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www.QV500.com - BMW E36 M3 Part 3: M3 Lightweight |
 M3 Lightweight |
After making a U-turn on their decision not to market the M3 in America, BMW introduced a limited production variant to sell alongside the standard Coupe. Known as the M3 Lightweight, it was a stripped out version of the regular US-spec M3 Coupe intended for competition use. To save weight, the air-conditioning, sound insulation, boot trim, sunroof, spare wheel, radio and even the tool kit and jack were all discarded. BMW then added hand-picked engines and a shorter final drive ratio (reduced from 3.15 to 3.23:1 for improved acceleration). Next stop was the GT parts bin for a number of useful evolutionary components. |
| As with the GT, aluminium doors, an adjustable front splitter, twin-level rear wing and M Double Spoke wheels were brought in. BMW also installed shorter and stiffer GT springs and dampers. Similarly, both variants had 'BMW Motorsport International' emblems on the exterior door mouldings, the Lightweight also getting these on the interior kick plates and glove compartment. The basic array of interior fixtures continued with fabric sports seats imported from the 325i and a radio blanking plate. Electric windows and a heater were retained, carbonfibre inserts being found on the centre console and glove compartment. All this meant the Lightweight tipped the scales at 91kg less than the standard US-spec M3. Furthermore, because of the shorter final drive, hand-picked motors and increased downforce, the Lightweight was a quicker, better car in every department. Each came painted Alpine White with Motorsport graphics emblazoned across the left-hand front and right-side rear corners. As delivered, M3 Lightweight's were street legal, however, they came with a bunch of special racing parts in the boot which were not certified for street use and if fitted, voided the manufacturer warranty. |
 M3 Lightweight |
These included a baffled oil pan with dual pick-up (to ensure constant oil flow in hard cornering), a strut brace for above the engine and a cross brace for below (to increase rigidity) and an adjustable rear wing for extra downforce. Batches of Lightweight's were manufactured at BMW Individual between August and October 1995, these being sent across to PTG Racing in Virginia for final preparation and then sale. PTG were running BMW Motorsport's operations in the USA at that time, successfully campaigning the M3 GTR in IMSA's GTS-2 category. 116 Lightweight's were eventually made but few got seriously raced. |
 M3 Lightweight |