E36 Lightweight

Myths suck, let's a) bring the tech and b) admit when something is a guess or hearsay and correct it when we find out otherwise.

Facts

For the 1995 model year, BMW opted to spruce up the E36 M3 product offering with a limited edition model. In Europe, this limited edition was known as the M3 GT, while in the US, this model was designated the M3 Lightweight. They are not the same car. Although there are similarities between these two models, there are more differences.

The LTW's deviation from a standard US-spec M3 has often been a topic of disagreement among enthusiasts. Here's some information to make sure you keep your wits about you when one of those conversations arises.

Approximately 125 M3 Lightweights (referred to as the LTW or the CSL) were made. Production was originally believed to have been included with the regular models from 8/95 - 10/95, however, it is apparent from the VINs of some LTW's that some a few early cars (early 94 production), including one of the very first US spec E36 M3 (a red one used in a lot of press material shoots), were either built as or later converted to LTW spec.

Weight savings were a result of aluminum doors (std on the 96 M3+ overseas), no under hood sound deadening material, deletion of the A/C, sunroof, radio head unit (amp, wiring, and speakers still in place), trunk tool kit, plus a switch to slightly lighter weight forged alloy wheels. Although at the tire sizes remained the same as standard M3 (235/40-17 Pilot MXX3), the wheels were staggered (7.5" front and 8.5" rear).

The LTW was listed as being 225 lb lighter than Std ( 2950 vs, 3175 lbs). The aluminum doors were good for ~44 lb weight savings.

On the outside, LTW's were Alpine White with Motorsport flag decals on the front left fender and right rear fender. The standard M3 lower lip was retained, and a n adjustable Motorsport splitter was added. The standard M3 wing with LED brake light was fitted to the trunklid. As a result of this, there is no brake light hump in the rear window.

The front seats were manually adjustable BMW sports seats (instead of standard M3 "Vader" seats), cloth only, seat centers in Anthracite/red M cloth, lateral supports and headrests in black cloth. The door inserts were black leatherette, and the rest of interior trim (carpet, etc) was all black. Carbon Fiber trim was applied to the center console, glove compartment panel, door sills, and ash trays. The BMW Motorsport International logo appears on glove box trim, door sills, and exterior door plaques.

LTW's also came with what is called the trunk kit: baffled oil pan with dual pickup oil pump (standard on the 96+ euro M3 S50B32 engine), height-adjustable rear GT wing, front strut tower brace, and triangulated front crossmember brace from cabrio models (aka X-brace). As the vehicle was never certified for safefty or emissions standards with these parts installed, installation voided warranty. Oops. The kits were packed/prepped to go into the cars by Prototype Technology Group (PTG) of Virginia. PTG also retrofitted LED brake lights into the lower portion of the height adjustable wing.

LTW engines were the standard 3.0 S50USB30 units. LTW's used the standard 5 speed ZF transmission, but had a 3.23 LSD rear end, vs. the 95 M3's 3.15 LSD. The 25% lockup was retained.

BMW literature claimed 5.8 sec to 60mph, 13.9 sec 1/4 mile time vs 14.5 for std. M3. LTWs carried a sticker price of $48,470 before destination charges, which was a big jump over a standard M3. However, many sold new for quite less than that, and some not until well after 1995; apaprently no one wanted to pay more for a stripper M3.

There is a build sheet under the rear seat of each Lightweight that says "SONDERSERIE M3 US CSL" (sonder is German for special). Interestingly enough, in official BMW documents, the terms M3 LTW and M3 CSL are interchangeable.

As of a couple of years ago, this was the complete list of known LTW VINs. More/all of them are probably identified by now.

Note: all vin #'s listed below are the last 4 digits only to save space, the normal listing would be EH0XXXX to correctly ID the car.

4032 4048 4065 7177 7178 7179 7180 7220 7221 7222 7223 7224 7244 7246 7248 7249 7250 7251 7252 7253 7254 7255 7256 7258 7259 7260 7417 7418 7419 7420 7421 7422 7423 7424 7425 7426 7427 7428 7429 7430 7431 7432 7433 7434 7435 7436 7437 7438 7439 7440 7441 7520 7521 7522 7523 7524 7525 7526 7527 7529 7530 7531 7532 7533 7534 7535 7536 7537 7538 7539 7540 7541 7542 7543 7752 7951 7952 7953 7954 7955 7956 7960 7961 7962 7963 7964 7968 7971 7976 7978 7988 7989 7990 7991 7999 8003 8004 8018 8019 8020 8028 8029 8030 8046 8047 8048 8060 8062 8063 8064 8075 8088 8089 8090 8091 8092

Those were the facts. Now for the techless rumors:

"Lightweight engines were hand-picked."

Prove it. Anecodotally, we know that Lightweights seem to dyno pretty high for bone stock 3.0 liter M3s, but there is no documentation to support this claim.

"Lightweights have 8 bolt differential flanges; all other E36's are 4 or 6 bolt."

Again, where is the documentation or the overwhelming evidence from Lightweight owners?

"Lightweights had no trunk lining and there was lots of soundproofing material removed"

Yawn. When the 3rd owner of a Lightweight says his has no trunk lining, who gives a shit?

"Lightweights came with euro floating rotors"

No.