The original 1986 BMW M3 (E30) was developed strictly for racing homologation purposes at first.
A requisite 5,000 cars were to be built, in order for the car to compete in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), each with flared wheel arches, a tall rear wing, stiffer suspension, and Formula 1-derived, 195 horsepower four-cylinder engine – just as it would be run in the series. On the track the M3proved competent, winning the debut season of the series ahead of opposition by Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Alfa Romeo, and Volvo. The M3 went on to win the European Touring Car Championship several times and the German Touring car Championship (DTM) twice.
In 1988, a convertible version of the M3 was available in Europe, but the U.S. had to wait for the second-generation M3 to get in on the drop-top action. Also that year, the first in a line of limited-edition Evo models became available in Europe, culminating in the 238 horsepower, lighter weight Sport Evolution model.
BMW went on to build nearly 18,000 M3s by the car’s production end in 1991 to meet customer demand. Little more than a racecar for the street, purists say that this was the crme of the M3 crop with a more focused and purposeful look and feel than its successors.
The M3s were entered by BMW as well as private racing teams and its wins included the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft, British Touring Car Championship European Touring Car Championship, Australian Touring Car Championship, as well as the World Touring Car Championship drivers’ title in 1987. The E30 M3 is also a multiple winner of Guia Race, 24 Hours Nürburgring and Spa 24 Hours.
1989 BMW M3
BMW M3, model year 1989, version for North America U.S.
2-door sedan body type
RWD (rear-wheel drive), manual 5-speed gearbox
petrol (gasoline) engine with displacement: 2302 cm3 / 140.8 cui
advertised power: 143 kW / 192 hp / 194 PS ( SAE net ) / 6750
torque: 231 Nm / 170 lb-ft / 4750
characteristic dimensions: outside length: 4345 mm / 171.1 in
wheelbase: 2565 mm / 101 in
reference weights: base curb weight: 1300 kg / 2866 lbs
top speed: 234 km/h (145 mph) (theoretical)
accelerations: 0- 60 mph 6.6 s; 0- 100 km/h 7 s (a-c simulation); 1/4 mile drag time (402 m) 14.9 s
fuel consumption and mileage: 17/29 mpg (U.S.), 13.8/8.1 l/100km, 20.3/34.7 mpg (imp.), 7.2/12.3 km/l EPA ratings average estimated by a-c: 10.8 l/100km / 26.2 mpg (imp.) / 21.8 mpg (U.S.) / 9.3 km/l
1989 BMW M3 cat
BMW M3 cat, manufactured in 1989, version for Europe
2-door sedan body type
RWD (rear-wheel drive), manual 5-speed gearbox
petrol (gasoline) engine with displacement: 2302 cm3 / 140.8 cui
advertised power: 143.5 kW / 192 hp / 195 PS ( DIN ) / 6750
torque: 230 Nm / 170 lb-ft / 4750 (see horsepower and torque curve)
characteristic dimensions: outside length: 4345 mm / 171.1 in
wheelbase: 2565 mm / 101 in
reference weights: base curb weight: 1200 kg / 2645 lbs, gross weight GVWR: 1600 kg / 3527 lbs
top speed: 230 km/h (143 mph) (declared by factory)
accelerations: 0- 60 mph 6.4 s, 0- 100 km/h 6.8 s (declared by factory), 1/4 mile drag time (402 m) 14.9 s (a-c simulation)
fuel consumption and mileage: 8.8 l/100km / 32.1 mpg (imp.) / 26.8 mpg (U.S.) / 11.4 km/l average estimated by a-c: 10.3 l/100km / 27.4 mpg (imp.) / 22.8 mpg (U.S.) / 9.7 km/l
1989 BMW M3 E30 Johnny Cecotto Edition
BMW M3 E30, manufactured in 1989, version for Europe.
2-door sedan body type
RWD (rear-wheel drive), manual 5-speed gearbox
petrol (gasoline) engine with displacement: 2302 cm3 / 140.8 cui
advertised power: 158 kW / 212 hp / 215 PS ( DIN ) / 6750
torque: 230 Nm / 170 lb-ft / 4600 (see horsepower and torque curve)
characteristic dimensions: outside length: 4345 mm / 171.1 in
wheelbase: 2565 mm / 101 in
reference weights: base curb weight: 1200 kg / 2645 lbs, gross weight GVWR: 1600 kg / 3527 lbs
top speed: 241 km/h (150 mph) (declared by factory)
accelerations: 0- 60 mph 6.3 s, 0- 100 km/h 6.7 s (declared by factory), 1/4 mile drag time (402 m) 14.8 s (a-c simulation)
fuel consumption and mileage: 8.8 l/100km / 32.1 mpg (imp.) / 26.8 mpg (U.S.) / 11.4 km/l average estimated by a-c: 10.2 l/100km / 27.7 mpg (imp.) / 23.1 mpg (U.S.) / 9.8 km/l
1989 BMW M3 Sport Evolution
BMW M3 Sport Evolution, manufactured in 1989, version for Europe
2-door sedan body type
RWD (rear-wheel drive), manual 5-speed gearbox
petrol (gasoline) engine with displacement: 2467 cm3 / 150.7 cui
advertised power: 175 kW / 235 hp / 238 PS ( DIN ) / 7000
torque: 240 Nm / 177 lb-ft / 4750 (see horsepower and torque curve)
characteristic dimensions: outside length: 4345 mm / 171.1 in
wheelbase: 2565 mm / 101 in
reference weights: base curb weight: 1200 kg / 2645 lbs
gross weight GVWR: 1600 kg / 3527 lbs
top speed: 248 km/h (154 mph) (declared by factory)
accelerations: 0- 60 mph 6.1 s, 0- 100 km/h 6.5 s (declared by factory), 1/4 mile drag time (402 m) 14.4 s (a-c simulation)
fuel consumption and mileage: 8.8 l/100km / 32 mpg (imp.) / 26.7 mpg (U.S.) / 11.3 km/l average estimated by a-c: 10.5 l/100km / 26.8 mpg (imp.) / 22.3 mpg (U.S.) / 9.5 km/l
