See the Rarest BMW M3 and M4 Cars Ever Made—Only at the Petersen

In the event you didn’t know, BMW celebrates 50 years of the BMW 3 Collection this 12 months. Whereas we’ve already seen revelry straight from the model in a number of methods this 12 months, the most recent is maybe probably the most accessible and, arguably, greatest technique to have a good time. BMW is bringing an array of M3 and M4 fashions to one of many best locations for any auto fanatic on Earth: the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California. From Nineteen Seventies Group 5 automobiles to the most recent GT4 automobiles, there’s one thing for each fanatic.

Which M3 Fashions Are Coming to The Petersen?

Exhibit automobiles illustrate the BMW 3 Collection’ 5 decade span. The oldest is a 1978 BMW 320i Group 5 race automobile, and BMW can have a extra pedestrian E21 on show, too: a 1983 BMW 320i. Two E30 M3 race automobiles will be a part of, a 1990 BMW M3 Group A DTM and 1990 BMW M3 GTM. The previous of the E30s sports activities the enduring Warsteiner/Dekra livery. A single E36, the 1996 BMW M3 GT2, rounds out the Nineteen Nineties.

The E46 M3 is well-represented by a dynamic duo of tremendous unique fashions. The primary is a 2001 BMW M3 GTR, famously powered by a V8 in lieu of the conventional S54 inline-six. Actually, regardless of two E46 M3 fashions on show, there’s not an S54 in the complete assortment; the opposite is certainly one of solely three remaining 2001 BMW M3 GTR Straßenversion fashions. The “street version” of the M3 GTR eschews a shouty livery and different important race automobile bits for manufacturing E46 M3 wheels and a near-factory M3 physique equipment. Gone is the towering wing, however key particulars like a vented hood, Recaro seats, and built-in entrance canards are useless giveaways that you simply’re peering at a really particular, V8-powered E46 M3. A single E92 M3 race automobile, the 2011 BMW M3 GT, rounds out the “classic” alternatives.

The Trendy Period: M4 Fashions on the Petersen

They put on a barely totally different badge, and a few look significantly totally different, however the M4 is one other important a part of the M3’s historical past. BMW’s introduced round some severe {hardware} to the Petersen, as all of the M4 automobiles on show are severe race automobiles. The 2020 BMW M4 DTM Class 1 is the one one not sporting a G82 entrance grille. The opposite two automobiles are the 2023 BMW M4 GT4 and extra aggressive 2024 BMW M4 GT4 EVO. As a reminder, the EVO mannequin was BMW’s direct response to buyer crew requests for enchancment to the usual GT4 automobile. A redesigned entrance splitter, strengthened wheel bearings, and new entrance flicks all took steps ahead in reliability, sturdiness, and general efficiency.

No phrase on agency begin or finish dates but, however The Petersen Automotive Museum’s Final Racing Machine exhibit runs concurrently with the “Completely Superior!” exhibit already on show. In the event you’re something like me, there’s a little bit of an overlap between your BMW pursuits and the very best of 80s and 90s automobiles. For the reason that 3 Collection exhibit takes place within the museum’s “Vault” space, tickets are a bit pricier: $49 per grownup. In all probability worthwhile, as it could be the one alternative ever some get to see these iconic M3 and M4 automobiles.