BMW M3 (E46) GTR

An E46 GTR came to life on February 2001, powered by a 4000 cc V8 producing 444 bhp (331 kW; 450 PS) (race version—street version produced 380 bhp (283 kW; 385 PS). Unlike the straight-six powered M3 versions, which were outpaced by the Porsche 996 GT3, the racing version of the E46 M3 GTR 16 was very successful in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), entered by Schnitzer Motorsport. Rivals such as Porsche pointed out that this car was more of a prototype as no V8 engine was available in the road-going BMW E46, which is in violation of the spirit of Gran Turismo. In 2001, ALMS regulations stated that cars must be for sale on two continents within twelve months of the rules being issued. To fulfill this rule, BMW put 10 road going GTRs on sale after the 2001 season, for 250,000 euros (then $218,000) each, allegedly only available for select customers.

Due to this, the ALMS rules were altered for 2002 to state that 100 cars and 1000 engines must be built for the car to qualify without penalties. Although BMW could have raced the V8 with the new weight and power penalties under these new regulations, they chose to pull out of the ALMS, effectively ending the short-lived M3 GTR's career.

Two Schnitzer Motorsport GTR cars saw a comeback in 2003 at the 24 Hours Nürburgring, winning 1-2 in 2004 and 2005, as well as entries in the 24 Hours Spa. Onboard coverage recorded in 2004 Hans-Joachim Stuck, Pedro Lamy, Jörg Müller & Dirk Müller on the Nürburgring and Spa-Francorchamps.

Private teams (Scheid, Getrag, etc.) also have fit 4000 cc BMW V8 engines into the E46 body to race on the Nürburgring, winning some VLN races in the last years.


The M3 GTR is such a mean racing machine watch this video to find out yourself http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1305035467458424752 . BMW engine is no doubt very responsive and reliable. Thus, making the M3 GTR very successful in endurance racing.

* Guia Race; 5 wins (1987, 1988, 1991, 1992 and 1993)

* 24 Hours Nürburgring; 4 wins (1989 – 1992)

* Spa 24 Hours; 4 wins (1987, 1988, 1990 and 1992)