Gran Turismo in a Classic BMW E30 M3

bmw-e30-m3-race-spec-gran-turismo-japan-5

In what appears to be the exceedingly awesome Studie store in Japan, you can get behind the “wheel” of a classic BMW E30 M3 and play Gran Turismo 4. The store, which looks to be a specialist in all things Bavarian, has fitted a Logitech Driving Force Pro (yes, it’s begging for a G25) in front of the drivers seat and mounted a Sony Bravia flat-screen right onto the hood. While I admit that it does feel a bit superfluous to see such a revered race car converted into a gaming rig, it’s bringing a lot more fun and enjoyment to people than if it was sitting there locked up – even if it doesn’t move like that Audi TT at GamesCom. Check out all the pictures of the store at Gawa, and thanks to “Enzo” for sending this in!

See more articles on , , and .

Comments (43)

  1. Lanny classic cars

    I want one! DTM: You have not yet installed carpet in a cage and have inside + the seats are not the (originally installed + spoiler dtm no way I would say)

  2. DrStrangelove

    “I thought i was the only one to like this car so much… i guess not…”
    Here in Germany the E30 M3 is inevitable for any petrolhead, and apparently not only here. It also is in the Forza series, and before I bought my PS3, I considered getting an Xbox 360 instead, for the simple reason that I desperately wanted to beat this car around the Nürburgring. And Porsches, obviously. Hope they will make it into GT5 later, shame if they don’t.

    Opel Manta would be nice too, but I guess you can’t have everything.

  3. RedBaron

    Mustangmiha Says: It’s the 1 ton weighing coupe with high revving engine producing up to 250 HP and FR setting, motorsport is its second name. Now when every well equiped M3 has 1800 kg, driving so light and exact machine as E30 is experience like no other.

  4. jamaicangamer

    do the dials work (tach and speed)?

    this is car is pretty nice still. but they gotta hve the 98 740 IL (yes iL there is a big difference) in it too :DD

  5. Mickle Pickle

    Agree with you Twan & ZMann

    I thought i was the only one to like this car so much… i guess not…
    This car represents all that is great about BMW before what the brand has become now: popular for the wrong reasons in most people’s eyes…

    This is practically the original formula for driving pleasure and sport sedans!

    I grew up with this car… simply a beautiful three-box shaped car!

  6. Zmann42087

    It’s ironic this setup was done on an E30 M3 considering this car has never made it into any Gran Turismo title.

    I’ve said it before though and I’ll say it again.. GT5 needs a DTM (Gr.A) BMW E30 M3 more than any other car in the game! What’s the point of having the Nürburgring if you don’t have an E30 M3 to flog around the Nordschleife? Even Forza 3 has an E30 M3! So what’s PD’s problem?

    And to the people who are lamenting the waste of an E30 M3 for this gaming rig, I can understand where you’re coming from. But it’s not a total loss.. it’s not like this was a real Group-A race car. Notice the full interior and lack of center-locking wheels. It’s clear this was just a regular road going M3 paying homage to the Group-A cars with the iconic Warsteiner livery.

  7. Gregz0r

    Brings back memories of a Ridge Racer arcade machine in London’s Trocadero in the mid 90’s, where they had a real Mazda MX5 hooked up to the arcade unit!

  8. S3 Racer

    don’t panik guys. it ain’t a real DTm car. Look at the photos:

    DTm cars:
    Don’t have carpet inside & have a cage inside + the seats installed aren’t the one originally installed + rear spoiler (kind of non dtm i would say)

    probably a stock m3 or even just a 3series with bodykits. Would be a great way to sell bodykits ;)

  9. Luke

    I once saw a modified Impreza STI. Nearly the same, only that they did not put a Logitech wheel inside, instead you were able to use the original steering wheel, braking pedals and shifting thing for driving GT4 :)

  10. RAugie

    it should be out racing on the track, if that is the real touring car, it has alot of heritage…..

    put a g27 in it…….. or just do the real thing!!

  11. S3 Racer

    Nice rig. I was joking with friends to built one like that, but just half a car. I guess he doesn’t do stuff halfways. LOL

    It is impressive.

  12. tameem

    @ jordan

    they are both gt4 i believe the picture with the door closed has the Nurburgring track displayed on the tv. plus there is a watermark on it too :)

  13. Juniordee

    Yeah, that is definitely GT4 running in there. Though this is probably old, we can forgive Jordan. It’s always refreshing seeing something new posted on gtplanet. :)

  14. Jackington

    Jordan, they’re both GT4 actually. You can see the GT4 watermark in the bottom right hand corner of the screen.

  15. Mr. Apex

    Now if only the M3 E30 was in GT5 …

    Stock and in racing trim … and what about other E30 models like the 318is, the italian 320is or the 325i Touring …

    One can always dream

  16. RedBaron

    I hope that E30 M3 will be in GT5 as well as E36 M3, M5 E28, M5 E34, M5 E39, M635CSi, 3.0 CSL, 507 and many more BMW’s.

  17. Praggia

    I hope this car makes it into GT5
    Its such an iconic automobile with a really rich racing heritage.
    One of the all time greats.

  18. Zenith

    That’s GT4

    Surprising they would go through all that trouble to refit a car with a gaming wheel and cords running through it, and use a dinosaur like the Driving Force Pro

Comments on this post are now closed.

About the Author