BMW built an E46 M3 Touring prototype in 2000, then shelved it. British coachbuilder Petrolye has revived the concept with new parts. The finished build reportedly matches the coupe’s original weight. 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 meant 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, British outfit Petrolye has decided to pick up where BMW left off, building its own take on the E46 M3 Touring. 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. Petrolye According to the British firm, the hot Bavarian wagon tips the scales at roughly the same weight as the original coupe, despite the added bodywork. The rear-axle carrier panel has been reinforced, and further revisions aim to improve torsional rigidity. Engine Options The first example retains the E46’s S54 3.2-liter naturally aspirated inline-six, rated at 343 hp in European specification when new. For those after something less orthodox, Petrolye also offers V8 and V10 conversions, and even sources rare, zero-mileage S54 engines for purists. Given the size of the company, the price tag lands exactly where you would expect. This is not a mass-produced kit you bolt on over a weekend, it is a low-volume, coachbuilt conversion, and it is priced accordingly. Also: Americans Just Handed BMW A Wagon Business Case It Wasn’t Expecting Entry starts at around €150,000 ($175,000), which puts it in serious enthusiast territory, before you even begin thinking about engine swaps or bespoke options. Still, for something this niche, that feels almost part of the appeal. It will be offered in both left- and right-hand-drive, so at least geography will not be the limiting factor. Photos Petrolye
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