Hi all,

I'm currently in the market for an E30 M3; actually almost just bought an American-spec one yesterday but decided to hold off.

The problem I am facing is the fact that the two versions, German or American, are so different. You have different engine specs, transmission (dog-leg vs standard respectively), etc.

Can anyone help with detailed feedback on which version is the best to go with?

Thanks,
El Wehbi

 

The US spec BMWs are almost always watered down versions of the fire breathing barn stormers that the rest of the world gets. Go with a Euro-spec if you can.

 

Thanks!

How about the difference between the dog-leg (German/Euro spec) and the standard-pattern shifter (US spec)? Which one is better?

 

I am not an expert on this subject, but I know there is a big difference between the US-Spec and Euro-Spec Z3M engines. As Alzilla correctly mentioned, the US version is watered down. Whenever possible, always get the Euro version.

 

Personally I would buy on condition and I don't think that there are alot of differences between US and Euro spec E30 M3 to make me decide one way or another.

 

^^ I thought about this after I posted my reply. For a rare car such as the E30, it really depends on the condition. I don't think you'll be racing it.

 

Gearbox differences:

Two different Getrag 265 five-speed manual gearboxes were used in the E30 M3; a close-ratio version with a direct top gear and a “dogleg” shift pattern for European-spec cars, and an overdrive unit (shared with the E30 325i) with a standard “H” pattern for North America and Japan. The ratios are as follows:
European market: 3.72 (1), 2.40 (2), 1.77 (3), 1.26 (4), 1.00 (5)
North American + Japanese markets: 3.83 (1), 2.20 (2), 1.40 (3), 1.00 (4), 0.81 (5)

E30 M3s equipped with the overdrive gearbox have a shorter 4.10:1 final drive (versus 3.25:1) to help offset the taller ratios. Both gearboxes are mated to limited slip rear differentials with a maximum locking of 25 percent.


In europe, there were two versions of the regular M3 released (actually three. Very early with no cats(200hp), with cats @ 192hp, and with cats at 215hp (late build, after sept 89. You can also just use a late build ECU, the hardware is the same).


Personally, the only difference in euro vs US spec is the dogleg trans. Unless you're racing or really need first gear down to brag to others, i'd get whichever makes more financial sense. If you want to spend the money, you can get an Evo II or III (238HP), which have some cool additional features, and are much more collectible.

Engine spec (other than EVO III) is really more or less the same and you can get similar power out out of it.

The s14 is a race motor, and requires maintenance. Its also at least 20 years old. I'd buy one with a recent, documented overhaul or be prepared to do one yourself.

MC321, i dont really know what you're getting at with the Z3M. Unless you're talking about the early version (s50b32 euro vs s52b32 US), they are almost entirely identical. Both use the s54 with the exact same specs, NA makes 316hp (with catalytics), european makes 325 (without cats).

This is the same as the e46 m3 making 333 with cats and 343 without. A software flash and a sawzall will easily recover this power if clean exhaust doesn't matter to the owner.

 

^ I would have guessed that the Z3M Euro version shared the 321hp version of the S52 from the Euro E36 M3?

 

This. Mine is 321hp, thus my nick (MCoupe321)

 

^^understood! I'm loving my 315hp s54, even if i'm bested by six HP.


Almost, but there is no 321HP s52. The european M motor is the s50, and is not really comparable to the S52 (which is a bored-over M52 with slightly higher compression).