Four Generations BMW M3 On The Test Track

M3 GTS Enhances 25th Anniversary

By Henny Hemmes
Senior European Editor
Amsterdam Bureau
The Auto Channel

ASCARI, SPAIN July 24 2010; On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the M3, BMW shipped some cars of all four generations to the Ascari RaceResort in the south of Spain. The M3 was unveiled in 1985 and hit the race tracks in 1986, to become the most successful touring car in motor sport history.

The Ascari RaceResort has an excellent, nearly.3.6 mile long race track, that is 40 ft. wide and has all safety precautions to meet the FIA regulations. Many of the 13 right-hand and 12 left-hand bends have the lay out of those of famous F1 tracks, including Paddock Hill (Brand Hatch) and Eau Rouge (Francorchamps). A proper place for such a party!

From the very start the M3 models have been very popular and a dream of many boys and their dads….and some girls too!. In 1985, at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show, a prototype of the first M3 was shown. It was developed as a race car and had to be built in a series of at least 5,000 units to meet the FIA-regulations for homologation.

The M3 was based on the 3-Series, in BMW-language the E30. It was powered by a 200 hp 2.3-litre 4-cylinder engine teamed to a 5-speed stick shift.

In the spring of 1986, the M3 made its debut in motor sport. It was the beginning of many victories in racing and rallies. After winning the European and the World Touring Car championships, the M3 was so ‘hot’, that by 1991, some 18,000 cars of the outgoing generation had been sold. Generation 2 and 3 surpassed this success by huge numbers: 71,000 and 85,000 units respectively. The new M3, that hit the European and North American market in 2007 and 2008 respectively, is again very successful.

But it also marked the start of sales successes in the niche market of race ready production sedans. Not only based on the 3 Series, but also on the other model lines of the Bavarian brand. Between 1985 and 2007, BMW has sold over 300,000 units of M-models.

The Beginning

The four generations of the BMW M3 were waiting in the paddock to be taken out on the track, including the brand new M3 GTS, of which only 150 are being produced. I thought it would be best to work my way trough the generations, starting with the E30, then on to the E36, the E46 and the current E92, all the way up to the GTS. Later that day, Dr. Kay Segler told me he did the same, as soon as he came at the helm of M GmbH over a year ago.

The first M3 does not feel as fast as it felt 25 years ago, but it is still a fantastic car to drive, much fun on the track with a lot of grip and a light feel. That is due, of course, to its low weight of only 2,645 lbs. The brakes seem trouble free and stopping power is excellent. I had to recall though, the working of the gearbox. It felt just like that of my own race car, a Ford Merkur Cosworth: quick shifting without force, and the lever falls into the right gear. I should not forget to mention the engine sounds great too, when revving up to its higher regions.

In Between

The next generation, the E36, marked the debut of a six-cylinder, a 3-litre with 286 HP. It offered better performance at a lower price than super sports cars such as a 911. On the track the M3 is undoubtedly fast, but a little bit uninspiring. The engine is quick, but the steering is somewhat dull, giving you a less involved feel. On the track the E36 was not successful, but that was mainly due to changes in the FIA-regulations.

A real evolution was the E46,that debuted in 2000. This M3 instantly appeals. As soon as I leave the pit lane, I love the quick response of the engine, a 3.2-liter I-6 with 343 hp and 3270 lb-ft. of torque. But, alas, the 6-speed SMG sequential manual transmission feels so inert, that I would rather prefer a normal stick shift.

Major Steps, Major Fun

The development of the latest M3, the E92, meant a major step forward. Not in the last place because of the introduction of the 4-liter V-8, that has 420 hp at 8,300 rpm and 295 lb.ft of torque at 3,900 rpm.. With possibilities to set up the suspension to your liking, but also, and that’s more important, into the utmost race track worthy M-mode, it’s fast, really fast, most fun to drive, willing and above all able.

The M3, this one in competition trim, feels like being glued to the track and forgiving as well. Shifting with the paddles on the steering wheel is so utterly quick, that you will never want to have to operate a stick shift again.

Another major step has been made with the development of the 2010 M3 GTS, the utter dream of many BMW fans. After my colleagues had crowed around and fought for a drive in the early morning, it was mine in the afternoon. Who does not want to save the best for last?

When you climb in the cockpit, you cannot ignore the roll bar. While the sport seats make you most prepared to hit the track! The capacity of the V-8 has been increased to 4.4-litre, and power went up 450 hp with 325 lb-ft. of torque. Woow! Thanks to the use less sheet metal but plastic composite parts, including the polycarbonate rear windows, the GTS is 110 lbs lighter than the M3 Coup�, but still weighs nearly 3,500 lbs. Yet, it does not feel like that on the circuit. The suspension can be set up, the air splitter in the front moves back and forth over just over an inch and the huge rear wing generates so much down force that the GTS has no lift at speeds over 100 mph.

Driving the GTS is great, it holds its line in corners as if on rails, acceleration is real quick (BMW says the 0-62 sprint takes only 4.4 seconds) and the sound of the mighty V-8 is inspiring.

The looks of the M3 GTS has inspired 800 potential buyers: after the car made its debut, late last year, that was the number of people who wanted to order the super-M3. But as only 150 cars will be made, and M GmbH keeps one or two themselves ‘for reference’, most of them had to be disappointed. In the meantime the first GTS, priced at 187.990 euro, has been delivered to its new owner. He will get may a jealous, but admiring look when driving his car, be it during club races, or on the road.