THE E30 M3

The e30 M3 is BMW's "M" or Motorsports division's answer to the e30 3-series and in contrast to later M3 iterations would go on to be campaigned by BMW and many race teams in the World Rally Championship as well as various Touring Car Championships. The M3's origins come straight from racing. The production of the road cars was to homologate the M3 for Group A Touring Car racing yet went on to be successful in other forms of motorsport including 1 World Touring Car Championship in 1987, 4 Italia Superturismo Championships (87', 89'-91'), 1 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship (1990) for a total of 18 Championship wins between 1987 and 1991.

Homologation specials were produced to keep the car competitive in racing following yearly homologation rule changes. Motorsport homologation rules say the race version of a car must reflect the street car aerodynamically and in engine displacement. These included the Evo 1, Evo 2 and Sport Evolution models which featured improved aero and weight reduction packages, taller front wheel arches to facilitate 18" DTM wheels, brake ducting and increased power output.