Covered in carbon, sitting low over stunning fully forged wheels and packing some serious power, R44 Performance’s awesome G80 M3 is a full-on build that pulls no punches.
The original M3, based on BMW’s handsome E30 Three Series, arrived with flair and fanfare at the 1985 Frankfurt Auto Show. Here was a well-revised, well-sorted E30 built as a homologation special to challenge the likes of the Cosworth-engined Mercedes-Benz 190E W201 on the racetracks of Europe. While sharing its main components with the road-going Three Series, as per Group A regulations, the M3 was lighter and stiffer and quicker.
Owning one BMW M3 would feel like an achievement, but James Daniel owns three M-badged saloons, each one special, each one modified, and each one awesome in its own right.
With its retina-searing orange paint, thunderous 6.2-litre V8 pushing out 540hp, sorted chassis and hardcore interior, this full-on E30 M3 is a real thrill ride of a build.
Ok, so the wing on the back, BMW Individual Special Fire Orange paint, big, black wheels and so on were going to attract a certain demographic, but still I was a bit bewildered by how many thumbs-up signs came from young lads. And then a neighbour told me that her 14-year-old son knew the M3 GTS from Forza. A computer game, apparently.
Not only has this E91 been endowed with M3 looks and underpinnings, but it’s also been enhanced with a supercharged S65 beneath the bonnet, making it a Touring that’s not to be trifled with.
With CSL styling, BBS E88s and a whole host of engine and chassis upgrades, this epic E46 M3 build takes the already awesome M machine to the next level