The M3 Convertible was manufactured by BMW Motorsport GmbH, however, during the production of the 318iC – 325iC the bodies were taken off the assembly line and transported to the Motorsport GmbH premises in Garching, where the drive, chassis and interior were installed by hand.
Engine:
The 2.3-litre four-cylinder produced 195 hp with catalyst (without 200 hp) and delivered 230 Nm at 4750 rpm for a top speed of 228 km/h with the top down and a 0-100 km/h acceleration in 7 .5 seconds was enough. Later the M3C also came with the engine of 215 hp:
|
designation |
power |
Quantity |
construction time |
|
|
BB01 (without kat) |
200 PS |
136 |
06/88 -09/88; 04/89-06/89 |
|
|
BB05 mit Kat |
195 PS |
174 |
07/88-09/88; 03/89-06/89 |
|
|
BB50 mit Kat |
215 PS |
476 |
03/90-06/91 |
|
|
total |
786 |
With a break in production between 06/89 and 03/90, a total of 786 cars were made. It is rumored that an M3C was delivered with the engine of 220 hp. M3C had an EH convertible as standard in the period 06/88 – 06/89, but when production resumed in 03/90 with the new engine of 215 hp, it was replaced as standard by an EM convertible, also available as an option for 318iC – 325iC applied.
In addition to the flared wheel arches, the M3 had special bumpers, front and rear aprons and a wider rocker panel. While the M3 had a specially designed plastic boot lid with a rear wing, the M3C had the same tin boot lid as the standard E30 convertible and no rear spoiler.
The M3C had the same sports gearbox (Getrag 265) as the M3, with a first gear on the bottom left. However, the M3C also had some equipment not normally available on other E30s:
Central locking hand lock, door sills with M3 emblems from M3 Evolution and lined on the inside of the trunk lid. Standard equipment on the M3C included:
- ABS brakes
- Luggage compartment with inner lining
- Rear-view mirrors, flushing nozzles and driver’s door locks are electrically heated
- Central locking with anti-theft device including key lighting
- Differential Bromine 25%
- Fog lights
- Power windows front and rear
- Central locking hand compartment lock controlled
- Interior lighting with delayed extinguishing
- Mention lists with M3 emblems (along with M3 Evolution)
- Alloy wheels in Krysseker 7 x 15 with 205/55 R 15 V (5-hole)
- Power steering speed dependent
- shadow line
- Sports steering wheel M-technic II including gear knob in leather
- EH hood -03/90 and EM hood 03/90-
- Tinted boxes green
- Transmission Sport five-speed manual (Getrag 265 Sport)
- External temperature sensor (small on-board computer)
In the period 06/88 – 06/89 the M3 Cabrio will be delivered in the color combinations
- Alpinweiss II and soft top in dark blue or black
- Diamond Black and top in Dark Blue or Black
- Macau blue and hood in dark blue or black
- Misano red and hood in dark blue or black
- Nogaro silver and soft top in dark blue or black
In the period 03/90 – 06/91 the M3 Cabrio will be delivered in the color combinations
- Alpinweiss II and soft top in dark blue or black
- Diamond Black and top in Dark Blue or Black
- Macau blue and hood in dark blue or black
- Brilliant root and top available in dark blue or black
- Sterling silver metallic and hood in dark blue or black
- Black II and hood in dark blue or black
If the M3C was ordered with leather upholstery, it automatically received the extended full leather interior in Walknappa (black, natural, silver or lotus white) instead of the bison leather normally supplied with the M3 and other convertibles. From 04/89 there was Walknappa upholstery with M stripes on the backrests. From 03/90 there was also Nappa-Tex full leather interior in black or silver with braided upholstery on the middle parts of the seats. Also unique to the M3C was that certain color combinations came with the dashboard and glove box in a lighter color (silver). There was also an optional leather dashboard.
Like the M3, the M3C also had a differential lock as standard, but the electronically adjustable shock absorbers (EDC), which were available as an option for the M3, were then not available for the M3C.
Sources: ETK, BMW prospectus M3, M3 Cabrio and M5 2/88
