Performance Review: BMW 3 Series M3 Evolution E30 - [1988]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 3 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 3 Series M3 Evolution E30 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1988. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1989 Ferrari F40 LM Competizione 2.9 V8 Twin Turbo and the 1989 Dodge Viper 8.0L V10.This particular BMW 3 Series has a 2302cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The 3 Series shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 3 Series's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1200 kgs (2645 lbs) this makes the BMW 3 Series M3 Evolution E30 in the same weight category as the 2018 McLaren Senna 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW 3 Series shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 2302cc 16V St4 engine produces 220 bhp (164 kW) @ 6750 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 181 lb-ft (245.4 Nm) @ 4750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the BMW 3 Series you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1993 Toyota Supra 3.0 Twin Turbo (208.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW 3 Series.

The BMW 3 Series has a Power to weight ratio of 183.3 bhp per ton and 150.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1988 3 Series competing with the 1993 Toyota Supra 3.0 Twin Turbo (208.3 bhp per ton) or the 1993 Toyota Supra 3.0 Turbo Auto (208.3 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the BMW 3 Series generating around 150.8 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2010 Vauxhall-Opel Insignia VXR OPC 2.8 V6 BiTurbo (175.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 1971 Bentley Corniche 6.8 V8 (175.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.6 secs, this made the BMW 3 Series M3 Evolution E30 as fast as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2012 Subaru Forester STi tS 2.5L Turbo (6.40 secs) the or the 2011 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - FN2 (6.40 secs). This BMW 3 Series M3 Evolution E30 is also faster than the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2018 Abarth 595 Competizione 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6 R (6.50 secs) the and the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 3 Series and the 1960 Chevrolet Impala 348 Hardtop

When talking about the performance of the BMW 3 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.44 secs @ 94.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1960 Chevrolet Impala 348 Hardtop (14.37 secs), the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Wagon (14.37 secs), and the 2013 Ford Taurus SHO 3.5 V6 Performance Pack (14.38 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1988 version of the BMW 3 Series M3 Evolution E30 has a maximum speed of 147mph.

Top Speed of the 1988 3 Series equals the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (158 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1988 BMW 3 Series M3 Evolution E30 then how about the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (158 mph), the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (158 mph), or the 2020 Maserati Ghibli GranSport Petrol Hybrid (158 mph).

Related Links:

1988 3 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison