Random Firings by Hank Farber

Last month I wrote about the people in the club and how they are the reason the club has been so special for me. Many of you (if, indeed, many of you actually read this stuff) undoubtedly asked "What about the cars??". Or, to paraphrase our President, "It's the cars, stupid".

I thought it would be fun to run down the BMWs that our board members own. I would say "drive" but I know for a fact that they are not all driveable. I should also note that our board members own lots of cars that are not BMWs, and I will not be covering those cars. I am not covering motorcycles either.

Our eleven board members own 27 BMW automobiles. Fully 12 of the 27 cars are E30s (3-series cars sold in the US from 1984-91). I know, I know. Some smart guy will write in pointing out that E30 convertibles were produced for several more years. Three are 2002s (sold in the US from 1968-1976). That there are only three 2002s says something about the changes in the car choice since I joined eight years ago. More on that in a later column. There is one 1985 633csi, one 1987 535i, and three early-80s 320i's (two being club racers). That leaves only seven cars as "modern" (post-91) BMWs. There are five E-36 3-series (1993 318is, 1993 325i, 1997 318ti, 1995 M3, 1997 M3), and two 525i's (1992 and 1995).

Back to the E30s, it is no surprise that they are currently the most popular car among board members. (It helps the count that I have four E30s myself, not including my parts car or the convertible sitting in my driveway that I just sold to my nephew). Among the E30 cars, there are five M3's, two 318's, one 325is, two 325ix's, and two 325e's.

What accounts for the popularity of the E30 model line? There are at least five causes. First, the cars were produced in a wide variety of flavors: coupe (2 dr), sedan (4 dr), 4-cylinder, 6-cylinder, 4-wheel drive, convertible, M-Sport. About the only style not sold in the U.S. (but sold in Europe) was the E30 touring (wagon). Second, the cars are mechanically straightforward, are pretty quick (just how quick depends on the flavor), and handle well right out of the box. Third, the cars are mechanically very reliable and are hard to beat to death. Just ask my brother, Fred -- a former chapter Prez and current chair of our Summit Point driving schools. He has been trying to kill his 1987 325is for years. But it just won't die, despite, to cite just one example, being on its side in the uphill at Lime Rock. Fourth, the cars, because they are mechanically straightforward, can be worked on even by very amateur mechanics like myself. It is worth noting that good used E30 cars are regularly available. But shop carefully because they are getting pretty long in the tooth.

Finally, there is the M3. Fully five of the eleven board members own E30 M3s. The E30 M3 (not to be confused with the newer E36 M3, a pretender, of which there are two owned by board members) was designed originally as a race car by BMW Motorsports in order to compete for the European Touring Car Championship. And it competed VERY successfully. Anyway, a requirement for this series was that a certain number (in the thousands) had to be sold to the public. And so the E30 M3 (obviously detuned and softened, but only a bit) became available to mere mortals. These are simply amazing cars. Quick (with almost 200 hp from a normally aspirated 2.3 liter 4-cylinder motor) and great handling right out of the box. They are elemental cars with a bit of an edge, and you know that what you are driving was derived from a race car. Not surprisingly, these cars are a favorite among club members and are seen in substantial numbers at our drivers schools and in our club racing series (where their J-Stock class is the most popular).

I doubt that BMW will ever sell a car like the E30 M3 again, and the remaining examples are finding their way into the hands of club members, You seldom see these cars on the street, but when you do, it is likely to be driven by a club member. In fact, just last night, I was on my way to Bill Foster's (long-time Delaware Valley Chapter member and classroom instructor at our driving schools) annual wine-and-cheese party, and, a long way from Bill's house, I saw an E30 M3. I said to my wife that this MUST be someone we know. Sure enough, there was Rod Scott (our Chapter Toolbox) and his wife. We waved, and I led them to Bill's since I knew the way and he was squinting at the instructions.

By the way, the party was fun, even for the significant others. Just a terrific group of people in the club. See, just like what I wrote last month. A couple of ideas for future columns come to mind. Stay tuned for 1) Why not more newer BMWs among active club members and 2) how the E30 M3 took the place of the 2002 in the hearts and minds of club members (I own both). I wonder what will take the place of the E30 M3.