The creation of the outdated BMW M3
In 1980 the FIA (Federaction International de Automobil) decided to change the regulations for the approval of competition vehicles. For this purpose, different classes were formed, in which a minimum number of vehicles had to be sold in order to allow a general approval of these vehicles for all classes. BWM decided to meet these requirements and this was the birth of the first M3, the M3 E30.
We, the /// Mflight Club E.V, have created a free online register in which all 17970 BMW E30 M3 vehicles ever produced are listed with the chassis number. This register is a database and also contains all optional equipment for all vehicles ever produced. This database can also be searched for vehicles with special equipment, such as the Cecotto or the M3 Evolution, and not only receives the full chassis numbers, but also all equipment features with which the respective vehicles left the factory. For this you will find a list in the database under “Special equipment” with all the special equipment and special equipment numbers that were available from BMW for the M3 E30 at the time. For example, if you want to search for all Cecotto vehicles, then you have to enter the special equipment 795 in “Research”. Then you will be shown all vehicles with chassis numbers that were produced with this equipment. If you then click on the individual vehicles, you can also see with which other equipment the vehicle was delivered from the factory at the time. Your will find this database under the domain:
The first special model, the BMW M3 E30 Evolution.
BMW E30 M3 Evolution I.
The original E30 M3 Evolution was designed to homologate improvements to the E30 M3 to make it more competitive in its competitive form. The main mechanical change was a revised cylinder head, which was distinguishable by a cast “E”, although the peak power remained unchanged compared to the standard non-catalytic converter M3 at 200 hp (DIN). The model is otherwise identical to the European standard E30 M3 and there was also no numbered interior badge, as was the case with the other special edition models, or any other distinguishing feature to identify this special series. In March and April 1987, a total of 505 specimens with consecutive FIN (2190283 to 2190787) were made. These vehicles can only be identified by the stamped “E” on the cylinder head or by the chassis number.
For some classes, after the 5000 copies of the “normal M3” that had already been built, a further 500 so-called evolution models, later called “Evolution II”, had to be manufactured and sold in small numbers for admission to other groups. Therefore, in 1988 the BMW M3 E30 Evolution was born, of which a total of 505 copies were built and sold.
These vehicles are “normal M3” with an evolutionary engine, which was a little more powerful. This was done by further processing the cylinder head (inlet and outlet channels).
These engines were initially marked by a white dot on the throttle valve flange and a letter “E” stamped into the engine block below the throttle body. But both markings could only be seen with a mirror.
The engine still had a displacement of 2.3 liters, but thanks to the cylinder head machining measures and the increase in the compression ratio to 11: 1, an output of 220 hp at 6750 rpm and a peak torque of 230 Nm were achieved. As a further measure, the overall ratio of the road versions was increased to 3.15: 1. In addition to this now better transmission ratio, there was now the further measure of using BBS rims in the dimensions of 16 inch rims, more precisely 7.5X16 with tires in the dimension 225/45/16, which now rounded off the overall transmission ratio. The Evolution now reached a top speed of 243 km / h. In addition, the vehicle was 22 kg lighter than the “normal M3”. This was achieved through thinner glass panes on the sides and the rear window.
The last 7 digits of all chassis numbers of all produced BMW M3 E30 Evolution models of the first generation are listed below:
2191372-2191376, 21914209-2191473, 2191477-2191479, 2191481, 2191483, 21914485-2191487, 2191489-2191491, 2191493, 2191500-21915502, 2191504-2191506, 2191510, 21915112191513-2191515, 2191517-2191518, 2191520, 2191524, 2191526-2191528, 2191530-2191534, 2191536-2191541, 2191543-2191546, 2191548, 2191550-219154, 2191556, 2191558-2191560, 2191562-2191564, 2191566-2191567, 2191569, 2191571-2191573, 2191576-21915922191595-2191614, 2191616-2191805, 20191807, 20191809-2191832, 2191834-2191841, 2191850-2191852, 2191854-2191856, 2191858-2191911, 2191913-2191953
The special model BMW M3 E30 European Champion (Europameister)
At the end of 1988 the special model “European Champion”, later also called “Roberto Ravaglia”, was produced in an edition of 150 copies. With this edition model, BMW wanted to remember its success in 1987 and celebrate this success with it. These models had the unchanged series engines with an output of 195 hp, but were all fully equipped and received a badge signed by Robert Ravaglia, the 1987 European champion on a BMW M3 E30, with the inscription “European champion”.
The last 7 digits of all chassis numbers of all produced BMW M3 E30 European Champion models are listed below:
1894358-1894364, 1894452, 1894461-1894464, 1894614-1894628, 1894366-1894450, 1894457-1894459, 1894579-1894611
The limited edition model BMW M3 E30 Cecotto
In April 1989 the special model “Cecotto” was also produced in an edition of 505 copies. At the same time there was also a special “Ravaglia” model, only 25 of which were made for the United Kingdom. These cars already had an output of 215 hp, which became standard for all later BMW M3s and a 3-way catalytic converter.
The last 7 digits of all chassis numbers of all produced BMW M3 E30 Cecotto models are listed below:
AE40337, AE40339, AE40341 und AE40367-AE40868
The Swiss Cecotto models start with the chassis number AE31!
The limited edition model BMW M3 E30 Sport Evolution
In 1990 the last expansion stage, the BMW M3 E30 Sport Evolution (also called Evolution II), came on the market in a number of 600 units. This now had 2.5 liters (2467 ccm), bore 93.4 x 84 mm displacement and thus had an output of 238 hp at 7000 rpm. The torque has also improved by 10 Nm from 230 to 240 Nm. In the racing version, these engines now achieved up to 365 hp.
The other changes of the Sport Evolution were not immediately obvious to the vehicle; The front spoiler received an additional lip to improve downforce and the rear spoiler also received an additional lip, also known as the “Gurney Flap” in racing. These two spoilers could also be adjusted using Allen screws. There was the “Monza position” for higher top speeds, the “normal position” and the “Nürburgring position” for maximum contact pressure. The fog lights on this model had to give way to the air ducts for the brake cooling.
The airflow at the front of the vehicle has also been optimized by changing the slats in the BMW kidney grille, as well as rubber inserts around the headlights, the radiator grille and the trunk lid surround. These changes were therefore rather minor compared to the other measures;
BMW had now used screw-on front fenders with larger wheel cutouts in order to be able to use the 18 inch rims with an internal width of 9 inches. The fuel tank has been made smaller; from the previous 70 liters, only a 62 liter tank was installed. All these measures gave the BMW Me E30 Sportevolution a total weight of 1200 kg. This vehicle was only available in 2 colors (gloss black and brilliant red) and 2 cars in alpine white were produced for the motorsport department for PR purposes.
The last 7 digits of all chassis numbers of all produced BMW M3 E30 Cecotto models are listed below:
AC79000-AC79599
E30 M3 “Tour de Corse Edition”
The Tour de Corse Edition was a special edition of the E30 M3 developed by BMW France exclusively for the French market to celebrate the victory of French drivers Bernard Beguin and Jean-Jacques Lenne in the Tour de Corse. In April 1987 a total of 40 pieces were produced, each based on the E30 M3 Evolution I and therefore equipped with the cylinder head with “E-stamp”. Only two paint colors were offered: alpine white (146) or diamond black metallic (181), both exclusively with black leather interior (0203). In addition, every Tour de Course was equipped with a high level of factory equipment: central locking, electric sunroof, electric window lifters, headlight cleaning system with wiper, headlight height adjustment, on-board computer and velor floor mats. In addition, BMW France equipped each Tour de Course with 7.5 x 16 inch cross-spoke light alloy wheels and an M footrest before delivery
Door sills with the “M3” -Logo
and tricolor M-stripe lapels on each of the four down seats.
Ultimately, each car received two “Tour de Corse” exterior badges, one in place of the standard M3 badge on the grille
and one on the left side of the trunk lid
and a numbered badge on the center console with the signatures of the rally drivers Bernard Beguin and Jean-Jacques Lenne.
