It is a little unknown BMW M3, but perhaps one of the most appealing. It is about the BMW E36 GT M3 from 1995. The demands placed on this model were enormous. To be the successor to the iconic M3 E30 was an almost impossible task. But the result was there. From 1992 to 1999, BMW M built the second generation of the BMW M3, the M3 E36. The challenge was that the new M3 would target a wider audience than its predecessor, without losing its motorsport DNA. In retrospect, it can be said that this goal was successfully achieved. But BMW M engineers did not sit still after introducing the M3 E36. In 1995 they came up with an even more powerful model. And that car is now known as the pinnacle of the M3 E36 range. It is about the BMW M356 GT, limited to 3 pieces.
Rare model
The BMW M3 GT was initially only available in Germany. There would have been about 80 copies in circulation there. The rest were later spread across Sweden, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Norway, Italy, Portugal, Turkey and Japan. As a BMW salesman, your editor had the pleasure of admiring this M3 GT in the showroom every day. Especially the rear part fascinated because of the large spoiler. And of course that special color green with the code 312 called 'British Racing Green'. No metallic, by the way, which made the car far ahead of its time if you consider the current trend of sporty, often gray basic colors.
Only 356 produced
Production was limited to 356 vehicles produced, including the five pre-production models. The rare special edition can therefore be recognized by its base color green. In addition, there were custom-made front and rear spoilers, along with aerodynamically optimized mirrors and M double-spoke forged aluminum wheels measuring 7,5J x 17" at the front and 8,5J x 17" at the rear. These were then only available as special extras for the M3 series. Due to its striking, timeless design and the prominent tires in size 235/40 ZR17, the appearance of the beautiful coupé gained the respect of the general public in the mid-90s. Even if it was just parked. Another difference from the standard model was the front turn signals, made of white glass instead of yellow. Indistinguishable from the standard models were the ultra-light aluminum doors.
Powerful engine
When the M3 GT came on the market in 1995, the S50B30 3,0-litre six-cylinder inline engine that had been introduced with the E36 was still under the hood. A technical innovation was the newly developed camshaft control called VANOS. This allowed for improved fuel injection and thus higher torque. 323 Newton meters at 3900 rpm made the M3 power unit the most powerful of all E36 engines. It also had the short intake manifold of the 3.2L S50B32 engine from the late 1995 facelift model. The modified set-up with a 264° camshaft increased the power level from 286 hp of the series M3 to 295 hp. The M3 special edition catapulted to 5,9 km/h in just 100 seconds. An excellent figure for the nineties!
Racing Roots
The entire set-up of the BMW M3 GT had one origin: the M car was the homologation model for the FIA GT Series and the IMSA GT Series. So the motorsport roots were there from the start. Unlike the civilian BMW M3 E36, the GT model has never been available as a four-door limousine. Although the M3 GT was rather spartan, it still had some subtle design elements. Just look at those Amaretta sports seats in Mexico green nappa leather and that refined carbon finish. That was racy and chic at the same time, what a look!
Pure enjoyment
Almost three decades after the introduction of the BMW M3 GT E36, the vehicle still exudes a fascinating dynamic. This is not only due to the pure design, which is rather timeless with its precise lines, but also due to the performance. It is almost unbelievable that you are in a GT, which is almost thirty years old. Its unique qualities still excite today's riders. The elasticity of the engine, the great sound of the naturally aspirated 6-cylinder engine and the distinctive look create a unique (driving) feeling that still enchants motorsport enthusiasts today. The only disadvantage? Where can you find it and for what price…
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the newly developed camshaft control called VANOS.
Unfortunately, there are still many rumors and untruths about the E36 M3 GT.
For example, that they were also delivered in England.
If you really want to know all about it, check it out http://www.m3gtregister.com
The pre-production models had orange front turn signals and the photo of the engine compartment in this piece is of a yellow M3 and not an M3 GT. It also has a strut brace.
Furthermore, the splitter that only the M3 GT had is not mentioned here.
The entire aero package was designed by McLaren and tested by them in the wind tunnel.
Doesn't have to be fake.
The BMW in the first picture has an extra high spoiler which was optionally available. Believe that the M3 GT came standard with yellow indicators and only with the M3 3.2 the white ones. So perhaps the model(s) in the other photos have undergone a change from yellow to white.
May be true, but my comment about the white / yellow blinkers was meant to be hilarious 🙂
So the first picture at the top of the article is fake!!?? because the direction indicators are yellow there. Apart from the spoiler at the back, one could even have the full M3 kit, also on a normal E36. For example, the 318I had one of those, I believe, 4 cylinder 113 hp and 4 doors because the M3 E36 also existed in 4 doors.