The BMW M3 turns 30 this year and to celebrate BMW has let some of its M3-based one-off Frankenstein creations out into the sunlight, including this E46 M3 Touring.

The E46 M3 was a favourite here at MOTOR. It won our 2002 Performance Car of the Year contest and was victorious in pretty much every comparison test it took part in between 2001-2006.

BMW E46 M3 Touring driving through a corner.

However, it did present a problem for the enthusiast with a family, as like the original E30 M3 it was only available as a coupe and a convertible, the four-door variant which appeared with the E36 range being dropped.

BMW E46 M3 Touring luggage space.

Specifically, the prototype was built to ensure that the standard 3 Series Touring bodyshell and its rear doors could incorporate the flared rear wheel arches of the M3 coupe without the need for expensive additional tooling.

BMW E46 M3 Touring parked.

It did, however, create a ‘Touring’ version of the V10-engined E60 M5 and will produce a five-door M3 for the first time with the G81 generation!

BMW’s M3 ’30 Jahre’ anniversary model goes on sale later this year.