BMW M3 (E30)

GERMAN TIN-TOP EFFICIENCY

The first version of BMW’S greatest saloon arrived in 1987 and moved the class goalposts. The well-balanced, normally aspirated 2.3-litre machine was also capable of taking on more powerful cars; Frank Sytner managed an outright win before Ford’s RS500 came on stream. A dominant Class B performance secured Sytner the overall title in ’88.

Come the advent of the two-litre rules, the downsized M3 remained a frontrunner. Will Hoy beat the growing threats from Vauxhall and Toyota to take the 1991 crown before the car was replaced by the successful E36 318is.

“It was always a good-handling car, and it was a weapon in the corners,” says Tim Harvey (above), who scored the E30’s ninth and final overall BTCC victory. “The M3 was the ultimate in touring cars, getting the most out of your cornering.”