E30 M3 Spec help?

[Golfboy666GTI 68]

There were European and USA models, what about a Japanese spec?

Can some please help me.

A friend is looking to purchase an 86/87 E30 M3.

There seems to be a few different spec cars from the same year from reading a number of books etc.

My problem is finding the right spec car, Im not being to fussy, what I am after is a car with the large fuel tank and the dogleg gearbox as well as being a tidy example so basically Im after a European model.

Ive seen some E30 M3s from Japan, do they have there own spec cars or are they meant to be the same as either European or USA models?

The reason why I ask is because the last 2 Japanese M3s Ive come across dont have dogleg gearboxes. For example:

http://www5a.biglobe.ne.jp/~korotan/m3v5.html#

If you look at the second picture in you can see that the "H" pattern is standard, also there is a badge of the standard layout "H" pattern in front of the gear knob on the left. I think this might be standard on a Japanese model if there is such a thing?

Here is another example:

be honest, Im a bit lost, is there is a Jap spec E30 M3, here are some points I have spotted in M3s from Japan:

-European bumpers (no side lights)

-Speedo in Km/hs

-Standard 5 speed "H pattern box" (No dogleg)

So what are they? A mix of European and USA models? Maybe a Canadian model? What size fuel tanks do they have?

Here is a VIN from another Jap E30 M3 that had a standard H pattern box: WBSAK050701893987

Advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Guest Phil Ken Sebben]

WBSAK050701893987 = 195hp and later 215hp models with a catalyst. 9/87 to 01/89 model year.

Easiest way to tell a US car is that the VIN will read WBSAK03....

All M3's have a special 70 litre tank rather than the standard 55L tank.

US models have the standard 55L tank.

Sport Evolutions have a 62L tank from the 325i cabriolet.

US and canadian spec have a conventional gear box with a 4.1:1 diff ratio, they also have a high mounted stop light, as well as the sidemarkers moulded into the GRP bumpers. On US cars, the speedo reads in MPH, but on canadian cars, it reads in KMH.

The likeliest reason for conventional gearbox on a Euro spec M3 is that the dogleg broke at some point.

The dogleg is a getrag 265.

Edited June 14, 2007 by Phil Ken Sebben

[Golfboy666GTI 68]

WBSAK050701893987 = 195hp and later 215hp models with a catalyst. 9/87 to 01/89 model year.

Easiest way to tell a US car is that the VIN will read WBSAK03....

All M3's have a special 70 litre tank rather than the standard 55L tank.

US models have the standard 55L tank.

Sport Evolutions have a 62L tank from the 325i cabriolet.

US and canadian spec have a conventional gear box with a 4.1:1 diff ratio, they also have a high mounted stop light, as well as the sidemarkers moulded into the GRP bumpers. On US cars, the speedo reads in MPH, but on canadian cars, it reads in KMH.

The likeliest reason for conventional gearbox on a Euro spec M3 is that the dogleg broke at some point.

The dogleg is a getrag 265.

Yes, thats excactly what I have read but of it seems strange that the 2 M3s Ive come across both have the standard H pattern gearbox and the gear lever pattern logo to the top left of the centre consol?

[Ghost 0]

Almost all Japanese cars are US spec WBSAK03's. However it is not unusual for Japanese cars to have unusual specs.

Essentially though, Jap cars are US cars with kmph speedos. The gear lever logo is not factory. Maybe it was a BMW Japan option?

They have numerous Evolution models there too. Buy one of those : )

Ash

[Old_Skool_Bmw 0]

Hi Golfboy..

If you're after a Euro spec e30 M3 which i think you are then the best place to find one will be in the UK..

Most, if not all Jap imported e30 M3's come from USA.

There is no Japan version e30 M3, only cars imported into Japan with either Eurp dog-leg or USA spec 'H' pattern m3's.

Is there any particular reason you are after a dog-leg e30 M3?

I've got the US 'h' and will probably change to dog-leg only because i'll be changing out the diff and gearbox for some track/street ratio's. You could always do the same if you find a US spec cars are easier to find on EBay etc.

Cheepest that you're going to get a semi-decent e30 M3 into NZ is going to be around $16,000-$18,000. A good condition one i'd expect to go for anywhere from $25,000 upwards depending on engine spec + any special extra's . Then you'll need to put aside around $10,000 - $15,000 to account for re-build engine, any mics parts etc.

What are your plans once you get yourself one?

Laurenc.e

[Golfboy666GTI 68]

Hi Golfboy..

If you're after a Euro spec e30 M3 which i think you are then the best place to find one will be in the UK..

Most, if not all Jap imported e30 M3's come from USA.

There is no Japan version e30 M3, only cars imported into Japan with either Eurp dog-leg or USA spec 'H' pattern m3's.

Is there any particular reason you are after a dog-leg e30 M3?

I've got the US 'h' and will probably change to dog-leg only because i'll be changing out the diff and gearbox for some track/street ratio's. You could always do the same if you find a US spec cars are easier to find on EBay etc.

Cheepest that you're going to get a semi-decent e30 M3 into NZ is going to be around $16,000-$18,000. A good condition one i'd expect to go for anywhere from $25,000 upwards depending on engine spec + any special extra's . Then you'll need to put aside around $10,000 - $15,000 to account for re-build engine, any mics parts etc.

What are your plans once you get yourself one?

Laurenc.e

Just after a car thats original, thats why Im after the dogbox. The downside to a UK car is that they are now 20 years old so Im not happy with all the salty roads these cars have been though. I might look for one somewhere else in Europe?

The plan is once Ive got one is just to enjoy it as a weekend car.

[sammaw 0]

hi own a jap e30 m3. yes it is H gear box.. nice little car great fun. mine is in Km/h and has bumpers like you describe. sorry i dont know what the size of the fuel tank is. mine is a 86.

[Old_Skool_Bmw 0]

Just after a car thats original, thats why Im after the dogbox. The downside to a UK car is that they are now 20 years old so Im not happy with all the salty roads these cars have been though. I might look for one somewhere else in Europe?

The plan is once Ive got one is just to enjoy it as a weekend car.

Hi Golfboy666..

The 'H' pattern gearbox is original for the US Spec e30M3's. to be hoest you're probably going to have more luck getting a US car than a euro car + shipping involved would put the cost up. Im waiting for the law change before I can put mine on the road here in NZ..

Have you found anyone that has any e30 m3's for sale??

Laurence.

[10hove 0]

Hi Golfboy666..

The 'H' pattern gearbox is original for the US Spec e30M3's. to be hoest you're probably going to have more luck getting a US car than a euro car + shipping involved would put the cost up. Im waiting for the law change before I can put mine on the road here in NZ..

Have you found anyone that has any e30 m3's for sale??

Laurence.

Ive been looking at M3 s in Japan for some time , at dealer auctions they go for big money, Im not sure where they are going aside from NZ I suspect they are going to Europe as well as these cars are becoming very collectable

Looking at the Jap trade me auctions yahoo I have found the odd one heres an example

http://page9.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/k46423933

the difficulty with these auctions is getting someone to check and view the car (same as in NZ) this car could be anywhere in Japan.

Within the confines of the Tokyo area I can do this or get it done , just remeber its worse than Auckland to travel 40 kms takes 2 hrs in Tokyo so there will be a charge ,also you need a 87 model to rego it.

overall its not a cheap exercise but if you prepare to be patient you can probabaly get a rough one for 17-18

or find a nice one for more and leave it in storage in Japan till it complies ie is 20 yrs old

Ther also seem to be a number of M3 or euro classic specialist delaers that sell cars and parts but again thge prices arent cheap eg 7k for E30 M3 engine

I am more than happy to help those who are prepared to pay the money ,unfortunately the bargains are gone long ago on these

Regards

Alex