In April 2017, the fifth generation of the BMW M3 (F80) will be three years old already, and since that day, the BMW M GmbH has introduced besides the “normal” M3 sedan with 431 hp BiTurbo straight cylinder, also the BMW M3 sedan Competition with 450 hp. And the BMW specialist AC Schnitzer, is celebrating a milestone birthday in 2017, proves that there is still a little more to get out of it.

30 years ago, Herbert Schnitzer of Schnitzer Motorsport and Willi Kohl in Aachen have founded the tuner and BMW specialist AC Schnitzer. From this day on, they have lived in all situations from “racing to the street” and this is one of the reasons why the traditional company stayed down on earth at the development of its ACS 3 Sport. Engine power alone does not make it faster – no matter if on the road or on the race track.

The basis of the Schnitzer M3 is the 450 hp strong Competition sedan with twin clutch transmission. An excellent choice. The S55B30 BiTurbo Schnitzer gets an extra 60 hp with an additional control unit and the maximum torque increases from impressive 550 Nm to a brutal force of 645 Nm.

Part of the power upgrade is also an approximately 3,5 kg lighter stainless steel exhaust system and a small “carbon fiber diet” in the form of front spoiler elements, side winglets, roof and rear spoilers and a diffuser. The wheels are light 19-inch AC1 light weight wheels.

By the way, we from KW met the Schnitzer ACS 3 Sport last summer together with the AC Schnitzer Development & Purchasing Manager Roman Fenners at our track day and the “KW driving dynamics practice training” with Wolfgang Weber. And already back then, the ACS 3 showed during the setup adjustment that it is destined for great things.

At the end of September 2016 the time has finally come. The M, equipped with KW Clubsport 3-way coilovers with AC Schnitzer damper setup (low speed and high speed compression damping 4 clicks each, rebound 8 clicks on the front axle, 5 clicks low speed and 9 clicks high speed compression, rebound 6 clicks on the rear axle) and AC Schnitzer support bearings, attempt the record at Auto Bild sportscars magazine (see print issue No. 3/2017).

With a lap time of only 1:33,90 minutes, the M3 sedan from AC Schnitzer reached the top and is currently the fastest sedan on the Sachsenring. The lap time is about the same level as a sporty Audi R8 V10. The BMW specialist equipped its test car just like the “Factory-M” with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2 in 285/30-19 and a carbon-ceramic brake.

By the way, the four-door is only a few hundredths away from the lighter BMW M4 GTS on the Sachsenring (Sportscars lap time in the GTS 2016 was 1:33.17 min). And what does the AutoBild Sportscars editor Guido Naumann think about the Schnitzer: “AC Schnitzers M3 version ACS3 can not only do top-lap times, the sedan is a true all-rounder: two seat rows, trunk, the exhaust can be loud and quiet, the suspension forgives grooves and ground waves – currently there is no better mix of driving pleasure and use value.”

Photos AC Schnitzer, KW