BMW 3 Series E30

The E30 is the quintessential lightweight BMW. The steering feel is the best BMW ever produced — nobody who has driven one quickly disputes this. The inline six sings, the balance is intuitive, and the car rewards precision and smoothness like few others. Spec E30 racing is growing rapidly because the cars are affordable to race, the competition is tight, and the community is passionate. For many enthusiasts, the E30 represents everything good about BMW before electronics and weight ruined the formula.

The E30 is old. Every one of them needs work, and the "clean example" you find on Craigslist will reveal hidden rust, worn bushings, and deferred maintenance the moment you start pushing it on track. The stock brakes are genuinely dangerous for track use — you must upgrade them before your first event. Parts prices have climbed significantly as the cars became collectible, making the "budget" designation less true every year. And finding a good rust-free shell is nearly impossible in northern states. If you are not prepared to wrench on a 30+ year old car regularly, the E30 will frustrate you.

BMW enthusiasts who want pure analog driving, Spec E30 racers, vintage-feeling track car seekers, and drivers who wrench on their own cars.

People who want a turn-key track car, anyone in rust-prone climates without indoor storage, drivers who do not enjoy wrenching, or anyone on a strict budget (the "cheap E30" era is over).