20 years of ///M3: Picture gallery(56k warning)

[LeMansX5]

Twenty Years of the BMW M3 –
a Legend in Sports. (Short Version)

It is one of the most successful chapters in the history of the automobile and in international motorsport alike: the story of the BMW M3 – and to this day, the end of this unique success story is not even in sight.

In 2006 BMW and BMW M GmbH celebrated the 20th birthday of the most successful touring car of all times. Within two decades, three generations of the BMW M3 have successfully entered and conquered both the market and the race track, each of these models quite unique and legendary in its own right. Dominating the racing scene and paving the way on the road for a new species of particularly sporting, but nevertheless highly practical series-production cars fully suited for everyday use, the BMW M3 to this day thrills a loyal and constantly growing group of enthusiasts and aficionados the world over.

This unique story of success started back in 1986 with the launch of the first BMW M3 based on the E30 version of the BMW 3 Series. From the start, this thoroughbred sports car thrilled not only the motorsport enthusiast and the racing expert, but also car fans the world over. Boasting powerful-looking spoilers and strikingly flared wheel arches all round, the very first BMW M3 was a sensation to behold even at a standstill. And although the road-going version offered all the everyday driving qualities required of a modern car, the real home of the BMW M3 was the race track. Powered by a four-cylinder featuring avantgarde four-valve technology, the BMW M3 brought home one victory after the other.

Originally conceived for just 5,000 units for the purpose of homologation, this very first BMW M3 gained growing popularity right from the start.

And apart from the car’s convincing concept, an ongoing increase in engine power from 195 hp all the way to 238 hp added to the car’s fascinating thrill.
Total production up to the end of the car’s production cycle in 1991 amounted to almost 18,000 units including the BMW M3 Convertible. Subsequently, the two following generations significantly exceeded even this remarkable sales figure, the second generation of the BMW M3 based on the E36 model series accounting for a sales volume of almost 72,000 units, and the third generation based on the E46 model series achieving an even more impressive production run of over 85,000 units.














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