The perfect E30?
The BMW M3 E30 has become a legendary classic, which is often for sale for astronomical amounts in the classic car range. However, there is an alternative: the BMW 320is. That is a kind of M3 light for the Italian and Portuguese markets, among others. It is a normal 3-series with a body kit and a downsized version of the S14 four-cylinder. You can find them for amounts of just under 40,000 euros, about half of what you pay for a normal eighties M3. We went around the block with it.
At first glance it looks like a regular E30 3-series with an M Technic package, but it is a kind of M3 for the Italian market, among others. It has the same sixteen-valve engine as the M3, only the cylinder capacity has been reduced from 2.3 to just under 2.0 liters for tax reasons.
The most important external differences with the real M3 are mainly the fenders and the trunk lid. You only lose 3 hp in power, based on the model with a catalytic converter. Under the skin it is a 325i, apart from the sports suspension and a five-speed gearbox with dogleg shift pattern. The body kit with modest rear spoiler suits him well, as do the well-known honeycomb wheels. You can see that it is anything but an ‘ordinary’ E30 after opening the hood. BMW M Power is written in cow letters on the valve cover and the intake housing.
Engine just as racy
A beautiful piece of technology that bodes well. The extensively adjustable sports seat is great. You notice with the slightest touch of the accelerator pedal that no everyday engine is at work here. As soon as the rpm goes past 2,500, the souped-up four-cylinder engine with its husky, exciting sound really comes into its element and shows its true power. At least as much fun as a real M3 and almost as fast. A particularly lively power source, whose temperament perfectly suits the driving style of an Italian in a hurry.
That dogleg five-speed gearbox turns out to be a good choice, because on a challenging corner course you will often switch between two and three to make optimal use of the power and torque. The steering is assisted, but once up to speed it does not feel that way and that underlines the honest character of this BMW. So if you want an E30 that is rarer than an M3 and just as fast, and for a fraction of the price, then the 320is is the perfect 3-series.
Technical data
Engine 4-cyl. in line, 4 cl./cyl.
Engine capacity 1,990 cc
Max. power 141 kW/192 hp at 6,900 rpm
Max. torque 210 Nm at 4,800 rpm
Top speed 227 km/h
0-100 km/h 7.5 s
Consumption avg. 9.0 l/100 km
This is clearly an Italian 320is. Just look at the terms at the control panel.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl