If you didn’t know, BMW celebrates the BMW 3 Series for 50 years. While we have already seen rocks from the brand in many ways this year, the latest is the most accessible and probably the best way to celebrate. BMW brings a number of M3 and M4 models to one of the biggest destinations for every car enthusiast on earth: Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California. From cars of group 5 of the 1970s to the latest GT4 cars, there is something for every enthusiast.
Which M3 models do Petersen come?
Exhibition vehicles illustrate the five -year span of the BMW 3 Series. The oldest is a 1978 BMW 320i Group 5 Race Car, and BMW will also issue a pedestrian E21: a 1983 BMW 320i. Two E30 M3 racing cars will take part, a 1990 BMW M3 Group A DTM and 1990 BMW M3 GTM. The former of the E30S has the legendary Warsteiner/DEKRA painting. A single E36, the 1996 BMW M3 GT2, rounds off the 1990s.
The E46 M3 is well represented by a dynamic duo of super-exclusive models. The first is a 2001 BMW M3 GTR, which is powered by a V8 instead of the normal S54 inline-SIX. Despite two exhibited E46 M3 models, there is no S54 in the entire collection. The other is one of only three remaining BMW M3 GTR-Strass version models from 2001. The “street version” of the M3 GTR is dispensed with on a shouty painting and other essential racing car bits for production E46 M3 wheels and an almost fractal M3 body kit. Gone are the towering wing, but important details such as a ventilated hood, recaro seats and integrated front ponse are dead giveaways that you can stow on a very special V8 drive E46 M3. A single E92 M3 racing car, the 2011 BMW M3 GT, rounds off the “Vintage” selection.
The modern era: M4 models in Petersen
They wear a slightly different badge and some look considerably different, but the M4 is another essential part of the M3 history. BMWS brought serious hardware to Petersen, since all the M4 cars on display are serious racing cars. The 2020 BMW M4 DTM Class 1 is the only one who does not wear a G82 front grille. The other two cars are the 2023 BMW M4 GT4 and aggressive 2024 BMW M4 GT4 Evo. As a reminder, the EVO model was the direct answer from BMW to customer team inquiries to improve the standard -gt4 -car. A newly designed front splinter, reinforced wheel bearings and new front films made the reliability, durability and overall performance forward.
Not a word about fixed start or end data yet, but the Ultimate Racing Machine exhibition of the Petersen Automotive Museum runs at the same time as the “Total Awesome!” Exhibition already issued. If you are something like me, there is a little overlap between your BMW interests and the best cars of the 80s and 90s. Since the 3 -series exhibition takes place in the “Vault” area of the museum, the tickets are a little more expensive: $ 49 per adult. Probably worthwhile, since it may be the only opportunity always Some see these iconic M3 and M4 cars.
