1990 BMW E30 M3

BMW introduced its E30 M3 in 1985 in response to the Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 Cosworth. It soon became a real contender in the Touring Car Championship, and it helped set the benchmark for BMW Performance. The M3 has won at the 24 Hours of Nurburgring, World Touring Car Championship Driver's Title in 1987, and countless wins across the globe.

Based on the 1986 model year E30 3-Series, the E30 M3 was powered by the BMW 2.3-liter S14 engine and was produced from 1985 to 1992. It differed from the rest of the E30 line-up in several ways and, although using the same basic body shell as the standard E30, was equipped with twelve different and unique body panels to improve aesthetics and aerodynamics. The 'box flared' wheel-arches were used to accommodate a wider track with wider and taller wheels. The only exterior body panels shared were the roof panel, sunroof, doors, and hood.

Of the 16,202 E30 M3s produced, just 786 examples were convertibles, and of those, 476 were powered by a 215-horsepower engine.

By 1988, North America finally began receiving U.S. specification examples of the M3. They were immediately put to work on the track by both factory and privateer teams.

There were very few changes for the 1990 BMW M3. It continued to be powered by the 16-valve four-cylinder engine which was rated at 192 horsepower and backed by a five-speed manual transmission.

BMW M3 Evolution
The BMW 'Evolution,' also known as the EVO1, had a rear spoiler, a deeper front splitter, thinner rear and side window glass, and produced 212 horsepower and had a top speed of 149 mph. The versions without catalytic converters were known as the 'EVO2' and produced 217 horsepower. A total of 505 examples were built.

BMW M3 Sport Evolution
The M3 Sport Evo arrived in 1990 with extensive modifications to aerodynamics, suspension, and engine. Weight-saving measures included using thinner glass. The standard M3 race-bred S13 engine was bored and stroked to 2.5 liters, and received sodium-filled exhaust valves, more aggressive camshaft profiles, larger intake valves, a revised exhaust header, and additional oil nozzles for improved piston cooling. The twin-cam, quad-throttle four-cylinder unit was rated at 235 horsepower at 7,000 RPM, making it among the highest specific-output engines of the era.

Updates to the suspension included revised spring and damper rates, a wider track, revised anti-roll bars, and 300% more steering caster angle.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2019