Free Review of BMW E30 – Ultimate Drift Machine

The E30 3 series was introduced at the end of 1982. It came available in 1983. It was available as 316, 318i, 320i and 323i. The 320i and 323i where six cylinders and had a check control and rev counter as standard. At the end of 1983 a 4 door version came available. In 1985 some changes were made to the 3 series.

First the 320i received a new engine that now had 129 HP. Then the 324d was introduced. It was the first 3 series diesel ever. It had a six cylinder diesel engine with 86 BHP. Also new where the 325i, 325e, 325ix and 325i convertible. The 325i replaced the 323i and had 170 BHP. The 325ix had four wheel drive and the 325i convertible was the first convertible that was made made by BMW. All models received a very small facelift. The front spoiler was changed. In 1987 the 324turbo diesel was introduced.

It had a 6 cylinder diesel engine with turbo wich now had 115 BHP. This was also the year that the 3 series received a facelift. Black plastic bumpers replaced the chrome ones and the rear lights where bigger now with a plastic surround filling up the void at the rear end surrounding the license plate. The 318i received the new M40 four cylinder engine. The 316 received the old 318i engine and now had 102 BHP. In 1988
the 316i received another new engine. It now had a M40 engine wich had 100 BHP.

Also available now was the new Touring. It was available as 320i, 325i, 325ix and 324td. In 1989 the 318is came available and the 318i was available as touring. The 318is had a 16 valve engine that produced 136 BHP this was nicknamed “the baby m3″ as it was a small 4 cylinder that was also lively. In 1991 the 316i touring came available. This was also the year that the convertible received the same facelift as the sedan had in 1987. There was also a 318i convertible introduced. This was also the last year that the E30 sedan was available. The new 3 series was already available since the end of 1990 so the old E30 went out of production. The Convertible was available until 1993 and the four cylinder tourings until 1994.

The bmw E30 is an iconic legend and has a special place in many a man’s heart it is the pinnacle of bmw engineering and was a world leader at it time of introduction. it is renowned by many as the ultimate drift machine with its lively rear end attitude and the power versions avilable. The best of the e30’s for drifting in my opinion would be the 327i alpina but as many know this was a limited edition and somewhat of a collectors item nowadays so sporting it round a track on a trackday or drifing round the roundabuts in your local town would be frowned upon by many enthusasts. Therefore the best e30 drifter in my opinion is the 325i yes you heard me right the 325i not the m3. the 325i is a lot more tourquey than the m3 with it being a six cylinder giving you more ability to control the drift giving you a much more satisfactory experience.