BMW M3 V10 Estate Unleashed by Manhart Racing

BMW M3 E91 5.0 V10 SMG Family-Racer

The 200 mph station wagon

By Michael Gauthier
October 13, 2009 2:33 PM
Filed Under: BMW, German, Tuners

Manhart Racing has unveiled a V10-powered BMW "M3" E91 Estate.

Now, let that sink in for a second. BMW doesn't make an M3 Estate, and Manhart equipped one with the M5's 5.0-liter V10 engine instead of the M3's 4.0-liter V8! If that isn't insane enough, the company also added revised engine electronics and a HJS stainless-steel exhaust system (with two 200-cell racing catalytic convertors) which allows the engine to produce 550 PS.

Backed up by various M-spec parts (it uses the seven-speed SMG transmission and 100% limited slip differential from the M5 E60, while the axles and steering system come from the M3 E90), the M3 Estate rockets from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds, before topping out at 324 km/h (201 mph).

Other performance tweaks include a Bilstein PSS10 coilover suspension, a Stoptech braking system (with six-piston calipers and 380mm brake discs up front / four-piston calipers and 355mm brake discs out back), and RÄD Monza three-part forged wheels wrapped in Hankook S1 Evo tires.

While the performance is mind boggling, the styling is fairly typical. The exterior receives a traditional M3 body kit, while the interior boasts leather and Alcantara upholstery, carbon fiber trim, and heated sport seats.

If you like what you see, be prepared to send Manhart a check for €120,000 ($177,955 USD).

Source: Manhart Racing

Press Release (Click to expand)

Attention all sporty, family men! The new BMW M3 is also available as a four-door saloon. That means it's very easy to justify buying a new plaything to your sceptical wife (or, in fact, to your own conscience). It's just a shame that the Bavarian company hasn't yet been able to bring itself to make an M3 estate.

The tuners at Geilenkirchen-based Manhart Racing probably thought the same thing when they built the car that BMW didn't want to build; an M3 touring. To produce it, the team centred around legendary mechanic Günther Manhart, furnished the E91 bodywork with the front apron, front side panels, side skirts and of course, the characteristic powerdome bonnet from the M3 saloon, designed their own M3-style rear apron and widened the rear wheel-arches to give them that M3 look. The aerodynamic rear-view mirrors really topped it all off. However, Günther Manhart knows that you obviously can't just make a car look good; it has to have something under the bonnet too. The axles, the tank, the complete steering system and a range of other hidden but otherwise essential parts have all come from the M3.

V10 power in the E91

So it only remains to talk about what really makes the M3: The 4.2-litre V8 engine. But wait! At this point it should be mentioned that Manhart Racing specialises in fitting various BMW models with the formidable 5.0-litre engine from the M5 E60. And so the V10 engine found itself used in another BMW model, the E91. After optimising the electronics and incorporating HJS's stainless-steel four-pipe exhaust system with two 200-cell racing catalytic convertors, the heavy-duty unit manages an extremely impressive 550 PS, which is kept on a tight leash by the 7-speed SMG gearbox, also taken from the M5 and by the corresponding 100% limited slip differential
With the vehicle possessing such an armoury, it can catapult itself from 0 to 100km/h in only 4.3 seconds and on the motorway it easily cruises past most other performance saloons and estates (including the ‘true' M3 and M5 models) with its top speed of 324km/h.
It's a good thing then, that Manhart Racing has equipped the car with tunable Bilstein PSS10 coilover suspension and an extremely stable Stoptech Sport Trophy Kit braking system with a six-piston calliper with grooved 380mm brake discs at the front and a four-piston calliper with 355mm brake discs on the drive shaft.
The RÄD Monza three-part forged wheels with black rims fit perfectly with the character of this vehicle, and they are available in 9.5" and 10.5" x 20" sizes.
Flat, size 255/30ZR20 and 295/25ZR20 Hankook S1 Evo tyres aim to provide higher levels of longitudinal and lateral acceleration.

Performance interior

A detailed look at the interior is also very much worth your. Driver and passenger both sit in outstanding BMW sports seats, and the back seats can be upholstered with leather or Alcantara to match those in the front. Likewise, the leather interior with Alcantara roof and door linings as well as the carbon fittings and the BMW performance steering wheel with illuminating indicator switches really give the car that racing look.

Manhart Racing has set the purchase price for the complete car package at around €120,000. If desired, your current basis car can be upgraded.

Technical facts

Vehicle: BMW M3 E91 5.0 V10 SMG

Bodywork: M3 E90 front apron, M3 E90 front fenders, M3 E90 bonnet, M3 E90 side skirts, M3 E90 wing mirrors, Manhart Racing-designed, M3-style, rear apron, widened rear wheel arches in the style of the M3.

Engine: 5.0-litre V10 from the M5 E60, modified engine electronics, lifting of the Vmax limiter, complete stainless steel exhaust system with 2 x 200-cell HJS catalytic converters and 4 x 86mm exhaust pipes, tank from the M3 E90, 550 PS.

Transmission: 7-speed SMG from the M5 E60, 100% limited slip differential from the M5 E60, front and rear axel from the M3 E90.

Chassis: Bilstein PSS10 coilover suspension, steering system from the M3 E90.

Brakes: Stoptech Sport Trophy Kit front and back, 6-piston callipers and 380mm slats in the front, and 4-piston callipers and 355mm slats at the rear.

Wheel/Tyres: three-part RÄD Monza aluminium rims in 9.5" x 20" ET20 and 10.5" x 20" ET20, Hankook Ventus S1 Evo Tyres in sizes 255/30ZR20 and 295/25ZR20

Interior: heated BMW performance sports seats, leather-covered back seats in the style of the front seats, full leather interior with Alcantara roof and door lining, BMW performance steering wheel with illuminating indicator switches, acceleration and ¼ mile time displays.