This month’s twin test sees us behind the wheel of the 2002, the model which got BMW into the mainstream and kicked off the idea of the compact sports saloon.

But it was the E30 3-Series which really set the company on the path to where it is today in the UK market and with the growing interest in all things retro, few cars define the ’80s as well as a 325i Sport on the trademark cross-spoke BBS alloys.

Launched in 1982, the E30 was initially powered by 2-litre or 2.3-litre straight sixes, plus a carb-fed 316. The range was later expanded to include the injected 316i and 318i but it was the adoption of BMW’s 2.5-litre M20 engine to create the 170 bhp 325i which really saw the model take off as a GTI-challenger in the emerging Yuppie market.

Today an E30 offers a useful blend of old and modern, with traditional rear-drive chassis but modern construction and the convenience of fuel injection on ‘i’ models. Handling is from the old school and is pretty benign until the limits are reached... at which point you need to be on top of things. Decent tyres do help, as does making sure that the rear trailing arm and axle location bushes are up to scratch, with poly replacements being a favourite.

PRODUCED: 1982-1993
ENGINES: 1796cc SOHC 4-cyl (316i) to 2494cc 6-cyl (325i)
PRICES: £500 (tatty) to £5000
UPSIDE: BMW at its best
DOWNSIDE: Scary to drive hard in the wet
WHY YOU WANT ONE: It’s an old-scholl rear-driver
CLUBS: BMW Driver’s Club www.bmwcarclubgb.co.uk
SPECIALISTS:
A-Tech - 01959 534718
www.fastbimmer.co.uk
PARTS PRICES:
Motronic remap: £85
K&N induction kit: £70
Scorpion full stainless exhaust: £526
Eibach lowering spring kit: £189
Uprated dampers (each): £57
Gaz Gold coil-over kit: £884

Read the full article in the July 2011 issue of Classic Car Mart - available to buy here.