"Greatest ever M-car" article in latest Evo mag

i thought it was Garys E30 at first glance until i noticed the plate was different

never mind, at least you didn't get Barker or Bovingdon ragging your car to death... on the other hand it would have had great bragging rights

The article did set out to find the best drivers car and it did focus on just that - fair enough. The thing that struck me is that given the choice how many people would actually choose the E30 over the other cars. Most mortals don't test hundreds of excotics to be able to say that its refreshing to drive something light with a modest power output. I fear most of us would cut to the chase and get some big bhp car.

I've never driven an E30 but would like to do so some day, and I'll remain open minded about it until then - so please don't make me put the flame suit on.

i was trying trying to find the mag yesterday , im sure it was something like autocar or top marques . will keep searching through my collection .

 i think you may be right about the actual cars they used , a well looked after example will probably drive much better than some others.  still not a fan

i dont know if you remember it but a few years ago they ran a very similar article in one of the mags and the e28 m5 came out tops in every aspect. the e30 m3 was described as underpowered against most others (or words to that effect)  im just wondering how the results can be so different .

 i also remember the e28 m5 being voted one of the worlds best drivers cars against all the top marques.  personally i wouldnt have even let the e46 m3 get onto the list let alone 2nd .

personal opinion obviously

Peter Fenwick wrote: Unlike Stephen I am prepared to spoil it and tell you the final result. 1  E30 M3 2 .......

See, I told you so, now will you all shutup when I tell you how wonderful they are?

I guessed the result before I read it.

Unlike Stephen I am prepared to spoil it and tell you the final result.

1  E30 M3

2  E46 M3 CSL

3  E39 M5

4  New M3

6  M1

Good article though and it only made me wish I could afford to buy and run an E39 M5 even more.

Sadly there is no chance at the moment

Interesting that they critisised the new M5, M6 and M3 for being too much about on paper performance than the things that actually make a good drivers car.

What is very telling is that the lowest powered and the slowest on paper was actually found to be the best drivers car.

Maybe BMW should take note and stop building overweight, over complicated, over engined cars that rely too heavilly on electonics.

"BMW's M Division has produced some of the finest driver's cars of the last 30 years, but which is the greatest?  We bring together our 13 favourite M-cars to find out..."

They whittle down the M1, E28 M5, E30 M3 Sport Evo, E34 M5 3.8, E36 M3 Evo, M Coupe, E39 M5, E46 M3 CSL, E60 M5, M6, E46 M3 CS and Z4 M Coupe, the winner gets to go head to head with the new V8 M3... I won't spoil it