M3/M4 Doug DeMuro reviews the E30 M3.
- Thread starter J.E
- Start date
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 BMW M4 is a high-performance version of the BMW 4 Series automobile developed by BMW's motorsport division, BMW M, that has been built since 2014. As part of the renumbering that splits the coupé and convertible variants of the 3 Series into the 4 Series, the M4 replaced those variants of the BMW M3. Official website: BMW M
It is still a special model from BMW this amazing E30 M3, the definite compact sports saloon/coupe, I still haven't seen one in real life, but seen many 325i and special South Africa edition 325iS, 325iS Turbo (tuned Alpine Developments model) and 333i models.
The only E30 I ever saw was a grey four door 325i in a classic car meet.
The E30 is the car that defined BMW as a sports saloon brand and put BMW in the radar of luxury car buyers, thanks to the Yuppie demographics in the 1980's who bought the E30 in droves.
Check the prices of mint examples on Autoscout24.com and the cheapest one is about 40K Euros and most priced about 55K Euros, so its not a cheap car anymore.
1/8
€ 39,900.-
1/9
€ 55,000.-
1/8
€ 39,900.-
- 40,300 km
- 09/1988
- 145 kW (197 hp)
- Used
- 1 previous owner
- Manual
1/9
€ 55,000.-
- 82,500 km
- 06/1986
- 147 kW (200 hp)
- Used
- -/- (Previous Owners)
- Manual
- Gasoline
- -/- (l/100 km)
- -/- (CO2/km)
Maybe the E30 M3 is not the most sought after E30 model, but our own home grown 333i from South Africa. Only 204 were produced from 1985 to 1987. This owner wanted a massive $92K for his car in 2014.
Rare 1985 BMW Alpina 333i Up for Sale
Back when the E30 3 Series was still being built, BMW South Africa decided to create a special model that would allow them to compete in saloon car racing in the African country. That’s how the Alpina 333i came to life.
Developed in collaboration with the German tuner, the car was going up against the likes of Ford’s Sierra XR8 and Alfa Romeo GTV 3.0. Therefore, some serious upgrades were necessary just to keep up.
The M30B32 3.3-liter engine used was coming straight off a 733i 7 Series and Alpina contributed with a variety of parts like the gearbox, rear axle and brakes. The same engine was used on the E24 633i 6 Series, with different results, of course.
With 197 HP and 284 Nm (209 lb-ft) of torque, the lightweight E30 was actually a pretty fast car. Unfortunately, only 204 units of it were ever made, between 1985 and 1987, many of them entering motorsport competitions in South Africa. Only one of them was officially exported to the UK.
Now, one such beauty is up for sale on ClassicDriver.com. This one has 13,800 km (8,575 miles) on the odometer and looks absolutely perfect. It has electric windows, a sunroof and even ABS on and it’s right-hand-drive. It could be the one that was officially imported in the UK but the ad doesn’t specify this matter.
Dressed in Henna Red, one of the only 4 colors in which the 333i was available (Charcoal Black, Ice White and Aero Silver) it’s looking rather mint.
According to the ad, it comes with a Certificate of Authenticity issued by BMW South Africa that confirms the 1985 production and delivery data. Unfortunately, the price tag might be a bit restrictive for most enthusiasts. The seller wants $92,664 for it, a price that might go up as the years pass though, as it is a collectable already.
Rare 1985 BMW Alpina 333i Up for Sale
Back when the E30 3 Series was still being built, BMW South Africa decided to create a special model that would allow them to compete in saloon car racing in the African country. That’s how the Alpina 333i came to life.
Developed in collaboration with the German tuner, the car was going up against the likes of Ford’s Sierra XR8 and Alfa Romeo GTV 3.0. Therefore, some serious upgrades were necessary just to keep up.
The M30B32 3.3-liter engine used was coming straight off a 733i 7 Series and Alpina contributed with a variety of parts like the gearbox, rear axle and brakes. The same engine was used on the E24 633i 6 Series, with different results, of course.
With 197 HP and 284 Nm (209 lb-ft) of torque, the lightweight E30 was actually a pretty fast car. Unfortunately, only 204 units of it were ever made, between 1985 and 1987, many of them entering motorsport competitions in South Africa. Only one of them was officially exported to the UK.
Now, one such beauty is up for sale on ClassicDriver.com. This one has 13,800 km (8,575 miles) on the odometer and looks absolutely perfect. It has electric windows, a sunroof and even ABS on and it’s right-hand-drive. It could be the one that was officially imported in the UK but the ad doesn’t specify this matter.
Dressed in Henna Red, one of the only 4 colors in which the 333i was available (Charcoal Black, Ice White and Aero Silver) it’s looking rather mint.
According to the ad, it comes with a Certificate of Authenticity issued by BMW South Africa that confirms the 1985 production and delivery data. Unfortunately, the price tag might be a bit restrictive for most enthusiasts. The seller wants $92,664 for it, a price that might go up as the years pass though, as it is a collectable already.
Tourbillon
Cornering Kingpin
Guess now it's switched up!
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