Brand new in 1999, this AC Schnitzer S3 Sport CS Widebody Convertible (and breathe) was more expensive than an E39 M5. Today, it’s a rare and desirable E36 for anyone looking to make a statement...

WORDS Matt Zollo | PICS Gez Hughes

As far as names go, E36 M3 Evo AC Schnitzer S3 Sport CS Widebody Convertible is a pretty special one. Not the catchiest, granted, but definitely the most bombastically over-the-top. Just what the car deserves. But, er, what does it all mean? Well, ignoring the obvious bits, S3 Sport was Schnitzer’s moniker for its modified M3s (until the E92/3 ACS3 Sport came along) and CS Widebody was the tag given to cars with big, fat arches. Which makes this pretty much the most extreme E36 Schnitzer did.

Pretty much... but not quite. There was of course the ridiculously desirable CLS (and ridiculously wild CLS-II). And we can’t really talk about this car without mentioning the CLS because it’s pretty similar in terms of aesthetics and specification. As well as the same carbon-fibre front and rear wings, bumpers and side-skirts, it also has most of its mechanical upgrades: Schnitzer full system (actually made by Remus), coilovers (ditto by Bilstein), staggered 18-inch Type II split-rims (O.Z Racing) and a short-shift kit. There are some crucial differences between this car and the CLS, though.

Firstly, this is an Evo while the CLS was based on the 3.0-litre M3, so although it doesn’t have that car’s tweaked 317bhp S50B30, it does have an S50B32 that puts out a dyno-proven 332bhp, thanks to that Schnitzer zorst and a Gruppe M induction kit (and we’d imagine a remap, though that’s unknown). Then there’s the interior, which being pretty much standard means no bespoke carbon-fibre centre console or door cards, Alcantara trim Stack instrument cluster or carbonbacked
buckets.

Thanks

Neil at R&N Spraying in Barry, Alvin Caragay (Mpowered02) for the help with the decals, Chris and Daniel at Rossiters, my brother, George, for sorting me out with a few quid at short notice so I could buy the car, and my mate Adam Simmons. This car is now for sale (07773 509210 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

 To read more about this BMW including the spec see the February 2012 issue of Total BMW.

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