Three's The Magic Number

You might require a second mortgage to buy an E30 BMW M3, but fear not, as there are equally appealing M Power options that won’t test your credit score

- Bob Harper

Mention BMW’s M3 to anyone with even a modicum of superunleaded running through their veins and the first thing that will come to mind is the iconic, motorsport-inspired E30. It isn’t fast by today’s standards, but its rev-hungry 16-valve S14 engine is one of the very best, and when combined with the gloriously tactile chassis ensures the E30 remains highly desirable 30 years after its debut, with the very best examples attracting six-figure price tags.

For those of us with more modest means the E30 M3 boat has well and truly sailed, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have an M3 parked on your driveway for a reasonable sum. And while, to the uninitiated, subsequent generations could be deemed more tarted-up repmobiles than motorsport icons, that would be selling the M3 dynasty seriously short.

The joy of an M3, no matter which generation, is its versatility. One minute a rampant and entertaining performance car with 911-rivalling straight-line go, the next a suitable family holdall and an accomplished mini GT car. It’s a rare blend that’s won the M3 a strong following over the years, and while the limited edition and collectable versions – the aforementioned E30, the CSL, the GTS – are heading towards the stratosphere, the three examples we have here can still be bought for less than the price of a new 320d M Sport. In the case of the E46 and E92 generations you could even hedge your bets and have one of each…