In the late 1980's BMW produced two very fine homologation specials! Many of the Official Racing/Rally Rules for stock and modified cars follow FIA regulations, manufacturers must produced a certain number of cars! For the class of vehicles such as the M3 and M5 the minimum production output was set a 5000 units before the car could be used for the competition! So the original M3 (E30) was a homologation special and due to it's purpose as a racer chassis, the car had wild driving characteristic and very individual look with noticeable rear spoiler and bulging fenders. However the M3 had even more differences comparing to the more pedestrian 3-series cars... The trunklid was a raised piece on which the huge spoiler rested and the trunklid height along with the different rear window and the air diffuser right above it created a need for special add on panels on the C-posts (the rear ones). It's the combination of that different back window and the raised trunklid that allows for instant identification between a real E30 M3 and a car personalized with the M3 look...

The original M3 was a very pure raing car, and it opulent leather interior, power sunroof couldn't dull the edge of this car. As the car needed evolution for the racing purporses the road-going M3 split into two directions... The M3 cabrio became a more civilized option while the 2-door model went on to become even a more serious motorsport material. Finally when the E30 M3 was replaced with the E36 model the new car married the luxury and performance aspects to become a very versitile and extremely fast supercar in a family car clothing.