BMW E30 Wagon Takes on 2016 BMW 340i on Ignition (W/Video)

Few cars attain the kind of mythical status the BMW E30 3 Series enjoys among enthusiasts. On this episode of Ignition, Jason Cammisa shows us just what makes the E30 so good.

The host begins by introducing his own German-spec 1990 BMW 325i wagon. The car was one of the last E30 variants made and was never exported to the U.S. That said, it’s an ultra-rare sight on this side of the pond. Cammisa explains that the E30 wasn’t anything special when it was introduced. It followed the same formula as its predecessors, the 2002 and original E21 3 Series, but lacked an exciting drivetrain. That changed in 1987, when the higher-revving 325i engine was introduced. The engine made 168 hp and revved to 6,500 rpm. While that may not sound like much by today’s standards, it completely transformed the driving experience in the sub-3,000-pound E30. Cammisa’s car makes a little more power but significantly more torque thanks to a 2.7-liter bottom end. It also has upgraded shocks, springs, and anti-roll bars. Having made these few modifications, the host wants to see if his E30 can hang with the best non-M3 3 Series you can buy today, the new 340i equipped with the track package.

To help him find out, recent SCCA Hall of Fame inductee Randy Pobst drives both cars around Streets of Willow. Despite the 340i having double the horsepower, the E30 manages to keep pace for the most part, losing ground on the straights but making up time in the corners. The results might surprise you. Check out the full episode below to learn all about the BMW E30.

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