E36 M3 GTR - Demystified
In a secret garage, BMW M GmbH guards rare treasures, many of which rarely if ever see the light of day. Insane prototypes, alternate takes on classic formulas, and limited edition models. All tucked away in an underground car park just outside Munich near BMW M’s corporate headquarters in Garching, Germany.
One of these is the venerable E36 M3 GTR. While some debate exists regarding the history of this vehicle, one thing is known for certain. BMW produced a limited quantity of this elusive spec - intended to be the road-going homologation equivalent of the racing version.
(The) M3 GTR Prototype was a road-going homologation equivalent in the E36 body. Although several race version M3 GTR cars were produced (including a few that raced in the US) the street-legal car never made it to series production.
Source: BMW Classic
It is commonly reported by many that the M3 GTR was not street legal, but that is not entirely the case. According to sources, there were 90 E36 M3 GTR cars produced in the road-going specification. All were 1994 model years, and the indirect name was M3 GTR (Street). The production numbers were as follows:
No. 01-30 in Brilliant Red
No. 31-60 in Dakar Yellow
No. 61-90 in Alpine White
The road-going variant is different from the racing / GTR variant in a few ways.
Fenders were more rounded
The rear wing with flaps, front lip corners, and the front blade is similar to the '95 GT or 318is Class 2
The engine has 3.0 liters and 315 hp
6-speed gearbox with straight cut gearing (every gear howls)
Hood, roof skin, tailgate, and doors made of aluminum
Recaro bucket seats with 4-point belts
NO radio, air conditioning,
Additional warning lights for oil pressure, switching point, and differential temperature
Real carbon as in the GT
Raid suede steering wheel
ABS tuned differently
No insulating floor mats, carpet, or paneling
Center console holder for a plaque with the inscription M3 GTR No. x-90
Limited ///M badging
Bodywork is reinforced with a spot weld every 2cm
While it is a rare occasion for any E36 M3 GTR to see the light of day, there are more than a handful of tribute builds that exist in the world, honoring the special heritage of this vehicle.
