It is one of the Ultimate Driving Machines, at the time, the most affordable Ultimate Driving Machine. Despite the upright front end, it actually challenged cars like Citroen in the ‘drag coefficient’ stakes. It’s headlights were good for 70mph vision on dark winding country roads. A ten year old example would drive better than a new car of almost any make.
The car was designated E30, and was the car which saved BMW from oblivion. It was the preferred transport of the ‘upwardly mobile’, and if you have ever driven one, you will understand why.
The photo shows a 2 door 318i, the junior model if you will. Even so, ALL of the models were subject to meticulous design and construction.
The engines are very efficient, and there isn’t an aftermarket device that can make them any better. The car’s handling will suffer if you make ANY changes to it, lowering it, wider wheels and tyres etc.
Inside, the dashboard controls are turned towards the driver and are as ergonomically placed as you will ever find in any car. The seats are firm but they hold you well. The brakes are powerful but never grab, and the Getrag 5 speed gearboxes are slick and short throw.
When you get into an E30, you can just sense the difference between it and any other three box car.
The only criticisms are the height of the boot (trunk) lip, and the fact that they can get tail happy when pushed very hard, especially the straight 6’s.
The M3..
Despite looking like one of the family, very little of the standard E30 was used. The front spoiler was lowered and designed to get maximum air to the front brakes. The bonnet, roof and sunroof were the only shared exterior panels. The trunk was raised to improve stability at high speeds.
The engine was a mix of parts and designs, essentially a four cylinder M10 with six cylinder technology added to it.
Front suspension was of the type used on the M5 as were the brakes, rear suspension was typical E30.
To help with 50:50 front rear balance, lighter panels were used, and even the battery was moved to the back of the car.
The end result, a car which absolutely deserved the title ‘Ultimate Driving Machine’. Of course, there is a price to be paid for a car which performs like the M3. I am not talking about money here. The M3 is a handful, a little bumpy and quite noisy, and may not suit everybody’s vision of an every day drive.
So there you have it. The E30 BMW, arguably the best ever small saloon, convertible, Touring (Estate), road racer and AWD.
Yes, AWD signified by an ‘X’ added after the ‘i’ in the rear badges..
No comments:
Post a Comment