Let’s all have a big, giant laugh about the fact that the XM could not gather even a single vote – it’s 100% for the X5 M. Let’s keep it in the BMW family, because something just popped up that I think you’ll enjoy – the BMW Performance Center’s M4 GT4 fleet is up for sale.
To prove just how insane the M3 market is, I’m bringing along an E46 M3.
Both cost six figures.
The BMW M4 GT4 vs the 2004 BMW E46 M3
The M4 GT4 isn’t listed yet, but will be here
Oh sure, you can modify your M4 with carbon bits and tunes, but it’s still not a race car – not like the M4 GT4.
How about a roll cage, race rubber, plexiglass, a stripped interior…hmm, actually it’s so stripped that the car isn’t road legal. That means if you want to impress on a Sunday morning, you’re going to be hauling the GT4 in on a flat bed.
The car is loud, raw, and still very fast. The kicker is that many are available, starting at around $116,000 with just over 3,000 miles on them. Yes, that’s all track miles, and not all of them expertly driven.
Against it, I find a mint, Grade A, USDA, select, number one E46 M3 that is already at $111,000. How silly – I’ll explain.
The BMW M4 GT4
I don’t know the year, though these have LCI head lights and tail lights, if that matters. This is a race car, so you will need a race track to use it, but wouldn’t it be cool to show up with one of these being towed by your X7?
- Prices starting at $116,997
- Cars with as low as 3,286 miles available
- I’ll assume the Motorsport livery stays on
- It’s possible they will be reconditioned to a point, but they all show the wear and tear of track life.
- Full Continental race slicks
- Race suits not included (I assume)
- Variable horsepower – different engine tunes are loaded via computer, depending on the track and/or class you want to race in. Around 500 seems a common number
- Weighing in at just 3,150 pounds
There seem to be a few other examples for sale, but since these are school-owned, I feel like it’s a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
You certainly wouldn’t be a poseur (unless you left it in the garage). Otherwise…
The 2004 BMW E46 M3
I will grant you that this is a wonderful car – like the E46 to own:
- 29,000 miles
- Laguna Seca Blue over Cinnamon Nappa leather
- Six-speed
- One of just 19 in this color combo. BTW – why? What’s wrong with you people buying this car in 2004?! Didn’t you know we’d want these?!
- No sunroof, and Cold Weather Package
- LCI-spec
- The MSRP was $51,420 in 2004. That’s about $84k today, so not only did it beat inflation, but appreciated well beyond
- Current bid – $111,000 (it’ll be over by the time this is published)
Wonderful, nice, yes. That said, you can buy one of these for $20k, take it to Tyspeed for a restoration (even a manual swap), then J&B for a full paint job, and you’d still be waaaay cheaper than this example.
Simply put, the car doesn’t deliver a $100k-plus driving experience. What’s the point? To pull up at a show and tell everyone “Yea, it’s original bro!”
Nobody effing cares.
So what will it be? An E46 that you know in your heart of hearts is all original, or an M4 GT4 that encourages you to ruin it?
Want MWS to review your car?
If you live in the tri-state area and want me to check it out, send me an email!
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