BMW M3 E30 DTM Group A. The Queen of Tourism

Why. The first DTM Championship in history was held in Germany in 1984 and saw the victory of Volker Strycek driving a BMW 635 CSi. However, in the following two seasons, the title went to Volvo and Rover, prompting BMW to develop a high-performance version of the Series 3. Adhering to the Group A regulations of the time, which required race cars to be derived from a road car, BMW’s Motorsport division chose the newest and most compact car in the line-up, the E30 2-door sedan, as the starting point and subjected it to a high-performance makeover.

The development of the racing version of the BMW M3 E30 began in 1986 under Group A rules that required the derivation from a road car.

When. In the 1970s, BMW infused a sporty edge into its road cars and established the Motorsport racing department. The iconic “M” badge that appears on the Bavarian brand’s sports models dates back to May 1972, when there were only 35 employees, soon rising to 400 by the end of the eighties. During this period, there was a surge in demand from enthusiasts for high-performance BMWs suitable for everyday driving. The Munich-based company had long forgotten the deep post-war crisis and was now capturing lucrative market segments overlooked by potentially formidable competitors like Alfa Romeo. The BMW M3 E30’s race version began development in 1986.

The idea of Eberhard von Kuenheim, CEO of BMW from 1970 to 1993, was to give the brand an identity of sportiness and high performance.

Who. Under the direction of Eberhard von Kuenheim, BMW evolved from a modest car and motorcycle maker into a global icon of luxury and high performance. He commissioned Paul Rosche, the technical director at the time, to develop a high-performance engine for the Series 3. Rosche’s experience with the F1 engine that powered Nelson Piquet’s Brabham to the 1983 World Championship was instrumental. The idea was to produce a racing car for motorsports that was also available in a road version.

The opportunity to develop the race and road versions simultaneously proved to be a success in both sports and commercial terms.

How. The simultaneous development of both the production and racing versions of the M3 was a golden opportunity that BMW capitalized on brilliantly. The car underwent significant modifications: a revised chassis, widened track, broader wheel arches, and various other body alterations, including a prominent spoiler and, of course, a racing engine. The 2,302 cc S14 four-cylinder engine with about 300 HP (200 HP in the road version) was preferred over the six-cylinder in order to save weight and because of the higher 9,000 rpm limit. The M3’s 1987 DTM debut was a triumph, with Eric van de Poele securing the championship, a feat Roberto Ravaglia would replicate two years later. The M3 E30 remains an emblematic figure in BMW’s racing legacy, easily recognizable for its Warsteiner livery.

BMW M30 E30 in DTM race in iconic Warsteneir livery that featured in 1987 and 1989 victories.

Where. From Germany to the global stage, the BMW M3 E30 was a resounding success in both the commercial and sporting arenas. With nearly 18,000 units produced, it demonstrated formidable competitiveness on the track. In the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, the M3 E30 amassed a series of victories in various championships, including two DTM titles, two BTCC championships in England, four Italian Superturismo Championships, a World Touring Car Championship, and two ETCC titles.

In all the championships the BMW M3 E30 has participated in, it demonstrated great competitiveness by scoring victories all over the world.