Articles

Drifting has become one of the world’s fastest growing forms of motorsport for many reasons. Parts availability for various platforms and low barrier to entry are just a couple of reasons why many petrolheads and enthusiasts find themselves sliding on the weekends in the same cars they’ll drive to work that following Monday.

The before/after difference from worn rubber to Condor is truly night and day. It is almost unbelievable that such a small part can make such a difference in how a car handles. BMW’s E30, E36 and E46 3 series’ front suspension setups are all very similar; where a single control arm is linked to the chassis via an OEM rubber bushing. Given that these control arms and their bushings are the cohesive link to the car’s steering, their condition is crucial for both safety and drivability. 

If you were to ask a member of the general public (whether they are a car person or not) to picture an old or vintage BMW in their mind, they would most likely think of a BMW E30. As one of BMW’s most famous models, E30's have crossed over from being fun transportation and a worthy track car, to a pop culture icon due to its use in film and TV, success on the racetrack, unmistakable styling, and the fact that it is a joy to drive.

The sliding scale of which BMW will be the last "collectible" car is a topic as trite as the day is long. One group of traditional purists will say it stops at the E30, only to be met with a younger generation of people who have slides of the STW E36 touring cars dancing through their social media feeds. Even still, a combination of those groups will stop to appreciate a well-sorted E46 M3 for its modernity and daily usability.

BMW's line of 3 Series cars has been a favorite of drivers, motorsports enthusiasts, and racers for over 45 years. Starting with the E21 back in 1975, the 3 Series has proven to be a perfect blend of comfort and performance on the street and track, and The E9x is no exception.

The early 2000s were a real sweet spot for performance cars. All auto manufacturers, and especially BMW, were utilizing new technology to create cars that were more powerful, comfortable, and safer than ever before. This time period saw the incorporation of more electronic components such as computers and modules, but also the retention of some of the analog features that many drivers preferred, which makes them the perfect blend of new and old.  

BMW’s first production car arrived more than a century ago, and ever since, BMWs have been known for their perfect blend of comfort and handling. It wasn’t long after their first cars hit the road that BMW became a popular choice for driving enthusiasts and race car drivers due to their quality construction, superior performance, lightweight body, and the fact that they are easy to modify with performance upgrades.

The fifth generation of BMW’s legendary 3 Series arrived as a 2005 model year replacement for the popular E46. This new platform had four main body styles, a four-door sedan (the E90), a five “door” station wagon (the E91), a two-door coupe (the E92), and a two-door hardtop convertible (the E93), and collectively these body styles make up what is known to BMW enthusiasts as the E9X platform. The E9x was available with both automatic and manual transmissions, and multiple engine choices were available, including four-cylinder, six-cylinder, and a V8 which was a first for the M3 model. The E9x was in production until 2011 and is still a popular choice for drivers and racers today.

BMW's fifth-generation 3 Series arrived in 2005 to replace the much-loved E46. This new model consisted of the E90 sedan, E91 station wagon, E92 coupe, and E93 convertible. These four body styles collectively make up what is known to BMW enthusiasts as the E9x 3 Series. The new 3 Series platform introduced several firsts, including a turbocharged engine found in the 335i and a naturally aspirated V8 in the New M3. The E9X also carried on BMW Motorsports' success in GT, Endurance, and Touring Car racing. It was the last 3 Series model with an "E" designation and was replaced by new 3 and 4 Series models by 2013.