Let's say that we comprehend the need or rather the use of a pair of LCD screens fitted on the back of the front headrests. But could someone please explain to us the purpose of the two additional screens mounted on the fascia of the rear headrests in this 2003 BMW M3 Convertible that's up for sale on Craigslist? And while you're at it, try to figure out the position of the remaining three LCD screens that the buyer claims are featured on the bimmer.
Link: Craigslist
What a better place for bimmer enthusiasts to play Sony's acclaimed Gran Turismo video game than inside a BMW M3 E30 racer? Paraphrasing the Bavarian firm's well known motto, 'The Ultimate Gaming Machine' is the work of Studie AG, one of Japan's leading BMW tuning specialists. The specially rigged M3 is on display along with many other uber cool items such as the chess set with pieces made out of bolts, nuts and spark plugs at the company's Yokohama shop. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area. More photos after the break.Source / Pictures: Gawa , Via: Vwvortex
Germany's ATT-TEC has developed a new performance package for the latest generation BMW M3 models. The main event of the firm's tune is the addition of a compressor and a unique exhaust system that give the M3's 4.0-liter V8 engine an 80HP boost for a total output of 500 horsepower. ATT said that the price for engine retrofitting is €11,749 or about US$ 17,600, including installation.
The package also bundles a KW coilover suspension Variant 3 priced at €2,029 (US$3,050) and 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 2 rubber size 245/30 ZR20 up front and 285/25 ZR20 at the back for a total cost of €3,475 (US$5,200).
The tire set is completed by 20 mm distance washers (€393 or US$586) on the front and rear axles.
An interior styling kit with carbon fiber parts or for the more adventurous, decorative Swarovski crystals, is offered as an option.
You never know what you'll stumble upon in and around the famous Nurburgring circuit in Germany. It may be a heavily camouflaged prototype model performing test runs like the ones we often post here on julino billym, or in this case, a pair of privately owned cars dressed in a eye-catching police uniform (okay, most likely a vinyl wrap). The M3 Coupe and Audi S3 faux police cars appear to belong to a group called 'Ring-Police' details of which remain unknown for the time being. More photos after the jump.Via: Autogespot
At the season finale of the 2009 MotoGP in Valencia, BMW honored nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi with the 'M Award' for being the fastest man over the seventeen rounds of this year's GP. The grand prize was a brand new BMW M3 Sedan, the fifth bimmer that Rossi has won in this competition over the past few years. Along with the award and the new car, BMW also gave Rossi the opportunity to get a taste of its new 450HP-strong M3 GTS Coupe, which made its first public debut at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit.Rossi, who drove the hardcore M3 Coupe a couple of times around the Valencia track, said that he was overly impressed with the car handling and performance and that he's planning to be one of the first to buy the special model when it goes on sale next year.
"Born on the Racetrack to Live on the Streets" is BMW's motto for its newly revealed M3 GTS, a stripped-out 450-horsepower version of the M3 Coupe that marks the M division's return to its roots. Following the presentation of the first photos, details (click here to read our previous post) and a rather dull static teaser film, the Bavarian firm has now released a pair of impressive and beautifully executed videos showing off the M3 GTS on the race track. Both videos are available for your pleasure after the break.
[UPDATE: HIGH-RES PHOTOS ADDED] This is it; the BMW M3 that we've all been waiting for after the demise of the E46 M3 CSL. The hardest ever production M3 that gets the GTS moniker is a track-focused yet completely road-legal, limited edition model and it comes with many weight saving measures, more power from a larger capacity V8 engine and lots of juicy upgrades that you normally find on aftermarket tuned cars.It doesn't take long to see that this isn't your 'every-day' M3. The car is distinguished by several unique features ranging from the Porsche 911 GT3-like orange finish and the numerous matte-black applications, to the adjustable front splitter and rear wing that can provide a higher level of downforce and the unique 19-inch wheels with ample 255/35 tires at the front and 285/30 at the rear.
A closer look at the car also reveals the beefy fixed caliper brake system with six pistons at the front and four at the back as well as the new yellow springs with a small M logo. BMW says that the M3 GTS features a special threaded suspension, adjustable in compression and rebound.
But there's more than meets the eye to this M3. Since the serial-production model is already weight-optimized with a bevy of measures such as the carbon lightweight roof that was previously reserved for the GTS's predecessor, the E46 M3 CSL, BMW's M division had to come up with new solutions to lower the car's weight.
The weight-saving measures adopted on the new 2011 M3 GT3 include a new set of light body-contoured front seats, optimization of the insulation, the use of lightweight parts in the interior, the use of Macrolon for the car's windows in the back, the removal of the air conditioning, navigation and radio systems and the rear seats that have been ditched altogether - who needs them anyway on a car like this.
Furthermore, the GTS features a new titanium rear silencer that not only promises to produce a more race car-like symphony but it is also much lighter than its serial production counterpart.
According to BMW's M division, the M3 GTS tips the scales at around 1,490 kilograms (3,285 pounds). That's more than impressive given that the standard M3 (U.S.-spec model) weighs in at 1,680kg (3,704 lbs).
As a track focused model, the M3 GTS has been prepared for installation of 6-point seatbelts for use on the race track while there are also mounts for the roll-over protective structure bolted on from the B column plus a fire extinguisher and a battery master switch/emergency shut-off preparation.
Which brings us to the heart of the M3 GTS; the engine bay. The serial production M3 gets a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter V8 engine pumping out 420HP. For the M3 GTS, BMW's M department enlarged the displacement of the V8 to 4.4-liters thus promising an output of around 450 horsepower. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a 7-speed M dual clutch transmission with adapted shift characteristics.
BMW says that it intends to shatter the lap time of the iconic M3 CSL on the Nürburgring Nordschleife with the M3 GTS. "The test runs certainly give grounds for optimism," the firm said in a statement.
We're still waiting for BMW to release performance figures and more technical details on the new M3 GTS, but we can tell you that the price of the custom ordered model is expected to be €115,000 (US $170,000) for delivery in Germany, including 19% VAT.
BMW said that the first examples are due to be supplied in Germany in May 2010 while according to current planning, registrations in other countries will be possible from Summer 2010.
High-Res Photo Gallery
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