The E46 M3 is considered one of the purest sport cars of all time with its high-revving inline-6 engine and telegraphic handling. The E46 M3 came with the BMW S54 engine, a 3.2 liter inline-six engine developing 333 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. It could hit 0-60 in 5.1 seconds and had an electronically controlled top speed of 155 mph. With its Double VANOS variable valve timing and 8000 rpm redline, the 3.2 liter screams through the rev range with smooth and linear power. It also makes a fantastic sound doing it.

A GTR racing version of the E46 M3 was developed which placed 3rd in the American Le Mans Series on 2000 and then upgraded the engine to a 443-hp V8 which won the ALMS GT category in 2001.  In order to compete, 10 GTR road cars needed to be produced which are now some of the rarest homologation specials in existence.  The rules changed however, and the GTR was never produced further.  The race version later went on to win the 24 Hours of Nürburgring in 2004 and 2005.

BMW went on to produce over 85k E46 M3’s from 1999-2006 many of which are still around today. The E46 M3 is characterized as a pure driver’s car with a storied motorsports history.  The GTR has been popularized by the video game Need for Speed: Most Wanted with many owners creating replicas using the E46 M3 as a base.

As an owner of an E46 M3 and and avid LEGO enthusiast, I decided to bring the E46 M3 to life. This model has been created to mimic the widebody of the GTR race car (or replica body kits) completed with front and rear spoilers, side skirts and fender flares.  The vented hood and trunk and doors open, and the miniature S54 is removable.  The interior is designed to be as accurate as possible at this scale along with a half cage that doubles as a roof support.  This model mimics the Phoenix yellow color available in the road car.