Once ignored, the BMW E90 M3 CRT is now a six-figure collector car. This is how this rare sedan became one of BMW M’s most valuable secrets.
From an introductory price of $130,000 to a quarter of a million dollars, the BMW E90 M3 CRT has experienced one of the quietest but most dramatic rises in the collector car market. At first glance it’s just a four-door M3 with some lightweight components, but when you look through the spec sheet the story is far more interesting. The CRT was produced in extremely low numbers, never sold in the United States, and ended up in the shadow of its orange, winged E92 GTS sibling. How exactly did this carbon-clad sedan become one of the rarest and most desirable M cars of all time?
What is the BMW E90 M3 CRT?
CRT stands for “Carbon Racing Technology” and that wasn’t just a marketing line drawn up in a boardroom. Limited to just 67 examples worldwide, the CRT used the E90 M3 sedan platform and upgraded it with the heart of the GTS, a 450 hp 4.4-liter S65 V8 paired with BMW’s 7-speed DCT. Weight-saving carbon fiber panels (including the hood and front seats), improved cooling and suspension adjustments made it a sill chain weapon disguised as a four-door luxury car. Acceleration from 0-100km/h took just over four seconds, and thanks to those lightweight carbon upgrades it was around 100kg lighter than a standard M3 sedan.
Why it was overlooked
When the CRT first came out in 2011, it wasn’t exactly a headline grabber, especially for US enthusiasts who couldn’t get their hands on one. The CRT was more expensive than a GTS, was only offered in left-hand drive in select markets, and was conservatively styled in Frozen Polar Silver. Back then, the CRT wasn’t exactly a “collector car.” However, as the E92 M3 era matured, enthusiasts began to pay more attention to its exclusivity and purposeful design. The CRT’s rarity, its motorsport DNA and early use of carbon technology made it look less like a quirky limited edition model and more like a true halo car.
The current market
In recent years, the CRT has quietly moved from cult status to investment-grade status among purists who want to preserve one of the best eras of automobiles. Examples have surfaced at top auctions with sales proceeds of over $200,000 and private asking prices of $250,000. It’s now mentioned in the same breath as the E46 CSL and the E92 GTS, just with fewer examples and arguably more usability. Collectors love its understated appearance, its everyday layout and its connection to a golden era of naturally aspirated M engines. The CRT may have been underrated when it launched, but today it’s finally getting the spotlight it deserves.
Source: BMW Group
