How Australia got the ultimate BMW E36

The BMW M3R could never happen today. There’s zero chance that BMW would ever let an outpost like Australia claim as its own the rarest and most powerful version of an M3, the star around which the whole M-car firmament revolves.

Even back in 1995 that seemed unlikely, but Frank Gardner Racing talked BMW Motorsport into allowing them to homologate 15 cars for local endurance racing. Frank, you see, had a thing about coming first.

It may have had something to do with coming second so reliably. In 1966, Gardner came second at the 1000km of Spa and second in the Australian Grand Prix at Lakeside, following Graham Hill.

In 1967 he finished on the second step of the podium in the European F2 championship and in the same position in the British Autocar Formula Two Championship. 1972? Another second place at the Australian GP.

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In order to build the finest E36 M3, the brief was relatively simple: more power, less weight and strengthen anything that might break.

The M3R was based on a stock atmo 3.0-litre M3, shipped to Australia in its lightest possible form.

The 2990cc S50 B30 straight six got revised camshafts, a freer-breathing intake, optimised exhaust ports, dual-pickup oil sump and a new ECU to produce 239kW at 7200rpm and 320Nm at 3500rpm.

Further down the driveline there was a lightened flywheel, the Euro-spec M3 GT’s shortened 3.23:1 final drive, and a choice of clutches depending on whether the car was intended for race or road use.

Bigger front discs (324 vs 315mm), stiffer springs and shocks, and M3 GT front and rear spoilers completed the package.

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Alpine White was the sole colour option and the diet saw 100kg shorn from the M3’s kerb weight, the M3R tipping the scales at 1360kg.

This resulted in a crisp PWR of 176kW/tonne versus the standard M3’s 146kW/tonne. That’s better than a modern 718 Boxster.

Just 15 were built, with four used for motorsport and the remaining 11 sold to the public. Thing is, if you wanted one you needed to have a Motorsport Australia racing licence.

The ultimate driving machine? Bloody oath, mate.

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1995 BMW E36 M3R specifications

• Engine: 2990cc inline-6, DOHC, 24v
• Power: 239kW @ 7200rpm
• Torque: 320Nm @ 3500rpm
• 0-100km/h: 5.74s (tested)
• Weight: 1360kg

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