AFTER/DRIVE and its host Mike Spinelli are posing the following question: Is the E30 BMW M3 most overhyped classic?

The 1986-1991 BMW M3 is blowing up, rocketing 27% in value since last year. The iconic E30 M3 is one of those rare cars that excites all car enthusiasts. Based on the 1986 model year E30 3-Series, the first M3 was introduced with a 2.3 L I4 S14B23 engine. The engine design was based on various BMW genealogy; basic block layout from the M10 4 cylinder (found in the 2002 and 320 series) overbored and reinforced to similar specifications of the BMW M88 inline-6.

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When the E30 M3 was in its final years of top level competition, the 2.5 liter S14 engine in full race trim was capable of over 340 hp (250 kW) naturally aspirated.

In our opinion the next classic BMW could turn out to be the 1M, the last BMW that excites everyone when behind the wheel.

Let’s have a a look.