While the world is preparing to welcome the newest member of the M3 family, most of us are uncomfortable with the thought that the naturally aspirated engine will disappear from these cars that we love with all our hearts.
The guys from Ignition had a great idea. They decided to take all 4 BMW M3 models out for a run and see what makes them a family and what separates them over the 28 years of automotive evolution.
The E30 was the first one to show up, back in 1985. What is there left to say about this car? Every possible adjective was used and everyone loves it just as much now, as they did back in the 80s.
It was the first road legal car that was capable of keeping a dumb smile on your face all day long. The S14 engine is still regarded as one of the best to ever come out of the M division factory and everyone wants one.
The E36 was a truly heir to the E30. It shared the same recipe for success: a perfectly calculated chassis that performed incredibly well under every circumstance. The engine wasn't outrageously powered but it was perfectly matched with the underlinings, giving you an exquisite feel.
The E46, on the other hand, was different. It grew from its youngest brothers and felt different. Even though it still had the wonderful engine sound and the perfect handling, it felt more like a predecessor to the E92 than anything else.
And then, in 2007 the E92 M3 showed up. With a 4-liter V8 and over 400 HP, reaching the red line at almost 9,000 RPM, it's hard to say this isn't the best M3 out there yet. Even Carlos Lago couldn't help but show a ridiculous smile on his face the whole time it drove that beast.
It's obvious, the E92 M3 is the pinnacle of all the cars in this family and no one will ever take that away, especially since it will be the last naturally aspirated M3 to be produced, rumors saying that the future model will have a turbocharged 6-cylinder engine.
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