A little-known variant of the E30 BMW 3 Series—at least it's little-known in this country—is the BMW 320is. It was built for sale only in Portugal and Italy, and designed to provide high performance without their owners paying too much in taxes.
In those two countries, vehicles were taxed based on engine displacement, and there was a considerable tax savings if the car’s engine was two liters or under. BMW took its regular E30 3 Series and gave it a 1990cc version of the S14 motor that was such a beast in the E30 BMW M3.
For the 320is, the S14 had a shorter 72.6mm stroke and produced 192 horsepower. The dogleg Getrag 265 manual gearbox was the same one found on non-U.S. M3s at the time. It had a limited-slip differential with a 25 percent lockup.
The 320is was produced in left-hand drive models only, and included ABS and power steering. BMW made a four-door sedan starting in 1987 and a two door model followed in 1988. The two door also received a complete M-Technic II Aero package. The springs, dampers, and anti-sway bars were the stiffer Sportfahrwerk type.
Only 3,748 E30 320is were made, which included 1,206 four-door and 2,542 two-doors.
The fact that we almost never get to see one of these rare and sporty E30s made the following video all the more enjoyable.
Driven by Patrick Orth in the 2016 Bergrennen Unterfranken hillclimb, this two-door 320is sported a wider track, a full roll cage, and a big wing. It therefore bears little resemblance to the tax-dodging, almost-an-M3 E30 that first drove off the showroom floor—but it's still fun to watch.—Scott Blazey
[Photo and video courtesy of 100Octanede.]
