Announced: BMW M3 CRT Lightweight Sedan with 450hp @ 3,483 Pounds!

[MUFCbmwbear]

Very jealous indeed. Frozen Polar silver would go nicely on the coupe too. E92 CRT should be in this color.

[M3Denver]

i just want the extra 30 horsepower from factory!!

[Magnetic Fusion]

Thats a ton of money for 0-62 times being only 4.4 secs. I read in an article a stock 2011 with DCT got 3.9 secs 0-60. So what gives for an extra $100k? You can get the carbon fiber hood, trunk, and fenders to give you that 100lb weight reduction for close to $3k. The red or orange with the silver (PUKE) I've seen way nicer BMW's than this one....I'm not impressed one bit

[OC3]

Originally Posted by 33CV

Love it fantastic! As if the e90m weren't rare enough in France already...I will listen for the sound echoing through the streets!


Quick translation of igirl's review:



Quick review since the car is still under break in period (1,900km break in, 170km/h max speed, 5,500 revs max). Apparently the engine is limited during this period, according to the sales guy.

I have driven 600km up to now.

Positives:
-Between the engine with 450hp and the custom exhaust, the sound is incredible. I have the impression that it's more noticeable inside than outside (you can feel vibrations under the seat!).
Getting going in 1st or 2nd gear you can already tell that it's not a normal M3.
-The color (matte grey paint) is magnificent. I was afraid of how it might come out, and I wasn't the only one, but everybody thinks it's great.
-The chassis seems to have been custom tuned...the car has impressive stability even on fast curves. To be confirmed on the track in mid March.
-The seats are great, both in design and seating position. And the rear passengers love them too.

Negatives:
-The shocks can be adjusted for shock and rebound, I have to try out different settings since right now the smallest imperfection in the road is felt.
-it's impossible to be discreet in this car. Even if the exterior mostly is, you can hear it coming from far away and the brakes are even sometimes audible
(competition pads?)

Overall:
-For the time being, mostly positive.
-The magic of the e90 m3 is preserved, even augmented. You really have the impression that it's a special car (especially the alcantara steering wheel and the steering feel!)
-I don't regret anything but I'll wait for the break in period to be over before giving you a full review.

Where's the track review?

[igirl]

Small video, just for fun...

[flipm3]

Originally Posted by igirl

Small video, just for fun...

My goodness...I need a stroker motor in my life...

[mlhj83]

Originally Posted by Magnetic Fusion

Thats a ton of money for 0-62 times being only 4.4 secs. I read in an article a stock 2011 with DCT got 3.9 secs 0-60. So what gives for an extra $100k? You can get the carbon fiber hood, trunk, and fenders to give you that 100lb weight reduction for close to $3k. The red or orange with the silver (PUKE) I've seen way nicer BMW's than this one....I'm not impressed one bit

Apart from looks which is always going to be subjective. 0-62 times are at best a small indicator of a vehicle's performance. So the article in question managed to get 3.9 from that particular car, who is to say that had the testers had the CRT on a similar day, that it wouldn't have done a quicker time than 3.9. The increased engine performance of the CRT will be very noticeable during midrange accelerations and especially when the car is already on the move. It costs a lot of money to make body panels and seats for a car that is limited in production numbers, especially when carbon fibre honeycomb is involved. The rear seats are unique, the brakes are unique, the suspension is unique, and lets not forget the engine and the exhaust. Try doing all the modifications via aftermarket to the same level of fit and finish, strength, performance and reliability. This is why the CRT is so expensive.

Even if you decide to go aftermarket, let's work out how much it can potentially cost to achieve something similar to the CRT from a base M3.

Carbon hood painted - $3000 (your $3k for the body panels you listed will not provide the same quality and strength as OEM, and no aftermarket hood has been shown to be significantly lighter that the standard M3's aluminium one without compromising strength. CRT's is half the weight of the aluminium)
Carbon race seats - $2500
Custom engine and internals - $20000 (Of course there's supercharging, but that is not what BMW are trying to achieve)
KW Clubsport - $5000-6000
Custom rear seats - $?
Brembo GT brakes - $7500
Akrapovic exhaust - $6000
Labour - $?

Expensive isn't it?

Note that the CRT's price is also inflated due to taxes in Europe.

[igirl]

Originally Posted by mlhj83

Apart from looks which is always going to be subjective. 0-62 times are at best a small indicator of a vehicle's performance. So the article in question managed to get 3.9 from that particular car, who is to say that had the testers had the CRT on a similar day, that it wouldn't have done a quicker time than 3.9. The increased engine performance of the CRT will be very noticeable during midrange accelerations and especially when the car is already on the move. It costs a lot of money to make body panels and seats for a car that is limited in production numbers, especially when carbon fibre honeycomb is involved. The rear seats are unique, the brakes are unique, the suspension is unique, and lets not forget the engine and the exhaust. Try doing all the modifications via aftermarket to the same level of fit and finish, strength, performance and reliability. This is why the CRT it is so expensive.

Even if you decide to go aftermarket, let's work out how much it can potentially cost to achieve something similar to the CRT from a base M3.

Carbon hood painted - $3000 (your $3k for the body panels you listed will not provide the same quality and strength as OEM, and no aftermarket hood has been shown to be significantly lighter that the standard M3's aluminium one without compromising strength. CRT's is half the weight of the aluminium)
Carbon race seats - $2500
Custom engine and internals - $20000 (Of course there's supercharging, but that is not what BMW are trying to achieve)
KW Clubsport - $5000-6000
Custom rear seats - $?
Brembo GT brakes - $7500
Akrapovic exhaust - $6000
Labour - $?

Expensive isn't it?

Note that the CRT's price is also inflated due to taxes in Europe.

+1

Can't say better.
That's why I'm in love with my CRT.

[RussRamz]

Congrats iGirl! Love it and look forward to a thorough review after break-in.

[igirl]

"Ultimate M3"

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evoc..._pictures.html

[southlight]

Originally Posted by igirl

"Ultimate M3"

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evoc..._pictures.html

So true. I had the pleasure to drive an M3 CRT two weeks ago. In my opinion, it's the best M3 BMW has ever built.


Best regards,
south

[dreamspeed]

umm, ~167k for a M3? In that price range i wouldn't be looking at a M3, limited special edition or not

[Powerbeast]

Nice interior.

[carbon//m3]

Sick!!!

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

When I read "67 Units" I stopped reading and looking ... asking myself why tease us ???

Come now BMW ... what is the purpose of all this anyway ??? Ah yes I know to get us to purchase options if and when they become available ...

How soon will the 67 units be sold out if not already.

[Lemon Jelly M3]

Originally Posted by dreamspeed

umm, ~167k for a M3? In that price range i wouldn't be looking at a M3, limited special edition or not

maybe that's because you're not an M3 guy

[igirl]

"Summary

We've never been ones to complain about the standard BMW M3, but the CRT feels much more raw and exciting - and all the better for it. Despite the saloon-only body, this is without doubt the best and most appealing M3 the firm has made so far, the extra horsepower, noise and handling capabilities elevating it to a deserved special status. We only wish it had been made available to the UK..."

http://www.carenthusiast.com/reviews...d+edition.html

[ersin]

Originally Posted by southlight

So true. I had the pleasure to drive an M3 CRT two weeks ago. In my opinion, it's the best M3 BMW has ever built.


Best regards,
south

I hate you! Just kidding. Envious though.


Cheers.

[PrimoM3]

We could b!tch all day about how our respective countries didn't get this or the GTS, but I just wish they'd AT LEAST make the parts readily available for purchase. I realize this takes away from the exclusivity from the low produced special cars they are, but I doubt those rich folk give two testacles about regular cars having some parts.

Or, better yet, let me tick off a couple of the options when I spec my build. Namely - the brakes and seats.

[Supersam3590]

diggin the seats way too $$$

[rjd598]

Originally Posted by M3RD

When I read "67 Units" I stopped reading and looking ... asking myself why tease us ???

Come now BMW ... what is the purpose of all this anyway ??? Ah yes I know to get us to purchase options if and when they become available ...

How soon will the 67 units be sold out if not already.

They sold out within the first day

[igirl]

Originally Posted by rjd598

They sold out within the first day

You can still find some brand new M3 GTS and CRT in Germany...