History

Hartge is a tuning company that specialises in tuning/modifying cars made by BMW. The modifications range from suspension upgrades, tuning of standard engines and also engine conversions.

The company was founded by Herbert Hartge in 1971 in Merzig, Germany, they then relocated to its current location of Beckingen in 1974. In 1985 Hartge were approved as a car manufacturer in their own right in 1985 by the German Motor Vehicle Authority (KBA), allowing them to register a new car as a Hartge product in its own right rather than a modified BMW.

Hartge VIN Plate on Japanese H26SP Import

Hartge conversions and parts can either be ordered direct from Hartge or via a distributor. In the UK this is Birds, who also carry out conversions; in fact, many UK Hartges are Birds conversions rather than imported units, especially the desirable H27 model. Below are the details of all the H27's that Birds built as provided by James Bird, who was given authorisation by Kevin Bird to publish this information on the E30Zone forum.

Chassis	RO Number	Invoice Date	Notes
35805??		30/01/1989	Complete H27
28617??	110	07/09/1988	H27 Conversion
AF556??	217	23/08/1989	27sp,Aerokit,Diff,Susp,W/TSet
EB952??	248	13/12/1989	2.71 Engine Conv
09037??	342	08/01/1991	H27 Engine, Susp, 16' Wheels
08587??	576	10/09/1993	H27, Export Exhaust System
EB955??	656	13/05/1994	Complete H27 & List
AL002??	922	922 30/06/1995	H27 Engine And Manifolds

Be aware that there may be other H27 that could have been manufactured at the factory at Hartge, or our sub dealers at the time.

Birds are happy to verify any of these cars directly, you just need the last 2 digits of the chassis numbers. James can also be e-mailed via james.bird@birdsauto.com.

Cars

H23

The H23 was almost the same as the modified 323i Alpina C1 2.3. Hartge took the 170 hp 2.3 liter engine and did similar modifications methods used by Alpina A much better camshaft and cylinder head forged pistons to raise compression to 10:1 The manifold uses usually 40mm diameter pipes for the exhaust. The H23 also has a special cast aluminum cam cover. The engine was given the code: MB9E

7.6 J x 16 “Hartge 11 spoke with 195/50 front tires and 225/45 rear tires. Came with Bilstein.

40% Limited slip differential and stronger Anti roll bars were options, but all cars had polished strut braces labled Hartge. Inside: Hartge emblems on the instruments. 4 spoke Momo steering wheel Hartge. Many cars had Hartge Body Kit, including front and rear spoilers and side skirts. Unlike Alpina, Hartge was willing to sell complete Bodykits and Motors separately.

H26

H26 package

Two versions of the H26 were released, straddling the facelift of the E30. The early H26 was still based around the M20B23 engine.

The later H26 was based on the M20B25. However, for this version Hartge eschewed their usual work of increasing the engine capacity, and instead set about tuning the existing 2.5litre engine. By fitting a more aggressive camshaft and manifold plus a chipped ECU, they were able to raise power output to over 190hp.

Hartge H26 (323i)

This modification took the 323i even further with 190hp. The car is almost the same as the H23, but with a capacity increase.Based on the MB10E engine cylinder block it was fitted with a 525d 323i crankshaft and associated connecting rods with special pistons. Like Alpina gave it a cc to 2554cc. The H26 (323i) using a compression ratio of 10:1 and a 3,45:1 or 3,25:1 limited slip differentials. Hartge anti-roll bars were standard on the H26

0-100 kph in 7 seconds it was a 2.5L stroker essentially with 190hp

Hartge H26 (325i)

Based on the 325i, the conversion is very similar to the H23, wheels, steering wheel, instruments, emblems and engine work. But this time Hartge has been kept on the cylinder head, has a hotter camshaft, the exhaust manifold, and ECU re-programmed. Power had been screwed to the standard 170 HP 190PK. Engine code was: MB16E. Final ratio was 3,64:1, Tyre sizes 195/50 front and rear.

H27

Hartge did like the Alpina C2 2.7 a 2.7 conversion, although it is not known whether there is a standard diesel or 2.7 ETA camshaft used. Power was 210 hp with a compression ratio 10,2:1. The rest of the car was a typical Hartge conversion, although the H27 has 205/50 tires. Engine Code: MB18E

H27 SP

With a special induction system for the M20 with a Ferrari-like intake manifold, <Where each cylinder had its own throttle, individual throttle bodies> Power was at 220 HP with 6400rpm. No specific engine code.

H28

The car left BMW as a top of the range 323i model, Hartge took the engine out and put it in the bin and replaced it with a tuned 2.8 litre M30 engine normally found in the 5/6/7 series models of the time. It has 210bhp, 270NM torque.

H35

Another crazy creation, this was the standard E30 body with the 250 hp 3.5 liter M30. Not as fast as the Alpina B6 3.5, but with a typical frame and 296mm rotors Hartge, still a high quality car.

H35-24

A car for the fools among us! With a standard E30 body, but with the s38b35 from the e24 M6 and e28 M5 - 286 hp, very fast! Maybe too fast,

Engines

Camshaft

Camshaft specs:

H23, H26 and H27 280/280/112
H26s 278/278/?
H27sp 304/280/108

Exhaust Manifold

Hartge produced their own six-branch manifold for the M20 engine. For more information and a technical comparison to other aftermarket manifolds, check out the exhaust mainfolds section of the Wiki.