ^^ Completely agree.

Today if a car can't hit 60 in 4 seconds they are frowned upon - absolutely bloody ridiculous.

[sideways man]

I was so close to getting one when they were £7k....only 15 years ago. The LHD put me off, so went with a sunbeam lotus instead. Didn’t regret it , but would have liked to scratch the m3 itch. No chance now.

[Onehp]

Harji said:

Honeywell said:

So essentially the same weight, torque, power and performance of a Toyota GT86.

Just sayin’

And you've completely missed the point, and era.

Maybe. Maybe not. Perhaps the people that like the driver experience the E30 M3 offers want to have it in a more modern package with crash safety, warranty, some electronics creature comfort and just to do some miles in it without recking its value. Then a modern M3 is the completely wrong place to go look for that kind of driving experience, and the boxer twins are not. Personally I think it is sad that BMW has drifted so far from the original, a family friend has a E30 M3 and loved it as a teen, and I feel very fortunate that someone still makes a similar package today which has given me massive driving enjoyment for four years next to the quicker modern stuff.

Edited by Onehp on Saturday 10th March 15:09

[s m]

E30M3ZONE said:

Still got one so I'm biased but hustling one on a b road keeping speed through the corners due to relative low power is what its all about...the steering and balance is stunning.

Final iteration of the warmed over saloon with n/a 4 cylinder twincam, gearbox and back axle that started with the Lotus Cortina.

Although some BMW fans would argue that the 320si E90 fulfilled the revvy twincam warmed over saloon niche as well some 2 decades later

[Loyly]

blade7 said:

Lol, I remember Sytner whining about the RS500's leaving him for dead in BTCC. It's hardly comparing oranges with oranges, but the RS500 ran away from the M3 on most tracks. Today I'd still have an RS500 over an E30 M3 road car.

I was going to say, the M3 is a nice car in isolation but it was considerably outgunned by the superior Sierra Cosworth. Still, it had a chance against the likes of the 190E when it wasn't racing against a Sierra.

[Jual Mass Flywheel]

JoshMay]oneywell said:

So essentially the same weight, torque, power and performance of a Toyota GT86.

Give me an E46 M3 convertible with the SMG any day! I appreciate it’s not a real drivers car for ‘men’, but the power is more useable and you don’t have to razz the nuts off it! Far more power (326bhp) for half of the money for an almost mint one! I’ve driven both, but the one I wanted to keep was my 2005 E46, a great day every day super car that can fit a family plus luggage. Never regretted it.

And I believe the convertible's are a bit cheaper (less desirable? ) than the coupes? As are smgs. Which is good news if they're your bag! Problem is the E46 is now at that age where there are a lot of moneypits out there, affordable to buy but owned and ragged by types who can't really afford to look after them properly. I'd have an E46 manual coupe M3 any day if I had the balls but couldn't justify the running costs over 18k a year as I'm OCD and it may ruin me. Plus I'd be respraying the wheel arches every 2 winters.................. The E30 is nuts price wise. I hope the E46 doesn't go that way.

[VR6 Eug]

E30 M3 was made to race all M3s after that were made for suits and thats the difference...even though the E46 M3 is great car, it wasnt built as a successful touring car...its why the cosworth was so great for ford and everything after it was never as good from ford.

[morgrp]

I was offered an 87 2.3litre in black for 6grand about 12 years ago - as it transpired I went for the cheaper Merc 190e 2.3-16 which I paid around 3grand. It was the more practical car being 4 door and RHD. As it transpires both have appreciated hugely in recent years but I would also say that the BMW engine was slightly underwhelming and dare I say it the Merc's Cosworth developed lump is more raw and racey than the BMW's - both fabulous cars though.

[SidewaysSi]

Are they actually that good? I do like them but when I drove one I wasn't that impressed.

This or a proper GT3? No comparison IMO.

[s m]

morgrp said:

I was offered an 87 2.3litre in black for 6grand about 12 years ago - as it transpired I went for the cheaper Merc 190e 2.3-16 which I paid around 3grand. It was the more practical car being 4 door and RHD. As it transpires both have appreciated hugely in recent years but I would also say that the BMW engine was slightly underwhelming and dare I say it the Merc's Cosworth developed lump is more raw and racey than the BMW's - both fabulous cars though.

A good friend made the same decision a number of years ago......only he went for the 2.5-16. Same 200bhp as the M3, same box but with a multi-link rear end. Still has it now and they also, like the BMW and Ford, are rising quickly in value

[evojam]

The 190 2.3 or 2.5 are great cars and still undervalued alongside the E30 M3 although that is now changing and rightly so as they are as equally brilliant to drive..

[E30M3ZONE]

s m said:

E30M3ZONE said:

Still got one so I'm biased but hustling one on a b road keeping speed through the corners due to relative low power is what its all about...the steering and balance is stunning.

Final iteration of the warmed over saloon with n/a 4 cylinder twincam, gearbox and back axle that started with the Lotus Cortina.

Although some BMW fans would argue that the 320si E90 fulfilled the revvy twincam warmed over saloon niche as well some 2 decades later

Yes I am aware of the car but don't think it ever caught the imagination like a Lotus Cortina, Escort Twin Cam, RS1600, Lotus Sunbeam, 131 Abarth etc.....maybe I should've found one to drive though

[s m]

E30M3ZONE said:

Yes I am aware of the car but don't think it ever caught the imagination like a Lotus Cortina, Escort Twin Cam, RS1600, Lotus Sunbeam, 131 Abarth etc.....maybe I should've found one to drive though

People are often wary of them because of the engine problems some experience

Think there are a few enthusiastic owners about, including on here

[E30M3ZONE]

s m said:

E30M3ZONE said:

Yes I am aware of the car but don't think it ever caught the imagination like a Lotus Cortina, Escort Twin Cam, RS1600, Lotus Sunbeam, 131 Abarth etc.....maybe I should've found one to drive though

People are often wary of them because of the engine problems some experience

Think there are a few enthusiastic owners about, including on here

I get the impression engine problems are not that uncommon on all modern BMWs. Had a bad experience with E46M3 head gasket..currently have an E92 which I'm considering converting for track use but from what I read it sounds hit and miss with regards engine / gearbox problems.. Not sure they are sufficiently well engineered for hard track use....

[Neil E 99]

Never quite got to parting with money to own one. Test drove 2 both from Munich Ledgends. Not as quick as i expected but the handling was great an the dog leg box was fantastic.
I tested both with in 6 month of each other and were both under 13k..................................
Think I was just too obsessed with my e39 M5 at the time.