[jmg]

I don't know about everyone else, but the G87's design reminded me of the E30 M3, and it's what sent me over the top to decide to trade in my G82 M4 for an M2. I took this photo the other night and it reminded me of a photo I took nearly 10 years ago. I dug into my archive and found that it really highlights how similar they are with the exaggerated boxy wheel arches and short wheelbase.

No, the G87 M2, nor any modern BMW, will not deliver that analog feeling of the E30 M3. It's just not in the cards with modern safety standards and today's market demands. However, I think the size, character, and styling is the closest modern BMW to the E30. If only we could get that steering feel and weight a bit closer!

[SW19]

Nice pics.It’s amazing how good the E30 design still looks today.Definitely timeless.

[87M3]

100%

[M2M3M3]

as an E30 M3 owner, i really see no resemblance. looks or character. two completely different designs and purposes.

both great, but there shall never be new E30M3.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by M2M3M3

as an E30 M3 owner, i really see no resemblance. looks or character. two completely different designs and purposes.

both great, but there shall never be new E30M3.

They aren't similar at all until you look at it through a modern lens and come to terms that the E30 M3 will never have a true successor. It's impossible with a mass produced vehicle. We can only come so close. With that in mind, given all the modern limitations/regulations/stipulations market and consumer demand, I think, spiritually, this is closer than the current M3. The M2 is currently the smallest, lightest M car (shocking, I know!), it comes in a manual, and it has boxy flares.

Some people argue that the E30 is a homologated race car and that it was designed as such, but they forget that the entire point of the homologation was to meet Group A regulations that the car has to have a road going version. The E30 M3 you could buy at a dealership is a road car, period. The race car version of the E30 M3 had more horsepower, different gearboxes, it was 400-500 lbs lighter, a different suspension, reinforced chassis, and different brakes.

So while the E30 M3 enjoys the status of being a homologation vehicle, it's still primarily designed, engineered, and packaged to be a road driven vehicle, much like the modern M cars. These are all street cars.

[LateBrake8]

Big resemblance for me when looking at the side/quarter angles. Love the boxy flares and the way the door is pushed in between front and rear.

[mencio]

Amazing photos, impressive how both have the same tones and similar angles. Really cool to see them side to side.

Personally I can totally see many design similarities, definitely more E30 M3 like than the current G80 M3. Can't speak of driving characteristics since I have never driven an E30 M3, nor am I dying to drive one. I still think they are amazing to look at, but probably wouldn't buy one even if I had the extra cash. (I'll take an E46 though, a CSL would be even better).

Still waiting for my M2 to be delivered, but I am looking forward to the experience and ownership.
Most importantly I am very curious to see if this G87 will evoke the same emotions and visual awe in 30 years as the E30 does to people my generation.
Hopefully my son who is 10 now, and loves cars, will get just as excited to see a G87 M2 when he is 40+, when gas powered manual cars, with laughable technology are going to be extremely rare.

[techwhiz1]

I said this a while ago.

The big flares, flat nose, short rear are all design elements from the E30 M3.

I owned an E30 M3 as my daily for more than a decade.

[NewToM]

E30 so pretty!

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Excellent post here & I fully agree with you.

[fzr100098]

G87 looks better imo but neither has flowing lines of something like the Emira

Steering feel could be improved but not a big deal on the street

[M271]

100% agree, also one of the reasons I swapped my G22 M440i for the M2. The initial press release photos didn't do the shape any justice, when I saw then in the wild I was impressed. So close to buying a TR car with tan interior, but went for the BG instead.