The BMW M3 E30.

The idea behind the first BMW M3 was to make a racing sedan available as a street version. Nobody foresaw just what a roaring success the M3 would become – on everyday roads as well as the world’s greatest race tracks. As a touring car racing homologation model, the BMW M3 finally rolled to the starting line in 1986. The Group A regulations required that at least 5,000 road-legal copies of a racing car had to be sold within twelve months in order for a vehicle to be homologated for racing.

Before that, the technicians at BMW Motorsport GmbH (the company name of BMW M until 1993) had done a great job. The developers supplied the future M3 with the best components from the BMW Racing Parts shelf. The brake system with ABS and ventilated discs ensured it was steadfast, while the suspension and damping were designed with racing in mind – without sacrificing suitability for everyday use. The manual transmission also radiated classic racing flair, so drivers found the first gear on the bottom left, as is typical in racing. Meanwhile, BMW Motorsport GmbH took over little more than the doors and the roof from the BMW 3 Series production car.

The heart of the BMW M3 was undoubtedly its sophisticated four-cylinder engine. The basis for this was the two-litre four-cylinder from the then 3 Series, which was completely revised. Among the best features of the original engine were its low weight, high torque and durability. The typical M power treatment included increasing the displacement to 2.3 litres and integrating a four-valve head. This technology was already known in a modified form from the BMW M1 super sports car.

The first BMW M3’s performance data was a benchmark at the time and this remains the case, even today. Thanks to racing technology, the engine climbs exactly to the 200 hp mark – and achieves this without a turbocharger or compressor. Its maximum speed is 6,750 rpm. Thanks to the vehicle's slim weight of around 1,200 kilograms, the M3 reaches 100 km/h after just 6.7 seconds and boasts a top speed of 235 km/h. With the regulated catalytic converter, which was very advanced for its time, the engine only lost a little power down to 195 hp – a still considerable figure.

It wasn’t just the engine of the M3 that featured a special design, but the vehicle itself was also fundamentally overhauled. Above all, the designers turned the screw when it came to its weight. The front and rear bumpers, side skirts, boot lid and spoiler were all made of plastic. Only automotive aficionados noticed that the BMW M3’s C-pillar was flatter and wider than on the two-door 3 Series, improving its aerodynamics. All this contributed to the fact that the M3 quickly became motorsport enthusiasts’ favourite BMW. This unmistakable design’s most striking features included wider wheel arches with fenders and the iconic rear wing.

The BMW M3 was tested at the Nürburgring before the start of its production cycle. The experience gained on probably the most demanding race track in the world served to ensure both the series and racing versions were durable. After its gruelling drives on the ‘Green Hell’, the M3 was able to showcase its full-throttle credentials in a 150,000-kilometre test at top speed on Italy’s Nardo Ring. Naturally, it passed with flying colours.

In its five years of construction, the car’s performance continued to rise. In 1988, for example, the Evolution version was launched on the market with 220 hp and a maximum speed of 243 km/h. Among other things, there was a revised spoiler. The final stage of the first M3 was ignited by BMW Motorsport GmbH in 1990: the displacement was increased to 2.5 litres, resulting in 238 hp in what is now the M3 Sport Evolution, the most powerful model in BMW’s E30 3 Series. The concept for this engine came from Paul Rosche, who was also responsible for the engine development in the Formula 1 racing team of BMW at that time. This special model’s outstanding features were its adjustable front aprons, the only two available paint finishes "Brilliant Red" and "Glossy Black", and the one-piece racing seats.

Other special models lifted the BMW M3 E30 series to the level of the most iconic sports cars in automobile history. The limited-edition special series were launched primarily to coincide with prestigious motorsport successes. Connoisseurs and collectors will turn their minds to the BMW M3 Europameister which celebrated the 1988 European Touring Car Championship title. Each one of the 148 cars, painted exclusively in Macao Blue and produced between October and November 1988, was fitted with a sticker signed by Italian racing driver and winner Roberto Ravaglia. The BMW M3 Cecotto, built 505 times, with 215 hp enjoys a similar cult status. 25 of these were delivered as another special model ‘Ravaglia’.

Right from the start, the BMW M3 stood not just for pure driving pleasure on public roads, but also for motorsport success. The 1987 racing version of the M3 was created for the start of the inaugural World Touring Car Championship. Instead of 200 hp like the production car, it produced 300 hp at a sensational 8,200 revolutions per minute. Like the road vehicle, the racing version was also an outstanding success, becoming world champion in its first year and adding a European title soon after. On and on came the successes: the DTM (German Touring Car Championship) was clinched with aplomb, as were national championships in France, Italy and England.

In addition to other titles in other countries, BMW Motorsport scored a double victory with the M3 at the Nürburgring 24 Hours Race. That closed the circle, because the pre-series M3 cars received finishing touches for series production and racing on this famous circuit. For five years, this vehicle dominated the series across the globe and developed into the most successful touring car ever. In its most powerful variants, the M3 racing version with 2.5 litre cubic capacity went up to 360 hp.

Whether as a closed two-door or from 1989 or as the BMW M3 Convertible, almost 18,000 vehicles were sold. The first M3 ever came on the market for 58,000 DM, while the M3 Sport Evolution at the end of the production cycle had a starting price of 85,000 DM. All these M3 models are the basis of a loyal fan community and an important pillar for the BMW M GmbH’s success today. Above all, this model is the origin of the myth of the M3 letter-number combination, which continues to inspire to this day all around the world.