e30 sportspackage 325is vs. e30 m3

[DuskShatters]

this may be a repost but the all the old posts are deleted i guess so...
what is the difference between the e30 325is with mpackage and the e30 m3??? my friend just bought an e30 m3 and its freking orgasmic and im too poor after working on my e36 and the e30 is just beautiful so i was thinking i could get like a 325is with sports pacakge or wutever is closest to the e30 m3 without the big money

[Mark_In_PA]

M package? no such thing.

[DuskShatters]

sports package or wutever

[jamieW]

An e30 m3 is unlike any other e30. There isn't really one that could replace an m3. The '91 318is is sometimes referred to as a poor mans m3. Maybe you should look into one of those.

[tdc]

Engine, suspension, steering, transmission, body...

The list goes on and on about the differences between any E30 compared to theE30 M3.

[Blackwidow]

As you can see from the very long post below they are quite different, the e30M3 is a homologation model of a race car, that means it was built so the company could comply with the rule that says thier must be a road car that matches the race model. the non-M3 is still a great car, the E30M3 is that much more specail

From here:http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=8

What makes the S14 engine unique?
The E30 M3’s S14 engine was designed for racing applications and is therefore compact and high-revving. It combines the basic four-cylinder block from the M10 family with a four-valve head derived from the one used on the six-cylinder M88 and S38 motors. Special features of this engine include individual throttle plates for each cylinder, machined intake and exhaust ports, and a crankshaft with eight counterweights. Like the M88 and S38, the S14 does not have hydraulic lifters, and thus requires periodic valve adjustments.

How is the M3's suspension different from that of a standard E30 3 Series?
The E30 M3’s chassis consists of the MacPherson strut/semi-trailing arm design used on all E30 3 Series model, but has been revised with the following changes:
-Three times more steering castor
-Front antiroll bar linked to the struts
-Stronger wheel bearings (from E28 5 Series)
-Thicker 19mm rear antiroll bar
-Shorter (by .6mm), stiffer springs
-Wider track
-Revalved shocks

Starting sometime in 1988, Euro-spec E30 M3s were available with Electronic Damper Control by Boge. This offered three shock stiffness settings, Komfort (K), Normal (N) and Sport (S) in order of increasing firmness, adjusted via a control knob in the center console.

How is the M3's steering different from that of a standard 3 Series?
Like all E30 3 Series, the E30 M3 has a power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering system, but the overall ratio has been reduced to 19.6:1.

What size brakes does the E30 M3 have?
All E30 M3s have vented front disc brakes measuring 11.1-inches (280mm) and solid rear discs measuring 11.1-inches (282mm). ABS is standard.

What are the factory wheel and tire sizes for the E30 M3?
There were two wheel and tire combinations available for the E30 M3. Early European-spec models and all North American-spec examples came with 205/55VR15 tires on 7x15-inch cross-spoke alloy wheels. Evolution models, along with the Cecotto/Ravaglia special editions and the later standard European-spec car, were equipped with 225/45ZR16 tires on 7.5x16-inch cross-spoke alloys.


Cosmetics


How is the M3’s exterior different from that of a normal E30 3 Series?
Because the E30 M3's shape had to be homologated for racing, all exterior body panels except the hood are unique to this model. The fenders are flared. The front and rear fascias contain unique 2.5-mph bumpers. The rear window is re-angled and the glass, both front and rear, is bonded. The trunk lid sits over 1.5-inches higher than the normal E30 3 Series, has a wing-type rear spoiler and is met by an extended cap over the C-pillar, all of which lower the Cd to 0.33 from 0.38. There is a roof-mounted radio antenna at the front. All window trim is of the blacked-out "Shadowline" variety. “M3” badges appear on the grille and decklid.

How is a North American E30 M3 cosmetically different from a Euro-spec model?
Cosmetically, the North American E30 M3 is nearly identical to the European-spec model. However, it can be easily identified by the black intake grilles near each front fog light in place of the European-spec model's body-color tow hook covers.There are also bumper-mounted side marker lights, slightly different headlight configurations and a high-mounted third brake light, all required by Federal law.

How is the M3?s interior different from that of a normal E30 3 Series?
The E30 M3 interior shares its basic architecture with the standard E30 3 Series. However, all M3s are equipped with manual sport seats in cloth, leather or a combination of the two. The rear seat is individually contoured for two passengers. A black headliner and a unique instrument cluster with red needles, an M logo and an oil temperature gauge under the tachometer in place of the economy-meter are also included. Cars without a driver's side airbag have a leather-wrapped M three-spoke steering wheel in one of two designs: The M-Technic I with a slimmer hub and the M tri-color stripe on the center spoke was used on M3s built before September, 1989. After this date, the M-Technic II steering wheel with a thicker rim and the M logo on the central spoke was used. The shift knob is also leather and includes an M stripe with the "dogleg" shift pattern (euro-spec) or the standard "H" configuration (North American models). It is always of the earlier, non-ergonomic design. The check control vehicle monitoring system was included on all M3s.

How is the interior of the North American E30 M3 different from that of the European version?
Except for a generally higher level of equipment, the interior of the North American-spec E30 M3 is essentially identical to the Euro-spec car's. Standard equipment on all North American-spec M3s includes leather sport seats, cruise control, air conditioning, power windows and sunroof, on-board computer II and an eight-speaker am/fm stereo cassette sound system. U.S.-spec models built for the 1990 and 1991 model years (9/89-12/90 production) have a driver's side airbag with knee bolster.

How does the interior of the Canadian-spec M3 differ from that of the U.S. version?
Aside from small items like metric instrumentation, Canadian E30 M3s are essentially identical to the U.S. versions, with a few minor exceptions: Heated seats are standard on all model years (these did not appear until the 1990 model year on U.S.-spec cars, and then only as an option) and cars built for the 1990 and 1991 model years do not have a driver’s side airbag or knee bolster.

What features were optional on the E30 M3?
Like most other M models, the European-spec versions of the E30 M3 were less lavishly equipped than the North American versions. Optional equipment, depending on the market and production date, included: metallic paint, headlight washer/wipers, leather upholstery, heated seats, power windows, power sunroof, rear headrests, on-board computer (second version), air conditioning, Electronic Damper Control (EDC) and various audio systems.

North American-spec cars were fitted with most of the above items as standard, and thus options were limited to metallic paint, heated seats (from 9/89 production on U.S. models, always standard in Canada) and a glass moonroof (1990-91 models only). A CD changer could be added as a factory option starting with 9/88 production.