BMW Reveals V12 Z3 Prototype Relic

Jason · 08-06-2012, 01:54 PM

BIMMERPOST NEWS

BMW Reveals V12 Z3 Prototype Relic

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COMMENTS

Check out this never before seen relic that BMW M posted on its Facebook page today. It's a Z3 shoehorned with a V12!

No information was given on the car other than the 3 photos titled "V12 BMW Z3 Prototype," but given the Z3's production run from 1996-2002, we can surmise that the engine seen is the M73 5.4 liter engine from the E38 750i and E38 860Ci coupe from the mid 90's (it also matches visually). The M73 featured 322hp / 361 lb-ft torque. The actual engine that the the Z3 M Roadster and Coupe received was the 3.2L S54 from the E46 M3, good for 321hp / 261 lb-ft torque in Europe and 315hp in North America.

Coincidentally, we got some information on this car back in July during our press drives of the F21 M135i. As we were told, Burkhard Göschel, former BMW board member and then Z3 project leader had the idea to fit a V12 engine in the Z3. As mentioned above, it had about 320hp but it was nothing short of undriveable. With about 70% of weight at the front axle, we were told that the car behaved weirdly -- mildly put.

As maniacal as a V12 Z3 M would have been, this prototype was likely never intended to be anything but a one-off fun project by the M engineers.

This V12 Z3 joins many other BMW prototypes which have never seen the mass production line because they never received approval or were one-off projects, such as the M8 coupe, E92 M3 pickup, E30 M3 pickup, Ur-Roadster, E36 M3 Compact, and E46 M3 Wagon (all of which we witnessed in person at BMW M's Secret Underground Garage).

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bimmerjph · 08-06-2012, 02:34 PM

Just imagine if they put the V12 from the McLaren F1 in it.

positiveions · 08-06-2012, 04:11 PM

I'm trying to remember if one of the aftermarket european tuners performed such a task.
But this project straight from BMW is nothing short of amazing: fitting a V12 into that small chassis.

J-9 · 08-06-2012, 04:13 PM

BMWPower06 · 08-06-2012, 04:16 PM

Why no S70/2?!

Dackelone · 08-06-2012, 04:28 PM

Such a cool undertaking. Must have been done by the same wacko //M techs that gave us BMW's Project Goldfish with a v16 in a 7er!

aajami · 08-06-2012, 04:36 PM

I love all the one-off cars that BMW used to make. I hope they still do (a la the E92 M pickup), and that we'll hear about them a few years from now.

ADVANT123 · 08-06-2012, 04:42 PM

Neat project- I'd love to pick up a used Z3 with a blown engine and try this out...

JasonCSU · 08-06-2012, 05:18 PM

That is pretty awesome, aside from the poor weight distribution. I'm surprised that engine even fit. Makes you wonder what other one-off cars may be lurking in the BMW storage garages.

techwhiz · 08-06-2012, 05:31 PM

Too much doppelbock.. That high alcohol content will sneak up every time..........

Piotr74656 · 08-06-2012, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ADVANT123

Neat project- I'd love to pick up a used Z3 with a blown engine and try this out...

I was thinking the same thing..., and I do have a 750iL (soon to replace for my 740iL) sitting in my driveway...

GOLFFRR · 08-06-2012, 07:04 PM

Bmw135er · 08-06-2012, 07:30 PM

Talk about oversteer! That woukd be a blast to Practice Your drifting in!
Btw the 8 series was an E31 850. It's a lot of dat up there Jason, so no worries. Feel free to edit my post if/when you read this.

Zebra99 · 08-06-2012, 07:49 PM

M3 pickup would be sexy and be a huge hit in NA if they are able to keep the price reasonable.

Other than that no one will buy it because you can get decent pick-up'd for low 30's and suppe em up pretty nice for dirt cheap.

They should try an N54 variant of the pickup. Can you imagine a FBO+meth pick-up hahaha

Mahzari · 08-06-2012, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bmw135er

Talk about oversteer! That woukd be a blast to Practice Your drifting in!

70% front weight bias and ONLY 300hp? Talk about understeer.

Rich@GTBPerformance · 08-06-2012, 08:36 PM

That is fantastic!

I wonder what the weight distribution is on that car though... that M70 V12 was a heavy SOB. I predict understeer!

Bmw135er · 08-06-2012, 11:43 PM

With trailing arm suspension in the rear, the traction is a joke. MZ3s are 240hp & 315hp. Even those cars are snap oversteer machines. The S52/S54s are iron blocks vs the M70 aluminum block, so the weight difference shouldn't be as different as you think.

red-sauerkraut · 08-06-2012, 11:53 PM

Good Lord is right

Jrodela06 · 08-07-2012, 12:26 AM

I need that VIN number!!!

Chamberlin · 08-07-2012, 12:32 AM

just sold my M73 powered E31...can't imagine how they fit that V12 into that Z3! Must have just poured it in while it was still molten aluminum.

BLITZ · 08-07-2012, 05:42 AM

Why are people so surprised it fits. The engine bay in the Z3 is quite big. Its been done in E30's before.

Rich@GTBPerformance · 08-07-2012, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bmw135er

With trailing arm suspension in the rear, the traction is a joke. MZ3s are 240hp & 315hp. Even those cars are snap oversteer machines. The S52/S54s are iron blocks vs the M70 aluminum block, so the weight difference shouldn't be as different as you think.

The S54 was about 326lbs. If memory serves me correctly, the M70 was at least 380lbs, if not more.

Not a huge difference, but enough with the engine hanging that far over the axle to be a problem

08-06-2012, 01:54 PM	#1
Jason Administrator Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: IoT Posts: 13,911 iTrader: (0)	BMW Reveals V12 Z3 Prototype Relic BIMMERPOST NEWS BMW Reveals V12 Z3 Prototype Relic 33 COMMENTS Tweet Check out this never before seen relic that BMW M posted on its Facebook page today. It's a Z3 shoehorned with a V12! No information was given on the car other than the 3 photos titled "V12 BMW Z3 Prototype," but given the Z3's production run from 1996-2002, we can surmise that the engine seen is the M73 5.4 liter engine from the E38 750i and E38 860Ci coupe from the mid 90's (it also matches visually). The M73 featured 322hp / 361 lb-ft torque. The actual engine that the the Z3 M Roadster and Coupe received was the 3.2L S54 from the E46 M3, good for 321hp / 261 lb-ft torque in Europe and 315hp in North America. Coincidentally, we got some information on this car back in July during our press drives of the F21 M135i. As we were told, Burkhard Göschel, former BMW board member and then Z3 project leader had the idea to fit a V12 engine in the Z3. As mentioned above, it had about 320hp but it was nothing short of undriveable. With about 70% of weight at the front axle, we were told that the car behaved weirdly -- mildly put. As maniacal as a V12 Z3 M would have been, this prototype was likely never intended to be anything but a one-off fun project by the M engineers. This V12 Z3 joins many other BMW prototypes which have never seen the mass production line because they never received approval or were one-off projects, such as the M8 coupe, E92 M3 pickup, E30 M3 pickup, Ur-Roadster, E36 M3 Compact, and E46 M3 Wagon (all of which we witnessed in person at BMW M's Secret Underground Garage). Share this story OTHER STORIES YOU MIGHT LIKE BMW 5 Series history. The third generation. E34. All Four M3 Generations (E30, E36, E46, E90) At The Track - Ignition Episode Is the E30 M3 the Most Overhyped Classic? AFTER/DRIVE Discusses
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08-06-2012, 04:11 PM	#3
positiveions Major General Drives: 09 MKV JETTA 2.5 & E90 M3 :) Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Verne, CA Posts: 8,828 iTrader: (1)	I'm trying to remember if one of the aftermarket european tuners performed such a task. But this project straight from BMW is nothing short of amazing: fitting a V12 into that small chassis. __________________

08-06-2012, 04:13 PM	#4
J-9 Converting 93 octane to noise. Drives: around all the retirees. Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Panama City Beach, FL Posts: 882 iTrader: (0)	__________________ -Paul, BMWCCA #447670 2007 E63 M6 Black Sapphire Metallic / Black Leather / Carbon Fiber Trim / Borla Catback / Matte Black Grilles Planned: MTEC V3 LED Angel Eyes / Black RPI Scoops / Dinan Stage 2 Suspension

08-06-2012, 04:16 PM	#5
BMWPower06 A^M=G is nothing w/o the Power of ///M Drives: ///M5 & ///M3 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: VA --> LA Posts: 1,748 iTrader: (0)	Why no S70/2?! __________________ Indianapolis Red BMW ///M5

08-06-2012, 04:28 PM	#6
Dackelone Moderator Drives: 135i Silber mit/Rot 6MT N54 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany Posts: 13,010 iTrader: (0)	Such a cool undertaking. Must have been done by the same wacko //M techs that gave us BMW's Project Goldfish with a v16 in a 7er! __________________ Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide 1addicts at Stelv1oPass

08-06-2012, 02:34 PM	#2
bimmerjph Major Drives: 2002 BMW 325i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,320 iTrader: (0)	Just imagine if they put the V12 from the McLaren F1 in it.

08-06-2012, 04:36 PM	#7
aajami Brigadier General Drives: Space Gray '09 E92 M3 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Manhattan Beach, CA Posts: 3,315 iTrader: (4)	I love all the one-off cars that BMW used to make. I hope they still do (a la the E92 M pickup), and that we'll hear about them a few years from now. __________________ Current: '09 E92 M3 \| Space Gray, Black Novillo, Carbon Leather \| ZTP 2MK ZPP 2MT 6FL \| link 1 / link 2 Mods: M Performance exhaust \| ZCP suspension retrofit \| Euro airbox \| LCI Euro taillights \| Style 359M wheels \| CRT lip \| BMW Performance CF Mk. II spoiler \| BMW Performance CF mirror caps \| BMW Performance front grilles / side gills / intake louvers / emblem \| Factory alarm retrofit \| Space Gray bumper plugs Gone: '01 "AP2" Honda S2000, '97 Ford Probe GT

08-06-2012, 04:42 PM	#8
ADVANT123 Second Lieutenant Drives: 1M Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 260 iTrader: (0)	Neat project- I'd love to pick up a used Z3 with a blown engine and try this out... __________________ 2011 Valencia Orange 1M - Weekend Warrior 2013 Acura RDX - Daily

08-06-2012, 05:18 PM	#9
JasonCSU Lieutenant Colonel Drives: '08 135i, '03 WRX Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 1,990 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2003 Subaru WRX [0.00] 1988 BMW 325is [0.00] 2008 BMW 135i [0.00]	That is pretty awesome, aside from the poor weight distribution. I'm surprised that engine even fit. Makes you wonder what other one-off cars may be lurking in the BMW storage garages. __________________ Delivered in Munich, broken in on the Nurburgring.

08-06-2012, 05:31 PM	#10
techwhiz Captain Drives: e90 335i Sedan Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Bay Area, Ca Posts: 835 iTrader: (1)	Too much doppelbock.. That high alcohol content will sneak up every time..........

08-06-2012, 07:04 PM	#12
GOLFFRR BimmerPost Supporting Vendor Drives: Golf Cart Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Solvang, CA/Camarillo, CA Posts: 10,919 iTrader: (4)	__________________ BEFORE YOU BUY YOUR NEXT BMW, PM ME FIRST I CAN HOOK YOU UP! We are Performance Center\|Euro Delivery\|BMW Individual Specialist Need a quote?..Ryan /Checa Email link \| T.805.482.8878 ask for Francesca www.stevethomasbmw.com \| OUR PARTS STORE \| Facebook-STBMW \| Twitter-STBMW

08-06-2012, 07:30 PM	#13
Bmw135er Major Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 1,368 iTrader: (9)	Talk about oversteer! That woukd be a blast to Practice Your drifting in! Btw the 8 series was an E31 850. It's a lot of dat up there Jason, so no worries. Feel free to edit my post if/when you read this.

08-06-2012, 07:49 PM	#14
Zebra99 Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 2008 335i E93 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Ontario Posts: 1,996 iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i E93 [5.00]	M3 pickup would be sexy and be a huge hit in NA if they are able to keep the price reasonable. Other than that no one will buy it because you can get decent pick-up'd for low 30's and suppe em up pretty nice for dirt cheap. They should try an N54 variant of the pickup. Can you imagine a FBO+meth pick-up hahaha

08-06-2012, 08:36 PM	#16
Rich@GTBPerformance BimmerPost Supporting Vendor Drives: A hard bargain Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 6,423 iTrader: (4)	That is fantastic! I wonder what the weight distribution is on that car though... that M70 V12 was a heavy SOB. I predict understeer! __________________ Your Home For Premium BMW Aftermarket Parts www.gtbperformance.com \| sales@gtbperformance.com \| Facebook \| 973 429 2839

08-06-2012, 11:43 PM	#17
Bmw135er Major Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 1,368 iTrader: (9)	With trailing arm suspension in the rear, the traction is a joke. MZ3s are 240hp & 315hp. Even those cars are snap oversteer machines. The S52/S54s are iron blocks vs the M70 aluminum block, so the weight difference shouldn't be as different as you think.

08-06-2012, 11:53 PM	#18
red-sauerkraut . Drives: m-car / x-car Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: northern hemisphere Posts: 2,743 iTrader: (0)	Good Lord is right

08-07-2012, 12:26 AM	#19
Jrodela06 Private First Class Drives: 11 335d Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: US of A Posts: 120 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW 335i [0.00] 2012 Suzuki GSX-R750 [0.00] 2011 BMW 335d [0.00]	I need that VIN number!!!

08-07-2012, 12:32 AM	#20
Chamberlin Second Lieutenant Drives: '06 Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 208 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 BMW Z4 M Coupe ... [4.50]	just sold my M73 powered E31...can't imagine how they fit that V12 into that Z3! Must have just poured it in while it was still molten aluminum.

08-07-2012, 05:42 AM	#21
BLITZ Second Lieutenant Drives: E34 525i M-Technik Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: London Posts: 221 iTrader: (0)	Why are people so surprised it fits. The engine bay in the Z3 is quite big. Its been done in E30's before. __________________

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