E36 M3 GTR

The BMW E36 M3 GTR represents the ultimate factory-developed E36 M3 variant, created specifically for competition in the 1993 ADAC German GT Cup touring car series with a single street-legal "Strassenversion" homologation model produced to satisfy technical regulations. Developed by BMW Motorsport, the E36 M3 GTR featured an extensively modified version of the production M3's S50 inline-six cylinder engine with ported and polished cylinder head, race camshafts, optimized intake and exhaust systems, and modified engine management producing 325 horsepower at 7,000 rpm in race trim and 300 horsepower at 7,000 rpm in the street-legal Strassenversion specification compared to 286 horsepower in the standard production E36 M3. The race-specification GTR employed aggressive weight reduction measures including aluminum body panels, polycarbonate windows, stripped interior, and lightweight racing components achieving approximately 1,300 kg curb weight representing 160 kg savings compared to the standard production M3 Coupe, creating a formidable power-to-weight ratio enabling competitive performance against purpose-built GT machinery. Transmission upgrades included a ZF six-speed manual gearbox replacing the production car's five-speed unit, with power transmitted through a Sachs single-plate racing clutch and limited-slip differential optimized for circuit racing applications requiring aggressive acceleration and deceleration cycles across a broad range of corner types and speeds.

The E36 M3 GTR achieved immediate competitive success in its debut 1993 ADAC GT Cup season with BMW works driver Johnny Cecotto piloting the car to six victories in eight races, securing both the drivers' championship and manufacturers' title in the inaugural season. International success followed with E36 M3 GTR examples competing in North American IMSA GT Championship events through the late 1990s, winning the 1997 and 1998 Drivers' and Manufacturers' Championships in SportsCar GT2 class with four race victories in 1996 GTS-2 competition, eight wins in 1997 GTS-3 class, and five victories in 1998 GT3 category demonstrating the platform's versatility across different racing regulations and tire specifications. The single street-legal Strassenversion built to satisfy homologation requirements featured slightly de-tuned output of 300 horsepower while retaining the GTR's weight reduction measures, six-speed gearbox, and upgraded braking systems, making it an exceptionally rare and valuable collector vehicle delivered to the Quandt family who held significant BMW shareholdings since the 1960s. The E36 M3 GTR should not be confused with the later and more famous E46 M3 GTR which featured a purpose-built V8 engine and competed in the 2001 American Le Mans Series before technical regulation changes rendered the program obsolete, though both vehicles share the GTR designation and represent BMW M's commitment to developing competitive homologation specials bridging production cars and pure racing machinery.