Published May 9, 2024 | Last update March 6, 2026 | 22 models online
When BMW started their works team in the 1970’s, they introduced a new color combination to the race tracks that is still in use; the red-purple-blue on a white background. The colors have changed a little bit over the years, the blue is somewhat paler and the purple is more dark blue now, but the combination is still very recognizable.
McLaren F1 GTR – BMW
1996 Le Mans 24h, McLaren F1 GTR – BMW. After the victory in 1995, the Macs were favourite for the 1996 race. Not only customer teams used the McLaren F1 GTR, BMW Motorsport also entered two cars which were prepared by partner Bigazzi Racing. No less than 6 Macs finished inside the top 10, but they just couldn’t match the speed of the Porsche GT1 and WSC Prototypes.
#38 Steve Soper (GB) / Marc Duez (B) / Jacques Lafitte (F) – 11th / 9th GT1
#39 Johnny Cecotto (VEN) / Nelson Piquet (BR) / Danny Sullivan (USA) – 8th / 6th GT1
McLaren F1 GTR short tail – 6.1 liter BMW S70/2 V12 60º, approx. 600 hp. Michelin tires. Weight 980 kg. Carbon fibre monocoque, chassisnrs. McLaren #016R & #017R
- CORGI TOYS TY 97115 (diecast)
- MINICHAMPS BMW 80 42 9 421 486 (diecast)
1997 Le Mans 24h, McLaren F1 GTR Longtail. The original F1 GTR was no match for the new purpose built GT1’s like the Porsche. The new Schnitzer prepared longtail versions are lighter and much faster but still get beaten by the WSC Porsche from Joest, just like in 1996.
BMW Motorsport / Schnitzer #42: J.J. Lehto (FIN) / Steve Soper (GB) / Nelson Piquet (BR)
Results: Start-grid 3rd / time 3:45,402 / race DNF crash – 238 laps
BMW Motorsport / Schnitzer #43: Peter Kox (NL) / Roberto Ravaglia (I) / Eric Helary (F)
Results: Start-grid 16th / time 3:48,057 / race 3rd – 358 laps / 2nd GT1
McLaren F1 GTR long tail – FIA GT1: Powered by 6.0 liter BMW S70/3 V12 60º, approx. 600 hp. Michelin tires. Weight 915 kg. Carbon fibre monocoque, chassisnrs. McLaren #024R & #026R
- #42 IXO Modern Le Mans & GT cars LMM107 (diecast)
- Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
- Also appears in #075 McLaren F1 GTR / #012 Schnitzer
- #43 MINICHAMPS MC530 174343 (diecast)
- Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
- Also appears in #075 McLaren F1 GTR / #012 Schnitzer
1997 Suzuka 1000 km, McLaren F1 GTR Longtail – BMW. BMW Motorsport entered two improved Schnitzer McLaren GTRs in the FIA GT Championship. This one with Kox and Ravaglia finished only 8th at Suzuka. The season was dominated by AMG Mercedes who also took double victory in this round of the championship.
#9 Peter Kox / Roberto Ravaglia – 8th
McLaren F1 GTR long tail – 6.0 liter BMW S70/3 V12 60º, approx. 600 hp. Michelin tires. Weight 915 kg. Carbon fibre monocoque, chassisnrs. McLaren #023R
- HPI 8245 (resin)
- Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
- Also appears in #075 McLaren F1 GTR / #012 Schnitzer
BMW V12 LM(R)
1998 Le Mans 24h, BMW V12 LM
The BMW V12 prototype is powered by the same reliable V12 that propelled the McLarens and should have ended the race without problems. The V12 LM were designed by Williams and operated by the Bigazzi team. Both cars retired early in the race by faulty wheel bearings. The cars would be sold to privateers for next years’ race and BMW had the new cars prepared by Schnitzer.
Team BMW Motorsport (Bigazzi) #1: Tom Kristensen (DK) / Hans Joachim Stuck (D) / Steve Soper (GB)
Results: Start-grid 12th / time 3:41.599 / race DNF wheel bearings / vibrations – 60 laps
Team BMW Motorsport (Bigazzi) #2: Johnnny Cecotto (VEN) / Joachim Winkelhock (D) / Pierluigi Martini (I)
Results: Start-grid 6h / time 3:38.829 / race DNF wheel bearings / vibrations – 43 laps
BMW V12 LM – LMP1: Powered by 6.0 liter BMW S70/3 V12 60º, approx. 550 hp. Michelin tires. Weight 900 kg. Carbon fibre monocoque, chassisnrs. Williams #001/98 & Williams #002/98
- MINICHAMPS BMW 80 42 9 422 941 & BMW 80 42 9 422 942 (diecast)
- Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
- #1 Also appears in #111 Tom Kristensen
1999 Le Mans 24h, BMW V12 LMR
After last year’s disaster, BMW developed a brand new car and had it run by the very experienced Schnitzer Team. The #15 won Le Mans after a fierce battle with Toyota, the #17 was crashed by Lehto with just 3 hours to go while he was in the lead by 4 laps. A stuck throttle was the cause, it could have been Kristensen’s 2nd Le Mans win.
BMW Motorsport (Schnitzer) #15: Pierluigi Martini (I) / Yannick Dalmas (F) / Joachim Winkelhock (D)
Results: Start-grid 3rd / time 3:33.931 / race 1st – 366 laps
BMW Motorsport (Schnitzer) #17: Tom Kristensen (DK) / J.J. Lehto (FIN) / Jörg Müller (D)
Results: Start-grid 3rd / time 3:31.209 / race DNF accident – 304 laps
BMW V12 LMR – 6.0 liter BMW S70/3 V12 60º, approx. 550 hp. Michelin tires. Weight 900 kg. Carbon fibre monocoque, chassisnrs. Williams #003/99 & Williams #004/99
- REVELL 28247 (diecast)
- ONYX Le Mans Collection XLM 99020 (diecast)
BMW M3 GTR
1993 ADAC GT, BMW M3 GTR (E36)
The first generation BMW M3 GTR goes back to 1993: In the new German GT Championship, this factory supported Warthofer BMW M3 GTR was favorite and former DTM and motorbike champion Johnny Cecotto made the predictions come true. He became the first German GT Champion by winning 6 out off 8 races. The two races that weren’t Cecotto’s, were won by Armin Hahne (Honda NSX) and Bruno Eichmann (Porsche Carrera RSR 3.8). Fellow BMW driver Kris Nissen came closest in the championship.
Warthofer #2: Johnny Cecotto (VEN)
Results: 6 wins / 1st championship
BMW M3 GTR (E36) – ADAC GT: Powered by 3.2 liter BMW S50B30 straight-6, approx. 370.hp. Yokohama tires. Weight 1250 kg. Steel monocoque, chassisnr. BMW E36 #unknown
- MINICHAMPS MC430 932380 (diecast)
- Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
- Also appears in #103 BMW M & Z
2003 Nürburgring 24h, BMW M3 GTR (E46). Years later BMW built a new M3 GTR, this time with a V8 engine and raced it in the GT3 class of the American Le Mans Series. Porsche protested it was not a regular GT3 and BMW left the series. BMW then used the Schnitzer prepared GTR in some non-championships such as 24 hours of Spa-Francorchamps and Nürburgring.
BMW Motorsport #43: Jörg Müller (D) / Dirk Müller (D) / Claudia Hürtgen (D) / Marc Duez (B)
Results: Start-grid 7th / time 9:09.135 / race DNF engine – 126 laps
BMW M3 GTR – ADAC E1: Powered by 4.0 liter BMW P60B40 V8 90º, approx. 490 hp. Michelin tires. Weight 1250 kg. Steel monocoque, chassisnr. BMW E46 #unknown
- MINICHAMPS MC 430 032343 (diecast)
- Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
- Also appears in #012 Schnitzer / #103 BMW M & Z
2004 Nürburgring 24h, BMW M3 GTR (E46)
BMW and Schnitzer continued the program with the GTR and in 2004 it took double victory in the Nürburgring 24h and finished 6th at the Spa 24h race, where it did win the G2-class.
BMW Motorsport #42: Hans J. Stuck (D) / Pedro Lamy (POR) / Dirk Müller (D) / Jörg Müller (D)
Results: Start-grid 4th / time 8:32.062 / race 1st – 143 laps
BMW M3 GTR – ADAC E1: Powered by 4.0 liter BMW P60B40 V8 90º, approx. 490 hp. Michelin tires. Weight 1250 kg. Steel monocoque, chassisnr. BMW E46 #unknown
- LORON RSN-001-1 (diecast)
- Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
- Also appears in #012 Schnitzer / #103 BMW M & Z
2005 Nürburgring 24h, BMW M3 GTR (E46)
Just as in 2004, the BMW Motorsport entered Schnitzer BMW GTR took double victory in this year’s Nürburgring 24h race.
BMW Motorsport #2: Pedro Lamy (POR) / Andy Priaulx GB) / Duncan Huisman (NL) / Boris Said (USA)
Results: Start-grid 4th / time 8:45.913 / race 1st – 139 laps
BMW M3 GTR – ADAC E1: Powered by 4.0 liter BMW P60B40 V8 90º, approx. 490 hp. Michelin tires. Weight 1250 kg. Steel monocoque, chassisnr. BMW E46 #unknown
- IXO Modern Le Mans & GT Cars GTM032 (diecast)
- Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
- Also appears in #012 Schnitzer / #103 BMW M & Z
BMW GT2, DTM & GT3
2010 Le Mans 24h, BMW M3 GT2 (E92)
BMW officially returned to GT racing in 2010 and divided the tasks over two team: In USA, the Rahal-Letterman team won the GT2 category in the American Le Mans Series. At Le Mans, the Schnitzer prepared BMW’s were lacking of top speed compared to the competition. The art car designed by Jeff Koons retired, sadly I haven’t managed to lay my hands on a model. The #78 BMW finished 6th in GT2.
BMW Motorsport #78: Uwe Alzen (D) / Jörg Müller (D) / Augusto Farfus (BR)
Results: Start-grid 43rd / time 4:01.893 / race 19th – 320 laps / 6th GT2
BMW M3 GT2 – LM GT2: Powered by 4.0 liter BMW P65 V8 90º , approx. 485 hp. Weight 1150 kg. Steel monocoque, chassisnr. BMW E92 #1001
- SPARK S2587 (resin)
- Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
- Also appears in #012 Schnitzer / #103 BMW M & Z
2010 Nürburgring 24h, BMW M3 GT2 (E92)
The lack of top speed at Le Mans is no issue at the twisty Nürburgring. The BMW Schnitzer team took victory in the 24 hours race at the Nürburgring. It was a bit of a lucky victory, because for a long time it looked as if the new hybrid Porsche would win the race.
BMW Motorsport #25: Uwe Alzen (D) / Jörg Müller (D) / Augusto Farfus (BR) / Pedro Lamy (POR)
Results: Start-grid 8th / time 8:32.861 / race 1st – 154 laps
BMW M3 GT2 – ADAC E1-XP2: Powered by 4.0 liter BMW P65 V8 90º , approx. 485 hp. Weight 1150 kg. Steel monocoque, chassisnr. BMW E92 #1001
- PREMIUM CLASSIXXS BMW 80 42 2 185 880 (resin)
- Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
- Also appears in #012 Schnitzer / #103 BMW M & Z
2012 DTM Championship, BMW M3 DTM (F30). BMW returned to DTM 20 years after their last win (Roberto Ravaglia, Schnitzer BMW M3 E30). They entered 3 teams with 6 cars and some very quick drivers such as Martin Tomczyk and Bruno Spengler. Spengler took the title after a great fight with his former Mercedes team mate Paffett. BMW took the makes title and Schnitzer the teams trophy. Team RMG is a new name in motorsport but exists of experienced people, they were competitive right from the start of the season.
Team RMG #1: Martin Tomczyk (D)
Results: 7th championship
BMW M3 DTM – DTM: Powered by 4.0 liter BMW P66/1 V8 90º, approx 500 hp. Hankook tires. Weight 1100 kg. Carbon fibre monocoque, chassisnr. BMW F30 #unknown.
- PREMIUM CLASSIXXS BMW 80 42 2 297 686 (resin)
- Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
- Also appears in #103 BMW M & Z
2013 DTM Championship, BMW M3 DTM (F30)
Last year, Bruno Spengler took the title after a great fight with his former Mercedes team mate Gary Paffett. Spengler drove the #1 car in 2013, he won the race at Red Bull RIng and finished third in the championship. Mike Rockenfeller in an Audi A5 took the title in 2013.
Team Schnitzer #1: Bruno Spengler (CAN)
Results: 1 x 1st / 3rd championship
BMW M3 DTM – DTM: Powered by 4.0 liter BMW P66/1 V8 90º, approx 500 hp. Hankook tires. Weight 1100 kg. Carbon fibre monocoque, chassisnr. BMW F30 #unknown.
- MINICHAMPS BMW 80 42 2 351 056 (diecast)
- Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
- Also appears in #012 Schnitzer / #035 BMW Motorsport part II
2013 Nürburgring 24h, BMW Z4 GT3 (E89)
BMW entered four factory supported cars, two from Marc VDS and two byTeam Schubert. The two Schubert cars collided when Alzen in the white #19 came across a corner and found the black #20 driving slowly because of a “code 60”. Alzen also hit the guard rail quite hard and however he managed to reach the pits and repairs were made, the team had to retire.
BMW Team Schubert #19: Jörg Müller (D) / Dirk Müller (D) / Augusto Farfus (BR) / Uwe Alzen (D)
Results: Start-grid 15th / time 8:22.889 / race DNF – 8 laps
BMW Z4 GT3 – ADAC SP9 GT3: Powered by 4.4 liter BMW P65B44 V8 90º, approx. 510 hp. Michelin tires. Weight 1190 kg. Carbon fibre & steel monocoque, chassisnr. BMW E89 #unknown
- SPARK SG105 (resin)
- Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
- Also appears in #103 BMW M & Z
2025 Bathurst 12h, BMW M4 GT3 evo (G92)
The Bathurst 12-hour race was round 1 of the Intercontinental GT Challenge. This attracted some European top teams and drivers to the famous race down under. Amongst these the two BMW M4 GT3 evo from Team WRT, now BMW’s preferred partner. The battle was intense, no less than 6 cars finished in the same lap, the first three within 12 seconds. The winning (Augusto Farfus – Sheldon Van der Linde – Kelvin Van der Linde) BMW was mainly black and the #46 that came in second place had a quite classic BMW Motorsport livery.
Team WRT #46: Valentino Rossi (I) / Charles Weerts (B) / Raffaele Marciello (I)
Results: Start-grid 12th / time 2:02.387 / race 2nd – 306 laps
BMW M4 GT3 – FIA GT3 PRO: Powered by 3.0 liter BMW P58 straight-6 twin turbo, approx. 550 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 1250 kg. Steel + carbon monocoque, chassisnrs. BMW G92 unknown.
- SPARK AS081 #210 / 600 pcs (resin)
- Overall rating: 5 STARS | Quality details: 5 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
- Also appears in #103 BMW M & Z
BMW M8 & V8 Hybrid
2018 Le Mans 24h, BMW M8 GTE (G15)
Since many years, BMW often uses different teams for their motorsport activities in the USA and Europe. And most of the time, new cars are introduced in the USA first. This was also the case were Rahal-Letterman already raced the BMW M8 GTE, before MTEK got to race these oversized cars in the WEC and Le Mans.
BMW Team MTEK #81: Nicky Catsburg (NL) / Philipp Eng (A) / Martin Tomczyk (D)
Results: Start-grid 43rd / time 3:50.596 / 33th – 332 laps / 12th GTE PRO
BMW M8 GTE – LM GTE PRO: Powered by 4.0 liter BMW P63/1 V8 90º twin turbo, approx. 600 hp. Michelin tires. Weight 1180 kg. Carbon fibre & steel monocoque, chassisnr. BMW G15 #unknown
- TRUE SCALE MINIATURES LM201881 (resin)
- Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
- Also appears in #035 BMW Motorsport part II
2023 Daytona 24h, BMW M Hybrid V8
BMW chose Dallara for the chassis and added a twin-turbo V8 that was based on a DTM-engine. The BMW’s lacked some speed and reliability in the beginning of the season, but developed well. The IMSA cars are raced by Rahal Letterman Lannigan, in 2024 the BMW M Hybrids are also present in FIA WEC by Belgian WRT team.
BMW M Team RLL #25: Connor de Phillippi (USA) / Colton Herta (USA) / Sheldon van der Linde (SA) / Nick Yelloly (GB)
Results: Start-grid 8th / time 1:34.846 / race 48th – 652 laps / 8th GTP
BMW M Hybrid V8 – IMSA GTP (LMDh): Powered by 4.0 liter BMW P66/3 V8 90° twin turbo hybrid – approx. 680 hp. Michelin tires. Weight 1050 kg. Carbon fibre monocoque, chassisnr. Dallara #unknown.
- TRUE SCALE MINIATURES 430704 (resin)
- Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 5 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
- Also appears in #056 Hypercars & Prototypes
2025 Le Mans 24h, BMW M Hybrid V8
The operation of the BMW M Hybrid V8 is now in the hands of Belgian Team WRT, both in the IMSA Championship and the World Endurance Championship. The two cars that race in the WEC have different liveries this year. The #15 is still white with red and blue, the caracteristic BMW color scheme. The #20 that raced as an Art Car last year is now red-yellow and black. The colors of the German flag but also matching the sponsorship of Shell. Both cars were fast in qualifying, starting from the second and third row but again in the race they disappointed.
BMW M Team WRT #15: Dries Vanthoor (B) / Kevin Magnussen (DK) / Raffaele Marciello (I)
Results: Start-grid 4th / time 3:22.887 / race 31st – 361 laps
BMW M Hybrid V8 – Hypercars LMDh. Powered by 4.0 liter BMW P66/3 V8 90° twin turbo hybrid – approx. 680 hp + 70 hp. Michelin tires. Weight 1050 kg. Carbon fibre monocoque, chassisnr. Dallara #P22B 009.
- SPARK S9262 (resin)
- Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 5 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
- Also appears in #035 BMW Motorsport – part II
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