[1][2] The first BMW M3 was based on the E30 3 Series and was intended to be a homologation special to satisfy the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft and Group A Touring rules, which required a total of 5,000 cars to be built.

[10] For aerodynamic reasons, the rear window was flattened and the tailgate was made of light, glass-reinforced plastic raised by approximately 40 mm for better air flow.

[10][12] In countries where the M3 was sold with a catalytic converter, the initial versions were rated at 143 kW (195 PS; 192 hp) and had a top speed of 235 km/h (146 mph).

To celebrate the M3’s victory at the 1987 Tour de Corse (round five of that year's World Rally Championship), BMW France commissioned a batch of 50 Evolution 1 special editions.

Visual changes included a deeper front air dam with brake cooling ducts instead of fog lights, while the boot lid featured a rear spoiler complete with a new trailing flap.

In April 1989, the Ravaglia and Cecotto limited editions were released, both named after Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (DTM) racing drivers.

Changes included the engine displacement increasing to 3.2 L (195 cu in), the manual transmission upgrading from a 5-speed to a 6-speed,[24] different wheels and clear indicator lenses.

[13] The engine was the European-specification S50B30, which was upgraded with larger camshafts and a higher compression ratio, resulting in peak power of 220 kW (295 hp) at 7,100 rpm.

Before being sold, the M3 Lightweights were sent to Prototype Technology Group Racing in Virginia for final preparation, which included the front and rear Motorsport flag decals, and "trunk kit".

There is a fixed wing on the bootlid, some carbon fibre interior trim, and the badges on the side moulding and dash read "BMW Motorsport International".

The E36 M3 GTR is the road-going version of the competition machine built to compete in the 1993 ADAC German GT Cup Touring Car series.

[76][77][78] Structural weight reduction measures include the use of glass-reinforced plastics in various structural points in the car,[77] a roof constructed from carbon fibre reinforced plastic (reducing kerb weight by 7 kg (15 lb) and, more importantly, lowering the centre of gravity),[75][76][79] body panels constructed from carbon fibre[76] and thinner glass for the rear window.

The CSL discarded a large proportion of the M3's sound insulation, electric seats, navigation system, air conditioning, and stereo (the latter two were able to be re-added as no-cost options).

[75][82] These tyres provided high grip levels once warmed up on a racetrack, but poor performance on wet roads and when below their operating temperature.

The suspension system was revised with stiffer springs, upgraded shock absorbers and a quicker ratio for the steering rack (14.5:1 vs 15.4:1 on the regular M3).

For homologation purposes, the M3 GTR needed to be offered for sale to the general public and by Petit Le Mans 2001, the car was ready.

One of the Road M3 GTRs was displayed by BMW of North America LLC at Legends of the Autobahn in 2015 along with the newly restored ALMS race version of the car.

The engine retained the race cars' dry sump oil system and was slightly detuned from 331 to 285 kW (444 to 382 hp) at 7,000 rpm.

Due to minor differences in specification, the United States models were rated at 248 kW (333 hp) and 355 N⋅m (262 lb⋅ft), resulting in an official 0–60 mph (97 km/h) acceleration time of 4.8 seconds for the coupé version (with either the manual and SMG transmission).

The leather seats in the convertible version are treated with a coating to reflect sunlight, in order to reduce their tendency to become uncomfortably hot with the top down.

These include black kidney grilles, M rims, an M Performance exhaust that reduces the weight by 9 kg (20 lb), carbon fibre mirrors, spoilers and splitter, a handbrake, steel pedals, a sport steering wheel, black side trim and alcantara leather steering wheel button trim, M stripes decal.

The changes related to the suspension and electronic stability control and consisted of:[120][121] BMW announced the M3 GTS in November 2009 and began production in 2010.

Suspension changes include adjustable camber angle and ride height, a rigidly mounted rear axle and revised dampers.

Performance changes included a carbon fibre front splitter[16] and rear spoiler, a ride height lowered by 0.4 in (10 mm), higher thresholds for the electronic stability control and a lightweight exhaust system.

[135][136] In endurance racing, the BMW Motorsport/Schnitzer Motorsport M3 GT2 won the 2010 24 Hours of Nürburgring, driven by Jörg Müller, Augusto Farfus, Pedro Lamy, and Uwe Alzen.

[141] For the 2010 24 Hours Nürburgring, the "Balance of Performance" required the M3 to not exceed a power output of 287 kW (385 bhp) and to have a minimum weight of 1,400 kg (3,086 lb).

[142] In the United States, Rahal Letterman Racing entered two factory-backed E92 M3s in the 2009 American Le Mans Series season, competing in the GT2 category.

The weight was reduced by 50 kg (110 lb)[citation needed] through use of a carbon fibre hood and front splitter,[16] Alcantara interior parts and thinner glass for the side windows.

The model features a power increase to 405 kW (550 PS; 542 hp) and a weight-reduction of 15 kilograms (33 lb) compared to the M3 Competition xDrive.

In July 2022, for the 2023 model year, the M3 saloon received the new dual curved display featuring iDrive 8, matching the facelifted, standard 3 Series.