Continuing with coverage of E30, today I will finish the chapter about regular (non-M) models of the second generation of the 3-series. While I still have dozens of releases to cover for E30 M3 in various configuration and liveries, before we get there lets look at racing non-M E30 cars.

Minichamps E30 Race cars

To further recoup the costs of making brand new E30 Coupe mold, throughout 2019 Minichamps released 7 various liveries of racing E30 coupes, all from 1986 season of DTM and ETCC. There are very few changes from their road version E30 323i Coupe. Most are cosmetic – fuel cell fillers on trunk lids, different wheels, slick tires, and racing interiors with roll cages. Aside from liveries and different marking on the tires, there are absolutely no differences in the tooling among the models, so all releases are virtually identical – which does not make them exactly correct for each particular car – although differences on the actual cars were minimal, and I would give Minichamps a pass here.

Again, these models are far from being detailed replicas – they are very basic diecasts. No opening panels, visible pegs on exterior lights, crude molded plastic pieces - you could see molding lines on the roll cage bars, etc. They even left road car chassis without any changes, which obviously not correct. So – overall, I’d classify this series as a money-grab for Minichamps.



BMW E30 325i #2 Vogelsang Automobile Team, ADAC-Eifelrennen 1986 DTM, Olaf Manthey.



BMW E30 325i #6 Gubin Sport Star Team, 1986 DTM, Volker Strycek.



BMW E30 325i #30 BMW Isert Team, ADAC Großer Preis der Tourenwagen. 1986 DTM, Joachim Winkelhock.



BMW E30 325i #44 Linder Rennsport Team, E.G. Trophy, Div.2, 1986 ETCC, Winfred Vogl/Markus Oestreich.



BMW E30 325i #45 Linder Rennsport Team, E.G. Trophy, Div.2, 1986 ETCC, Christian Danner/Otto Rensing.



BMW E30 325i #64 Auto Budde Team, ADAC 24h Rennen Nürburgring, Div.2 1986 DTM, Markus Oestreich/ Otto Rensing / Winfried Vogt.



BMW E30 325i #65 Auto Budde Team, ADAC 24h Rennen Nürburgring, Div.2 1986 DTM, Jürgen Hammelmann/Robert Walterscheid Müller/Manfred Trint.


The only modification from road-going car tooling were fuel fillers on the trunk lid.


While decent for a simplified release, chassis detail was not updated from road car chassis, and as such is not correct for the racing car. Another clear example of cost-cutting by Minichamps.


Rim design was identical on all releases, but color schemes were slightly altered to match the liveries. Note that some tires were stamped with Good Year, and some were Pirellis.


There were not many differences among the models – some had windshield wipers pointing straight up, some down in a regular position. Front facias all looked identical, but #45 M Technik car had some imitation tape decals on inner lenses.

Minichamps made just 350 units of each livery, so they are definitely a limited release - obviously targeted for collectors rather than casual buyer. But even with such limited release number, few of these were still lingering in online stores and at diecast retailers months after initial release, some were even discounted to help move the inventory.




It appears that Minichamps recognized this and stopped pumping out new liveries after 7 releases. Perhaps more will be released at a later date, but as of early 2021 the series appears to be on pause. Currently released models are listed below.