We always had the impression that BMW had 10 street M3-GTRs for customers. Even the official M -website says such an astronomical price for € 250,000. However, the street version turned out to be even less common. Apparently only three cars ready for production were made. The other seven were development prototypes, all of which were scrapped. The surviving cars belong to the official BMW fleet and make the M3 GTR really unattainable.
Tom Plucinsky, head of the BMW Group Classic USA, gives us a tour through the difficult to grasp Road version in Petersen Automotive Museum. It is a rare chance to climb into a cabin with seating for just two. The 2003 M3 CSL held its back bank, but the 2001 GTR went an even stricter diet. Despite the packing of a larger engine, the ultimate E46 with 2,976 LBs became lighter; approx. 35 kg (77 lbs) less than the CSL.
Another main difference lies between the two Recaro -Eimer seats. While the CSL was only sold with the SMG II transmission, the GTR was delivered with a six-speed manual. The 346 hp and 365 Nm (269 LB-FT) of the V8 were sent via a two-disc motor sports coupling and a variable differential with variable limit slip.
We were told that the three street cars have different seats and slightly changed interiors. Readers with eagle eyes will notice the “M3 GTR” plaque on the side thresholds and a Euro Spec steering wheel. Otherwise it is mostly a standard -e46 -m3 matter. Well, apart from suitcase reinforcements that strengthen the rear. With just 800 kilometers on the clock, this example is a real time capsule that explains its flawless condition.
The M3 GTR developed in just 12 months from the standard model with a carbon fiber rear wing, a trunk cover spoiler, redesigned bumper, hooded openings and a exposed carbon fiber roof. His centerpiece was the actual racing car engine, albeit in a limited form-the P60B40, a naturally sucked 4.0-liter heart with a flat-plane crankshaft and dry swamp lubrication.
We cannot see the GTR in motion, but it must certainly be one of the raw M3s that BMW has ever built. The expression “racing car for the street” can be overlooked, but in this case it fits perfectly.
Video: Petersen Automotive Museum / YouTube
