The day has come! Yes, I have finally photographed, edited, and compiled the first installment in a very voluminous E30 saga! This is first chapter of many on E30, as the number of models released over the years is simply astounding. In fact, as I write this, I'm awaiting a package with new E30 models that were just released! How incredible is the fact that a car that first seen light some 40 years ago, still garners interest from model makers today? Anyway, enjoy.
E30 3-series
E30 is the second generation of BMW 3 Series. It was produced from 1982 to 1994 (in some markets) and replaced the first generation of the model codenamed E21. For the first time the model range included not only coupé, and sedan, but also convertible, Baur Cabrio, and touring body styles. It was powered by a range of gas and diesel powered four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines. The E30 325iX model was the first 3 Series to have all-wheel drive.
Development of the E30 3 Series began in July 1976, with styling being developed under chief designer Claus Luthe with exterior styling led by Boyke Boyer. Final design was approved for production in 1979, with production car released at the end of 1982. Visually, the car design was very evolutionary, but under the skin it was quite a different car, with modern suspension and interior, and wider range of engines.
And of course the E30 series is where the famous M3 moniker gets its start. The "God's Chariot", as many fans call E30 M3, was based on the E30 3 Series coupe and was intended to be a homologation special to satisfy the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaf and Group A Touring rules, which required a total of 5,000 cars to be built. It was presented to the public at the 1985 Frankfurt Motor Show, and was produced from March 1986 to June 1991. But we will get to the M3 story a little bit later. Today, let's talk about non-M E30 models.
Road cars
Lineup of BMW E30 3-series model made in 1:18 scale resin by Otto Mobile
OTTOMobile
It is hard to believe, but for a very long time (first E30 prototypes produced in 1981) there were no 1:18th scale models of plain-Jane E30 in any body style - not a coupe, or a sedan, or anything really. There were plenty of road-going and racing M3 variants, but no regular E30. For 30-odd years, one of the most popular BMW cars didn't have an 18th scale model. Quite a mystery, really.
In early 2010's when it seemed dust has settled over the E30 M3 battle between AUTOart and Minichamps, multiple newly established resin model makers were trying to find their niche in the overcrowded and competitive 18th scale diecast/resin market. And this was the time when French resin maker OTTO Mobile realized that aside from M3 Coupe and multiple racing versions, no manufacturer has ever made non-M3 road cars.
And they went to work - within the next few years Otto released sealed resin models of 325i and 325is Coupes (cosmetically, these models were identical on the outside, so I suspect Otto just repainted same casting and slapped different badge on it), 325i Cabriolet (late version), 325i Baur Cabrio, 325i Touring with M-tech appearance pack, early 325i Convertible, and just recently a 325i Sedan (as of late 2020). Let's take a closer look at the models:
OTTOmobile first E30 release - BMW E30 325iS Coupe 1989, in Calypso Red.
And their latest in the series so far - BMW E30 325i Sedan 1988, in Dolphin Grey.
Magnificent looking BMW E30 325i Baur TC Cabrio 1988, in Henna Red. With the open top, you could finally see all the fine details on Otto's pretty well made interior.
BMW E30 325i Touring was a very welcome addition to the E30 lineup, especially in Alpinweiss, and especially with an optional M-Technik appearance package. Tourings are typically not favored by model makers due to their limited appeal, but E30 Touring is just such a good looking car!
The first release of the two convertibles in E30 body made by Otto - BMW E30 325i Convertible 1993 in beautiful Atlantis Blue. There are quite a few differences between the two releases which I will point out below.
And finally the second Cabrio release in Agate Green. Excellent color combination on this model.
All regular E30 models made by Otto were sealed resin with non-existent chassis detail, but they were generally very nicely made, and look really good sitting on the shelf. Proportions were generally spot-on, and it was clear that they did their research on the model differences - several minor details that differ on the real cars were faithfully reproduced in scale. Quality control was good, with one notable exception - there were problems with windows being glued slightly off. Paint and decal application were consistently good, and for the price (around 60-70 Euro on average) they offered excellent value.
Here are some pictures offering a bit of detailed look at these excellent model cars.
Attention to detail is what made these releases from Otto great: they didn't just re-purposed existing molds to create seemingly different models, they actually changed them to represent correct detail changes on the real cars. Just look at the front facias: 4 distinct spoiler designs, different size and shape markets and fog lights, and even proper badge for the specific M-tech bumper on the grill as well!
Same excellent work on the back ends as well - different taillights for different models, correct spoilers on the trunk lids, even the exhaust tip shape and position was updated accordingly.
Early and late model convertibles had plenty of different details to look over - additional chrome on the earlier model, with chrome windshield surround, color coded mirrors on the later release, bigger "basket weave" vs. smaller "bottlecaps" on the earlier version, and the additional side marker on the fender.
Interiors offered plenty of differences as well - from early to late gauge clusters, 3 and 4-spoke steering wheels, to different style and shape shifter knobs and color of the carpeting.
The differences didn't end there - chrome strips on front and rear bumpers, taillights, tow hooks, and color of the grilles - all showcasing that Otto really put some love in creating these wonderful models.
Somewhere in-between these releases they also cranked out a really pretty E30 M3-based Alpina B6 3.5S Coupe in two colors and E30 Alpina C2 2.7 in Antrazit Grey. They also jumped on the M3 train, and released several versions of the coupe and convertible and couple of the cool rally versions, but we will touch on these later in the chapter once we get to the M-versions.
Stunning M3 Coupe-based Alpina B6 3.5S in Alpina blue with copper striping.
Regular E30 Coupe-based Alpina C2 2.7 in Antrazit Gray. Despite relatively large release limitation (2,000 pieces), this was one tough model to track down.
Bodywork difference were obviously dictated by the model origins. But kudos to Otto for recreating it all in great detail for both Alpinas. The bumpers, grilles, lights, striping - all was done right. If I were to nitpick - badges placement on the B6 seems a bit off.
Both had famous Alpina-style wheels, but just look at those fenders on the B6. They make the car look absolutely different from C2! Notice the fender markers and body kit on the C2 as well.
Beautiful duet. Otto Alpina B6 and C2 coupes.
In total, Otto released 6 versions of the E30 3-series (7 if you take into account 325i/325iS color variation), and 2 distinct Alpina cars. All were limited releases ranging from 2,750 units for the first Cabrio release, to only 1,500 for the silver Coupe and Baur Cabrio. All Alpinas were limited to 2,000 units. All Otto models are currently sold out and rather hard to find even on the second-hand market with prices reflecting the supply scarcity. While it is quite possible other manufacturers will release E30 models in the future, unless it is full-detail diecast - it is hard to imagine these would be better than Otto's resin offerings.
Minichamps
Inspired by success of their sealed diecast racing E9s and E89 series, Minichamps decided to release their own version of non-M E30, which resulted in 1982 323i Coupe in 7 color variations, and 7 versions of the same 323i Coupe in various racing liveries.
MINICHAMPS BMW E30 323i Coupe 1982 in Silver.
Minichamps version was simplified sealed diecast so typical of their latest releases - it almost feels that the only reason they released a road-going version was to justify making the casting so they could crank out several racing versions as well. The proportions are ok (not great) with most notable flaw being the shape of the trunk lid and oversized wheels. Detailing is basic, with sparsely detailed and unpainted chassis (the only painted element is exhaust), functionality is minimal with front poseable wheels being the only movable feature. The stance is ok, but overall model is severely lacking in design quality, with lights attached with visible pins, chrome moldings and brightwork simply painted silver, no brake detail to speak of, painted badging, missing license plates, rudimentary interior detail, cloudy window plastic. Honestly, the model feels like a blown-up 1/43 model. Overall - nothing to write home about.
Even in these photos, you can clearly see that it was not a premium offering from Minichamps. Even though it has some features that resin models from Otto didn't offer (front wheels that can be turned, some chassis and suspensions detail) it was easily offset by oversized wheels, painted brightwork, and suspect proportions.
To recoup the cost of the development, they released 7 color variations all limited from 702 to 400 units per color with the total production number close to 3,500 models. Some colors are still available at retail with an average price around $100, but can be had at discount too. If you are not "completist" collector, don't have to have a Coupe with oversized "bottlecaps", and can get your hands on Otto's excellent 325i Coupe - this one can is an easy pass.
Collecting E30 3-Series Road Cars
For a full set of all E30-based non-M road-going cars you will need to collect total of 9 models. 6 version of Otto's 325i in different body styles (2 verts), 2 Alpinas, and a Minichamps coupe. If you are not into variants and small detail differences, then 5 main body versions from Otto, and 2 Alpinas should get you covered.
Upcoming models
As of this writing (late 2020) there are several model makers that have announced, showed prototypes, or even completed models of the E30 3-series. Sadly, none of these upcoming releases are full-detail, premium diecasts. Instead, they are sealed models and judging from the pictures appear to be rather simple castings along the lines of the Minichamps release. So far we have confirmed 3 color versions of 325i Cabrio from MCG, 1992 325i Touring and a 1988 325i Coupe from Norev, all of which duplicate models already released by Otto.
Coupe
Norev BMW E30 325i Coupe 1988, Blue. #183201
Cabrio
MCG BMW E30 325i Convertible 1985, Red. #MCG18151
MCG BMW E30 325i Convertible 1985, Silver. #MCG18152
MCG BMW E30 325i Convertible 1985, Black Met. #MCG18153
Touring
Norev BMW E30 325i Touring 1992, Silver. #183216
Copyright 2016-2020 Alex Kustov. No copying or reproduction in any shape or form without written permission of the author.