Ray KormanKorman Autoworkswww.kormanfastbmw.com(336) 275-1494When Korman Autoworks was established in 1978, it was the third U.S. BMW tuner-behind Motortech and Miller & Norborn. Of the three, only Korman Autoworks survived in the sea of competition that was to follow. Owner Ray Korman has been racing and winning with BMWs since 1964, so the man knows a thing or two about the Blue and White.
"I think when I drove the M1, it was my favorite BMW M car. They're a bit loud, but I always have earplugs with me. Then when I drove the E30 M3, it clearly became my favorite M car. We raced it all over the U.S. in the IMSA Firehawk Endurance Championship. It's a wonderful enthusiast car that has really taken over BMW CCA driving schools. There are people out there paying $5,000 for a halfway decent M3, whether for street, track or both. That's a tremendous bargain when you consider that you can't restore a 2002 for that kind of money anymore.
"But then when I started racing the E36 M3, it became my favorite M car. I think my favorite M car is whatever I'm driving or racing at the time-they're all great! I've driven the E46 M3, but I haven't had a chance to really wring one out on the racetrack. I'm looking forward to it, because I think this car [the E46 M3], in the hands of the right driver, has the potential to win a BMW CCA Club Race stock, right out of the box. I'm sure at that point it will become my favorite M car.
"The E39 M5 is also an awesome car. I have a customer who bought one as a trainer for his upcoming Z8 and wound up keeping both cars. His buddy is a pilot, so when they both have time, the two guys talk on their cell phones while the pilot flies intercept over the interstate and my customer firewalls his M5. That's technology."
Pete McHenryPrecision Performance(336) 761-0643Precision Performance is Pete McHenry. McHenry builds BMW engines, is a BMW engine swap specialist, and does consulting work with tuners. That's it. He does not have a Website. "I'm on so many Websites, I don't think it really matters. Plus, I have all the work I can handle," McHenry explained.
"I think my favorite has to be the E30 M3. This car has just the right amount of electronics to make it run excellently and dependably without overkill. For example, on the E36 M3, if you refuel the car with the driver's door open, the fuel gauge software aborts. That's just stupid. There's more, too. The E30 M3's low level of electronics makes it more dependable. Plus, it has a great fuel-injection system. I like the lighter weight, too. New BMW's are just too heavy." And his next M car? "My next M car won't be an M car. It'll be a Mini Cooper. I just think it's the most fun car. It's light, it's powerful, and I fit in it. It's not a BMW, but it is."
Will TurnerTurner Motorsportwww.turnermotorsport.com(800) 280-6966Will Turner owns and operates Turner Motorsport during the week and is a professional BMW race driver on the weekends. Turner Motorsport was founded in 1993 to provide BMW enthusiasts with ultra-high-performance BMW parts and accessories at reasonable prices. TMS is dedicated in providing the best quality performance parts and accessories for BMWs.
"My favorite M car of all time is the E30 M3. No other M car has the same feel. It's not the fastest M car, it doesn't have the best brakes of any M car and it doesn't really have the exclusivity of an M car...but what it does have is character! The E30 M3 fits like a glove when you sit in it, it corners with authority (and without dramatics) and it has the ability to make smiles. Hands down, my favorite. My favorite new M car? It's not the Mini; front-wheel drive excludes it. I would have to say the E46 M3-there is no substitute for raw power and 8200 rpm!"