When you think of perhaps the two most iconic generations of the BMW M3, it is likely the E30 M3 and E46 M3 will jump to mind. The following E30 M3 brings the best of both worlds, but is it really the best one?
As standard, the BMW E30 M3 came outfitted with a naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine with a displacement of 2.3-liters or 2.5-liters, depending on the model year. U.S. spec models were good for 192 hp from the factory and while that may not seem like much when you consider the new model will have upwards of 470 hp, the E30 M3 remains highly regarded thanks to its beautiful chassis and excellent handling.
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Since the late 2000s, prices of E30 models have soared with even high mileage examples fetching over $50,000 while low-mileage models exceed the $100,000 mark on the used car market.
With this in mind, most owners opt to keep their E30s stock. Not Chris from Casto Motorsports in the U.S., however.
The shop in question has a great deal of experience when it comes to modifying M3s and has replaced the standard four-cylinder engine with the 3.2-liter naturally-aspirated six-cylinder of the E46 generation M3. This engine is adored for its high-revving nature and intoxicating sound and churns out 333 hp. It also happens to fit nicely into the engine bay of the E30. Mated to the engine featured in this car is a factory E46 M3 six-speed manual transmission.
See it in action in the video below.