E30 M3 Tech Specs
.:Std. Euro Spec:. .:US
Spec:. .:Evo I:. .:EvoII:.
.:Europameister:.
.:Cecotto / Ravaglia:. .:EvoIII:.
Cabrio:. .:Gruppe A:. .:Hartge
E30 M3 / H36:. .:AC Schnitzer S3:.
E30 M3
This is the first generation M3, shown in public for the first time at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1985. Production started in September 1986 and ceased in July 1991.
The E30 M3 was constructed by BMW for a predominate purpose - to homologate a race car suitable for the European Touring Car Championship (ETCC). To accomplish this, BMW was required to construct 5,000 street-bound examples. The E30 3-series was the best suited automobile in BMW's product line to undergo this transformation.
Certain rules in the racing series heavily influenced characteristics of the production M3. For example, the shape of the body of an ETCC entry could not be altered from the homologated version. The deep front spoiler, rear windscreen "cap", rear trunk lid and spoiler were incorporated for high speed aerodynamic performance. The wide fender flares allowed large race tires and wheels to fit under stock bodywork.
Of the 21,222 E30 M3s produced, well over 100 were built solely for road race and rally use. 4,996 examples were imported to the United States, the vast majority of that number sold in 1988.
Technical Specifications
Standard European M3 coupe
13,180 units from October 86 - December 906940 units from October 86 - May 89
195bhp / 170 ft. lbs. torque (catalytic converter)
5 speed close ratio gearbox4721 units from October 86 - July 89
200bhp / 177 ft. lbs. torque (no catalytic converter)
5 speed close ratio gearbox
center resonator1519 units from September 89 - December 90
215bhp / 180 ft. lbs. torque (catalytic converter)
5 speed close ratio gearboxEngine:
S14 B23 M-Power, cast iron inline four cylinder inline, 16 valve DOHC aluminum cylinder head. Displacement 2302 CC, Bore and stroke 93,4 X 84,0 mm, Compression ratio 10.5 : 1, Bosch ML Motronic Injection system.
Transmission:
Rear wheel drive front engine. Final drive ratio 3.25:1, 25 Percent differential lock, Five speed manual gearbox, Gear ratios 1st:3.72 2nd 2.40 3rd 1.77 4th 1.26 5th 1.00 Reverse 4.23:1.
Suspension:
Mcpherson, coil springs and BOGE gas shock absorbers in front and rear suspension consisted of coil springs and BOGE gas shock absorbers.
Steering:
Rack and pinion 19.6:1 power assisted
Brakes:
Power assisted 284mm ventilated rotors front, 250mm rotors rear, ABS.
Wheels:
BBS 7.0 X 15 aluminum rims with 205/55 VR 15 tires front and back.
Dimensions:
Length 4360mm, Width 1675mm, Height 1365, Axle distance 2562mm. Weight 1200 Kg.
M3 US Spec - 195HP with cat
4,996 units impotred to the US from Dec 1986 - Dec 1990As Standard Euro M3 except:
Engine:
192 HP at 6750 rpm, 230 NM at 4750 rpm. Catalytic converter.
Transmission:
Final drive 4.10:1
Gear ratios:
1st 3.38 2nd 2.20 3rd 1.40 4th 1.00 5th 0.81 Reverse 3.46:1
Weight:
1302 Kg (about 2900 lb)
M3 Evolution I - 200HP no cat
505 units from February 87 - May 87As Standard M3 except.
Engine:
200 HP with no Cat (center resonator)
Transmission:
5-speed close-ration gearbox
Styling:
Bigger front spoiler, double bladed rear wing.
M3 Evolution II - 200HP no cat
501 units from March - May 1988The second Evolution M3 was built for homologation purposes, specifically homologating of aerodynamic parts. Five hundred examples had to be produced, and BMW beat that by a slim margin of one. The Evolution II was never officially imported to the United States.
As Standard M3 except.
Engine:
S14 Evo M-Power, Compression ratio 11.0:1. 220 HP at 6750 rpm, 181 ft. lbs at 4750 rpm, lightweight flywheel.
Final drive:
3.15:1
Styling:
Front spoiler extension, double bladed rear wing, Macao Blue, Nogaro Silver and Misano Red, valve cover and and plenum painted in Motorsport colors.
Interior:
Silver cloth and silver leather on seats.
Wheels:
BBS 7.5 X 16 aluminum rims with 225/45 ZR 16 tires front and back.
Body:
Lightweight material in spoilers wings, rear and side glass, bumpers and trunk lid.
M3 Europameister - 195HP with cat
150 units from October 88 - November 88A special edition called Europameister Celebration was signed by Roberto Ravaglia after his M3 win in the 1988 European touring car championship.
As Standard M3 except.
Was only delivered with the 195 HP/Cat engine.
Interior:
leather trim
Ivan Jensen's 1988 M3 2.3L "Europameister" -> www.e30m3performance.com
M3 Cecotto/Ravaglia - 215HP with cat
Cecotto - 480 units from April 89 - July 89
Ravaglia - 25 units from April 89 - July 89
A special edition was signed by the two skillful M3 pilots, Johnny Cecotto and Ravaglia. Cecotto signed 480 examples which were sold on the continent, whilst Ravaglia signed 25 cars destined for the UK market
As Standard M3 except:
Engine:
215 HP at 6750 rpm, 230 NM at 4600 rpm, Three way catalytic converter
Styling:
Extended front spoiler (as with EvoII), Ravaglia models also sported Double bladed rear wing. Offered in Nogaro Silver and Misano Red. Valve cover and plenum were painted in the same color as the car, lightened trunklid (by 22 lb.)
Interior:
On Board Computer, heated windshield, Illuminated gearknob, Door sill plates with "M3" logo, Front electric Windows, Headlamp leveling system, cassette holder and Motorsport design cloth interior.
Wheels:
BBS 7.5 X 16 cross spoke wheels with black painted centers, 225/45 ZR 16 tires front and back.
M3 Sport Evolution III - 238HP with cat
600 units from January - March 1990
In 1990, with an already successful agenda on the track, BMW introduces the Sport Evolution. The Sport is the third and final special edition Evolution M3 and by far, the most radical of the street-going M3's. Production reaches 600 to surpass the 500 models required for homologation in Group A DTM.
While there are many specific alterations to the Sport Evo which vary from the standard M3, several modifications focus on achieving maximum competitive advantage in Touring Car racing. Rules of the time require that racing models (a) run the same engine and displacement as the homologated car and (b) no sheet metal or aerodynamic aids can vary from the homologated model.
For this reason, the Sport Evolution displaces 2467cc, nearing the 2500cc Group A limit. The Sport Evo is equipped with a multi-position adjustable front splitter and rear lip spoiler so that downforce can be dialed in on a per track basis. Wider fender wells allow clearance of larger 18" racing wheels.
As standard M3 except.
Engine:
S14 B25 M-Power, displacement 2467 ccm, bore and stroke 95.0 X 87.0 mm, compression ratio 10.2:1. 238 HP at 7000 rpm, 240 NM at 4750 rpm, red spark plug boots, lightened flywheel, oil squirters for improved piston cooling, soduim filled exhaust valves, modified camshaft timing, larger inlet valves.
Final drive:
3.15:1
Suspension:
front end dropped another 10mm
Styling:
Adjustable front and rear spoilers. Fog lights were replaced brake cooling ducts. Colors were Jet Black and Brilliant Red
Interior:
M-steering wheel, illuminated gear knob and handbrake lever clad in suede, Motorsport front seats available in leather or Motorsport cloth, Motorsport driver's footrest, M3 logo on instep of both doors, special placard on the interior console
Wheels:
BBS 7.5 X 16 aluminum rims with centers painted Nogaro Silver. 225/45 ZR 16 tires front and back.George Nikas's Sport Evolution -> www.bimmers.com
M3 Cabriolet 135 units from May 1988 - July 1989 200HP no cat 174 units from October 1988 - June 1989 195HP no cat 1 unit in May 1989 220HP no cat 476 units from March 1990 - July 1991 215HP with cat All details as M3 195 HP, 200 HP and 215 HP versions except:
Dimensions: Length 4345 mm, Height 1370 mm. Weight 1360 KG
320 HP 2.3 DTM E30 M3 (Gruppe A)
Displacement: 2332 cc Bore and Stroke: 94 X 84.0 mm Compression ratio: 12.0 : 1 Fuel grade: 95 octane unleaded Power output: 320 HP at 8200 rpm Torque output: 205 ft lb. at 7000 rpm Redline: 9300 rpm Battery: 12 V 26 Ah Alternator: 65 A Torque/weight ratio: Power/weight ratio: Power per liter: Torque per liter: Suspension
Front:
Fully adjustable struts made from magnesium with coilovers, sway bars adjustable from the drivers seat
Rear:
Fully adjustable with drivers seat adjustable sway bars.Brakes
Front:
Ventilated Rotors, 350 mm diameter and a thickness of 32 mm, six piston caliper
Rear:
Ventilated Rotors, 300 mm diameter and a thickness of 25.4 mm, four piston caliper. Two master cylinders to allow bias adjustment from the drivers seatSteering
No power assist - manual rack and pinion, with two ratios of 17:1 and 14.7:1
Wheels
Single piece magnesium wheels either 9 X 17 or 9 X 18
Tires were 245/630 - 17/18
Mounted with central locking nutTransmission
Five or six speed gearbox depending on the track. (mostly the 5 speed was used by privateer teams, with fewer financial resources.)
Transmission oil-cooler
Limited slip differential
Gear ratios (5 speed):
1st 2.337:1, 2nd 1.681:1, 3rd 1.358:1, 4th 1.150:1, 5th 1.000:1, Reverse 2.660:1
Final drives from 3.15 : 1 to 5.28 : 1Performance
0-60 Mph ( with 5 speed and a final drive of 4.44) 4.3 seconds
Top Speed (with 5 speed and a final drive of 3.25:1) 174 MphMeasurements
Length: 4355 mm Width: 1680 mm Height: 1330 mm Axle Distance: 2565.5 mm Tire spacing: 1412 mm (front) Tire spacing: 1424 mm (rear) Weight: 2072 lbs. (as per DTM rules) Fuel volume: 110 Litres (29 US gallons)
Hartge
(information courtesy George Nikas)
Hartge produced three aftermarket variants of the E30 M3:
(1) Hartge M3-240, based on the 2.3 l Euro M3
- 2.3 l engine, 240 PS.
- Hartge rear silencer.
- Hartge sport suspension.
- Hartge 16" monolithic alloy wheel/tyre set.
- Hartge accessory pack.
Performance: 0-60 mph in 6.1 s, 0-1000 m in 26.5 s, top speed = 150 mph.
Cost in the UK in 1995: £5,535 GBP + VAT.
(2) Hartge M3-260, based on the 2.3 l Euro M3
- 2.5 l stroked engine, 260 PS.
- Hartge rear silencer.
- Hartge sport suspension.
- Hartge 16" monolithic alloy wheel/tyre set.
- Hartge accessory pack.
Performance: 0-60 mph in 5.9 s, 0-1000 m in 26.2 s, top speed = 158 mph.
Cost in the UK in 1995: £8,243 GBP + VAT.(3) Hartge H36, based on the 2.3 l Euro M3 (only 6 made)
- 3.6 l E34 M5 modified engine, 330 PS.
- Hartge exhaust.
- Hartge sport suspension.
- Hartge 17" modular wheel/tyre set.
- Hartge special braking system.
- Hartge limited-slip differential.
- Hartge additional fuel tank 100 l.
- Hartge accessory pack.
Performance: 0-60 mph in 5.6 s, 0-1000 m in 24.9 s, top speed = 172 mph.
Cost in the UK in 1995: £28,814 GBP + VAT.
AC Schnitzer S3
Click images to enlarge
S3 technical details to come
Special thanks to Rasmus Askov for helping to collect and translate this data.
Bay Area ///Motorsport
2000-2003
