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The BMW M3 turns 30 this year and to celebrate BMW has let some of its M3-based one-off Frankenstein creations out into the sunlight.
In an attempt to lure younger customers to the brand, BMW unveiled the Compact in 1993, a truncated hatchback version of the 3 Series. It was essentially a predecessor to today’s 1 Series, the car that more or less replaced it when the Compact ceased production in 2004.
Its light 1290kg kerb weight meant 0-100km/h took around 7.8sec, which wasn’t bad for the day, but it was clear that the chassis was crying out for a proper engine.
Weighing 150kg less than a four-door M3, performance was extremely impressive, though the Compact’s semi-trailing arm rear suspension could make for occasionally wayward handling.
BMW’s M3 ’30 Jahre’ anniversary model goes on sale later this year.
