The M3 from it's introduction in 1986 was BMWs Group A touring car of choice replacing the 635 CSi's that had formed the basis of BMWs touring car efforts from 1983 to 1985. Developed from the E30 3-series, the M3 had flared wheel arches, a unique boot lid with a large spoiler, side skirts and a front airdam, plus the rear windscreen was more raked than on the regular 2 door versions of the E30 3-series. In fact the only body panel shared with the regular 3-series was the bonnet. All these changes combined to improve the aerodynamics of the car, mostly in the form of increased downforce and hence better roadholding.
The first M3s had a 2.3 litre DOHC in-line four cylinder engine with 4 valves per cylinder producing around 192bhp in the first roadgoing versions of the car. The engine was a development of the famous M10 4 cylinder BMW engine which featured in the BMW 2002, and which was turbocharged to great effect in the 2002 Turbo. It also formed the basis of BMWs Turbocharged 1.5 litre Formula 1 engine which powered Nelson Piquet to his second drivers championship in 1983.
In 1986, Group A rules stated that 5000 roadgoing versions of the racing car had to be built and sold to the public which BMW duly did. To develop the race cars further, 500 "evolution" models could to be made with the updated parts, bodywork and engines, and this led to several "Evolution" M3s being built for sale, which are now very sought after by BMW enthusiasts. The last E30 M3s made between 1990 and 1991 were the "Sport Evolution" cars which featured 2.5 litre versions of the original car's 2.3 litre engine and which produced up to 238bhp in the roadgoing versions of the car.
The M3 was a huge success on the track, being considered one of the most successful touring car racers ever. M3s won the European Touring Car Championship in 1987 and 1988, the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (DTM, or German Touring Car Championship) twice in 1987 and 1989, and the once off World Touring Car Championship in 1987. E30 series M3s won the 24hrs race at the Nurburgring 4 times in a row between 1989-1992, and won the Guia Touring Car race at Macau 5 times in 1987-88 and 1991-1993. The famous 24hr touring car race at Spa in Belgium was won by the E30 M3 4 times between 1987-88 and in 1990 and 1992.
The M3 never won the premier Australian touring car race, the Bathurst 1000km. However, 1967 Formula 1 World Champion Denny Hulme died at the wheel of his M3 during the 1992 Bathurst 1000km after suffering a fatal heart attack. He managed to bring the car to a halt against the crash barriers and on the grass before he died.
In creating the M3 BMW developed a world beating racing car and a fantastic performance car for the road. Many enthusiasts still consider the original M3 to be one of the finest performance cars BMW have made to date.
Minichamps released this particular model of the 1989 DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft or German Touring Car Championship) championship winning car as driven by Italian driver Roberto Ravaglia back in 2004. It was only available from the parts departments of BMW dealers in BMW exclusive packaging, although many specialised model car retailers were also able to get hold of some of them for sale.
Ravaglia drove for Team Schnitzer in 1989, who ran the factory supported BMW effort that year. Hence the car is finished in the works M-Sport colours of white with red, navy and light blue striping. Ravaglia won the opening race of the season at Zolder in Belgium (the only race in the 1989 DTM held outside of Germany) and had several more podium finishes in the remaining 10 races gaining him enough points to take the championship.
Interestingly the right hand set of headlights have red lenses which I believe enabled the team to tell each car apart from it's similarly painted team-mates. It certainly gives the car an unusual "face" and makes the car look somewhat bloodshot!
Minichamps first introduced their 1:18th range of E30 M3s in 2003. As of 2007 I think they are holding up well as quality 1:18ths which still impress me. The bodywork and scale appear spot on and one area I feel Minichamps got absolutely right are the front grill and headlights. AUTOart also make an excellent model of the E30 M3 in road and race trim which is better than the earlier Minichamps models in many ways, but the Minichamps looks more accurate on the front end than the Aa model does.
Interior detail is good but it has unrealistic seatbelts made from plastic/rubber instead of real fabric strips. As mentioned above the lights look very realistic and the engine detail is not bad either. The M-Sport paint scheme is very nicely replicated on the model. Overall a great model from Minichamps and of great appeal to BMW and touring car collectors.
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