01 · Overview
The race car, made to order
The M3 GT4 was not a factory car but a product. From 11 February 2009 it could be ordered from the BMW Motorsport Distribution Division — ready to race for 120,000 euros plus VAT. Mario Theissen, motorsport director at the time, stated the purpose clearly: in 2009 the M3 would not only race for the BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team in the American Le Mans Series — the new M3 GT4 now also offered numerous opportunities to private teams.
The design principle was correspondingly pragmatic. BMW states that only reliable parts found their way into competition, parts that offered both competitiveness and a good ratio of cost to performance. A breakdown of which components come from the production line and which are racing parts is not provided in the BMW statement.
The car made its race debut on 23 and 24 May 2009 at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring — with BMW works drivers Augusto Farfus, Jörg Müller and Andy Priaulx at the wheel. Result: third place in class GT4 SP10. In April of the same year there was a class win at the ADAC Westfalenfahrt.
02 · History
From offer to race debut
- 2009 Available to order from 11 February through the BMW Motorsport Distribution Division, priced at 120,000 euros net.
- 2009 Class win at the ADAC Westfalenfahrt in April.
- 2009 Race debut on 23 and 24 May at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring with Farfus, Müller and Priaulx — third place in class GT4 SP10.
- 2009 From July there is a road version with GT2 bodykit — this information is only single-sourced.
03 · Model overview
Comparing the E92's racing variants
Technische Daten anzeigen — komplette Modellmatrix
| Modell | Motor | Hubraum | Leistung | Bauzeit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M3 GT2 | S65-V8 | 4,0 l | approx. 485 PS at 1,150 kg | 2009–2012 |
| M3 GT4 | S65-V8 | 4,0 l | approx. 450 PS at 1,430 kg | ab 2009 |
| M3 DTM | BMW P66 | 4,0 l | approx. 480 PS at 1,200 kg incl. driver | 2012–2013 |
04 · In detail
In detail
Race car based on the E92 M3 Coupé
Class GT4. Available to order from February 2009 through the BMW Motorsport Distribution Division, ready to race for 120,000 euros net. A road version with GT2 bodykit from July 2009 is only single-sourced.
05 · Engines
The engine
S65 V8 · around 450 PS plausibel
BMW M states 450 PS, the English Wikipedia states 336 kW and thus 451 bhp — the figures are consistent. The unladen weight of 1,430 kilograms, however, comes from only one source. The GT4 is therefore significantly above the GT2, which corresponds to the class assignment: GT4 is the category closer to production.
Technische Daten anzeigen
| Bauart | V8 naturally aspirated engine, based on S65 |
| Leistung | ca. 450 PS |
| Leergewicht | 1,430 kg (single-sourced) |
| Klasse | GT4 |
| Price 2009 | €120,000 net, ready to race |
BMW PressClub T0021805EN_US, BMW M
06 · Engineering
Engineering and deployment
A product, not a factory car
Production parts wherever possible
Debut with works drivers
07 · Motorsport
Motorsport
The M3 GT4 is a pure race car for private teams. Race debut at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring 2009, third place in class GT4 SP10, preceded by a class win at the ADAC Westfalenfahrt.
08 · The competition
The competition
Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport (predecessor)
Porsche served the same customer group with production-based Cup and Clubsport cars.
Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT4
The direct class rival in many European GT4 series.
Ginetta G50
The lighter, more affordable counter-design in the GT4 field.
09 · Galerie
Galerie
10 · Sources