Roadgoing versions of BMW's E30 M3 DTM race car are still considered among the most desirable sports coupes money can buy. Lightweight, wonderfully communicative and boasting a bespoke four-cylinder S14 engine based on the M88 six-cylinder M1 supercar powerplant, the rear-wheel drive E30 can be used unmodified straight on track. A proper factory production race car, it was the main rival to Mercedes 190E 2.3/2.5-16 and was only ever produced in LHD coupe and convertible forms.
Don't forget this version of the E30 as well!
BMW's DTM race car debuted in 1985 but buyers had to wait until 1987 to get their hands on the roadgoing version. The E30 went on to win the German touring car championship, and although demand in the UK wasn't high (thanks to that LHD format and a £22,750 price tag) Worldwide sales eventually topped 17,000.
The original version's 2.3-litre four-pot engine produced 215hp, with a 0-62mph time of 6.6 seconds, whilst the Evolution or 'Evo 2' version made 220hp. But the most desirable E30 M3 was without doubt the limited edition 240hp 2.5-litre Sport Evolution. These now only change hands for serious money.
All European models were fitted with a dog-leg Getrag five-speed manual gearbox, plus a limited-slip diff and a MacPherson coil and strut front suspension, with a rear semi-trailing arm set-up. Production ran until early 1992 and, according to Gary Woollatt at BMW specialists Autobahn, "The key things to look out for on E30s are rust, worn timing chains and tired gearboxes." The E30 M3 Coupe is expensive (decent examples can fetch £25,000-plus) so you've really got to want one, and convertibles are as rare as hen's teeth.
Buy if: You want a true performance classic or classic track car and are prepared to spend on ongoing maintenance
Don't buy if: You're looking for serious performance, or an M3 bargain
We found: 1989 BMW M3 E30, blue metallic, service history, 143K miles, £25,995
Price Guide
Poor: Under £17,995
Good: £18,000 to £30,000
A1: £30,000+
Special Editions: Evolution II £30,000 to £45,000, 2.5-litre Sport Evolutions can fetch over £50,000
