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In 1995, BMW relented and offered the M3 LTW. The major changes to the car were to lower the weight for racing. The cars came without a radio (although the speakers were installed and the car pre-wired for the radio), air conditioning, leather seats, tool kit, or a sun roof. The doors have aluminum skins. There is no underhood insulation blanket and the trunk only has carpet on the floor. The under body insulation is thinner and there is special carpeting to lower weight. Overall the changes added up to 200 lb (91 kg) less than a standard M3.
The engines were specially selected from the assembly line for the highest power. The ECU had the top speed limiter removed. The cars also came with a 3.23 rear axle ratio versus the standard 3.15 of the 1995 M3s. The cars were fitted with a sport suspension with stiffer springs and shocks.
Cosmetically the M3 LTW came only in Alpine White with the Motorsports flag decals on the left front and right rear corners of the car. There is an aggressive wing on the trunk lid. There was some carbon fiber interior trim and the badges.
Unique forged 17-inch alloy wheels, 71⁄2 inches wide in the front and 81⁄2inches wide in the rear, mounted with identically sized 235/40-17 tyres front and rear were an additional difference from the standard 17 × 71⁄2-inch cast alloy wheels mounted with 235/40-17 tyres on standard M3s.
Although BMW promised to build approximately 100, BMW never released the number of M3 LTWs built, and because of the peculiar assembly line, to this day may not be known. However, enthusiasts now believe that there exist approximately 125 built, with some 116 sold to the public.
Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_M3#M3_Lightweight_.28LTW.29_.28E36.29
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