Since BMW itself doesn't know what proper M cars are anymore, somebody else had to step up and show the German automaker how it's done. Allow us to present the E30 M3 Enhanced and Evolved by Redux, which is quite a mouthful. Even though Redux doesn't like it, we shall hereafter refer to the restomod creation as the Redux M3.

Before we move any further, let's start with the bad news. Redux is a UK-based company, and it charges $435,000. That's excluding the price of an E30 M3 donor car, tax, and the cost of getting it to the USA. Still, we see that as a bargain considering the BMW XM, otherwise known as BMW's latest attempt at building a standalone M car, will likely cost around $200,000. Heck, we'd pay BMW that not to have to look at the XM ever again.

But back to the magnificence that is the Redux M3. It started life as a simple question. A question many BMW and automotive enthusiasts, in general, have wondered about for many years. What if BMW went one step beyond the E30 M3 Sport Evo? Redux's founder, Simon Lord, asked the same question. Instead of just wondering, he went out and designed it.

The first thing you need to know is that it is a proper M3. You can't simply send Redux any old E30 and expect the company to work magic. Redux needs a genuine E30 BMW M3 to work with, and it will spend 4,000 hours over 18 months turning it into the car you see here.

You can't really spot the difference from the outside, apart from the subtle Redux badge where the M3 badge would typically go. But there is one significant material difference between this and the standard car. Except for the door skins and roof, every panel is made from a pre-reg carbon fiber unique to Redux.

The front and rear fenders are slightly wider to house the new 18-inch alloy wheels, while the front bumper incorporates a redesigned splitter. The mirrors, side sills, trunk lid, rear spoiler, and gurney flap are all modified designs, but not so much that you'd notice. If you open the trunk, you get an eyeful of naked carbon fiber, which is stunning.

Redux retains the naturally aspirated S14 four-cylinder engine but upgrades it to produce 300 horsepower and 205 lb-ft of torque. Those are staggering figures from a naturally aspirated four-pot. Thanks to the clever use of lightweight materials, the power-to-weight ratio is 260 hp per ton, which is roughly the same as the E46 M3 CSL. The only parts carried over are the block, head, and sump. If you want, Redux will also do an aluminum block.

To get that much power, Redux bores the engine out to 2.5 liters and adds individual throttle bodies, a BMW Motorsport crank, a carbon airbox, billet aluminum valve cover, and a Motec ECU. The engine spins happily all the way to an 8,000-rpm rev limiter.

All that additional power needs to be controlled, so Redux did extensive seam welding and included Bilstein Group A spec coilover dampers, H&R anti-roll bars, Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires, and a 2.7-turn lock-to-lock steering rack.

The exterior is handpainted in Midnight Emerald Green, which takes 550 hours. The interior boasts Nappa leather upholstery on Recaro sports seats, where the Redux logo is incorporated in a perforated design. There are 30 perforations as a nod to the number of units that will be built. There are also 30 dimples on the brake and clutch pedals, footrest, and throttle pedal.

The original dash is removed and replaced with a redesigned, anodized, machined, billet aluminum version. The instrument gauges' surround binnacle, wiper and indicator stalks, headlight knob and bezel, center dash console, and new lower dash section are subtly different too, just like the exterior components.

Redux's CEO, Simon Lord, will meet every client in person to hand over their keys. Now that's how you deliver a car properly.

"I cannot be prouder of what the team has achieved with this E30 M3 - particularly during a global pandemic," beams Lord. "As one of only 30 limited-edition E30 M3s, it features a host of new components, upgrades, and design innovations. The build quality and craftsmanship expressed in every aspect of this E30 M3 raise the bar for the niche restoration and modification sector. The driving experience is intensified by our revised chassis dynamics and pinpoint steering, and our reengineered naturally aspirated 2.5-liter S14 four-cylinder engine - the induction noise is intoxicating."

We'd love to find that out for ourselves. How about it, Mr. Lord?