I'm not an expert on this, but have some insight since I run the std M3. I won't go into all the details here, just some points of interest. E-mail me a fax # and I'll send you a copies of the BMW bulletins that provide most of the info.

First, to the best of my knowledge, only 85 M3 Lightweights (LTW) were made, despite a projected run of approx. 100. Production for them occurred from 8/95 - 10/95. It appears that several are still available as-new. Engines and transmissions were identical, except engines were *hand-picked* from the production line. From what I understand, it didn't make that much difference, but there is some potential between the very best and the very worst production line engine due to variances. Rear gear ratio is from automatic M3 at 3.23 vs 3.15 for std manual M3's, otherwise the drivetrains are identical, except for coil suspension springs (same as Euro coupe model, Std M3 has Euro 4 dr springs) which are slightly stiffer and lower than the Std M3. When you see somebody advertising a LTW suspension for sale, the only part that is different from the Std M3 is the springs. Swaybars, shocks, etc are identical.

Weight savings were a result of aluminum doors (std on Euro model), ac removal, radio removal (but speakers, amp, and wiring remained), soundproofing material removal, and lightweight forged alloy wheels at 7.5" front and 8.5" rear. These same wheels were available as an option on the std M3, but most people didn't realize that you'd get the 8.5" rear wheel width because BMW never states what size they are in any of their literature. LTW was listed as being 225 lb lighter than Std ( 2950 vs, 3175 lbs), but this is deceiving because the LTW is weighed as unladen ( no spare, empty gas tank, etc.), while the std is weighed fully laden. The difference between a full and empty gas tank is approx. 100 lbs. The aluminum doors are worth ~44 lbs. The wheels are approx. 8 lbs. lighter each (x 4 = 32 lbs), but are also much stronger than the std 10 spoke wheel. Just to give you an idea, my Std M3 weighs under 3000 lbs in SCCA Stock autox class trim; not much difference. Especially when you consider it has the std options; sunroof, leather, etc..

The front seats are 325 sport models with a special cloth fabric. They also came with a trunk full of goodies: baffled oil pan with special oil pump, Motorsport adjustable rear GT spoiler, front strut tower brace, and triangulated front crossmember brace. These parts were not certified for US emissions and safety standards, so they were sent unmounted; technically, it voids the warranty to install any of them on a US-version M3. Due to the different coil springs, the alignment is more aggressive; 2 deg neg front camber vs 0.9 deg neg Std, but to the best of my knowledge the std equipment strut tops are identical for both, excepting for a LTW option. There were some options available for the LTW; adjustable camber plates for the front struts, special adj. suspension (I've heard this was big $$$$), at least one other item I can't recall off the top of my head. LTW also came with a special air-splitter front spoiler as std equipment. BMW literature claimed 13.9 sec 1/4 mile time vs 14.5 for std. M3, but my personal *qualifed* (attention Nootman <g>) experience is that the real world difference is much smaller, excepting multi-lap road racing scenarios, which is still small, but will add up with the laps. Due to their limited production, the LTW is not legal for SCCA Stock class autox.

Once again, I don't profess to be the most knowlegable source on the LTW. Some of what I wrote above is pulled from literature that I've obtained from doing research on the Std M3, some of it I've been *told*, etc., plus I'm just typing from faded memory. It may or may not be accurate. I certainly welcome any clarifications, corrections, etc. Most of the problem stems from the use of Euro Motorsport parts; this information isn't readily available to just anyone, but some of the racing houses and more knowledgable sources have access to it. There is more info, I'm just tired of typing. Send me your fax #.

Mark Sipe