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The high-flyer from Munich - BMW M3 with catalytic converter in (historic) test (ZQ)

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Created on November 26, 1986

Reading time 8min

Written by:

AR-Test-Team

Photos:

BMW AG

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Archiv

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BMW AG

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Archiv

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BMW M3 E30 (1986) - in artgerechter Verwendung

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BMW M3 (1989) - Heck

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BMW M3 (1987) - serienmässige BBS-Alufelgen

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BMW M3 (1987) - mit aufpreispflichtigem Schiebedach

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BMW M3 (1988) - auch im Strassentrimm gehört der E30 M3 zu den Schnellsten seiner Zeit

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BMW M3 (1988) - die Basis für den Rennsport

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BMW M3 (1989) - Seitenprofil, rechts

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BMW M3 (1987) - Vorderansicht

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BMW M3 (1987) - Heckansicht

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BMW M3 (1987) - das Heckfenster war flacher als bei den schwächeren Serienvarianten

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BMW M3 (1987) - ein Kurvenkünstler

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BMW M3 (1987) - mit verbreiterten Kotflügeln

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BMW M3 (1987) - mit Doppelauspuff

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BMW M3 (1989) - das Armaturenbrett unterscheidet sich kaum von den halb so teuren Serienbrüdern

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BMW M3 (1987) - Interieur - Sportsitze vorne

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BMW M3 (1987) - Interieur - zwei Sitzplätze hinten

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BMW M3 (1987) - Der 5000. Serien-BMW M3 wird von Roberto Ravaglia und Annette Meeuvissen getauft

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BMW M3 (1988) - im Kreise seiner schwächeren Serienvarianten, u.a. als Cabriolet, Touring und Limousine

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BMW M3 (1987) - Blick in den Motorraum, die Haube öffnet nach vorne

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BMW M3 (1989) - auch im Motorraum wird klar, dass hier Renntechnik sitzt

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BMW M3 (1987) - Vierzylinder-Sportmotor - 195 PS mit, 200 PS ohne Katalysator

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BMW M3 (1987) - Zylinderkopf von oben

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BMW M3 (1987) - Zylinderkopf von unten

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BMW M3 (1987) - der Motor in Einzelteilen, zwei Nockenwellen, 16 Ventile, Renntechnik vom Feinsten

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BMW M3 (1987) - das Fahrwerk - Hinterrad-Aufhängung

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BMW M3 (1987) - das Fahrwerk - Vorderrad-Aufhängung

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BMW M3 (1987) - der 16-Ventiler des M3 E30, mit Auspuffanlagen für die katalysatorlose und die Kat-Version, die rund 5 PS weniger leistete

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BMW M3 (1987) - Emblem

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BMW M3 E30 (1985) - gerne auch in Schwarz geordert

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BMW M3 E30 (1987) - Frontansicht

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BMW M3 E30 (1987) - Heckansicht

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BMW M3 E30 (1987) - Kotflügelverbreiterungen, eine schräger abfallende Heckscheibe und Spoiler unterschieden den schnellsten M3 von den übrigen E30-ern

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BMW M3 E30 (1987) - kantiges Design und gut sichtbares Flügelwerk

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BMW M3 E30 (1987) - quer mag nicht schneller sein, aber es macht mehr Spass

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BMW M3 E30 (1988) - Ausführung Evolution I

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BMW M3 E30 (1990) - äusserlich unterschied sich die Sport Evolution Ausführung nur wenig von den zahmeren Varianten

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BMW M3 E30 (1985) - Cockpit bei Nacht

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BMW M3 E30 (1987) - Cockpit

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BMW M3 E30 (1987) - der Vierzylindermotor

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BMW M3 E30 (1985) - der Motor definiert den Wagen

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BMW M3 E30 (1990) - Motor des Sport Evolution

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BMW M3 E30 (1990) - Blick in den Motorraum der Sport Evolution Ausführung

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BMW M3 E30 (1985) - Motor in Teilen

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BMW M3 E30 (1987) - Strassen- und Rennversion Seite an Seite

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BMW M3 E30 (1987) - Blick in den Motorraum der Strassen- und der Rennversion

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BMW M3 (1988) - auf drei Beinen

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BMW M3 E30 (1985) - das Erkennungszeichen

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Summary

In spring 1986, BMW presented the M3 as a basis for racing and probably also as an answer to the Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16. The company had consistently followed the path of the evolutionary model, which still offered sufficient suitability for everyday use without sacrificing racing potential. In the end, the M3 became the most successful racing touring car of modern times. The Automobil Revue tested the newcomer in the fall of 1986 and was impressed. This report reproduces the original wording of the test at the time, compares the test results with the Swiss version, which had to comply with the strict Swiss noise regulations, and shows the touring car in many historical photographs.

This article contains the following chapters

"Winged" appearance
Inspiring power pack
Rotary organ
Amazingly economical
Noise or music?
Steering with the gas pedal pedal
For the sporty and ambitious
Test results (1986) compared to the CH version (1988)
Further information

Estimated reading time: 8min

Preview (beginning of the article)

If further proof were needed to demonstrate the suitability of four-valve technology as an efficient power injection, the engine in today's test car would provide it convincingly. In the two-door BMW M3 from the three-series, the 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine achieves a respectable output of around 87 hp/liter. The performance figures are correspondingly impressive, as measured values such as 27.2 s for the "kilometer with standing start", 6.8 s for the parade sprint to 100 km/h and a top speed of 233 km/h are the domain of top-class sports cars. For those unfamiliar with BMW nomenclature: the letter M in the type designation M3 indicates that this is a vehicle that was developed and brought to production maturity by BMW subsidiary Motorsport GmbH. However, the potent top-of-the-range 3 Series model is built by BMW itself, with the aim of using the M3 successfully in racing (Group A touring cars) with up to around 340 hp.

Welcome to Zwischengas!

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