Called the MH3 3.5 Turbo, this engine is also the last of the past.
Anytime you modify a car as iconic as the E30 BMW M3, it’s a risky proposition. Nothing excites purists more than getting acquainted with the formula they love, but we doubt that this special creation from Manhart Classic Cars can command respect from every corner. niche of the world of passion. This is the MH3 3.5 Turbo, where 3.5 refers to engine capacity.
It’s true that E30 fans, the premium four-cylinder is replaced by a larger inline-six, but it’s not a new engine. A classic car deserves a classic blender and this is the 3.5-liter I6 engine boosted from the Alpina B7 S Turbo. That brings us back to the E12-era BMW 5 Series, and Manhart didn’t simply do an engine swap. Unspecified mods for the turbocharger and intercooler are accompanied by a Manhart exhaust system that produces 405 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. It sends power to the rear wheels via a high-speed manual transmission.
Speaking of the wheels, they are significantly larger than those of the standard E30. Manhart adds two-spoke six-star rims in matte, measuring 19 inches front and rear. Behind them are upgraded Breмbo front brakes with 4-piston calipers and 13-inch discs. In keeping with the E30 M3’s stock performance, the rear brakes are left untouched for cross-drilled rotors. The H&R coilover suspension adds more low end to the package.
In terms of looks, Manhart keeps things relatively subtle. A tweaked front splitter and rear spoiler are the notable changes on the car, with its appearance essentially identical to the E30 M3 Eʋo. A rather sinister matte green wrap wraps around the exterior, with missing taillights and corner lights adding to the aggressive appearance. And of course there’s red trim – you can’t get the 1980s homage without it and that goes well with the interior, which is finished almost entirely in red leather. Missing are the center console and console, the wooden shift knob, and the digital data display that relays important information to the dryer.
