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BMW M3: Parts, GTR, CSL
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Published: November 10, 2006
The BMW M3 series is the product of creativity, merging track racing and four-door sedans. Debuting with two versions in 1979, the E26 M1, of which 400 were produced to be sold to every-day drivers, and the four-door E12, gave the basis for what would become one of the most prestigious car lines in the world.
The E12 showed off the body style, interior elements and performance features that would come to define the M series. Both of these cars went out of production in 1981.
Fast-forwarding to 1986, the year that the E30 M3 was produced, we see the real motivation and concept behind the M3s. Looking to participate in the European Touring Car Championships, BMW had to make and produce at least 5,000 units a year of a car with the same base engine, intake, and aerodynamics of the racing model. Competing primarily with Mercedes' 190-class which was already in the European Touring Car Championships, BMW was looking for performance dominance over its rival.
Today, the BMW M3 is everywhere–both on the track and on the street. The BMW M3 has been modified into several racing versions, some of which have made their way into local dealerships and are certified as street legal. One of these is the BMW M3 CSL. Looking very similar to the stock M3, the CSL is built from plans to make a modern, lightweight wonder. Using lightweight carbon fiber, an important material used in Formula 1, along with aerospace products including glass-fiber, this version comes up 243 pounds lighter than the stock BMW M3. It also has a six-cylinder engine that has been tuned to produce around 360 bhp at 7,900 rpm. The cost of this tire-burner is around 130,000 dollars–so save up that money in your piggybank.
The older brother of this car is the BMW M3 GTR. This is a street legal version of the car that has dominated many racing series including the highly competitive American Le Mans Series. Through the use of the same lightweight composites found in the CSL and the removal of the any comfort equipment, the GTR is a car for true performance purists. Under the hood it showcases a V8 capable of producing 350 bhp at 7250 rpm. Along with a lowered suspension, 19" racing wheels and the most high-tech BMW M3 parts (100 pounds lighter than the CSL), this car is a driver's dream. Priced at just around a quarter of a million dollars, the price reflects its breath-taking performance capabilities.
The BMW M3 series is well-renown throughout the driving world for the looks of its cars and their amazing handling and acceleration. The amenities inside each car blur the line between sports car and luxury car. The fact that BMW's can come with manual transmissions give them automatic one-up on their Mercedes-Benz rivals as far as any purist driver is concerned (omitting a couple Benz C-Class cars). The M3 series should be every drivers dream, both on the track and on the street. Its price might keep it there.
BMW M3 History. 2006. BMWsport.net. 10 Nov. 2006 http://www.bmwsport.net/content/view/106/69/.
BMW M CSL. 30 Jan 2006. Rsportscars.com. 10 Nov. 2006 http://www.rsportscars.com/eng/cars/bmw_m3csl.asp.
BMW M GTR Street Version. 30 Jan. 2006. Rsportscars.com. 10 Nov. 2006 http://www.rsportscars.com/eng/cars/bmw_m3gtr.asp.
BMW World - BMW M parts series. 2005. BMW World. 10 Nov. 2006 http://www.bmwworld.com/models/m_series_history.ht m
Fast-forwarding to 1986, the year that the E30 M3 was produced, we see the real motivation and concept behind the M3s. Looking to participate in the European Touring Car Championships, BMW had to make and produce at least 5,000 units a year of a car with the same base engine, intake, and aerodynamics of the racing model. Competing primarily with Mercedes' 190-class which was already in the European Touring Car Championships, BMW was looking for performance dominance over its rival.
Today, the BMW M3 is everywhere–both on the track and on the street. The BMW M3 has been modified into several racing versions, some of which have made their way into local dealerships and are certified as street legal. One of these is the BMW M3 CSL. Looking very similar to the stock M3, the CSL is built from plans to make a modern, lightweight wonder. Using lightweight carbon fiber, an important material used in Formula 1, along with aerospace products including glass-fiber, this version comes up 243 pounds lighter than the stock BMW M3. It also has a six-cylinder engine that has been tuned to produce around 360 bhp at 7,900 rpm. The cost of this tire-burner is around 130,000 dollars–so save up that money in your piggybank.
The older brother of this car is the BMW M3 GTR. This is a street legal version of the car that has dominated many racing series including the highly competitive American Le Mans Series. Through the use of the same lightweight composites found in the CSL and the removal of the any comfort equipment, the GTR is a car for true performance purists. Under the hood it showcases a V8 capable of producing 350 bhp at 7250 rpm. Along with a lowered suspension, 19" racing wheels and the most high-tech BMW M3 parts (100 pounds lighter than the CSL), this car is a driver's dream. Priced at just around a quarter of a million dollars, the price reflects its breath-taking performance capabilities.
The BMW M3 series is well-renown throughout the driving world for the looks of its cars and their amazing handling and acceleration. The amenities inside each car blur the line between sports car and luxury car. The fact that BMW's can come with manual transmissions give them automatic one-up on their Mercedes-Benz rivals as far as any purist driver is concerned (omitting a couple Benz C-Class cars). The M3 series should be every drivers dream, both on the track and on the street. Its price might keep it there.
BMW M3 History. 2006. BMWsport.net. 10 Nov. 2006 http://www.bmwsport.net/content/view/106/69/.
BMW M CSL. 30 Jan 2006. Rsportscars.com. 10 Nov. 2006 http://www.rsportscars.com/eng/cars/bmw_m3csl.asp.
BMW M GTR Street Version. 30 Jan. 2006. Rsportscars.com. 10 Nov. 2006 http://www.rsportscars.com/eng/cars/bmw_m3gtr.asp.
BMW World - BMW M parts series. 2005. BMW World. 10 Nov. 2006 http://www.bmwworld.com/models/m_series_history.ht m
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