Original M3? Help please!!..
Moderator: martauto
Apart from the badge onthe boot saying 'M3' and wider arches how else would I identify its a genuine M3? need an answer asap plz as I might of found a winner for my mate but havent got the first idea of what to look for!
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Fushion_Julz
- E30 Zone Camper
- Posts: 1295
- Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Blackwater
The M3 shares few major parts with the rest of the E30 range...
All the body panels other than the bonnet, front panel and sunroof are different (although the doors aren't too different)...
In particular, the front and rear arches are flared..totally different to every other E30.
Then the roof is reprofiled at the rear to change the angle of the rear screen.
Then the bootlid is different and the M3 one is, uniquely, in GRP...Spoiler attached is also unique, but varies depending on the M3 variant...
The engine and running gear are different, although the 320is shares the engine type (but not displacement)....
Lifting the bonnet should give the best idea
an M3 will look like
a 325, for example looks like
But you could also check the running gear...All M3s have 5 stud hubs...all other E30s (including the 320is) have 4 studs...
All M3s have a dog-leg 5 speed box
The anti roll bar mountings are different on the front and, unless it is a conversion special, it will be LHD...
There are plenty of other detail differences too...
Rear seat is unique to M3s, for example...
Front and rear screens are bonded (unique, too)
etc, etc...
All the body panels other than the bonnet, front panel and sunroof are different (although the doors aren't too different)...
In particular, the front and rear arches are flared..totally different to every other E30.
Then the roof is reprofiled at the rear to change the angle of the rear screen.
Then the bootlid is different and the M3 one is, uniquely, in GRP...Spoiler attached is also unique, but varies depending on the M3 variant...
The engine and running gear are different, although the 320is shares the engine type (but not displacement)....
Lifting the bonnet should give the best idea
an M3 will look like
a 325, for example looks like
But you could also check the running gear...All M3s have 5 stud hubs...all other E30s (including the 320is) have 4 studs...
All M3s have a dog-leg 5 speed box
The anti roll bar mountings are different on the front and, unless it is a conversion special, it will be LHD...
There are plenty of other detail differences too...
Rear seat is unique to M3s, for example...
Front and rear screens are bonded (unique, too)
etc, etc...
1987 Henna Rot M3 (was 195bhp CAT..now more and no cat)
2001 E46 330i SE Touring (manual)
2001 E46 330i SE Touring (manual)
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bmwe30mtech
- Engaged to the E30 Zone
- Posts: 5288
- Joined: Thu Feb 03, 2005 11:00 pm
You are buying/choosing an E30 M3 for your mate, but dont have a clue about them?Musashi wrote:Apart from the badge onthe boot saying 'M3' and wider arches how else would I identify its a genuine M3? need an answer asap plz as I might of found a winner for my mate but havent got the first idea of what to look for!
Read the forum and lean about them before buying.
1988 M3 EvoII, Macau Blue/EvoII trim
1989 325i Sport M Tech II, Diamond Black/Black leather
1989 325i Sport M Tech II, Diamond Black/Black leather
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ian332isport
- E30 Zone Team Member
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- Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 11:00 pm
- Location: West Sussex
- Contact:
78dude wrote:stiffer body
If it aint broke - Modify it...
