Few modern BMWs have achieved the mythical status of the E92 M3 GTS. It was built in limited numbers, engineered with track precision and powered by a wonderfully high-revving V8. It represents the pinnacle of the naturally aspirated M3 era. But even among the legends, some cars are bigger than others. Case in point: the very first production M3 GTS ever made. When it was recently auctioned at RM Sotheby’s in Munich as part of the Best of M Collection, it fetched a stunning sum – proving that rarity, provenance and passion can transform a driver’s car into a premier collector’s item.
In numbers: What the #1 E92 M3 GTS was sold for and why
Ultimately, the first E92 M3 GTS produced was sold for a surcharge of 269,375 euros. RM Munich charges a buyer’s premium of 12.5% for properties that exceed the 200,000 euro mark, which means a surcharge of over 30,000 euros on the final price. So the buyer actually paid €301,700; This also applies before VAT of 19%. At the time of writing, that’s $351,628; A truly staggering amount to pay for any car, let alone a BMW M3.
Admittedly, there are a few other numbers that can help us understand these ridiculous five- and six-digit integers. Firstly, there is the number “1”: It is the first series E92 M3 GTS, which is indicated by the “001” on the carbon fiber dashboard. Then there’s mileage, which is always a factor when pricing collector vehicles. The car has only covered a meager 176 kilometers in its 15 years of life, a damn shame if we ever heard of it. But it admittedly makes sense to keep such a rare car in pristine condition for years to come. BMW only made 135 of these, another number that ensures the value of this car remains high.
When comparing relative values, the results from Bring a Trailer are simply not relevant. No GTS has changed hands (which makes sense; this is primarily a US-based site), and the highest bid ever for an E9X M3 was $133,000 for a GTS replica. Classic.com has some better comparisons. The data shows that only a handful of M3 GTS models have changed hands over the past seven years. The lowest transaction price appears to be for a right-hand drive model, which sold in the UK in 2020 for a still-impressive £135,000 (around $175,000). Cars with comparable mileage sold for more than $250,000.
The other numbers: Why the E92 M3 GTS is special
Forgot why the M3 GTS was remarkable? You must be a US resident. BMW massaged the 4.0-liter S65 V8 engine to 444 horsepower, an increase of 30 horsepower over the regular car. The displacement increases to 4.4 liters. The car also loses around 40kg thanks to lighter materials in the door panel and center console, a removed rear seat and polycarbonate windows. Racing seats and belts as well as a fire extinguisher made it clear that this car was intended for the track. Meanwhile, BMW claimed a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 305 km/h (190 mph).
Want to see the $300,000+ M3 GTS for yourself? We encourage you to take a look at the completed 2010 BMW M3 GTS auction page. It is still available on the RM Sothebys website. There you will find pictures of the car and a little more about its origins. Would you spend that much money on a museum piece of BMW M history?
