In order to obtain a licence for the competition model, BMW was obliged to produce at least 5000 units of a civilian version. In 1985, the M3 was presented in Frankfurt and production began the following spring. As vehicle was given special features such as widened wings, a rear spoiler and a redesigned rear windscreen to achieve an air permeability coefficient of 0.33. This first M3 was to become a legend and symbolise the prestige of the brand.