BMW E30 M3

There is a time warp feeling to the whole car. It is like traveling back to a simpler time before electronic driver aids, 100,000-mile warranties and ICE systems were available. Automakers had more freedom to build a car of this kind and engineers/car enthusiasts made the decisions. Manual shift was still somewhat popular and stability control systems were something on the Space Shuttle. A car like this works on your behalf, not against you; it knows exactly what you want to do. You instantly understand the car's abilities. We were very fortunate to spend some time with a pristine Alpine White 1988 E30 M3 on a twisting road. Even though this car is over a decade old, it is still in excellent condition. The cockpit is still tight as a drum, the factory seats feel like Recaros, and the M steering wheel feels perfect. The Getrag gearbox is one of the best in the world, offering precise shifting. Engine management is enhanced with a Dinan ECU chip and a Dinan adjustable cam gear, which in conjunction produce an additional 25hp. The suspension includes a Dinan Stage 3 kit containing Bilstein Sport shocks with an added camber kit and polyurethane bushings giving a taught stiff ride. The 16X8 inch Hartge wheels add to the race look of the car while the Hartge exhaust accentuates engine tones and lightens the engine's breathing. All these modifications add to the already stellar driving capabilities of this classic. The E30 M3 has paved the way for many of todays machines like the new 330hp E46 M3 and the 350hp Mercedes C32. There is an argument for favoring the original over all the offspring. However, it is all about the driving which matters. Most gadgets in today's cars are only distractions and add unwanted weight. The BMW E30 M3 is a pure undiluted example of a great car free from these distractions and representative of raw driving enjoyment. Look for video update in the following weeks.