![]() ![]() From there, PTG would then include all of the CSL go-fast bits, like the wing and dual pick-up oil pump, unfitted in the trunk of the car, and then sent the cars off to the dealership. You see, each of the LTW CSLs were actually exported to PTG (Performance Technology Group) out in Virginia, which was part of BMW’s racing arm in the US. But instead of giving up, BMW decided to take a more creative approach in selling the car to the public. Rumors have it that the M3 LTW CSL was almost scrapped due to these regulations at some point in the development process. Lastly, this bit of detail is more oriented to the quirky story I mentioned I’d explain earlier, and it’s about how far BMW went to ensure this car was offered to the true enthusiasts in the United States.ĭuring the ’90s, the department of transportation in the US was hammering down on all sorts of safety regulations, and one might even argue that this was the emerging point of where lawmakers began silently protesting around performance oriented cars. If you couldn’t guess by the name, the main premise behind the car was based around shedding weight, so BMW only offered the car with the lightest trim possible. ![]() Ten were pre-production models in January and February, one was made in April, and then the rest between August and October. CSL: Coupe Sport LightīMW ended up only producing 126 units of the E36 M3 LTW CSL in 1995. But there’s a quirky story behind this that I’ll get to in just a bit. Though the M3 GT was dedicated to the FIA GT series homologation (meaning it has roughly 50 more horsepower thanks to the upgraded Euro S50B30), the M3 LTW CSL was homologated for the US-specific IMSA Firehawk series. Reluctantly, BMW caved and decided to do a US-spec homologation version of their E36 DTM/WTCC race car, alongside the UK market’s M3 GT homologation car. So they began pressuring the boys over in Munich to release a proper thoroughbred race version of their beloved E36 M3. With Porsche soon sending off the 964 and releasing the 993, and Mercedes-Benz pumping out pure German muscle like the Porsche-AMG collaboration of the 500E, BMW enthusiasts in the US felt a little left out in the ranks. Give Us What We Wantīack in the early ‘90s, the Germans seemed to be going head to head against each other, both track-side and on the road. That’s how special the E36 M3 LTW CSL is for me. And this day wasn’t any different, other than the fact that I literally gave absolutely zero attention to anything other than this car. Mind you, this is the same famous parking lot in the west Bay Area mountains where you can stand around on any given Sunday and indulge in supercar heaven. But ask any true BMW enthusiast, and you just might spark a conversation of never ending praise and joy, myself included.Ī few years had gone by since I had last seen this specific car, but being the firm believer in fate that I am, I knew we would surely cross paths again someday. And I did just that a few months ago.Īgain, I was out driving in the mountains with a few friends from our local R32 owners group, when all of a sudden Bill Broeder showed up in the parking lot. To any novice, this was just another mid-1990s BMW M3 with some modest livery and a badly-fitting wing. The culprit in question? A real-deal factory E36 M3 LTW CSL. And of course, it was numbered by a plaque. The interior was immaculate, and shared all of the correct characteristics of the factory car, including the special weave carbon fiber accents. The checkered flags were correct in size and placed in the exact factory positioning. With giggles and excitement, the first question we both almost simultaneously asked each other was: “Holy shit, is that real?!” Gazing in mesmerizing confusion, we inspected the car, searching for some sort of clue to justify our doubts in its authenticity, but for once, we were happy to be wrong in our skepticism. My buddy, Andrew, was with me, and I can clearly remember us both stopping almost immediately in our tracks, staring at one another in utter confusion, then slowly proceeding to walk towards the car. About three or four years ago, I was strolling along the lines of cars parked outside of Canepa’s lot during one of their Cars & Coffee events when I stumbled across a particular car that everyone else seemed to be walking right passed.
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