BMW celebrates 25 years of M3

[coolmazda5]

It's been 25 years since the BMW M3 first hit the scene. During that time, the car has evolved from a bantamweight fighter capable of taking on heavy hitters of the sports car world to the yardstick that the rest of the segment is measured. In the process, it has shed its bulging, steroid-riddled fenders for smoother sheet metal and abandoned its four cylinder engine for an out of this world aluminum mill with twice the pots, but its essence as a well-balanced sports coupe remains.

The transformation wasn't easy. BMW sent the car through innumerable trials on the tracks and trails of the motorsports world, and the mean little 3 Series quickly established itself as a force to be reckoned with on the grid.

BMW has commemorated its wicked child's birthday by recounting the tale of the car's conception. Don't worry: it's a lot less repulsive than listening to your parents yak on about how you came around. The tale is filled with the origins of the car's 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine, including where the engineers managed to source parts and the like. It's well worth your time if you've got a second. Check past the jump for the full tale.

[Autoblog]

 

[coolmazda5]

 

[meGrimlock]

icanhase30m3burger?

 

[genericuser]

the e30 is still my favorite one.

 

[mikeyb]

The BMW e30 M3 did not hit the US market until 1987 which is two years later than Europe.

I can brag that I've driven all 4 generations of M3s on both the road and track. My heart belongs to the e30 M3 but for everyday driving I would go for the e36 M3. Which I will be in the market for at the end of this winter.

 

[mikeyb]

BMW M3 25 years in pics

 

[Kymerik]

E46 ftw

 

[prof15]

Is that a turbo charger on the white M3 in the second post or thats just the intake manifold?

 

[mikeyb]

Is that a turbo charger on the white M3 in the second post or thats just the intake manifold?

That is the intake.