Your BMW of choice that was never produced?

[0836whimper]

My understanding : It was a V8 production car, but only in the most extreme definiton to ensure they were homologated for racing. I think 10 were made and probably all sit in garages in the Middle East.

Because they were winning and stretching the rules so much, BMW were forced to make 100 for the next season and promptly pulled out.

[alexk]

I sat in one which belongs to BMW M

[Neil M]

Originally Posted by 0836whimper

My understanding : It was a V8 production car, but only in the most extreme definiton to ensure they were homologated for racing. I think 10 were made and probably all sit in garages in the Middle East.

Because they were winning and stretching the rules so much, BMW were forced to make 100 for the next season and promptly pulled out.

Info on the ill-fated GTR:

"The E46 GTR came to life in February 2001, powered by the P60B40 a 3,997 cc V8 producing 493 hp (368 kW; 500 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, approx. £209,200 each.

The ALMS rules were altered for 2002 to state that 100 cars and 1,000 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. Private teams (Scheid, Getrag, etc.) also have fitted the 3,997 cc BMW V8 engines into the E46 body to race on the Nürburgring, winning some VLN races in the last years".

Perhaps the forerunner of the CSL, as there are obvious similarities! A crafty dodge that didn't pay off, thank you Mr Porsche for pointing that out!

[digi]

thx Neil.

Dun forget we can drive it in GT4 and GT5.

[Straightsix]

Originally Posted by Das Chin

e46 4 door saloon would have been nice.

also road going version of the E46 GTR with the v8 in it as limited edition run.

They did make E46 M3 GTR with V8 homologation special but they are very rare and worth a fortune

[LeinsCSL]

Originally Posted by Trawler

A Z1 with a proper engine.

While not a rocketship, there was an extra 40bhp in the 2.7 Alpina RLE

[mattCSLnut]

Originally Posted by Equinox

That looks terrible, the bumpers are horrific, the wheels on the front are about 2 inches to narrow, did it actually have a V8 or not ??

No Xenons either but that is the Real Deal M3 GTR and they did have a nice V8

[Trawler]

Originally Posted by LeinsCSL

While not a rocketship, there was an extra 40bhp in the 2.7 Alpina RLE

Nice thanks

[Andyk]

Originally Posted by LeinsCSL

While not a rocketship, there was an extra 40bhp in the 2.7 Alpina RLE

Now that I like...Always loved these.....

[Csl spurs]

Originally Posted by Mike R

I saw the E91 M3 thread and wondered what I would like to build and came up with this:


Plus the complete drive-train from this:


With Schrick cams and this:


To give 500+bhp @ 8600rpm in a nice 1350kg package. I'd then go Porsche hunting .

What would be your perfect BMW?

Spot on Mike the perfect car!