BMW has built some phenomenal sounding vehicles. But we think the M3 GTR race car from the mid-2000s could take the prize for the best-sounding BMW on the planet.
Unlike the E46-generation M3 street car, which used a straight-six engine, the GTR received a race-ready version of the naturally aspirated 4.9-liter V8 found in the new E39-generation M5. Not only did this give the car more power, it made it sound much better (and given that the original straight-six sounded so good, that’s saying something).
Besides creating a big noise, the M3 GTR was also very successful. BMW won its class in the 2001 American Le Mans Series championship before ultimately being forced to retire the V-8 for homologation reasons.
The M3 GTR in this video, shot by the NM2255 The YouTube channel in a historic event at the Mugello circuit in Italy, was initially fielded in the 2004 Rolex Sports Car Series by Tom Milner’s Prototype Technology Group, where it won 10 of 12 races. It still has its original eight-cylinder engine and Hewland six-speed H-speed gearbox.
From the onboard footage we can get a good idea of how loud this M3 must have been to drivers during the Rolex 24 twenty years ago. This Hewland transmission requires speed and precision to operate properly; if you are slow and careful you will disrupt the car.
Of course, you’re here for the exterior photos. From the outside, this M3 looks more like an old Can-Am car than an exotic European racing vehicle, with a deep, booming roar coming from its quad side pipes. It’s safe to say that this is the best-sounding BMW we’ve ever heard.
BMW has built some phenomenal sounding vehicles. But we think the M3 GTR race car from the mid-2000s could take the prize for the best-sounding BMW on the planet.
Unlike the E46-generation M3 street car, which used a straight-six engine, the GTR received a race-ready version of the naturally aspirated 4.9-liter V8 found in the new E39-generation M5. Not only did this give the car more power, it made it sound much better (and given that the original straight-six sounded so good, that’s saying something).
Besides creating a big noise, the M3 GTR was also very successful. BMW won its class in the 2001 American Le Mans Series championship before ultimately being forced to retire the V-8 for homologation reasons.
The M3 GTR in this video, shot by the NM2255 The YouTube channel in a historic event at the Mugello circuit in Italy, was initially fielded in the 2004 Rolex Sports Car Series by Tom Milner’s Prototype Technology Group, where it won 10 of 12 races. It still has its original eight-cylinder engine and Hewland six-speed H-speed gearbox.
From the onboard footage we can get a good idea of how loud this M3 must have been to drivers during the Rolex 24 twenty years ago. This Hewland transmission requires speed and precision to operate properly; if you are slow and careful you will disrupt the car.
Of course, you’re here for the exterior photos. From the outside, this M3 looks more like an old Can-Am car than an exotic European racing vehicle, with a deep, booming roar coming from its quad side pipes. It’s safe to say that this is the best-sounding BMW we’ve ever heard.