I graduated from Art Center College of Design in 1987. MTV was in full swing, Compact Disc players were the rage, a cartoon snippet called “The Simpsons” saw its debut, and Rap music was coming on strong. Staring at the screen of my bulky desktop computer, floppy disc at the ready, my head was spinning from the rapidly changing technology in pretty much everything manufactured for consumer use. Big changes were afoot as well in the auto industry. Poised on the brink of the next great thing, Acura emerged as the high-end Honda while Toyota prepared for their premium brand Lexus launch. BMW, however, chose to take their “M” treatment, already tested a few years earlier in the 5 series, to the two-door variant of the 3 series, launching the now legendary BMW M3.
Winni Vogt drove an E30 M3 to the 1987 European Touring Car Championship, the first for the BMW M3 E30. Photo: BMW Group Archive
Derived from the second generation E30 platform, the M series was a homologation special built to satisfy Group-A touring rules for racing. Specifically developed to leverage BMW performance engineering and legendary motorsports racing history, the first example was revealed to the public in 1985. Potential customers were unsure that such a car could serve both performance and utility with equal composure. But orders were soon rolling in as buyers stepped up, purchasing nearly 18,000 units worldwide from 1985-1991, 5300 of which were exported to the U.S. The first of these cars were used primarily for racing and allocations to premier market dealerships was initially selective, but as BMW enthusiasts quickly found out, there was something special about these cars, and soon dealers were more than happy to carry this premium offering. An undeniable balance of power, performance, and handling not quite seen in a car every bit as capable of being an everyday commuter, hit the target perfectly. Ultimately, the E30 M3 shattered everyone’s definition of what a fun, yet surprisingly practical performance sedan could achieve.
