Dan Trent: The Best M3 BMW Ever Built

The speed bit? Relatively easy, given some tasty suspension modifications, a nifty water-injection system that raises power from 431PS/425bhp to 500ps/493bhp and a Nurburgring lap time to trouble the very fastest GT3-branded Porsche 911s. Stripped, caged, leaner and meaner it all sounds good until you see it, the aftermarket look bolt-on rear wing and 'Acid Orange' wheels making a price tag double that of the M4 seem even more ludicrous.

But as a driving machine I love it. I also love the previous M3 GTS, which followed a similar format but was arguably even more raw and outrageous. And very, very orange. With the previous M3's gorgeous naturally-aspirated V8 stroked out from a 4.0-litre to a 4.4 and power increasing from 414bhp (420PS) to 444bhp (450PS) with no compromise in the high-revving nature – the redline is 8,300rpm – it makes one hell of a noise through its titanium exhausts. Like for like it also weighs as much as 125kg less than an equivalent M3 coupe. What could possibly be cooler than that?

Let me tell you! A practical four-door M3 saloon of the same generation in discreet matt silver, built in even smaller numbers (just 67 to the GTS's 150) and fitted with the same stroked 444bhp (450PS), 4.4-litre engine, uprated suspension bits and a 70kg weight saving over a standard M3 saloon. This thanks to a host of parts made from CFRP (carbon fibre reinforced plastic) to showcase BMW's investment in productionised carbon fibre. Tech brought to the (relative) mainstream in the i3 and i8 and now the new 7 Series too. Interesting cars all. None as cool as this.

I love the GTS's untamed wildness. But I love the fact the CRT packs all of that attitude, is considerably more exclusive, has some real technical intrigue and looks little different from a lightly ruded 320d. Indeed, it would take a proper M super fan to even recognise it for what it is.

Indeed, I'd forgotten about it too. And had gone on a hunt for an M3 GTS; one came up with just 1,000 miles and a £139,000 pricetag. But it sold. And then I remembered the CRT. It was never available in the UK and I couldn't find one on the market here now. The only one I could dig out is on Mobile.de and up for €135,000, seemingly located near Dortmund so within range of a UK buyer if it turns out to be the real deal. The fact the ad is illustrated with press photos rather than shots of the real car is a worry but bear in mind the same German site has a GTS up for nearly 190,000 euros. Certainly worthy of dusting off some GCSE German, calling the private vendor and asking for some proper pics.

So. Rarer than a GTS. Much cooler. And significantly cheaper too. Next stop? The GermanWings website and a one-way ticket to Dortmund with a sack full of euros. Or so I wish.

Images courtesy of Pistonheads and mobile.de