The E46 M3 Touring Is Now A Real Thing, And You Can Even Option A V8 Or V10

The current M3 Touring has proven to be a huge hit for BMW, combining the exceptional performance in a slightly longer, more practical body style. Rewind 26 years ago, and BMW was on the verge of selling a Touring version of the E46 M3, but it wasn’t to be.

The story began in 2000 when BMW built an M3 Touring prototype and invited a select number of journalists to drive it. While the response to the car was strong, feedback from BMW’s customers indicated there was little demand for such a model, so the production plans never materialized. Now, however, British company Petrolye has stepped up to create an E46 M3 Touring of its own.

Read: 2025 BMW M3 CS Touring Makes The Ultimate Estate Even Better

One example has been built at this stage, but the firm plans to start selling the custom E46 M3 Touring to customers. To turn the coupe into an estate, Petrolye has crafted a custom rear end made of carbon fiber to keep weight down. The car looks just like the one-off that BMW built more than two-and-a-half decades ago, and is particularly resplendent in a shade of Laguna Seca Blue.

According to the British firm, the hot Bavarian wagon build has a weight similar to the original coupe, despite all the new bodywork. The rear-axle carrier panel has also been reinforced, and further changes have been made to enhance torsional rigidity.

Engine Options

The first example retains the E46’s S54 3.2-liter naturally-aspirated inline-six, with 343 hp when it was new in European specification. However, if any shoppers want something a little different, Petrolye also offers V8 and V10 conversions. It also has access to rare, zero-mileage S54 engines.

Given that the company is quite small, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Touring conversion is quite costly. In fact, prices start at around €150,000 ($175,000), and accdording to BMWBlog, the car will be available in both left- and right-hand-drive configurations.

Photos Petrolye