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BMW M3

E30 · First gen1986–1991

Six generations, six different engine architectures, one of the most consistently re-evaluated nameplates in performance cars.

4 reviewers · 6 videos · 78 press articles

Generations
E301986–1991E361992–1999E462000–2006E902008–2013F802014–2018G802021–present
// 00 the verdict

Reviewers strongly agree on its performance and handling, but split on daily drivability and value.

across 4 reviewers

// where reviewers split
Daily drivability
2 say · liveable

"this just feels modern full stop if I was told that I had to get this car right now Smokey in the Bandit style to the port in France I could do so without issue"

JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 8:19
1 say · critical

"It's not going to be as comfortable. It's not going to be as refined and quiet"

Jubbal & Cars · ▶ 11:45
Value
2 say · liveable

"That being said, has an undeniable cool factor, and in my opinion, out of all the M3s, it's definitely the coolest."

Jubbal & Cars · ▶ 13:08
1 say · critical

"is it worth it but the answer to that is OB obvious isn't it of course it's not"

JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 0:58
// the categories
// 01

Performance

3.5/54 of 4 reviewersstrong consensus

“even in their day these were not Cars well regarded for their outright Pace”

mixed · JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 8:51

“And this thing is actually peppy. You got 210 220 horsepower on a car that only weighs around 2,800 lb. It's no slouch.”

positive · Jubbal & Cars · ▶ 10:21

“it doesn't feel much slower than say an ap-1 Honda S2000 the acceleration feels similar but it still has a really nice top end”

positive · Zygrene · ▶ 4:46
// 02

Handling

4.5/54 of 4 reviewersconsensus

“they were beloved for their handling”

positive · JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 8:55

“these are just beautifully balanced”

positive · Carfection · ▶ 6:19

“really nice front end feel it's so it feels Nimble”

positive · Zygrene · ▶ 7:46
// 03

Fun to drive

5.0/54 of 4 reviewersstrong consensus

“the interactivity and all the feel you've got from the steering and through the chassis it's just brilliant”

positive · Carfection · ▶ 7:44

“This is a car that just wants to go. It definitely eggs you on. It rewards you as you as you ring out the engine.”

positive · Jubbal & Cars · ▶ 10:35

“it's almost pictur perfect in terms of reality meeting expectation”

positive · Zygrene · ▶ 6:13
// 04

Daily drivability

3.5/54 of 4 reviewerssplit

“this just feels modern full stop if I was told that I had to get this car right now Smokey in the Bandit style to the port in France I could do so without issue”

positive · JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 8:19

“the suspension could use a little work it does feel a little bit unsettled over some of the bigger bumps”

mixed · Zygrene · ▶ 5:09

“it's why it makes it such a good road car today as well because of course it's small so it fits on the road perfectly”

positive · Carfection · ▶ 8:20
// 05

Value

3.0/54 of 4 reviewerssplit

“is it worth it but the answer to that is OB obvious isn't it of course it's not”

critical · JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 0:58

“That being said, has an undeniable cool factor, and in my opinion, out of all the M3s, it's definitely the coolest.”

positive · Jubbal & Cars · ▶ 13:08
How it stacks up
M2The Sharp Value CoupevsM3The Fast Practical Sedan

“Same S58 twin-turbo straight-six, two different missions: the M2 is the compact, sharper, far cheaper one; the M3 is the more powerful, more practical, far pricier one.”

5 videos4 reviewersSee the matchup →

Hear it in the reviewer’s words

JayEmm on Cars
Posted Jan 18, 2025Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
Jubbal & Cars
Posted Feb 17, 2024Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
Head to head
▶ play all (4)
BMW E30 and E46 - M3 Generations Compared! Part 1/3Zygrene
BMW E30 M3 Sport Evo to F80 M3 CS, The ULTIMATE Group Test - Extended Edit | Carfection 4KCarfection
first-ever BMW M3 E30 vs new M3 G80 🏁 The ultimate 3-Series battle 💪Autogefuhl
E30 vs Carrera 3.2 - Porsche 911 vs BMW M3 | Everyday Driver TV Season 2EverydayDriver
From the press · 78 articles