- VIN # WBSBF99080EA40159
- Showing 145,541 KM (~ 90,500 Miles) From New
- 1 of only 356 Examples Built For The European-Market
- A True Homologation Car Produced For The FIA GT Championship Series
- Finished In British Racing Green Over An Anthracite Amaretta And Mexico Green Interior.
- A Highly Original Example With No Modifications And Sunroof Option
The Overview
BMW’s 3 series served as their line of compact executive cars since 1975, with the performance “M” version debuting in 1986 with the famous E30 generation. In 1992, the E36 generation got its own M3 model as a coupe, with the convertible version arriving later in 1994. This generation was the first M3 to use a six-cylinder engine, a tradition that has been carried over to every M3 model since.
In 1994, the European market received the exclusive M3 GT as a homologation special so that BMW could compete in the FIA-GT Class II and IMSA GT races. It used a Euro-spec S50B30 engine, upgraded with a larger camshaft and a higher compression ratio that put out 295 hp through a five-speed manual transmission and could reach an unrestricted top speed of 171 mph (275 km/h). Exterior changes included a deeper and adjustable front splitter, higher rear double wing, aluminum doors, special wheels, stiffer front suspension, a cross-brace, and a strut brace. All M3 GTs came in British Racing Green and were 66 lb (30 kg) lighter than the regular M3. Only 356 examples were produced.
While M3s are generally collectible due to them being high-performance models of BMW’s best-selling model, limited-edition models like this M3 GT and the US-only M3 Lightweight are even more sought after due not only to their extremely low production numbers but also to their even more impressive performance characteristics.
This particular example, Chassis # WBSBF99080EA40159, is number 160 of 356 M3 GTs. It is a highly original, German market example optioned with a sunroof and first registered in May of 1995 to someone from Berlin. During their ownership, the car saw regular dealer servicing at Schiel and Bobrink & Co, GmbH, and racked up a total of 38,389 km (~23,853 mi) by 1996.
In March of 1998, it was sold to its second owner, a fellow Berlin resident, who continued loving the car and putting miles on the odometer. In 2008, after ten years of ownership, the BMW went on to its third owner with the recorded mileage at the time of purchase being 134,900 km (83,822 mi). According to the history file on record, the car was deregistered on March 22, 2013 and was afterward moved with red license plates which equate to US dealer plates meant for short distances. As it sits today, this example has an inviting 145,500 Kilometers (90,904 Miles) from new.
In June of 2023, we entrusted Orchird Euro in Pottstown, PA with helping us import the BMW into the port of Baltimore. A month later, it visited Leading Edge Autosport in West Chester, PA to undergo whatever repairs it needed to hit the road again in full force. The $5,600+ service was comprised of a new battery vent tube kit, A/C system’s valves and system refill, oil and filter, front suspension coil springs & rear suspension shocks, drive belts, fuel filter, oil pressure sensor, spark plugs, air filter, passenger side sun visor bulb, brake system and transmission flush, new tires and a dry ice clean of the entire engine bay and underside. In August of 2023, it made its way back to Leading Edge Autosport one more time for a new fuel pump assembly.
As it sits, this 1 of 356 BMW E36 M3 GT is a well-driven example of a rare German beast. It still retains most of its original paint, and special original wheels with GT-specific part numbers and finish. Despite its mileage, it presents extremely well and still provides the rewarding driving experiences that BMWs have come to be known for. It is also a savvy investment, checking all of the collectibility boxes including; limited production, high-performance homologation special model, unique color combination, and high hallmarks of originality. Upon purchase, the new owner will receive the owner’s manuals with numerous service stampings, a set of extra keys, original German paperwork, and all of the service records on file.
The Details
exterior
body and paint
The body of this M3 is all original and very tidy, free from any major dents or dings, and is straight down the sides with excellent shut gaps. There are no signs of accident damage anywhere. The paint is mostly original, with the exception of perhaps the passenger side front fender, which reads slightly higher on the paint meter than the rest of the car, as well as the lower portion of the driver side door below the belt line, which also reads slightly higher than every other panel on the car. The paint meter readings are consistent between 3 and 4 mils. Paint meter readings can be found in the photo gallery.
The paint shines nicely and looks very presentable for a good driver. Blemishes are mainly located towards the nose area of the car due to rock chip peppering on the front bumper and hood, as well as the forward facing portions of the fenders, there are no major unsightly scratches or dings in the paint. There is a fairly large scratch on top of the rear spoiler that is noticeable in certain light. There is a small area of rub through on the gas flap right on the finger notch. There is also a small pinhole chip right above the passenger door handle. All blemishes are visible in the photo set. Overall, the car presents excellent for a good driver with most of the issues relegated to the forward facing surfaces of the nose area. The paint and body present as a good honest original car. The door jams are all original, and have their factory stickers and the bolts and latches have never appeared to have been removed.
glass and trim
All of the glass is original, including the windshield, headlights, fog lights, and turn signals. The glass is free from any chips or major scratches, though the original windshield does exhibit stone peppering commensurate with the mileage as do the headlights.
All of the trim is very supple and original such as the areas around the passenger door, glass, driver side door glass and the black body trim around the car is very nice with only minor aging/fading. The typical dried out door handle seals are present. The rear window glass trim is nice and supple besides the typical bottom corners as the seal meets the trunk which have dried out slightly.
The lights have presentable glass with no cracks, chips or fading. The headlights have some peppering, as do the fog lights and turn signals.
wheels
The wheels are specific to the BMW M3 GT with specific BMW part numbers. All of the wheels of this car are original and correct with what we believe to be the correct and irreplicable finish which is an almost polished sheen. Correct numbers of 760 and 759R stands next to the valve stems on each wheel. The wheels have some blemishes here and there the most notable being a minor area of curbing about an inch long on the passenger side rear wheel.
The tires are brand new Yokohama Advans which we had installed.
interior
seats and surfaces
The interior is all original and presents very well for the mileage. The seats are in excellent condition with no major scratches or cracks and have a good light patina. The driver side bolster is slightly more worn than the other side, which is to be expected. There is a tiny half inch scratch/rip on the passenger side left bolster.
The dash is in excellent condition, with no cracks or shrinking there is slight gooey residue on the top center of the dash due to some sort of accessory being mounted to the dash. All of the leather is very supple, and the Alcântara cloth seats are very nice per the age of the car. The door door panels are also very nice with only minor patina in the high traffic areas but no major scratches or issues. The headliner is excellent with no sagging or issues as are the sun visors.
There is one small area at the upper left-hand portion of the windshield where the headliner is falling down slightly in a 4 inch section, but is not as easily noticeable. The gauge cluster is excellent, and has original stickers fastened to both sides. The carbon fiber interior trim that is typically very dry and cracked, is in very nice condition with only minimal shrinking on the ashtray, both front and rear, the center console components are all very nice and blemish free. The carpeting is nice with no staining, though the original floor mats are missing and replaced with rubber floor mats. There is some minor scuffing on the driver side door sill kick panel. The shift knob is original and has a nice patina condition. The steering wheel is also Original, and nice for the mileage.
Overall, the interior is excellent and original per the mileage the rear parcel shelf is even in good condition as well with very minimal fading. The pedal wear is commensurate with the mileage as well, and actually looks less than the mileage displayed.
functionality and accessories
All of the lights work properly including the fog lights. All of the windows operate as they should, including the rear quarter windows which go out and in properly. The sunroof functions normally, the radio, heat, and A/C work properly as well. All of the gauges seem to be working correctly. No issues noted in terms of the functionality of the interior electronics.
engine bay and trunk
engine bay
The engine bay is all original and very tidy with factory original stickers present everywhere and original finishes. The only items to note would be some minor flaking of the crinkle finish on top of the valve cover, as well as some minor drying of the firewall pad, closest to the coolant reservoir, otherwise it is entirely original, and in very tidy condition. None of the typical corrosion on various bolts, or any other issues to note, the engine bay is more like the condition of a lower mileage vehicle. The car was clearly taken care of and stored properly. None of the bolts on the fenders or hood latch has been turned meaning they have never been off.
trunk area
The trunk area is tidy and all original with no notable issues or staining etc.. The jams are all original and excellent and none of the bolts were turned on the trunk latches or hinges thus all original the tool kit is missing one or two items, but is largely complete. There are factory stickers all over the place and the spare wheel. Well compartment is excellent and original with no rust or issues. The original spare is there with its original date, coded tire, the jack, wheel lug tool and emergency triangle sign are still present. The only minor issue to note is some cracking by the male end of the trunk latch where someone must have slammed it too hard at one point, and the weight of the wing and trunk cracked the area around the latch slightly however, it still functions totally fine.
Underside
The underside is very nice and tidy for an excellent driver and all original including the exhaust. We had the underside, dry ice / cryo cleaned, which revealed all the original factory markings, stampings, and even some stickers. It is highly original under there, the only blemish that is noteworthy is some corrosion on a segment of the exhaust heat shield.
driving experience
From a cursory glance, this may look like a run-of-the-mill E36 M3, but the BMW M3 GT is truly a special vehicle. It’s homologation roots become quickly evident as you dive a bit deeper and notice things like the unique aero performance provided by the front extendable splitter and rear wing. The British Racing Green colorway is an interesting choice as it looks fantastic on the car but also provides a bit of a more “stealthy” appearance, not normally seen on what is effectively the road going version of a German track car. What this car does share with a standard E36 M3 is the fantastic chassis and driving characteristics. The turn in is smooth and easy and the car hugs the road extremely well, providing an utmost level of confidence to the driver. The 3.0 liter inline six-cyclinder engine revs out beautifully and sounds amazing while doing it. It’s not hyper car quick, nor was it ever meant to be, but everything about it just feels right. Its a driver’s car, through and through. Overall, the entire package provides one of the most rewarding driving experiences you could ask for.