The iconic BMW M3 E30 is, without question, one of the best sounding rally cars in the world, and Mats van den Brand owns possibly the world's best example.
The 28-year from the Netherlands got his hands on an M3 E30 for the first time in 2015, and since then he's created a business building and selling the pretty German cars.
"As a young boy I was always into Lego, cars and scale-models and from the age of six I started karting, an amazing sport where I’m still active as a coach and kart instructor," Mats told RallySport Magazine.
Mats' father is a co-driver, so his entry into the sport was perhaps inevitable.
Already his own rallying career has already netted two national titles and two talent program wins.
This led to the beginning of his international rally career in 2015, competing in the Junior World Rally Championship in a Ford Fiesta.
"One of my sponsors at that time needed a guest driver for a rally to take some business relations over the rally stages," he explains.
"It was my responsibility to organise this car and drive it! It was a perfect opportunity to drive one of my favourite cars - a Group A BMW M3 E30.
"The best part was a friend of mine had one."
Mats fell in love with the M3 as soon as he drove it.
"The way she handles, shifting, steering, it was the total package," he says.
"Don’t even mention the sound, that is another story!"
Soon after he asked his friend if he could buy the car, and the rest is history.
Mats then built another M3 in 2016, then things got serious from 2017 onwards, starting with some rebuilds of customer cars.
"Later that year we delivered a fantastic M3 E30 Group A to Switzerland, and I started to build a name in the rally world with the M3 E30.
"In 2018 we started to focus on how to make the cars even more faster and reliable. We went viral with our own M3 (#2) and worldwide we started to sell parts and cars!"
From 2019 onwards they have started selling under the brand "MATS", where you too can order your very own Group A BMW M3 E30.
As the photos of Mats' faultless example show, you could hardly ask for a better addition to your shed.
TECH SPECSBody
BMW M3 E30
Matter roll cage, fully welded
Aqua blasted before roll cage
Roll cage extended to front and rear top mounts
Extra differential holder, as per Prodrive M3 E30 Group A spec 1988
Pedal box plate
Fixed handbrake
Reinforced shifter table plate
Reinforced front axle holder to push arm
Engine
BMW M3 E30 2.3-litre engine
S14B23
2.3 knived crankshaft
High compression pistons
GRA bearings
Machined cylinder head for max flow
Max size valves (according FIA homologation)
5kg flywheel with twin clutch 184mm
4-2 Custom exhaust manifold 50mm
Custom throttle bodies
Custom made camshafts 308/299
Custom REAL carbon airbox
Custom pulley set
High pressure steeering pump
Custom made oil pump
Custom made timingbelt tensioner
Made by Boschtuning
Transmission
Samsonas 6spd H oattern Dogbox (in original Getrag 265 housing)
M3 E46 heavy duty hardy disk
2;10 M5 differential, custom slip, 4 plates, 5;28 ratio.
Suspension
Custom made by MATS front arms
All-in uniballs
Big uprights (prodrive look)
Reiger suspension
Custom made rear arms (all as homologated)
Adjustable front and rear anti-roll bar
Heavy reinforced front and rear subframe by MATS
Brakes:
AP 6 pot caliper front 1990
AP 4 pot caliper rear 1990
AP 332x32mm disc front
AP 304x25.4mm disc rear
Custom made bells and brackets, alloy 7075
Winmax brake pads
Pedal box with AP cyilinders and balance bar
Wheels/Tyres
Speedline lightweight rally wheel
Compomotive extra strong MO1781
All 17inch, 8J
ET 12 rr 15
Hankook, Pirelli and Michelin Tyres ror rally use
Interior:
Custom Group A loom, all new, with modern connectors and water resistance
Custom dashboard
Ultra light Kevlar fuel lines by Goodridge
Extras
Merinfuel tank, with Bosch 044 pumps
Reg. Fuel pressure regulator
All Kevlar lines
Oil lines Kevlar
Custom water hoses
Custom brake lines, all made to measure for M3 by Goodridge
AIM camera system
Â
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4IhjNBOM4U
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This led to the beginning of his international rally career in 2015, competing in the Junior World Rally Championship in a Ford Fiesta.
"One of my sponsors at that time needed a guest driver for a rally to take some business relations over the rally stages," he explains.
"It was my responsibility to organise this car and drive it! It was a perfect opportunity to drive one of my favourite cars - a Group A BMW M3 E30.
"The best part was a friend of mine had one."
Soon after he asked his friend if he could buy the car, and the rest is history.
Mats then built another M3 in 2016, then things got serious from 2017 onwards, starting with some rebuilds of customer cars.
"Later that year we delivered a fantastic M3 E30 Group A to Switzerland, and I started to build a name in the rally world with the M3 E30.
"In 2018 we started to focus on how to make the cars even more faster and reliable. We went viral with our own M3 (#2) and worldwide we started to sell parts and cars!"
From 2019 onwards they have started selling under the brand "MATS", where you too can order your very own Group A BMW M3 E30.
As the photos of Mats' faultless example show, you could hardly ask for a better addition to your shed.
TECH SPECS
Body
BMW M3 E30
Matter roll cage, fully welded
Aqua blasted before roll cage
Roll cage extended to front and rear top mounts
Extra differential holder, as per Prodrive M3 E30 Group A spec 1988
Pedal box plate
Fixed handbrake
Reinforced shifter table plate
Reinforced front axle holder to push arm
Engine
BMW M3 E30 2.3-litre engine
S14B23
2.3 knived crankshaft
High compression pistons
GRA bearings
Machined cylinder head for max flow
Max size valves (according FIA homologation)
5kg flywheel with twin clutch 184mm
4-2 Custom exhaust manifold 50mm
Custom throttle bodies
Custom made camshafts 308/299
Custom REAL carbon airbox
Custom pulley set
High pressure steeering pump
Custom made oil pump
Custom made timingbelt tensioner
Made by Boschtuning
Transmission
Samsonas 6spd H oattern Dogbox (in original Getrag 265 housing)
M3 E46 heavy duty hardy disk
2;10 M5 differential, custom slip, 4 plates, 5;28 ratio.
Suspension
Custom made by MATS front arms
All-in uniballs
Big uprights (prodrive look)
Reiger suspension
Custom made rear arms (all as homologated)
Adjustable front and rear anti-roll bar
Heavy reinforced front and rear subframe by MATS
Brakes:
AP 6 pot caliper front 1990
AP 4 pot caliper rear 1990
AP 332x32mm disc front
AP 304x25.4mm disc rear
Custom made bells and brackets, alloy 7075
Winmax brake pads
Pedal box with AP cyilinders and balance bar
Wheels/Tyres
Speedline lightweight rally wheel
Compomotive extra strong MO1781
All 17inch, 8J
ET 12 rr 15
Hankook, Pirelli and Michelin Tyres ror rally use
Interior:
Custom Group A loom, all new, with modern connectors and water resistance
Custom dashboard
Ultra light Kevlar fuel lines by Goodridge
Extras
Merinfuel tank, with Bosch 044 pumps
Reg. Fuel pressure regulator
All Kevlar lines
Oil lines Kevlar
Custom water hoses
Custom brake lines, all made to measure for M3 by Goodridge
AIM camera system
Â
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4IhjNBOM4U
