The M3 GTR, which was first designed to compete in Le Mans, eventually rose to become one of the most adored vehicles in popular culture. What makes it so unique is as follows.
The BMW M3 GTR is still regarded as one of the most legendary vehicles to ever grace the racetracks, twenty years after its creation. In order to maintain BMW competitive in the American Le Mans series, the M3 GTR was developed. Following some victories, Porsche, the M3 GTR’s competitor, had reservations over the car’s status as a prototype. BMW was then forced to sell the GTR on at least two other continents.
Six road versions of the race car were produced by the company, and each was sold for the absurd price of EUR250,000 ($296,000). Three of the six road variations were experimental models. The Ferrari 425 GT, 1999 Ford Mustang FR 500, and Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet were a few of the M3 GTR’s competitors. In case you need a refresher, here are some things we failed to mention about the storied BMW M3 GTR.
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Not Just A Racing Vehicle
Apart from the ten street-legal variants, the BMW M3 GTR has always been seen as a racing vehicle. Although more models intended for public usage would have been nice, this really screams race track.
The engines in the units made available for general purchase had a speed restriction of roughly 155 mph as opposed to the 184 mph track version, and they had a 6-gear manual transmission. The automobile was made simpler purely for road safety reasons. Any regular driver might not be able to operate the race track version and could cause major harm if they got behind the wheel. But those 10 fortunate owners of the road-going vehicles have undoubtedly had a lot of fun nonetheless.
We still admire the BMW M3 GTR, despite the fact that it wasn’t mass-produced and open to the general public and finished in the top ten in the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2001. Its powerful engine and team’s commitment helped it make history. If not for its performance in Florida twenty years ago, it might not have earned such a favorable reputation in history. However, it did, and because of that, it is still remembered fondly by BMW enthusiasts and the company’s crew.
E46 M3 GTR BMW
The P60B40, a 3,997 cc V8 engine with 493 horsepower, was the engine used in the 2001 launch of the E46 M3 GTR. Unlike the I6 M3 variant, the E46 M3 GTR race car entered by Schnitzer Motorsport enjoyed great success in the American Le Mans Series, winning the 2001 GT championship alongside BMW racing driver Jorg Muller. Porsche then said that since the road-going BMW M3 didn’t have a V8 engine, this vehicle was more of a “prototype.” Within a year of the rules’ issuance, cars must be available for purchase on two continents, according to ALMS regulations from 2001. Following the 2001 season, BMW sold 10 road-capable M3 GTRs for EUR250,000 each. The road car’s P60B40 V8 engine was slightly detuned. The M3 GTR appeared in Need for Speed Carbon and Need for Speed Most Wanted in 2005.
After making a comeback in 2003 at the 24 Hours of Nurburgring, two M3 GTRs from Schnitzer Motorsport went on to win 1-2 in 2004 and 2005 and compete in the 24 Hours of Spa. Onboard coverage from the 2004 Nurburgring and Spa-Francorchamps races with Hans Joachim Stuck, Pedro Lamy, Jorg Muller, and Dirk Muller was captured. Additionally, an E36 M3 GTR served as a precursor.
5-1-0 Need for Speed: Most Wanted
In Need for Speed: Most Wanted 5-1-0, the BMW M3 GTR makes an appearance and can be obtained by defeating Clarence “Razor” Callahan, Blacklist Racer #1. It has a distinctive livery that is not present in subsequent releases, hence the car cannot be visually customized or have its performance increased.
Of all the vehicles in the game, the M3 GTR features the most potent acceleration as well as a high peak speed and handling rating.
One of the rarest models ever made is the BMW E46 M3 GTR.
The first M3 in the history of the brand to have a V8 engine was the BMW E46 M3 GTR, which debuted in February 2001. The BMW M3 GTR was only built in order to comply with the Le Mans regulations, which state that every vehicle raced must be produced in a set number for a specific period of time prior to the racing car’s season opening. The road car had to be a V8 since the Le Mans M3 GTR was a V8.
BMW sold 10 road-capable M3 GTR vehicles for EUR250,000 apiece following the 2001 racing season in order to comply with this restriction. The P60 utilized in the road car was somewhat detuned, producing 380 horsepower at 7,000 rpm, dry-sump lubrication, and a sharply canted radiator with hood venting. A twin-disc clutch designed for racing was used to transfer power to the 6-speed manual gearbox and variable locking M differential.
The M3 GTR’s suspension system was extremely sporty and was adapted from the race version. The chassis was heavily strengthened. The BMW M3 GTR was significantly lowered in comparison to the regular M3, and additional bracing was installed between the rear shock towers and the firewall and strut towers. The M3 GTR’s aerodynamics were improved by lowering lift thanks to expanded and redesigned front and back fascias as well as the rear wing.
Weight reduction procedures were implemented extensively for the E46 M3 GTR road vehicle. Similar to the race version, the front and rear fascias, hood vents, rear spoiler, and roof were all made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). Additionally, the GTR’s interior underwent a lightweight redesign. The rear seat was removed, Recaro leather-covered racing seats were fitted, and exclusive M3 GTR sill plates completed the interior modifications.
The E46 M3 GTR is still regarded as one of the best cars to have ever raced in the well-known video game Need for Speed. There are numerous fan favorites when it comes to automobiles distributed across the 20-year history of the racing game.
Why is the BMW M3 a cultural icon?
The BMW 3-series was a well-liked company car option in the UK in the 1980s and 1990s. It was quick, attractive, dependable, fuel-efficient, and had all the features a corporate worker required. On the weekends, it also had enough of room for friends and family.
It rapidly became a bestseller because it had several engine sizes and specs. And it didn’t take long until the motoring press showered it with praise and plaudits, which was entirely appropriate.
Then, it was common to see 3-series drivers comparing notes on their vehicles, talking about the additions they had installed, and perhaps even joking about the cost of installing the factory sunroof.
But the car they were truly interested in was the one parked in the Director’s parking space. And that was the fantastic M3, as usual!
The M3 was completely different from the regular 3-series automobile. In fact, the two cars are so dissimilar from one another that comparing them would be like putting a kitten next to a lion! They could very well represent two distinct species. One is a sporty family saloon, the other is a Bavarian muscle vehicle.
The two cars shared only their basic chassis, and that was about it. The Motorsport series cars weren’t made with highway cruising or quick commutes in mind; they were made with a racing mindset. Compared to their 3-series siblings, they played in a distinct league.
The BMW M3 differs significantly from the standard 3-series saloon in that it has a high-performance, race-tuned engine and a racing gearbox, upgraded suspension and differential, larger wheel arches, larger wheels and tires, an aerodynamic body kit, a sports exhaust system, sports trim, and much more.
- A 1986 BMW 320i had a top speed of 121 mph and could accelerate to 60 mph in 11.5 seconds.
- However, a 1986 BMW M3 was able to accelerate to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds and reach a dizzying 146 mph.
The pricing also reflected the enormous performance rewards. In 1986, the price of a brand-new 320i was roughly $22,000, whereas the M3 had a substantially higher showroom price tag of about $32,000.
It’s difficult to find anything bad to say about these M3s from the earlier generations. These little flagships are well-tuned examples of German precision machinery that can nonetheless provide drivers with a high-performance, fully connected Touring Car racing experience.
It is simple to understand why they are still so well-liked today given their history on race tracks. These vehicles have excellent cornering ability, flawless balance, and handling. They provide breathtaking performance that is simply unmatched by any saloon car in their class. Additionally, they are stunning from every perspective.
We are therefore not surprised that the appeal for these cars is even greater today than it was when they were sitting inside a showroom as time has passed and they have become more and more rare.
Amount of BMW M3 GTR production?
The GTR was created since their racing vehicle utilized a V8 and the road vehicle required a V8 as well. Only 10 of them were ever produced, and due to their rarity, they came with an outrageous price tag of €250,000, or PS285,000 in today’s money.
A M3 is it a supercar?
The verdict: The new M3 is a supercar disguised as a sedan and is even more capable than before, but the disguise may be a deal breaker.
Compared to the competition: The M3’s adjustability sets it apart from rivals like the Mercedes-AMG C63 and the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio; with the touch of a few buttons, it can transform into the ultimate track monster.
One of those legendary sports cars that evokes powerful emotions in enthusiasts is the BMW M3. Is the replacement as excellent as the first? Can its advanced technology compensate for the extra weight it carries? Has it gotten too costly, too difficult to obtain, or too electronic?
The BMW M3’s appearance has historically not been a point of contention for the car enthusiast community, but that has changed recently. Is it too unattractive to be taken seriously? We rarely talk about how a car appears since aesthetic preference is so personal; what one person finds repulsive may appeal to another. The M3’s new appearance, though, may only affect its viability for many purchasers, according to our anecdotal conversations with current M3 sedan and M4 coupe owners. Can the M3’s performance and other attributes outweigh its dubious appearance?
How many more M3 GTRs are there?
When the BMW E46 M3 failed to qualify for the 2000 Florida 12 Hours of Sebring, BMW realized it needed to go larger and better. The M3’s already potent 6-cylinder engine couldn’t keep up because it was designed as a road-going vehicle and lacked the boost necessary to thrive in Florida. At this point, BMW submitted a vehicle that had previously been race-tuned. The revised M3’s powertrain received several significant improvements, while other elements that broke daily driving norms were removed.
Porsche had to argue that BMW was pushing things too far and making the competition unfair because the car was too powerful. This is when the Automobil Club de l’Ouest (A.C.O. ), which also oversees the Le Mans 24 Hours, decided to order 1,000 road-going BMW M3 GTRs to be rebuilt with an additional 100 pounds of weight and 20% larger air restrictors.
The M3 GTR is still one of the rarest BMWs ever produced, and just 10 were produced as a result of the new regulations making it impossible to complete the car within the 12-month production cycle.