BMW BLOG

For some of you that might not remember, the first BMW M3 was based on the 1986 model year E30 3-Series and it was powered by a 2.3 liter I4 engine. This was basically the beginning of what we called today the top of the line cars in the 3-Series line. The M3 has been one of BMW’s most successful projects to this date and it set new standards for everyone in the automotive business. 

The E30 M3 differed from the rest of the E30 line-up in many ways. The M3 was equipped with a revised stiffer and more aerodynamic body shell as well as “box flared” fenders to accommodate a wider track with wider and taller wheels and tires. The only body panels the standard model 3-series and the M3 shared were the hood and roof. It also had three times the caster angle of any other E30. The M3 shared larger wheel bearings and front brake calipers with the E28 5-Series. It also had a Getrag 265/5 5 speed gearbox, and rear differential with different final drive ratio and 25% lockup. (Wiki)

Quite impressive, isn’t it? Well, fast forward another 20 years and you will see many E30 M3 restoration projects. One of them was done by atan888, a member of TeamSpeed.com forum and here is what he accomplished, both in words and photos:  

I just finished another complete restoration project of another E30 M3. This time its more rare. Its a 1990 original Dinan Turbo S14. I purchased her 5 months ago with only 62k original miles. It was completely stripped to bare metal and freshly painted. I added a few rare (old school ) bits such as :
17 x 8.5 / 17×10 BBS LMs (very rare)
ACS bits and
OEM Evo bits
I took these photos on our way for a photo shoot with his stable mate my other E30 M3 for Performance BMW (UK magazine)

Ready for the photos?

Beautiful, isn’t it? Well, that’s it for now, I promise I will follow up with more articles on older BMW models and in the mean time, if you have any questions for atan888,  please feel free to follow him on the TeamSpeed.com forum.