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Turner Lime Rock Edition M3 Project Car - The Last V8 M3

Turner Lime Rock Edition M3 Project Car: The Last V8 M3

** Updated 02/24/2015 **

Turner Motorsport yellow and blue BMW race cars are synonymous with Lime Rock Park. Will Turner began tracking his first BMW, a 1985 E30 323i at Lime Rock park back in the late 1980s and has since competed in dozens of professional races at BMW's home track. Turner Motorsport has competed in professional races at Lime Rock since 1998. During the mid-2000s the team prevailed at Lime Rock more than any other professional BMW team, with drivers like Connecticut-native Boris Said, Bill Auberlen, and Joey Hand. Auberlen's first race with BMW was at Lime Rock in 1996. He gave us the scoop on the special edition and we were enthusiastically on board.

Apart from its "Limited Edition" quantity or its special edition paint and options, we wanted a "Lime Rock M3" for the sole reason that so much of our history and humble beginnings as a BMW race team and performance tuner take roots from that 1.5 mile road course in Northwestern Connecticut. The fact that the car was associated with Lime Rock was enough for us to necessitate having one of our own. The Lime Rock Edition M3 was the first ever production car named after Lime Rock Park (and hopefully the last).

The limited quantity of 200 and the bright orange paint is surprisingly attractive, but what really makes this car special for us is that it's the best of every M3 bundled into one package. Lime Rock luminary Skip Barber described it as a ÃÂclassic car for a classic track.ÃÂ We celebrate it as the perfect end to an era of naturally aspirated engines and 6 speed manual gearboxes. The Lime Rock M3 could very possibly be the last naturally-aspirated M car with a manual transmission and that's just one more reason to covet this car. All Lime Rock M3s come with a limited options list and we decided to get our's "stripped" with just the basic options to keep it as light and simple as possible. The only options we ordered were the heated seats (for those cold morning drives to the track) and satellite radio (for the long drives). Our approach was echoed by Barber, "There are a lot of BMW enthusiasts who feel that BMW has put too much emphasis on luxury and things are too complicated. The idea here is really back to basics."

We understand that many BMW enthusiasts cried foul with the fact that this M3 is inspired by a racetrack but not any faster out of the box than any other E92 M3 despite the more expensive price tag. But when you look closer at the numbers and recognize the intent of this car it all begins to add up. In fact, the Lime Rock M3 is really no more expensive than your standard E92 M3 with optional BMW M-Performance add-ons.

A standard 2013 BMW M3 Coupe starts at a suggested retail value of $60,100.00. The Lime Rock Edition adds $10,000 for a new starting price of $70,100.00. The $10k Lime Rock package includes these items (as of November, 2012 with discounted retail pricing, not list price):

Competition Package ($2,500)
M Performance Inconel Exhaust ($3,999) here
M Performance Alcantera Steering Wheel ($800) here
M Performance Carbon Rear Spoiler ($565) here
M Performance Front Carbon Splitters ($790) here

Total = $8,654.00 at our discounted retail pricing

However, this total does not include the BMW Individual paint which typically starts at $3,000.00. It also does not account for installation labor (carried out by BMW NA). With that said, this makes the Lime Rock Edition M3 an excellent value for someone who wants a new and unique M3 with some BMW M Performance parts and accessories installed right from the showroom floor. Yes, these modifications do not ultimately make the M3 perform better than any other ZCP M3 but that wasn't the point. The Lime Rock M3 is an exercise in celebrating BMW's enviable record at one of America's greatest racetracks. Its focus is on sport rather than luxury while still allowing it to be driven as a daily driver on the street with a full factory warranty. Just as the first E36 M3 Lightweight was the same power specs as a standard car, the Lime Rock M3 provides a better basis for a future track car - no sunroof, manual seats, lighter weight titanium exhaust, and limited options. For anyone who does not want to display their appreciation for BMW's M car and racing heritage in this way, there are plenty of silver M3s out on the used market you can build with the same components.

We do not believe the Lime Rock Edition is a waste of money. You can see exactly why the package has a $10,000 price tag, not just because it's a bright color, but because it has parts that would cost anyone with an E92 M3 over $8k. We are happy we opted to order one and stoked to have such a great looking M3 with the V8 power plant and 6 speed manual gearbox like any BMW track car should have.

The History

BMW Race History At Lime Rock Park

1997	IMSA GT	1st	BMW PTG M3	Quiros/Hill
1998	IMSA GT2 IMSA GT3	1st 1st	BMW PTG M3	Said/Duez Cunningham/Bentley
1999	USRRC GT3	1st	BMW PTG M3	Stuck/Said
2000	Grand-Am	2nd	Genesis Racing M3	Auberlen/Fairbanks
2001	Rolex GT SPEED Touring Car	1st 1st	JET Motorsports M3 V8 Turner Motorsport 328is	Borcheller/Jennings Auberlen
2002	SPEED GT	3rd	McMillin Motorsports M3	McMillin
2003	SPEED GT R1 SPEED GT R2	1st 1st	BMW PTG M3 BMW PTG M3	Auberlen Auberlen
2004	SPEED Touring Car	1st	Turner Motorsport 325i	Auberlen
2005	SPEED Touring Car	1st	Turner Motorsport 325i	Auberlen
2006	Grand-Am Cup GS	1st	Turner Motorsport M3	Auberlen/Gleason
2007	Koni Challenge GS	1st	Turner Motorsport M3	Auberlen/Gleason
2008	Koni Challenge GS	pole	Turner Motorsport M3	Ortiz/Salama
2009	Koni Challenge GS	1st	Turner Motorsport M3	Gleason/Hand
2010	Continental Tire GS	1st	Turner Motorsport M3	Hand/Marsal
2011	ALMS GT	1st	BMW Team RLL M3	Hand/Muller
2012	Continental Tire GS	2nd	Fall-Line Motorsports M3	Boden/Sellers

The Color:

Just where did that color come from anyway?!? Orange hues are nothing new for BMW or for the E92 M3. Many special BMW models have had some form of orange as an option. Inca Orange was a standard color option, and a period favorite, on the 1970s 2002 models. A few 3.0CSL models came from the factory with it as well. In the 1980s BMW offered a Henna Red on E26 M1 models and early E30 models which was close to an orange shade. The color fell out of favor in the 1990s but returned in 2009 with the E92 M3 GTS for the European market. The GTS' paint is the same Fire Orange (paint code: U94) hue as on the Lime Rock models. In addition, Valencia Orange was one of three colors offered for the BMW E82 1M coupe.

There is a coincidental tie-in with the Lime Rock Park racetrack as well. The 'Lime Rock Park Driver's Club' uses an orange in their logo:

The Gallery:

Official Turner Lime Rock Edition M3 Wallpaper here.

More Media:

First Impressions:

Fantastic, just like any other brand new M3 would be. We became fans of the color almost immediately. Even with its 'hey-look-at-me' color we think it looks right at home with the E92 body. Maybe it's the black trim in lieu of chrome. Or maybe it was because we took delivery around Halloween. But it didn't take long for everyone at Turner to be a fan. Once inside, M3 owners will immediately notice how simple the interior is. There is no navigation screen and no iDrive. There's not even a single cupholder. Reaching down to adjust the seats and you're met with - a handle. But the car isn't spartan. It has the full radio with CD, aux input, and Sirius satellite radio. We optioned for the heated seats and the A/C controls are the same as in any M3. It doesn't wow you with electronic gizmos. It has everything you need and nothing you don't.

Lighting off the S65 4-liter V8 is what joy sounds like. There's V8 rumble of course, but it's enhanced with sophistication from the M Performance exhaust. You can't not love this exhaust - beautiful sound and not too loud. It may be the most perfect exhaust for any BMW ever. The Alcantara-covered steering wheel gives you the "track car" feel and reminds you of this car's inspiration. The overall attitude of this car encourages you to turn the radio off and put the windows down to get as much of the sound and feel as possible. Drop the 6 speed transmission down a gear and enjoy the ride.

Will Turner notes that the experience is a welcome return to driver control. "Getting so use to driving the DCT in the Frozen Gray M3 has distanced me from the experience of pushing the clutch and shifting gears, something that I have missed. There is nothing that can quite replace the sensual feel of a classic 6 speed transmission. I am excited to have another 6 speed M3 and can't wait to play with it on the track."

The Goal:

With this M3, we want to focus our attention on subtle and easy changes that will make the car better on the racetrack without interfering with daily street use. The car is already a bit more track-oriented than a standard M3 and we wanted to enhance that based on our other E92 experiences. There was nothing obviously wrong with the handling, braking, or performance of the car right out of the box. But there were areas that could be better, and it doesn't take much to get it there.

Even with the Competition Package the car still understeers which will chew up your tires and slow your lap times. We followed the conventional approach and added a set of H&R Sport Plus springs and H&R front sway bar. Both combined to improve turn-in, give the tires more grip, and reduce bodyroll. The springs work with the stock EDC system so there wasn't any need to change them out. On the street what we noticed was that the front tires bit harder into the turn and the back end followed obediently. The car was much more eager to change direction but the front tires had much more feedback. Most of that was from the swaybar upgrade. The springs are a bit stiffer than the originals and that can be felt on very rough pavement. But on highways and regular roads the ride was easily tolerable.

As you will see below we have already begun to install products we believe will make the car much more enjoyable on the track as well as the street. Please stay tuned for updates on this new Turner Project Car below.

Track Day: Lime Rock Park:

We brought the car to its namesake Lime Rock Park for its first track outing. The car exceeded all our expectations. We installed a set of StopTech Street Performance pads for more consistent and predictable braking and they worked awesome. We also installed a square set of Forgeline 18x10 wheels. The greater front tire size simply allows more tire to contact the pavement. Speaking of tires, we used a set of Continental racing slicks from our E92 M3 race team. The Sport Plus springs help the car to feel much more buttoned-down and balanced. The whole package made for a very capable and easy car to drive fast. Without the chronic understeer, and the extra grip from the Continental slicks, the tuned M3 lives up to its marketing promise. This was a club outing and many 'RS' type cars, and their drivers, were caught out by the speed of this 'street' car. We had also installed a 4.10 custom differential for better acceleration in every gear. We also had our new custom P3 Gauge kit. This is a special Turner-specific gauge package with custom data feed for 0-60 and 0-100 times. It also proved to be very handy for things like coolant temperature and EGTs and was very visible and easy to read while on track.

The BMW Performance Inconel Exhaust system also came alive on the track and the sound was awesome. When coming out of Turn 4 headed down no name straight the recussion of the sound from the hillside on your right and the guardrails on the left is awesome. The car really feels at home at this track.

Turner GT driver Michael Marsal joined us to put down some laps in the M3. We also had David Haueter, an automotive journalist there to record Michael's thoughts and impressions on the car. Look for the Lime Rock M3 Project car to be featured in an upcoming Roundel Magazine article. A full list of the products on the car for the track day and magazine article have been provided below.

Lime Rock Edition M3 Performance Parts Packages:

Suspension

Brakes
click to enlarge	Stoptech Street Performance Brake Pads for E9X M3 StopTech Street Performance front brake pads are designed for high-performance street drivers who want a high-quality and capable pad that won't break the wallet. These pads feature an innovative composite compound that is quiet, great bite and modulation, low fade under hard street-type use (and autocross, light track). We've tried these pads and love how capable they were when used hard but also how easy they were for regular stop-and-go driving. This might be the last brake pad you will ever need! Click here to order.
click to enlarge	Stoptech Steel Braided Brake Lines for E9X M3 StoptechÃÂ® Stainless Steel Braided Brake Lines provide a quicker, firmer, more consistent pedal response by maintaining consistent brake pressure. Additionally, stainless steel lines provide precision brake modulation, especially during threshold braking. The improvement in pedal feel is more dramatic on older vehicles where the factory rubber line may have softened and swelled due to age. Part #: PLBE9XM3 Price: $129.95 Click here to order.

Wheels
click to enlarge	Genuine BMW M3 GTS Wheels They are here! Authentic, Genuine BMW M3 GTS wheels, as used on the limited edition Europe-only BMW M3 GTS -- the fastest production M3 ever to date. These wheels have been sought after as soon as the M3 GTS was announced, and now Turner Motorsport has them for your 2008 and newer BMW M3 coupe, sedan or convertible! 19x9 Front Continental ExtremeContact DW 245/35/19 19x10 Rear Continental ExtremeContact DW 265/35/19 Click here to order.
click to enlarge	Forgeline ZX3R Competition Wheels for E9X M3 18x10 square setup with 275/35/18 tires. Save 24 lbs of unsprung weight! Stock BMW 18" M3 wheels weigh 48lbs front and 51 lbs rear, with tires. The optional 19" factory wheels are 47 lbs / 51 lbs with tires. This Forgeline package weighs only 43 lbs a corner with tires -- a weight savings of either 22 or 24 lbs over stock. Click here to order.

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