1990 BMW M325i (2)

An E30 M3 might look similar but the hand-built homologation special was designed to satisfy Group A motorsport rules. So it seats you on the left and makes you grapple with a dogleg gearbox. Not only are there an awful lot of bespoke components but the M3 has an overall lightness that results in unrivalled steering response and agility.

The M325i has the six-cylinder engine that many expect an M3 to have and there’s an immediate punch through the gears that you only get in the M3 when it’s really cranked up. The M-Tech bodykit tastefully pumps up the looks but the overall look isn’t as dramatic as the M3’s fattened arches, flared sills and deep chin spoiler.

Inside, the driver-focused cabin has a faint air of exclusivity but majors on functionality. The E30’s simplicity of design translates into great ease of use, excellent outward visibility, and daily driver capability, even three decades on.

What it lacks in outright performance, it compensates for with immense character and impeccable road manners. And that’s why finding a good M325i today requires both patience and a sizeable budget. It’s a unique slice of E30 magic.

We are buying similar cars in superior condition: keepers@kiwigarage.co.nz