Friday 3rd February 2023

AC Schnitzer details new 610hp M3 Touring

An M3 estate with as much power as a Huracan? Sign us up...

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Yes, yes - more M3 Touring news. But we’ve been waiting long enough, a couple of weeks more excitement won’t do any harm. Inevitably the car was going to attract the interest of tuners, given both the general hype around it and the tuning potential that’s there already in the B58 engine - the Touring is a match made in heaven for the aftermarket. And AC Schnitzer has something ready to roll already.

Plenty is of course transferable from its work on the M3 saloon and M4 coupe, which will explain the haste. The 610hp number is the big drawer, 100hp up from standard, achieved through nothing more than software and an exhaust. Schnitzer’s website translates it as an ‘additional control unit with programming’, not impacting the standard ECU, for ‘optimised motor efficiency’ - you don’t say. It says 98RON minimum is required for the full 610hp and 553lb ft, but as a diligent PHer that’d be going in your Touring anyway. The upgrade is compatible with petrol particulate filters and comes with a three-year AC Schnitzer warranty. The only slight hassle really seems to be that it can only be installed after the 1,200-mile running in service. What an M3 that could make.

Schnitzer’s demonstrator also benefits from its AC3 20-inch wheels, the lowering springs that drop the front axle 20mm and a rear spoiler that - whisper it - looks pretty good on an Isle of Man Green Touring. Perhaps the carbon canards, vents and tips aren’t as successful, but then there’s never been a modified car that suits every taste. Which is the joy of tuning, of course.

Also offered from AC Schnitzer for Touring customers (though not pictured) are a gearshift paddle set, aluminium footrest and a new steering wheel - could probably survive without those. The 610hp, though, could be interesting. The upgrade is on Rossiters, AC Schnitzer’s UK dealer, for £5,839.32. Which is less than an M Carbon Pack from BMW. We’ll get a drive if there’s a demonstrator, of course, but rest assured it’ll be after this initial flurry has died down. Apparently, you can have too much of a good thing…

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• 2023 BMW M3 Competition Touring (G81) | PH Video
• Audi RS6 and RS7 Performance boast 630hp

[Julian Scott]

Engine (Performance) pack yes, styling pack no.

And debadge it.

[Twinair]

610… yes that would do IT.

Given how regular M3 / M4’s have depreciated like some dodgy currency, (mine included) this looks like a good way to go - if - you could get it added onto a used one as a kit?

Dunno?

[Julian Scott]

Twinair said:

610… yes that would do IT.

Given how regular M3 / M4’s have depreciated like some dodgy currency, (mine included) this looks like a good way to go - if - you could get it added onto a used one as a kit?

Dunno?

I've had Schnitzer Performance Packs added to two cars months after buying them, so yes, unless it changed.

Didn't really help residuals though. To most it was just a 'tuned' car.

[Daniel-89u1d]

6k just for the software upgrade / piggyback ECU. Exhaust, trinkets etc are much much more. I'd stick to getting my own tune and forget the rest.

[georgejoshington]

Missed opportunity to include an enlarged grille as part of the styling pack.

[Frimley111R]

Daniel-89u1d said:

6k just for the software upgrade / piggyback ECU. Exhaust, trinkets etc are much much more. I'd stick to getting my own tune and forget the rest.

That's nuts isn't it?!

[s94wht]

I've got to be honest, this is the first picture of the M3 that I've thought the grille actually looks quite good on.

[akashzimzimma]

its just a tuning box , lowering springs and useless aero. Could get a proper tune with downpipe and nicer / higher quality wheels for that much,

[oedipus]

According to the link, £6k gets you Stage 1 (590bhp) but it’s £10k for Stage 2 (610bhp)

[VR6 Eug]

The Alpina looks better and has a better looking face.

[ate one too]

VR6 Eug said:

The Alpina looks better and has a better looking face.

Ken Dodd has a better looking face .....

[Funk]

VR6 Eug said:

The Alpina looks better and has a better looking face.

And the Alpina doesn't have the appalling rear door/wheel arch interface that BMW just shrugged about and said, 'fk it...'

[Pughmacher]

ate one too said:

Ken Dodd has a better looking face .....

[ate one too]

Pughmacher said:

ate one too said:

Ken Dodd has a better looking face .....

Here's the proof (if you need it ...)

[Dombilano]

Haha piggyback tuning box then. Not sure I'd want to be doing that to a Golf R, let alone something this pricey

[NSNO]

It looks f*#king hideous.

[LARK F1 GTR]

At least with all that power people won't be able to see how ugly it is as it zooms by!

[dasbimmerowner]

S58 motor in the M3 not B58. I can't remember what the differences are specifically but there were quite a number of them.

[Twoshoe]

Funk said:

And the Alpina doesn't have the appalling rear door/wheel arch interface that BMW just shrugged about and said, 'fk it...'

It still has it doesn't it? Look at pic 2.

[GreatScott2016]

I guess the thought washing around my head is, does it need more power? Simple answer is NO, but where there's a tuner ... looks so much better with silver wheels too.