How many CRT units did BMW produce?

BMW manufactured 67 production units of the E90 M3 CRT as well as one additional model which is still in possession by BMW M. Each production model received an individually numbered placard located on the passenger side interior dash trim marked “M3 CRT XX” where “XX” denotes the sequential build number up to 67. "00" marks the preproduction model owned by BMW.

Of the total 67 units manufactured, 62 exist in left-hand drive while 5 were manufactured in right-hand drive. The preproduction model “00” was left-hand drive as well. The CRT was not sold in the US market.

What does “CRT” stand for?

CRT denotes “Carbon Racing Technology”. According to BMW, this technology “embodies a concentrated blend of state of the art development expertise inspired directly by motorsport - in the areas of drive system and chassis technology and intelligent lightweight design.

The carbon emphasis is on the “CFRP” (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic) manufacturing process which is used throughout. BMW states this vehicle represents a worldwide debut of this unique process on a production vehicle in the automotive industry. The use of CFRP helps reduce the overall weight of the vehicle, increasing the handling agility as well as the overall power to weight ratio of 7.72lbs (3.5kg) per 1 horsepower.

The CFRP hood uses only two moldings of carbon encasing an aramid honeycomb core, an almost identical process used in aerospace. When compared to an aluminum hood, the CFRP hood saves around 50% of overall weight.

What other lightweight measures did BMW use on the CRT?

BMW used their lightest weight M3 wheels (style 359M). Cellular honeycomb wrapped in carbon used on componants such as the front bucket seats, rear wing, front lip and front air intake ducts. This cellular carbon honeycomb was later used in the manufacturing of body components for The BMW i3 and i8 models.

Further weight reductions include reduced soundproofing, a titanium muffler, and uniquely designed rear seats.

What standard equipment came on the CRT?

All CRT models feature an M double-clutch transmission (DCT), a manual was not an option. Navigation was standard along with the BMW individual High-End audio, luggage area package, alarm syste and PDC Park Distance Control.

What is the overall weight of the CRT?

BMW lists the official unladen weight of the CRT at 3,483 lbs (1,580kg) which is around 100lbs (45kg) less than the standard E90 M3. Because most of the weight reduction was near the front axle, the overall balance was improved to 51.6% front to 48.4% rear.

Does the CRT have unique power figures?

The BMW E90 M3 CRT uses the same power plant as the track-focused E92 M3 GTS. Improvements over the base S65 engine included a bored out piston stroke from 75.2mm to 82mm (increasing total displacement to 4,361cc). Power output increased from 420hp to 450hp (331kW) and from 295lbft to 325lbft (440Nm). The crankcase bedplate features a special, weight savings aluminum-silicon alloy and a dynamically optimized wet sump oil system.

Power delivers through a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox with a tune specific to working with the engine’s new power curve. Launch control comes standard.

What are the M3 CRT wheel optinos?

The CRT features matte black Style 359M 19 inch wheels. Tires fitted are 245/35R19 fronts and 265/35/R19 rears.

What cosmetic features make the CRT unique?

All CRT models feature Frozen Polar Silver Metallic (paint code W73) with Melbourne Red Metallic accents on the exterior (paint code A75). The front kidney grills are matte black in addition to the wheels. The air intakes in the hood, side gills and the pinstriping found on the rear deck spoiler and front lip are Melbourne Red Metallic. A carbon fiber front lip and rear deck spoiler are also unique to the CRT. Under the hood, the a silver finished plastic engine cover. Other than the unique color combination of the exterior, no exterior markings of “CRT” can be found.

The interior seats feature Black Novillo leather with and Sakhir Orange accents including contrast stitching. Alcantara wraps the steering wheel with the tri-color M stitching. Sakhir Orange is also found on the door sill plates and wrapped on the edge piping of the black floor mats. Aluminum grain finish on the interior dash and door trims.

If you are a BMW enthusiast, you have no doubt seen or maybe at least heard of the elusive BMW E30 M3 pickup. Below we will go over its history and some fun facts about this iconic vehicle created by BMW M. Make sure to check out the picture gallery below to supplement the post information.

Why was it created?

In 1986, the BMW motorsport division used the vehicle as a means to haul work equipment and parts around the area which is now the present-day BMW M Division in Garching near Munich. Additionally, the one-off project offered an opportunity for placement students, graduate trainees, and apprentices to assist in the construction. This allowed them to gain hands-on experience as well as free up resources for the full-time staff in the department.

Why was it based on an E30 convertible?

According to Jakob Polschak, the head of vehicle prototype building and workshops at BMW M Division at the time, there are two major reasons a convertible chassis was used. The biggest advantage was that the convertible already had existing bracing built into it given that there was no top for rigidity. Consequently, this extra bracing makes it an ideal candidate for a truck without a traditional coupe top. The second reason was an existing E30 convertible in perfect condition was available for their disposal.

It is important to note that although the vehicle is referred to as the E30 M3 pickup, it does not have the classic boxed fenders like the M3 Coupe. Ironically, BMW did manufacture a production version of the M3 convertible which did have the boxed fenders. The M3 Convertible was not manufactured until May 1988 and thus, not around during the genesis of the M3 pickup idea.

What engine was used in the E30 M3 pickup?

Originally, the E30 M3 pickup was fitted with the 2.0L S14B20 motor found in the Italian market E30 320is. Power output was 192hp (141kW) and 155lbft (210Nm). This lower displacement motor was created to avoid higher taxes upon registration.

Later, the 2.3L S14B23 motor was fitted, which was the same motor found in the base model E30 M3. Power output was 200hp (147kW) and 177lbft (240Nm).

If you want to know how the BMW engine codes are decoded, find out from out post HERE

How many were manufactured?

Only one E30 M3 pickup exists. There is evidence of BMW wrapping the truck in red for use in promotional content during Christmas, but this is the same vehicle as the original white one shown below.

When did the E30 M3 pickup retire from service?

The E30 M3 pickup had a 26-year run hauling parts for the M division, spanning from 1986 to 2012. The one-off vehicle was replaced by an E93 M3 Convertible modified to be a pickup. Unlike the E30, this M3 pickup has the original widebody fenders.

BMW E90 E92 E93 M3, model codes

BMW E46 M3, model codes

The BMW E9X (E90 sedan, E92 coupe and E93 convertible) M3 was offered in a total of four wheel variants over its life. Production ran from May 2007 through October 2013 after being unveiled at the Geneva Motorshow in March 2007. The E92 M3 wheel style variants were also found on the E90 M3 sedan and E93 M3 convertible. Special or limited edition models such as the E92 M3 GTS or E90 M3 CRT have special wheel sizes unique to that vehicle.

➊ Make sure to learn the interior upholstery options found on the E90, E92 and E93 M3 by clicking HERE

➋ Make sure to learn the paint color options found on the E90, E92 and E93 M3 by clicking HERE

➌ Check out our BMW wheel style number guide HERE

➍ Check out our wheel style guide to the E60 sedan base model HERE

BMW E36 M3 wheel style specs:

The BMW E36 M3 wheel styles totaled to four different designs over the life of production spanning across all models. All wheels were 17" diameter but varied in width. The lightest wheels were the Style 24 wheels which were used on the most limited production E36 M3 models such as the LTW and the GT as well as the convertible models since they were the heaviest compared to the coupe and the sedan. Lear the OEM BMW E36 M3 wheel specs and options as they came delivered from the factory below.

✔ Check out our BMW wheel style number guide HERE

✔ Learn the E36 M3 production data numbers: HERE