Twenty years after its creation, the BMW M3 GTR is still considered one of the most legendary cars ever to grace the race tracks. The M3 GTR was born out of a need to keep BMW on the American Le Mans scene. After the race car won some races, its rival, Porsche, expressed concerns about the M3 GTR being a prototype. BMW was then required to offer the GTR for sale in at least two continents.

The manufacturer built six road variants of the race car and priced them at a ridiculous sum of €250,000 ($296,000) each. Out of the six road variants, three were prototypes. Some of the M3 GTR's rivals included the Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet, 1999 Ford Mustang FR 500, and the Ferrari 425 GT. Just in case you need a refresher, here's what we forgot about the legendary BMW M3 GTR

10 First BMW M3 To Use A V8 Engine

BMW V8 Engine
Via YouTube

Before 2001, BMW made use of an M3 six-cylinder engine for their race cars. However, in 2001, they changed the game and fitted the M3 GTR with a 4.0-liter 8-cylinder V8 engine. BMW's V8 engine– the P60B40, was instrumental in their win at the Le Mans series.

BMW M3 V8 Engine
Via GTspirit

When BMW had to make a road version of the M3 GTR, they also fitted it with a V8 engine– the S65B40. However, the P60B40 and the S65B40 did not have much in common except their 4.0-liter petrol capacity and 8-cylinders.

9 The GTR Was A Widebody E46 M3

GTR E46
Via YouTube

The M3 GTR looks similar to the E46 M3, but of course, there are differences. One of those differences is the E46's rounded fenders. There are two small grilles in the front and air filters on the hood. The GTR from the Need for Speed video game has silver and blue exterior paintwork.

BMW GTR E46
Via Flickr

BMW also used a rear spoiler for aerodynamic purposes. Like every other race car, the GTR doesn't have much of an interior. There's a loaded switch panel on the dashboard and the typical racing seats.

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8 Le Mans Series

BMW GTR Driving In ALMS
Via BMWwikifandom

The American Le Mans Series plays a vital role in the BMW M3 GTR’s story. Formed in 1999, the sports racing series had different categories: LMP, GT, GTS, LMP1, LMP2, GT1, GT2, and more. In 2001, BMW Motorsport won the GT category.

ALMS
Via Nbcsports

After the victory, BMW was asked to place the engine used for the race on sale. The manufacturer then built a road version of the race car to enable them to participate in the series though only a few cars were made.

7 Need For Speed

BMW M3 GTR in the Need For Speed
Via TheNobeds

No doubt, many gearheads got introduced to the BMW M3 GTR in the Need For Speed video games. The M3 GTR is NFS' most iconic car. The M3 GTR featured in the Carbon, Most Wanted, No Limit, Edge, Heat, and Legends Edition series.

BMW M3 Racing
Via Wikipedia

Unlike some cars in the video game, you can race the GTR about four times. You also get to win it back after it's been stolen and then finish the game by escaping in your GTR.

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6 Specifications

BMW M3 Specifications
Via Wikipedia

The GTR's P60B40 engine produced about 400-465 horsepower and a 0-60 mph time of 3.4 seconds. Over the years, the P60B40 engine got up to 500 horsepower. When BMW made a road version, the S65B40 had about 414 horsepower.

BMW GTR Specifications
Via YouTube

For transmission, the race car used straight cut transmission but later switched to a sequential H-pattern transmission (RD6-H) in some cars. Some of the GTR's mechanical sounds came from the straight-cut transmission.

5 Custom Side Exhaust

BMW M3 GTR Custom Side Exhaust
Via YouTube

BMW isn't the first manufacturer to make use of side exhausts. The innovative feature appeared in the 1965 Corvette. With a curb weight of 2450-2760 lbs, the side exhaust was also beneficial in weight distribution.

BMW M3 Custom Side Exhaust
Via BimmerFile

The GTR has chassis reinforcement that allows a right-side exhaust without compromising the car's structure and ground clearance. The E46 M3 is not the only BMW car with a side exhaust, and the system is also used by the BMW M6 GT3.

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4 It Got Banned

BMW M3 GTR Side Exhaust
Via Yeahmotor

After BMW's prototype race car won the 2000 Le Mans Series race, the organizers made a rule. To qualify for the race, manufacturers had to offer their engines on at least two continents. BMW adhered to the rule and made a road version of the GTR. However, in 2002, the organizers of the series made another rule.

BMW M3 Got Banned From Racing
Via HotCars

Manufacturers could not participate unless they had about a thousand of their engines for sale. BMW did not have that many engines, and production of the P60B40 engine was costly, so they pulled out and could not compete again until they introduced the E92.

3 Not Available For Sale

BMW M3 GTR Not Available For Sale
Via YouTube

BMW didn't build many of these models, and it doesn't seem like they will. If you want an M3 GTR, you'll have to settle for a replica. Some enthusiasts and fans of the race car built their own with kits. The GTR kit is unavailable, but there's an E46 M3 wide body kit you can always use to replicate the iconic Le Mans car.

BMW M3 GTR Diplayed
Via BimmerLife

BMW also does not sell the original BBS tires for the GTR. The closest you can get for engine options is the S65B40 road version engine since BMW's P60B40 V8 is not available.

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BMW M3 GTR Is A Street Legal Variants
Via HotCars

The first M3 GTR race car isn't street legal, but the road variant is. However, the manufacturer had to temper it. Alterations were made to the road engine to crank it down, but the S65B40 still delivered about 380 horsepower. Whether the GTR is street legal doesn't matter except for information purposes because the GTR isn't available.

Blue BMW M3 GTR Street Legal Variants
Via Quora

Even if it were available, it'd probably have an exorbitant price. We're not certain where all the GTR cars are, but there's one model in a BMW museum in Munich, Bavaria, Germany.

1 Success On The Race Track

BMW M3 Success On The Race Track
Via DeviantArt

Handled by Jörg Müller, the racing variant of the E46 M3 GTR entered the American Le Mans Series in 2001 and stunned competitors to a first-place finish in the GT category. However, the vehicle was unable to consolidate its position and compete in 2002 due to rule changes pioneered by Porsche.

BMW M3 GTR Success On The Race Track
Via WallpaperUP

The M3 GTR was in action again between 2003 and 2005 on various circuits, including Nurburgring, where it tasted success in 2004 and 2005.