BMW 320is, the incredible story of the illegitimate son of BMW M

The BMW M3 e30 was about to come out of the oven and the Bavarian brand surprised everyone. In 1987 it launched a very special version of its BMW 3 Series e30, called BMW 320is, a small sports car powered by a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine capable of delivering 200 CV.

Like the BMW M3, the BMW 320is was a balanced and dynamic model capable of turning heads wherever it went. If the BMW M3 e30 is a legendary model, wait until you get to know the BMW 320is a little better. The illegitimate son of BMW M was born because of the excessive taxes applied to models with engines larger than 2.0 liters. Although the BMW M3 e30 was on sale, the German brand opted for an alternative with lower taxes for buyers.

BMW 320is, this is one of the most special e30s

Buyers could choose their BMW 320is with two or four doors. The coupé version featured an M-Technik II sports kit, cross-spoke 14-inch wheels, and the BMW M3 instrument cluster but with white needles instead of red. Likewise, the four-door BMW 320is models were identical to the rest of the e30 range.

It is important to highlight that the BMW 320is shared its engine with the BMW M3 but with a shorter stroke. It was capable of developing 192 CV at 6,900 rpm. Its torque is 210 Nm at 4,900 rpm. It is worth mentioning that the 320is engine was sharper, more forceful and more responsive than those of the M3. This powerplant was paired with a Getrag 260 sport-ratio gearbox with five speeds and a 3.46:1 ratio, and a mechanical limited-slip differential.

The total weight of the car was 1,218 kilograms, 88 less than its bigger brother, the BMW M3. It was only 0.8 seconds slower than the BMW M3 but recovered more quickly. It was fitted with a Sportfahrwerk sport suspension and a braking system with 260 mm front discs. This very special model was produced between 1987 and 1990, with only 2,540 units built as coupés and 1,205 units as four-door bodies.

In case you didn’t know, the BMW 3 Series e30s were born as a homologation car, and these BMW 320is models may become very special over the years. On the second-hand market they can be found in Portugal or Italy. Have you just fallen in love too?