Right-Hand Drive E30 M3’s?
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Category: Technical & Model Specific Forums
Forum Name: BMW ///M Power
Forum Discription: Ask your BMW M Power Technical Questions here (M1, M2 hybrids, M3, M5 & M6)
URL: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=581
Printed Date: 29-April-2024 at 01:35
Topic: Right-Hand Drive E30 M3’s?
Posted By: Welsh Dan
Subject: Right-Hand Drive E30 M3’s?
Date Posted: 20-January-2003 at 22:16
| As above really. I've always been led to believe that E30 M3's only came in LHD. Am I mistaken, or is this really the case? |
Replies:
Posted By: kevin
Date Posted: 20-January-2003 at 22:29
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Welsh Dan E30 M3 = LHD only Kevin |
Posted By: m3geezer
Date Posted: 20-January-2003 at 23:26
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a few where converted by bmw uk or their uk agents, they however use the 325 steering rack and things aren't just as good as the original, want a proper m3? then lhd is the way to go ------------- 
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Posted By: Alan F
Date Posted: 21-January-2003 at 00:22
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The man in charge of the E30 M3 project back in the mid 1980's - Thomas Ammerschlager, ( who previously worked on the Audi Quattro project - oops am I allowed to say that on a BMW site! ) stated the reason for not doing a RHD version was that unknitting the exhaust manifold - to feed a RHD steering column through - would slash horsepower by 15-20bhp and distort the car's character. Around 70 cars were converted by Birds in the UK using 325 rack - which has a slower ratio. I agree LHD is the way to go. |
Posted By: jaseb
Date Posted: 21-January-2003 at 08:30
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Didn't they have to move the brake master cyclinder?! Heard it had an adverse affect on the brakes too. |
Posted By: John W
Date Posted: 21-January-2003 at 23:07
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Birds converted about 70 of them. I wouldn't touch one. Their electrics are also said to be dodgy. Too many reasons why not to own one. ------------- John W 1990 E30 M3 Sport Evo 1990 E30 M3 http://www.bayareamotorsport.com/john_uk/  |
Posted By: Nick
Date Posted: 28-January-2003 at 18:45
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The brake problem with these RHD conversions occurs when the exhaust manifold gets hot enough to glow red... then it cooks the brake fluid which runs near by...... not nice! Nick |
Posted By: mark-c
Date Posted: 29-January-2003 at 11:17
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i think the difference in brakes is that lhd cars pedal pushes directly onto master cylinder where as rhd use connecting rods from pedals rhs to m cylinder lhs, cant see how exhaust affect this unless heat shields between brake pipes and manifold are removed. also it is possible to get rhd quick rack.. ------------- 
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Posted By: John W
Date Posted: 29-January-2003 at 12:15
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Still wouldn't touch one with a barge pole. ------------- John W 1990 E30 M3 Sport Evo 1990 E30 M3 http://www.bayareamotorsport.com/john_uk/ |