Breaking Records: BMW M3 Touring Sets Impressive Fifth-Fastest Time at Goodwood

Witnessing a station wagon transformed into a competitive race car conquering the iconic Goodwood hill climb is a rare sight. The BMW M3 Touring 24H stands out as a one-of-a-kind model from Munich, completely converted into a high-performance track machine. Its recent success includes a commendable fourth-place finish at the demanding Nürburgring 24-hour endurance race.

The exclusive G81, tailored specifically for the racetrack, made headlines by achieving the fifth-fastest time during the timed shootout at the prestigious 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Skilled racer Jordan Pepper guided the M3 Touring 24H to a speedy 46.54-second run, narrowly missing out on third place secured by Alex Summers in the Shadow-Chevrolet DN4.

Impressively, securing fifth place in a wagon category is a noteworthy accomplishment. The distinctive sound emanating from this vehicle is not from the typical S58 engine but from the motorsport-spec P58, generating close to 600 hp and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque, transferred exclusively to the rear wheels. The M3 Touring 24H has forsaken the standard model’s xDrive setup in favor of a six-speed sequential transaxle gearbox.

Exciting Development: BMW M3 Touring 24H Finds New Owner

Acquired by enthusiast Rainer Bonnetsmüller for his private collection, the extraordinary M3 wagon race car was constructed within a rapid eight-week timeframe after just eight months of development. Originally conceived as an April Fools’ jest in 2025, BMW had not initially planned for its creation.

While the specific purchase price remains undisclosed, it undoubtedly surpassed the cost of an M3 CS Touring, priced at €152,900 in Germany. Mechanically aligned with the €219,900 M4 GT4 EVO and the €578,000 M4 GT3 EVO, the M3 Touring 24H shares more similarities with the latter, indicating a substantial price tag reflective of its exclusive status.

Despite no longer being under BMW’s ownership, the remarkable M3 Touring 24H is set to make further public appearances at the MotoGP race weekend in Spielberg, Austria, and the Tutto Bene Hill Climb in Italy, both scheduled for September.

Having likely exhausted the potential of the G81 platform with the street-legal M3 CS Touring, BMW appears poised to explore new avenues. While no official announcements have been made by BMW M, the prospect of another M3 wagon, possibly within the upcoming G51 3 Series Touring, remains a tantalizing possibility. The notion of a high-performance wagon reaching American shores for the first time adds an extra layer of excitement.

Meanwhile, BMW M is actively working on revamping the larger M5 Touring with a Neue Klasse-inspired facelift expected next year.