For the past four to five years, R44 Performance has been consistently serving customers across the United States. As part of our USA expansion, we acquired a BMW E30 M3 that will live, be developed, and be driven in the United States.
Over the next several months, this E30 will be enjoying a bit of a transformation leading up to Monterey Car Week in August.
Why the E30 M3 Was the Right Car for us in the US
We could have done the predictable thing by building current-generation M car. It would have been easy, familiar, and expected. But that approach wouldn’t have reflected where the brand is heading.
R44 Performance was built on cars like the G80 M3, G87 M2 and, more recently, the G90 M5. The E30 M3, on the other hand, represents our commitment to serve all BMW owners throughout all the brand's generations. The E30 M3 is a car that serious enthusiasts respect - not because it’s loud or new, but because of what it stands for. Heritage, analogue purity, and timeless design. And, it's just awesome.
We are investing in a proven classic, building it properly and adding our own details at the highest level. That carries a bit of pressure... A car with a more purist audience has to be done properly, or they'll let you know about it...
Buying Our E30 M3
The purchase itself was not planned. I came across the car during a trip to the US with close friends and our US General Manager. We saw it before heading to SEMA, and it became a defining moment of that trip. Owning every generation of M3 has always been a personal goal, and the E30 felt like the right place to start, especially as values continue to rise.
We purchased it from automotive influencer @vin_tra, so it certainly came from a good home.
Current Modifications
- TE37 Alloy Wheels
- KW V3 Coilovers
- Eisenmann Exhaust
- Carbon Fibre Spoiler Extension
Why the Car Lives in the United States
Keeping the E30 M3 in the US wasn’t originally planned, but it quickly became the right decision. Around the West Coast, you can properly enjoy an E30 M3. The canyon roads, the climate and the atmosphere suit its character.
Monterey Car Week: The Destination
The finished build will make its public appearance at Monterey Car Week.
Monterey attracts enthusiasts and collectors who appreciate detail. We will arrive in an E30 M3 built with R44 detail and character. It's the perfect BMW to experience our first Car Week in.
Between now and Monterey, we'll be giving the E30 an overhaul - addressing both mechanical and cosmetic aspects of the car. The build will be documented in detail, with specialist partners handling paint, mechanical restoration, and an interior transformation (the bit we're most excited about).
Mechanically, we're not going too crazy. This is a stark contrast to our 1500whp G87 M2. The goal is to go through the car and give it a full refresh, and keep aftermarket modifications subtle. We want to improve usability and driver engagement without losing the E30's original character.
Exterior-wise, we just want to tidy up the car, get the paintwork up to our standard and just freshen it up really.
It's the interior where we're planning something really cool. More to come on that.
