BMW E30 3-Series
Scoop!
September 1982 – CAR
This brand new BMW Three Series, '83 replacement for the Bavarian company's biggest selling model, packs a great deal of clever design to help mask the lack of eyeball appeal - and relatively poor aerodynamics - of its shape.
BMW Three hides its talents
December 1982 – CAR
With BMW's vital new Three Series about to hit the road, Georg Kacher goes out driving with the men whose job it is to get the first cars right for launch. The Three's no eye-catcher, he says, but now it handles well — Georg Kacher
Soon: BMW's Broadside!
January 1983 – CAR
This BMW, the four-door version of the newly-nimble Three Series,
won't be around until the second half of next year, but when it comes, it could shock the Merc 190 with its power, compactness, competitive price and finish
Newcomers
January 1983 – CAR
Six years' work have gone into BMW's new Three Series but you'd never realise it from the outside — LJK Setright
Hartge plan a 2.6 BMW
November 1983 – Performance Car
Hartge, the German firm who were the first to install the 3.5 engine in a BMW five series car, have developed a 2.6 engine for the three series. Based on the 2.3-litre block the Hartge brothers are looking for 215 to 220bhp from their new motor.
Debut
May 1986 – CCC
Hype - or high performance? Today's generation of performance road tyres have similar very impressive, ultimate abilities, but each achieves these differently.
The Finest Cut
September 1986 – Performance Car
You've seen the BMW 325i as a saloon and a Cabriolet, now Munich has taken the lid off completely, to launch this superb convertible
Sierra RS Cosworth vs BMW M3
September 1986 – Performance Car
Ford and BMW both have serious European Championship saloon car racing aspirations for 1987. The Sierra RS Cosworth and the BMW M3 are the weapons they will use. What kind of car does the customer get?
Anything you can do
September 1986 – Performance Car
BMW's new all-wheel-drive variation on their sporty Three-Series theme answers a lot of criticisms about BMW handling conditions in extreme conditions, but at the expense of more than a few dry-road sacrifices
Two more threes
May 1987 – Fast Lane
Both the BMW M3 and the 325iX are now available in Britain after all. That is, they are available to special order in left-hand-drive only, and delivery could take four months or more.
All-wheel drive club
March 1988 – Performance Car
Audi Quattro v Mazda 323 Turbo 4x4 v BMW 325iX v Lancia Delta HF Turbo 4WD v Ford Sierra XR4x4