It only got three stars in THE KNOWLEDGE section but BMW's E30 M3 challenger is still a wonderfully complete car, even if you do only get to the drive one for 250 yards before the engine goes bang!

It seemed a good idea, spying the batmobile 190 in Ajman a while back - nostalgia wafting over me, allowing my heart buy the $ 2000 2.5 16v, with talk of a blown head gasket. In my defence I knew exactly what I was letting myself in for Ð blown head gasket or not.

The bodywork is straight, for its age, features every conceivable option known to man and checks out as a bona fide buy per the international Mercedes VIN datbase.

Being a non-catalytic Japanese import the engine produces 204bhp, to that of the normal 195bhp, the non-cat model producing this power at 6750rpm. Backed up by 174lb ft of torque at 5000rpm means the 190 isn't going to break any world records, but it is still capable of 230kph in today's money.

When it was debuted at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September 1983, in 2.3 16v guise, the Cosworth engineered Mercedes produced 177bhp with many race-derived tweaks Ð the latter 2.5 of 1988 featuring an even higher spec of modifications; a longer stroke, bigger bore, lightened pistons and a revised cylinderhead

Brand new the Cosworth Merc cost a whopping $ 57,400 and was only made available in a handful of colours, ours being Blue-Black metallic - which suits the shape and era, but is a pain to keep clean.

The body kit which drew a major divide between the love and hate camp is actually beneficial, reducing the drag coefficient of 2.5 16v 190 to 0.32, one of the lowest cd values on a four door saloon of the time. It also helps reduce lift at speed.

The 2.5 16v was also fitted with a limited slip differential as standard, as well as Mercedes' ASD system, an electronically controlled, hydraulically locking differential, which activates automatically when required. The electronic control allows varied amounts of differential lock from the standard 15% right up to 100%. It is not a traction control system however, and can only maximise traction rather than prevent wheel spin.

But this particular is a way off from wheel spinning, even if it wanted to. The engine finally gave up last month, a split that had cracked both the head and block. The next journey was made on the back of a recovery vehicle, making its way to Octane Service centre, situated behind Al-Tayer Motors, junction 3 of Sheikh Zayed road.

Octane had played a good hand in rejuvinating my 1999 Volkswagen Golf V5, installing enough faith for me to finally drop off the car and keys with the boys in orange, this month.

A few calls and some healthy haggling and Octane negoiated a used 2.5 16v engine, for $ 1666 on my behalf. They also ordered in new wishbone bushings and two front struts.

I had made a few attempts at securing an engine myself, showing that there are an abundance of 2.3 16v blocks out there, but for some reason only a handful of 2.5s. Octane gave the used engine a thorough inspection, replacing the spark plugs and the fuel pumps. Unknown to me, and by the looks of the mechanicÕs face, he too. The 2-5 16v requiring not one but two high pressure pumps. Out of courtesy Octane replaced both on the 1989 190, moments later bursting into life and venturing over to the water hole for the first wash it has had in a very long time. It soon looked grimy again, but for a mere moment it looked incredible - murmuring in the service area on idle.

It still requires a tune up, which is being taken care of now, but by the looks of it the heart transplant was a resounding success. Now all we need to do is find an E30 M3 to goad into battle. But maybe IÕll readdress the brake discs, pads and tyres before I get too carried away.