E30 M3 - RHD - info required please

[Rslut]

As the title says - just seen one for sale, but never knew any existed, well from the factory at least.

Any info would be appreciated.

Cheers

[bob1179]

In a word - Don't!

The factory never made a RHD E30 M3 because they couldn't get the steering column around the tuned exhaust without losing a lot of power.

I really wouldn't trust an RHD conversion, you might as well buy a 325i or 318is.

[oola]

Rslut said:

As the title says - just seen one for sale, but never knew any existed, well from the factory at least.

Any info would be appreciated.

Cheers

Yep, as above, the factory didn't make em!

[Geneve]

There were some rhd conversions (as there were with the Integrales), and I believe Birds may have done a couple, but they used different (325i ?) steering components and the results were never as good as the original.

As said above, if you want an 'original' classic M3, get the real deal - lhd.

[993rsr]

Geneve said:

There were some rhd conversions (as there were with the Integrales), and I believe Birds may have done a couple, but they used different (325i ?) steering components and the results were never as good as the original.

As said above, if you want an 'original' classic M3, get the real deal - lhd.

The RHD conversion employed a 325i rack with more turns lock to lock. In addition as has been mentioned the re-routing of the exhaust lost a few bhp along the way.

They are such a compact car (compared to today's offerings) that I've never found LHD to be much of an issue.

[Rslut]

Thanks chaps

[steve996]

My friend has one that was done when brand new, I think it was Birds who did it. I've driven it a few times and it certainly felt the real deal to me. He's been heavily into his E30's for over 10 years and knows his stuff so I wouldn't rule out the possibility of there being good conversions and bad ones out there.......

[NormanBaker]

Left-hand drive is not such a bad thing. It is better in town (you can get within an inch of a parked car on the left), it is better on motorways (you can get over to the left of lane 3 and see what’s happening ahead, whereas everyone else is over on the right) and in a head to head impact you are safer, as it is normally the offside that takes the brunt of the impact (I know from experience). It is worse on country roads when stuck behind a high vehicle, as you have to hang back further to see what’s up ahead (but then you have enough power to compensate). Don’t worry about getting used to it. It takes a few hours.

[m3evo2]

NormanBaker said:

Left-hand drive is not such a bad thing. It is better in town (you can get within an inch of a parked car on the left), it is better on motorways (you can get over to the left of lane 3 and see what’s happening ahead, whereas everyone else is over on the right) and in a head to head impact you are safer, as it is normally the offside that takes the brunt of the impact (I know from experience). It is worse on country roads when stuck behind a high vehicle, as you have to hang back further to see what’s up ahead (but then you have enough power to compensate). Don’t worry about getting used to it. It takes a few hours.

Agree, takes no time to get used to, the dog leg box takes a bit longer mind, oh and getting petrol has lead to some, just getting something out of the glove box moments

[andye30m3]

I also found the dog leg box harder to get used to than LHD but still no real problem.

And must confess i have opened the wrong door having just paid for petrol, much to the amusement of the employees of the tyre garage next door.

[sleep envy]

993rsr said:

Geneve said:

There were some rhd conversions (as there were with the Integrales), and I believe Birds may have done a couple, but they used different (325i ?) steering components and the results were never as good as the original.

As said above, if you want an 'original' classic M3, get the real deal - lhd.

The RHD conversion employed a 325i rack with more turns lock to lock. In addition as has been mentioned the re-routing of the exhaust lost a few bhp along the way.

They are such a compact car (compared to today's offerings) that I've never found LHD to be much of an issue.

Birds converted 72 cars to RHD - call Kevin Bird of Birds Uk (Uxbridge) who should be able tell you more about them

[BMGM3]

The exhaust used in some conversions was an orginal part that was spaced out between the two branches and welded. It's no smaller and shouldn't have much of an impact. The 325i rack is the only real downside. Change it to a Z3 or E36 M3 and you'll restore the steering feel which the car is famed for.Check all the wiring behind the dash is ok by at least checking everything electrical works.

[falkster]

As Bryan says.

Some early conversions werent so clever but with the Z3/E36 rack and spacers on the manifold you should be fine!

[Nico G]

m3evo2 said:

NormanBaker said:

Left-hand drive is not such a bad thing. It is better in town (you can get within an inch of a parked car on the left), it is better on motorways (you can get over to the left of lane 3 and see what’s happening ahead, whereas everyone else is over on the right) and in a head to head impact you are safer, as it is normally the offside that takes the brunt of the impact (I know from experience). It is worse on country roads when stuck behind a high vehicle, as you have to hang back further to see what’s up ahead (but then you have enough power to compensate). Don’t worry about getting used to it. It takes a few hours.

Agree, takes no time to get used to, the dog leg box takes a bit longer mind, oh and getting petrol has lead to some, just getting something out of the glove box moments

You're so right - I know precisely what you mean!

Drive-throughs are also interesting when you're alone....

[sleep envy]

do them in reverse