Why did BMW do this?

[acolella76]

Man you guys are pretty mad, huh?

[dinanm3atl]

I'll just leave this here.
Golden era DTM BMW E30 M3 and Mercedes-Benz 190 E


My understanding of M3 history is that BMW never really intended (or thought possible) the mass production and sale of the M3. They originally only planned to have enough to get them into the Production racing league they wanted to be in, like a good number of racing cars of that time. However, due to a large demand for it, they ended up selling quite a few.

Because of that, BMW has sold M3's ever since. The primary difference today is that the M3 after the E30 was designed as a production car that could be outfitted to race, where as that first M3 was designed as a race car, and then outfitted to sell to the public. It is, at it's heart, a race car. The same can not be said of future M3's, even if they are faster. That is why I'd take a 4 banger E30 M3.

So you can pretend you are a racecar driver in the street version? lulz

As said I get it. I understand the history. I appreciate the history. However you take a car that is fun to drive and swap in a motor that gets equal or better mileage, has more torque and HP and update drivetrain to better ratio via trans/diff. That is better for someone like me. I like tracking my car. I like beating the shit out of it. I don't care about the racing history of the chassis when I a driving it... that does nothing for me.

I'll leave the jerking off in the parking lot over the racing history to everyone else. I will say it's the ultimate when I get on track or go to an HPDE and there is someone in an E30 M3... actually enjoying the car for it's intended purpose. I see most of them parked... while the owners talk about their racing history.

Man you guys are pretty mad, huh?

They mad! OMG YOU NO LIKE E30 M3 IT IS A RACE CAR!

[87e30]

I'll leave this here: http://www.s14.net/jakesdtmtours/image-html/sus1.html

Maybe someone can correct me... but to me it seems like the dtm cars were quite a lot different than the production cars to overcome some of the e30 rear suspension flaws that people talk about.

I'm no expert on the topic obviously, so curious what the deal is.

[dinanm3atl]

I'll leave this here: http://www.s14.net/jakesdtmtours/image-html/sus1.html

Maybe someone can correct me... but to me it seems like the dtm cars were quite a lot different than the production cars to overcome some of the e30 rear suspension flaws that people talk about.

I'm no expert on the topic obviously, so curious what the deal is.

As I said earlier. They took a US E30 M3 and welded in a roll cage. Bam. Most wins ever... and the lust of every E30 325iS driver. Because it's such a difference(driving experience), it is just so much more fun than a regular E30.... plus the racing history? Do you know how many fun points that is worth while you hard park it at car meets or your garage... just close your eyes and envision yourself dicing it up with 190Es at Hockenheim!

[BoostinEuros]

The S14 sure does make a lot better sound that the M20's/M50's, that's for sure.

[Xat1cZ]

As I said earlier. They took a US E30 M3 and welded in a roll cage. Bam. Most wins ever... and the lust of every E30 325iS driver. Because it's such a difference(driving experience), it is just so much more fun than a regular E30.... plus the racing history? Do you know how many fun points that is worth while you hard park it at car meets or your garage... just close your eyes and envision yourself dicing it up with 190Es at Hockenheim!

right! the DTM car IS indeed a US M3 with a roll cage, that's why the regular E30 M3's are so fucking good, they just took out the roll cage, you finally seem to understand :up:

[87e30]

I think saying they just added a roll cage is oversimplifying it. The rear suspension is converted to coils and fully adjustable while the front is all different pieces. I know you can do all of that to a standard production m3 but that doesn't make it a race car automatically is all I'm trying to say.

[Holland]

I think saying they just added a roll cage is oversimplifying it. The rear suspension is converted to coils and fully adjustable while the front is all different pieces. I know you can do all of that to a standard production m3 but that doesn't make it a race car automatically is all I'm trying to say.

Something tells me a DTM M3 is making a little more than 190 hp...

[dinanm3atl]

I think saying they just added a roll cage is oversimplifying it. The rear suspension is converted to coils and fully adjustable while the front is all different pieces. I know you can do all of that to a standard production m3 but that doesn't make it a race car automatically is all I'm trying to say.

I was trolling ;)

[keefy6]

This is pretty much my philosophy. I am a major fan of momentum cars and a non M E30 with a worked S14 is my dream.

(whispering) this has been planned for bout a year now..i'm buying a rebuilt 2.5L S14 for the E30

[Roysneon]

They mad! OMG YOU NO LIKE E30 M3 IT IS A RACE CAR!

You usually make a lot of sense in your posts, but it certainly seems that in this thread you're the one getting mad. It's little secret that we can build an E30 that will outperform a stock M3 with junkyard and off the shelf parts for about $5K.

Regular E30's modified to be fast are cool, stock E30 M3's are cool as well. It's all about preference of what you want from the car.

[acolella76]

I guess momentum cars are 'fun'. There is an Austin Healey sitting in my garage, and at 89bhp I would call it a 'momentum car'. But let's face it, we aren't driving on the ring 24/7. Driving a car with no torque SUCKS. I wasn't saying that the E30 M3 itself sucks... it is a cool car. I just think they should have come with inline 6 cylinders from the factory. Hartge got it right with the H35-24.

[dinanm3atl]

You usually make a lot of sense in your posts, but it certainly seems that in this thread you're the one getting mad. It's little secret that we can build an E30 that will outperform a stock M3 with junkyard and off the shelf parts for about $5K.

Regular E30's modified to be fast are cool, stock E30 M3's are cool as well. It's all about preference of what you want from the car.

Just trolling :)

[Holland]

(whispering) this has been planned for bout a year now..i'm buying a rebuilt 2.5L S14 for the E30

I don't like you. I'm super jelly.

[gone002]

my m10 is tons of fun to drive!!! i cant see swaping it...