Homologation Specials: 1990 BMW E30 M3 Sport Evolution

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the best touring car racing in the world was happening in Germany. The Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (DTM) was a hotbed for manufacturer money and talented drivers, the racing was at its door-banging finest, and the pursuit of competitive edges on the track produced some of the most iconic homologation specials for the road. The most famous of which was the first-ever BMW M3.
Based on the E30-generation 3-Series, the M3 was comprehensively reworked by the engineers at BMW Motorsport to battle it out with Ford, Audi, and most of all the Bavarian’s opposition from Stuttgart, Mercedes-Benz. Although no single manufacturer can be said to have dominated the DTM during this period, the BMW M3 and Mercedes-Benz 190E were consistent favorites, and the definitive rivals of the series that duked it out for the better part of a decade, each winning titles over the efforts of the other.
Both the Benz and the Bimmer were treated to Evolution models over the course of their careers, and in 1990 the two carmakers arrived with their last major iterations, the winged 190E Evolution II, and the BMW Sport Evolution. In this week’s film, our host Alain de Cadenet takes the road-going version of the ultimate E30 M3 on a drive in the mountains of Portugal, exploring its development history while putting it to work on the types of roads cars like this were all but built for.
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[@Afrojackfan]

e30 one of the nicest designs ever made. so beautiful

[@AruaBakayaro]

Yup, this and the E36 M3.

[@prashanthp5448]

Agreed. The new G80 tells us BMW has since severely regressed in the design department.

[@AruaBakayaro]

@@prashanthp5448 I saw a current year four series coupe today and the grill work is just absolutely hideous!!

[@Vazin]

E24 635 CSI though.

[@AruaBakayaro]

@@Vazin Beautiful car but I'm doing my best to at least keep this topic about the M3.

[@patrickhein6986]

"In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the best touring car racing in the world was happening in Germany." So true. As a German who were around in that exciting Motorsport Days it is so heartbreaking to see were we are right now. :-(

[@yerrie1908]

We have been overtaken in these times by DTM car on the autobahn coming from the Netherlands and we were not going slow, lights in mirror, give space and what passes is a M3 in full livery and the quick fueling gaps or however it's called, crazy good times

[@carlosmarquesdasilva6328]

so true..

[@cbr3220]

DTM is dead.

[@rolandalfonso6954]

I am an American. I will go to my grave believing that DTM ruled. kzbin.info/www/bejne/goaviJ54qqhoiJo

[@rubenanacleto24]

Portugal makes it the all package. Filmed in Gerês at the Rocky part of mountain. Congratulations, beautiful job.

[@C345OFR]

Why are the hills on fire, LOL?

[@AttackRyno]

@@C345OFR after people clear their properties or paddock, etc, they take all the brush and weeds and burn them, allowed only during the winter months.

[@C345OFR]

@@AttackRyno Ah OK, I see. Thanks!

[@Snarge22]

Thanks for identifying the area as I was wondering.

[@hardrockSaurabh]

Rest in peace Alain De Cadenet! You have been a phenomenal persona and you have inspired millions of motorists like us by telling the stories of these timeless legendary cars.

[@Mattia.1973]

Such a beauty. Always been in loved with E30 M3 . Once upon a time BMW...

[@ccnomz]

These bimmers age like fine wine if they're well maintained. Especially now that all of BMW's M series cars are embracing fuel economy by inflating their performance stats with turbo systems. Thanks for this!

[@cedb7115]

Plot twist: No current BMW M car is fuel efficient

[@jeensonong]

and obnoxiously HUGE kidney grills

[@joaootto5625]

Amazing car in beautiful land (Portugal-Gerês)!! 💖💖👍

[@sigismundauchinleck]

Just an excellent narration, concise, not overly dramatic, by someone who knew what he was talking about.

[@erniearambula3525]

"Iconic, Beautiful, Legendary" and I dare say Vintage but only in age, it's the spirit the heart of the car that makes it The Ultimate Driving Machine 👍

[@Driven34]

Beautifully made as always. Proud to be an owner of a mere “normal” e30 m3 👍 Small correction ; Sport Evo’s were also known as Evo 3’s not Evo 2’s @ 1:25

[@chris_bmw6917]

Correct! Evo 2 was the 220hp version of 2.3 l S14B23

[@1188clean]

You're happy with you're mere "normal" e30 m3. Lol I'm happy with my regular e30 325.

[@italsounds001]

This film was made and released in June 2019 to the member community, Petrolicious died in 2020, they are just releasing old films, they have nothing new since last May, or longer, and nothing for fee paying members. “Drive tastefully” was their motto, they should learn to treat their members tastefully too.

[@miatablau9879]

I think they have no other choice during covid. I also loved the storys behind the car, explained from their owners. Lets hope they get back too their roots.

[@italsounds001]

@@miatablau9879 COVID doesn’t stop them from replying to emails and answering questions, it’s nothing to do with COVID, the boss had to sell up after saying something silly about BLM, and who knows where it is under the new owners. I do hope they sort it out too, and start by addressing members, some paid $699 for life (what they called founding) membership, all members got a quarterly magazine, exclusive content.. and then..nothing!

[@J5L5M6]

Ha! So that's what's what. I've been attempting to get a reply from them since August 2020 regarding an unreceived order. I knew the ownership had changed hands but was unaware of the mess they must have to address at this point.

[@italsounds001]

@@J5L5M6 thats bad! I gave up trying to get a reply on a refund for my membership fee, they shouldn’t be taking orders or membership until (or more likely if) they sort it out.

[@johnnysmith863]

Yes, such a shame for the fee-paying members. My membership renewed automatically just around the time I realised there had been no new content for a while. I hope the new owner can sort it out, they had a good thing going.

[@erichakanson7010]

I've owned 3 e30 M3's. Although I've never owned any variant of the Sport Evo, I have driven a few. I often hear enthusiasts say (esp younger ones) that e30 M3's are cool looking but not that fast. While that is true to an extent (by todays standards there's plenty of cars that are faster) the e30 M3 is all about revs and handling. On a "regular" e30 M3, if you keep the revs up and take full advantage of the steering and chassis characteristics, it is second to none. Take all those traits and turn them up a notch (plus the added hp) and you've got the Sport Evo's. I'm a BMW and Porsche owner/fanatic at heart, but I'd love to own a Merc 190e 2.3-16 Sport Evo along with an e30 M3 SE and let the DTM legends fight it out in my garage every night!

[@EM_life-gr8sn]

Agree with you 100%. I have a 1990 M3, just rebuilt the engine and it’s great. I’ve owned it for 7 years. While I love the look of the 190e I can tell you you’d be disappointed with the drive - doesn’t hold a candle to the M3.

[@jaybird0312]

I'd rather drive a slow car thats fun to drive than a fast car that's a nightmare drive

[@theant9821]

They're homologation specials, they didn't need to set the world alight, or be any good at all for that matter, they only needed to enable the racing car to set the world alight.

[@JVE654]

This is wonderful! The David Attenborough touch 👌

[@sunrise560]

Compliments - a very well done clip! I had the pleasure of driving the M3 Evo (Johnny Cecotto) a few times in the early 90s - a wonderful automobile! Now I wasn't a sports driver - but the way it was on the road, how spontaneously it took up the throttle and revved up, that sound! And the design - unmistakable! I'm not quite sure if the engine sound you hear in the film actually belongs to the Evo. I remember it as being somewhat different, more metallic. But never mind - it was 30 years ago. And I also met the engine developer, Mr Paul Rosche, later on, more in private. For BMW, he was THE (sports) engine developer of the 80s and 90s (F1, M5, M3...). A very pleasant personality, unfortunately deceased.

[@TehRuiAlv3z]

Portuguese car, I think I've photographed it a few times. The owner is a really nice, cool man. Great video!

[@xMrsmileyfacex]

When I dream of BMW's this is the car I see. It's the ultimate expression of design and engineering. The perfect car.

[@tysonrowe1002]

Its great to see Allen on screen once again. Great job.

[@TheUsmc0802]

This is a great video! It's like a mini "Victory by design" episode.

[@MrGaryGG48]

It's really good to see Alain again. It's been many years. I hope he presents more of these!

[@Hiiwiii]

Alain de Cadenet is the one who can talk about a toy car and still make it sound interesting. Great voice and good video 👌🏾

[@rmullenaux]

One of the best looking BMWs ever made...Love it!!!

[@Mamaki69]

Portugal Caralho.

[@brianfarinha1720]

E MAI NADA!!!! Mal vi a matricula vim logo para os comentários 😂

[@Pedro_opc]

Em que sitio é? A estrada é brutal. Tenho de levar o meu cangalho la!

[@brianfarinha1720]

@@Pedro_opc Não faço a mínima. Mas se tivesse de adivinhar deve ser no norte, algo tipo as estradas do Douro. Era um sonho fazer essas estradas no e30 que cá tenho! Isso e a N2!

[@tiagorcunha]

@@brianfarinha1720 parque Nacional Peneda Gerês.

[@brianfarinha1720]

@@tiagorcunha Mais um local para visitar. É juntar à lista

[@abduldon6976]

As a person born in 91 this is simply LEGENDARY for me ..

[@michaelwilson7924]

As a BMW M Guy, I love the E28 & E39 M5's, and I wouldn't sell the ones I have. But the E30 M3, is still the greatest M Car for me, hands down.....it really is that good!!!

[@terranullius7724]

Where is those magnificent videos with owners and the beautiful trackings?

[@ChasingTenths]

Love Alan, watched so many of his car history videos from yester years

[@dillanmistry]

Let me just say one word, beautiful

[@thomasaubert702]

Thought this was Victory by Design for a minute. ;) Great job guys. Keep them coming!

[@jmarkr100]

Alain will live in our hearts forever. Victory By Design will always be a favorite.

[@silverbullet1979]

You'll never go out of style driving and having that M3, what a great video and review... instant like and 5 thumbs way up 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@Roadwarrior92]

Best looking bmw ever made

[@karljokkerlukkas_974]

Not ever!! But, one of the... 👍

[@georgeyaknowthegeorgeyeathatme]

Definitely one of the best but not THE best. Your forgetting about the e36, e31, e32, e38, e34, e28, e12, hell what am I saying, all the old ones look amazing lol

[@clipperssuck2450]

@@georgeyaknowthegeorgeyeathatme E46 and E39 tho

[@rileyberkowitz]

Definitely up there, but I think the m1 takes the cake for best looking bmw ever

[@georgeyaknowthegeorgeyeathatme]

@@clipperssuck2450 I like thoughs, but they just don't hold that bmw charm to me for some reason, the proportion I'm the front look a bit off and definitely look more modern. To me the last BMW that really captured that old bmw essence was the e38. Ik it doesn't really make sense but something about the proportions and style. The e46 and e39 are definitely nice looking cars, but they look more sporty modern. So does the e38 but idk something is different about it.

[@andrashaug1563]

I hope that, you'll make a film about the E36 series aswell. Anyway thank you for the amazing content and keep it up the good work! :)

[@infidel900rr]

Awesome car, great presentation = perfect coffee break. thanks!

[@marisabruno7110]

❤️ Gorgeous still today....best engine ever manufactured period.

[@cueball3285]

he has to be one of the best and most underrated automotive presenters right now - very engaging, nothing seems forced, doesn't stumble over words or forget lines

[@dbib9754]

I think he's a pretentious git

[@1983dmd]

Please keep Alain De Cadenet for ALL your future movies.....

[@nikita_kozlov]

Beautiful in its simplicity of design.

[@bankrupt.society]

This channel is inspirational - we are trying to inspire to capture the stories here in Australia too.

[@Britess]

Obrigado pela companhia hoje na A1 ao fim do dia!!! Lindooooooo

[@richarddownes5762]

I well remember nearly losing my job as product manager with BMW (GB) back in the day when I convinced my boss to up the final order from 25 to 50 of the last of the line Sport Evo's from BMW Motorsport. And boy - did they take a LONG time to sell. Not many people back then wanted an obsolescent racer for the road, especially in LHD. The BMW dealer network must not have been pleased when our Zone Managers told them, why yes, of course you can have some more 3 Series - but only if you take an M3 Evo as well.... Not a career enhancing move, but hey - the BMW M guys liked me :)

[@dirkdesouza5975]

That S14 at full chat,,,,, what a song it sings.

[@jacksonpereira5898]

Bmw é sinônomo de perfeiçao no mundo automotivo , pra mim uma das melhores marcas que tem os melhores e mais bonitos modelos!

[@tomstark6361]

Could be a little longer, and maybe a bit more of silence driving to enjoy the engine note Still 👍🏼

[@atomicorang]

As timeless in 2021 as was in 1990. I loved the video 1000percent.

[@victor-xy7dq]

hands down, the BMW e30 m3 is the most beautiful, awesome, boxiest, and sexiest car ever made. it's stunning. it's my favorite car and I wouldn't ask for more If had one. I mean just look at the sexy thing. this car is why I became a BMW enthusiast and I don't regret it. If I had to choose to go back in time, I would no doubt go back to the '80s.

[@mariobranco123]

Was this recorded in Portugal ?

[@PinkGuy120]

Está escrito na descrição...

[@TRDGE]

I'd take one of these than any new BMW today.

[@basithph8958]

The E30 M3 is just an amazing car

[@DriversSide]

Such a great car! I need to drive an E30 M3

[@mohammedalshaikhli3891]

Always not enough of good videos about the 30 ❤ mine is silver 318is.

[@carlosmarquesdasilva6328]

my dream car in Gerês-my wife is from there, Covide precisly. Been on the same road last summer with my M2 competition..

[@dilipchauhan7101]

That sound i can listen all day ❤

[@billystutz55]

One of the coolest cars ever

[@KS-gv8jy]

Still one of the best drivers car ever made lucky if you have one

[@baysidelad1]

The JPS BMW M3 that drove in the Group A Touring car series in Australia is one of the best looking race cars ever....thanks for the memories Jim Richards and Tony Longhurst

[@theant9821]

It does look good but we never saw that here in Britain, and only found out about it a couple of years ago. May brain wont accept a JPS livery that isn't on a Lotus. I know JPS Lotus and JPS Norton. That livery should not be worn by any other cars or bikes. Even if it looks incredible. I didn't realise JPS made fags until I was an adult which was a surprise, I'd only heard of JPS Lotus and it was just a Lotus thing.

[@peter1900]

Einer der besten BMW‘ s in der Geschichte von BMW

[@scottgraham4683]

Sadly I never got an Evo Sport, but I was lucky enough to get hold of an early standard one in Diamond Black, then by lucky chance stumbled upon a genuine UK Evo 1 in Alpine White. It looked like a standard one but had an 'E' stamped on the cylinder head with much larger exhaust headers. Book power was quoted the same as my black one, but she felt just that little bit more eager. I miss them both.

[@mattes7844]

Not possible to design a more beautiful car.

[@ALEXJRZ]

I like this format.

[@julianmilnes9594]

My childhood dream car....

[@mauriceclemens3286]

I owned an 88 E-30 M3. Best sports car I’ve ever owned.I only wish it was one of these Evolution models.

[@72VWbug]

My uncle just gifted me an e30 fully decked out and I’m the most grateful and happy kid on earth right now🤟🏽

[@ironmantooltime]

Which model, 325 sport? 318is?

[@72VWbug]

@@ironmantooltime don’t know haven’t gotten a mechanic to look at it. But my brother is really into cars and he said doesn’t really matter what model it is they all look the same.

[@ironmantooltime]

@@72VWbug post back once you know, you're very lucky if so 😎

[@Solid3d-Melb]

My poster dream car when I was a teen. Specifically, in black.

[@davidmotorcycle]

I enjoy all of Alain’s videos

[@niosanfrancisco]

Paul Rosche truly was the best of the best. The mighty S14 one of his best creations.

[@ImpManiac]

Another fabulous video from one of my favourite channels! Thank you! 🙂🙂 IM 😎

[@A-GoldenBar]

Damm this is the most beautiful car ever made. This I must have in my garage

[@refusist]

>mercedes evo casually drives by

[@thongo9204]

I cry!!! Beautiful design

[@abrakadabra2790]

I wasn't even born when this car came out and I love it more than modern m cars!

[@juricanovak9374]

The changed rake of the rear screen was not mentioned, and it is a key modification made to the body compared to the regular E30.

[@mikaeljohnsson4982]

I agree, good point. Actually, as nice and beautiful as the car and the video was to some extend, it was messy history lesson. If I had one of the black or red 600 M3 SE, I would focus on the differences between that one compared to a "regular" M3 E30. Thinner glass at the rear, even bigger wheelarches at the front and more ... A little too much talk about acceleration too, when it was the balance and handling that made the laptimes.

[@davpkav1]

I love my M3......wouldn't part with it for anything....Used to watch them race when I was a kid...including the DTM....made a massive impression. Nothing else looked like it, sounded like it (with the carbon airbox).....and nothing else handled like it.

[@TheTechCguy]

Very nice, nostalgic, and still oh so dependable as a daily. 👍

[@itsRobbie_]

I want one of these cars SO badly. One of the best looking cars imo (especially in that red color). I don't know how to drive a manual tho :(

[@dumitruleah5333]

А наша история началась немного раньше но этот двигатель оставил след в историю F1 ❤❤❤❤

[@powersturbo]

Yes! Thank you for more victory by design!!!!

[@nickthaskater]

Love this man. Get him on camera more often

[@Kerros973]

Great Car 👏♥️ one of the best racing cars ever built 👍

[@timothymills733]

I prefer the profiles of private owners rather than professional journo's pieces; there are already channels for those.

[@dabiddabidson9781]

I agree, but I quite like the gentleman this video. He doesn't quite seem to be a discount Top Gear presenter like all the others, at least in my opinion.

[@Tom_Hadler]

It's Alain de Cadenet, bloody legend. RIP Alain

[@johnhaakman9510]

where the heck is he driving, quite a gorgeous location?

[@AntonioMartins-vu8df]

The number plate is Portuguese . Seems like north of Portugal, probably the Gêres national park

[@AlreadyDeadInside83079]

Someone once described the rivalry between BMW and Mercedes Benz... especially in this era...to me like this:. The Mercedes Benz is a car that car people want to drive. The BMW is a DRIVER'S CAR.

[@ΑΡΓΥΡΗΣΚΟΥΤΟΥΣΗΣ]

Do an integrale please

[@driver15]

The best channel on youtube! Love your videos!

[@DuBstep115]

Wait what? The DTM version had 380hp from 2.5L inline 4 engine naturally aspirated? WOW.

[@gavinc74]

Thats what I thought!

[@DuBstep115]

@@gavinc74 Must have been a screamer, no easy feat to double the HP per litre without a turbo on car that already has high hp/litre for its time.

[@myou6675]

Perfect weekend viewing

[@lilleBoyy]

Damn imagine a car with this design, with modern internals and safety standards... that would be a no brainer.

[@sneff1052]

Well then it would be 50% bigger, much heavier and it's completely loses its character.

[@lilleBoyy]

@@sneff1052 yeah probably

[@TheDasbull]

Actually, just enjoy an E30 as it is/was. 🙂 The internals and safety were very good for the era and are perfectly useable today 👍

[@PaperPegasus254]

beautiful car, one of my dream cars also bloody expensive

[@mohammadrasoulfard-habibi3066]

My dream car.

[@semird615]

If I saw one of these parked on the side of the road, key in the ignition, I’m taking it for a spin. I’m not saying stealing is justified or that I’m a thief, but I’d have a hard time giving it back lol.

[@thongo9204]

The best car on earth!

[@deltaintegrale3675]

André Villas-Boas car collection

[@AlexToma]

One of the most beautiful BMW ever made. My favorite design of them was until the 2000 with the e46 3 series and the e39 M5. But in the recent years, the Z4 looks nice, 3 series sedan looks great, the 5 series and 8 are beautiful. New 4 series, 2 series and 7 not so much.

[@dinispaulino7512]

Gostava de saber quem é o rei que tem esta coleção de máquinas, o maior Tuga de todos, sem dúvida...

[@thongo9204]

This is truly German icon

[@klasseact6663]

Alain DeCanet is a treasure in the car world...thank you Sir for being so....Y O U 😎

[@lugnut4848]

Ah, Alen its an EVO III, for 1990, the 1989 was the EVO II 😍

[@2ndProtects1st]

New ones aren’t looking so great

[@luiwammes4193]

Yes it's well known for it's DTM successes, but I really got to know and now remember this car thanks to it's rallying successes and mostly so piloted by Belgian Rally-driver Marc Duez in it's Fina and Belga livery.

[@seanmcneill8899]

Amazing car and Amazing review. This is what we want Petrolicuis, keep it up.

[@yerrie1908]

Good old times, I wash lucky my dad was in the car business , we raced on the highway 200+ Km/h a E30 M3 and a 190E 2-5/16 and 2 kawasaki bikes with our E12 M535i my mum driving, undecided, we all quit when the 2 kawasaki's almost crashed

[@jgonzalesm6]

BMW M cars before the 1995 were great WHEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED. Every 10k miles, the valve cover needed to come off to adjust the shims...on the M3 there were 16 and on the M6 there were 24(I owned an 88 M6)....otherwise you can damage the engine and bend the valves. Personally, I should have gotten a MB 2.5 16v EvoII with the Cosworth engine. Good for 232hp and not that much maintenance with the engine.