<< Prev Page 2 of 2 Replacing the earlier six-cylinder engined M3 racers, the V8-powered M3 GTR first appeared at the 2001 Sebring 12 Hours. Although not a winner straight out of the box, the new BMW scored a one-two victory in only its third appearance. This was the first of a total of seven consecutive class wins, which saw BMW win the GT class constructors trophy and lead-driver Jörg Müller win the drivers' title. Such was the dominance that M3 GTRs filled the top four places at one of the rounds.
Beaten at their own game, Porsche were none too happy with BMW taking over in the GT class. They claimed that their fellow German rival was effectively running a prototype and despite BMW showing a fully functional Strassen Version at the season finale, the regulations were tightened. Would the German manufacturer want to continue racing the M3 GTRs in the ALMS, at least 100 complete examples and a total of 1,000 V8 engines had to be produced in a 12-month period.
Unable and perhaps also unwilling to comply with the stricter demands, BMW ended its ALMS effort with the M3 GTR after just a single, very successful season. The career of the car was not quite over though as it was fielded in the Nürburgring 24 Hours from 2003 through to 2005. Scoring back-to-back victories in the 2004 and 2005 editions, another hugely successful chapter was added to this M3's competition record. As for the Strassen Version, none were sold and the cars were only rarely seen since 2001.
With an ALMS championship winning campaign and a pair of Nürbrurgring 24 Hours victories under its belt, the E46 M3 GTR fits squarely in the long line of great M3 competition cars. The V8 engine would return in the subsequent E92 M3 road and competition cars, which were also successfully raced on both sides of the Atlantic. << Prev Page 2 of 2
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Replacing the earlier six-cylinder engined M3 racers, the V8-powered M3 GTR first appeared at the 2001 Sebring 12 Hours. Although not a winner straight out of the box, the new BMW scored a one-two victory in only its third appearance. This was the first of a total of seven consecutive class wins, which saw BMW win the GT class constructors trophy and lead-driver Jörg Müller win the drivers' title. Such was the dominance that M3 GTRs filled the top four places at one of the rounds.