The new BMW M4 CSL is a cool car, there’s no doubt about it. Since its launch, however, BMW has unveiled the even-cooler M3 CS and the limited-run 3.0 CSL. The E92-generation BMW M3 GTS is a little different.
You see, this hardcore, track-focused variant of the M3 Coupe truly was the pinnacle of the E92 M3 range and not only that but is also significantly rarer than the M4 CSL will be. As a matter of fact, BMW intends to build 1,000 examples of the M4 CSL but only ever manufactured 135 units of the M3 GTS.
The BMW M3 GTS you’re looking at in these images will be auctioned off by RM Sotheby’s at its Villa Erba event on May 20. It truly is one of the finest M cars ever produced and while the auction house hasn’t given an estimated sales price for it, we suspect it could sell for over $200,000.
Watch: A Collection Of Nine BMW E92 M3s Will Blow Your Mind
The listing notes that this example was delivered on October 1st, 2010 and was first registered on April 15, 2011 in Germany. The first owner kept it until April 2021 when it was purchased by the current seller. It has been driven just 9,936 km (6,173 miles) since new and will be sold with all of its standard accessories, including a branded bottle of champagne and a service book.
Given that many high-performance sports cars nowadays used forced induction, car manufacturers can add extra grunt to ‘special edition’ models by simply increasing the boost. However, since the M3 GTS has a naturally-aspirated V8, that wasn’t possible. Instead, BMW had to increase the capacity of the standard M3’s 4.0-liter V8 to 4.4-liters and in doing so, managed to give it 444 hp and 324 lb-ft (440 Nm) of torque. Coupled as standard to the engine is a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Photo Credits: Keno Zache/RM Sotheby’s