The BMW 3 series has played a substantial role in the car scene for more than 40 years. They are some of the most loved sports sedans of our time, setting the bar for all to follow. Soo many have developed a special bond with the model, owing to it’s superb versatility and BMW’s constant desire for innovation. However the one 3 Series model that many lust after is of course the M3. Born out of motorsport in the 80s, the original “E30” generation was a true homologation special built to dominate touring car competition… which it did. The car’s incredible success made it a certified legend, inspiring people like Burak to preserve the history of the model. His example is nothing short of impeccable, with every detail being covered inside and out.
The M3 may have been the top model, but it didn’t have the biggest engine. Some lower spec cars had an inline 6 instead of a 4 cylinder, so you may be asking, why go with a smaller engine? The answer is simple – weight. BMW decided that a small, high-revving engine with 2 less cylinders was better for weight and front-end handling than an inline 6. Stuffing a whole bunch of power in just wasn’t the BMW way and it paid dividends on track. Translate this onto the road and you suddenly had something that was both fun and eager to please. The supreme athletism really made it a force to be reckoned with.
Now if my understanding is correct, this particular E30 M3 has the “Sport Evolution” pack which features a longer front splitter, a taller rear wing with an extra element and a more aggressive suspension setup encompassing wider tyres. The car also had a power bump over the previous iteration. Burak has done extra work in the wheel and tyre department, putting on thicker tyres with some period-correct BBS mesh wheels. The fitment has also been tweaked slightly to properly fill the box flares, akin to the actual racecars that did battle on the hallowed grounds of Hockenheim, Nurburgring and our own Bathurst. It’s honestly impossible to fault.
The E30 M3 may be a homologated racecar but BMW did not skimp on build quality. Everything was bolted together with the same love and care (if not more), that every other BMW recieved at the time. You didn’t have unsightly panel gaps, the mechanical door latches locked firmly and the interior buttons had weight to them. Nothing was flimsy or made for planned obselescence. It totally embarrassed it’s rivals because not only was it a cracking car to drive, the quality of the interior was also on a higher level. This philosophy followed through to the subsequent models, which is a big reason why people still want to buy them today.
Many people have fettled with this legendary machine but very few, if any, have done it quite as well as Burak. If his posts on Instagram are anything to go by, his car has been improved in all the right areas, replacing everything from perished rubber door seals to the fuel pump. It takes time but the result is always worth it when you win praise from the most discerning of enthusiasts. I personally don’t rank it as high as the E46 on my list of favourite cars, but this brilliant example is sure to make me move it up. I get why people love this car.
DevMacCars 