Does anyone know why BMW stopped racing their V12 LMR? That race car was incredible.

They wanted to focus on F1. The last year for the car was 2000. They had Schnitzer run the car, but they didn't have a budget for development. Audi was improving their car throughout the season, but the LMR was not getting any improvements. They struggled as a result. Of course, the next year BMW ran the M3 GTR with both Schnitzer and PTG. They'd still be there if the ACO hadn't sided with Porsche.

They wanted to focus on F1. The last year for the car was 2000. They had Schnitzer run the car, but they didn't have a budget for development. Audi was improving their car throughout the season, but the LMR was not getting any improvements. They struggled as a result. Of course, the next year BMW ran the M3 GTR with both Schnitzer and PTG. They'd still be there if the ACO hadn't sided with Porsche.

Well,BMW did not have a road version M3 V8 at the time also.

Well,BMW did not have a road version M3 V8 at the time also.


neither did saleen. porsche just has more clout in the arena of sportscar racing.

Saleen also got slapped the next year. They were trying to build a road car, but it turned into a normal Saleen Charlie Foxtrot.

The LMR was an awesome racecar and it is beautiful.

Everybody plays the game of "production" cars in sports car racing. Porsche has too. And BMW did make a few road versions of the M3 V8. Along with "plans" to put it into production.

The LMR was a very good car and it was a shame they weren't in a position to really compete with the Audi.

Yeah, it had a box for a back seat :)

Everybody plays the game of "production" cars in sports car racing. Porsche has too. And BMW did make a few road versions of the M3 V8. Along with "plans" to put it into production.

The LMR was a very good car and it was a shame they weren't in a position to really compete with the Audi.
What "few road versions"?

What "few road versions"?


http://www.bmwworld.com/pics/3er/e46/m3/5426_1024.jpg


a few (~8 or so) were build and delivered to some rich towelheads. thats about it.

http://www.bmwworld.com/pics/3er/e46/m3/5426_1024.jpg


a few (~8 or so) were build and delivered to some rich towelheads. thats about it.

Correct, there are scans around of the brochure as well.

Man. What a shame. I wish those actually made it to the streets. Any links offhand to the brochure?

Any specs on the 8?

Do the swap! E39 M5 V8 In M3! JUST DOO IT! So I can copy you without having to spend my hard earned $ on r&d!

Do the swap! E39 M5 V8 In M3! JUST DOO IT! So I can copy you without having to spend my hard earned $ on r&d!

It's already been done in multiple race cars.

You'll need a custom front subframe to mount it to and you'll need the top of the line Motec engine management system with additional modules (fly-by-wire and dual VANOS, IIRC) to control it. Once you have it all installed, you'll need an expert to spend hours on the dyno tuning it. Hope you've got a huge budget.

The E46 M3 GTR Streetversion is my all time favorite car ever (i would take it over ANYTHING). It is so hard to find out information about the car as so few people know about it.

It's already been done in multiple race cars.

You'll need a custom front subframe to mount it to and you'll need the top of the line Motec engine management system with additional modules (fly-by-wire and dual VANOS, IIRC) to control it. Once you have it all installed, you'll need an expert to spend hours on the dyno tuning it. Hope you've got a huge budget.


there's one fs in roundel. i think its the old alegra motorsports car.

This is a nice car! :eek:

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/images/large/57-3.jpg
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/images/large/57-6.jpg

Remember this car?
http://www.fantasycars.com/1/News/700_hp_BMW_X5_Le_Mans/BMW_X5_Photo_5/x5lemans_p5.jpg
http://www.km77.com/marcas/bmw/x5_01/x5lemans/med/curva.jpg

Stuck! drove the car.. He beat the Z8 by 26 seconds!

Stuck! drove the car.. He beat the Z8 by 26 seconds!

That X5 does have the LMR V-12 engine in it though and no less than Hans Stuck driving it.

This is a nice car! :eek:

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/images/large/57-3.jpg
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/images/large/57-6.jpg
I have always loved that car even more than the Williams/BMW.

^ me too!

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/images/large/57-3.jpg


What

a

car

!

:eek:

i love that they put the kidney grills in there, no matter how odly they look i like that they put them in, oh and as for info on the e46 m3gtr street version

http://www.rsportscars.com/eng/cars/bmw_m3gtr.asp

Remember this car?
http://www.fantasycars.com/1/News/700_hp_BMW_X5_Le_Mans/BMW_X5_Photo_5/x5lemans_p5.jpg
http://www.km77.com/marcas/bmw/x5_01/x5lemans/med/curva.jpg
more info on the x5 please.

more info on the x5 please.
BMW stuffed the 750hp V12 in there to test how the X5 would respond to more HP. It obviously handled it very well, hence the 4.6is and 4.8is versions. I have the a 5 minute long vid of it thats pretty good, if anyone knows where to put it up for all to see.

I can host the video. Send me a PM and I can give you a password to FTP it up to my webspace.

I find it had to believe that the exercise was to dertmine how the car would handle more power, as the entire suspension and drivetrain were vastly different from stock. I thought it was just one of those things they did just because they could.

I've always thought is was to see how the AWD system did with a lot of horsepower.