AS BMW prepares to grow its family of M3 and M4 power players into even more niche variants including Pure, Competition, CS and Club Sport cars, it is easy to forget where the impressive line-up of modern day M models finds its roots.

Like tracing the mighty Amazon back to a tiny and seemingly insignificant trickle high up in the Rio Mantaro drainage, the car that fathered the vicious 368kW M4 GTS was a 147kW, four-cylinder 3 Series that debuted in 1987.

Since the E30 M3 blasted into the history books 30 years ago, the German car maker has punctuated the journey with rare and desirable special editions that mark the way to today’s M-power empire. Here are our ten favourites.

E30 320is It might not have been sold as an M-car, but lift the bonnet of the 320is and its engine sends a very different message. To sneak in under Italian and Portuguese road tax thresholds, BMW stroked down the 2.3-litre S14 of the original E30 M3 to just under 2.0-litres.

The result was one of history’s greatest sleepers. Its body had none of the 2.3-litre M3 calling cards but its M-Power engine pumped out just 4kW fewer than the 147kW M-badged car.

The limited edition was also given more track promise in the form of thinner and lighter rear window glass, chrome tail pipes, black wheel spokes and deleted front brake ducts for a cleaner look. Lift the bonnet and the rocker cover and plenum chamber was also colour coordinated with the body.

Inside, the Sport Evo had more supportive bucket seats and its exterior was treated to even fatter wheel arches, an adjustable front and rear wing. Even the bonnet shut-lines were filled in with rubber strips to improve aerodynamics, and you could have it as a convertible.

Australia, however got a special treat in the form of the M3R courtesy of Frank Gardner Racing, which had an engine work-over to push power from the standard 210kW to 239kW, as well as a reduced weight by 100kg thanks to the removal of comfort items including air conditioning, fog lights and rear seats.

It also shed air conditioning and gained a carbonfibre roof, airbox and interior trim in the name of saving 70kg, as did the rigid and deeply bucketed sports seats.

You could only have the CSL with a SMG gearbox which received criticism but most managed to see past that when they fell in love with the unique styling and massive wheels that were wrapped in hardcore Michelin Pilot Sport Cup rubber – strictly a dry weather proposition.

Just 135 examples of the original M3 GTS were sold.

It used the same engine as the GTS but pioneered advanced carbon fibre construction that allowed the car to save 45kg, despite adding back in a number of comfort features such as a top-shelf sound system, navigation and plush interior. It also packed a roll cage and harnesses for a balance of road and track fun.

In the wake of the GTS, Pure, Performance, CS and DTM variant onslaught, we can’t wait to see what BMW wheels out for the M3 and M4 next.