What's your favorite E30-era tuning house?

[evandael]

Hartge, ACSchnitzer, Alpina, RD, Dinan.


Try as I might, I just can't get to like the Alpina 'cowcatcher' valances. They make the early cars look visually imbalanced front to rear, IMO.

[e30m3s54turbo]

1 Hartge
2 Alpina
3AC Schnitzer
4 RD
5 Dinan

[golde30]

Alpina... Turbo BMW's.

[straight6pwr]

alpina. beautiful front valances, timeless wheels, motor swaps. i could do without their graphics, but thats my only complaint.

[sinep]

I'm not surprised at all the Alpina love.

[Herr Faust Schinken]

It's between hartge and alpina but hartge wins out there cars are just so clean and there engine swaps are awesome

[PKR]

My E21 323i had both Alpina (wheels and aux gas tank) and Hartge (head, camshaft) bits. Each did their thing beautifully. But to pick just one ... that's tough. I personally favor the appearance of the Alpina but the guts of Hartge.

[Vspec]

Need moarz pics from each tuner.

Alpina tied with Hartge for first place.

[10Toes]

HARTGE

[///M-TRD3]

Because the work they perform is so extensive that they are considered a manufacturer. That's why they have their own VINs.

Second choice would be Schnitzer, due to their racing history.

This is why I look at the big 3 (atleast the only ones I consider as marquee; Alpina, ACS & Hartge) in a way that makes it hard to vote on them or compare. Alpina and Hartge performed such extensive motor work on the old BMWs that it is hard to compare them with ACS. For that reason I love the Alpinas and Hartges because by todays standards the road car variants of the old BMWs they produced are still seriously quick and the performance specs. and motors they built are phenomenal. ACS on the other hand is also the top tuner of that time (equally with the other two, in my opinion) because of how great their models always looked and their special relationship with BMW that is arguably more rooted in true racing history (or atleast it was at that time).

That being said, if I could have any car from that time period I would go for the brilliantrot Hartge H35-24 E30 M3. Preferably no. 1 or no. 6 of 6 ;)

[kway]

Just curious, but why is Alpina not considered a tuner?

Because the work they perform is so extensive that they are considered a manufacturer. That's why they have their own VINs. It's also why, although not entirely accurate, they get my vote as favorite "tuner".

Second choice would be Schnitzer, due to their racing history. That goes a long way in my book, same reason I always dismiss Lamborghini in a Lambo Vs. Ferrari discussion.

[fronton]

but I still voted hartge, because of my respect for the H35-24

[///M-TRD3]

ACS all the way. Technically, Alpina is not a tuner!


I cannot find the other pics of the ACS S3 2.5 based on the M3. It's a black M3 with 3 pc ACS wheels. It really got me into E30 M3's back in the day.

I know this guy is a member here...

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2976827/1989-bmw-3-series

Does anyone know the member name for the gentleman who's car is linked above?

T.I.A.

[E30 Wagen]

I voted Racing Dynamics, they've been my favorite for a long time. I think they had a lot of really nice stuff available which I wish I could still get new.

And I like the picture of the e30 on their current website.

[BrewCity11]

If I had to pick one, the late model ACS kit with 16" wheels is beautiful.
If an early model, i'd go with Hartge.

Not on the list, but I'd go with a BBS car. I know they didn't do any tuning, but stylingwise, my fav.

BBS body kit, 16" RS's, BBS sport seats, steering wheel, done. To me, their styling is like a sophisticated drug dealers car. The thin styling lines on the body, like a toned down testarossa kit.