The tuner a-workx from Upper Bavaria, Germany is well known for its decade long motorsport experience. Whether in the FIA GT World Championship, Porsche Carrera Cup, Mini Challenge or currently in the ADAC GT Masters, the team which surrounds the owner Niko Wieth has consistently built up valuable experience, which makes the difference when building a customer vehicle.

a-workx concentrates mainly on Porsche and vehicles from the BMW M range, shortly following the introduction of the BMW M3 E92 a lightly modified version was presented which quickly became the benchmark to be beaten. According to a-workx, not even the BMW M3 GTS was able to beat the lap time of the a-workx M3.

Now Niko Wieth has once again concerned himself with the M3 Coupé and this time even more intensively. The intention was to develop a vehicle for connoisseurs who wish to have an M3 with the performance of a GTS, maybe even a little better! The concept is based on three building blocks: Intelligent weight reduction, especially the unsprung and rotating masses, a moderate, appropriate to the complete vehicle concept and not excessive increase in power, together with a perfectly balanced and set up chassis.

MOV`IT-CER Brakes

In order to improve the performance of the brakes to match the overall increased performance of the vehicle, a-workx chose a MOV`IT-CER ceramic brake system. This choice also leads to a simultaneous reduction in the rotating mass of the brake discs. The ultra light two piece discs are manufactured from a high tech carbon and ceramic material and lead to a 26 lbs (12 kg) reduction in the rotating and unsprung mass, although they are noticeably larger (front: O380x40 mm / 15x19/16", rear O380x32 mm / 15x11"). With the combination of monoblock fixed calipers (6 pot on the front and 4 pot on the rear), together with steel braided brake lines and special competition brake fluid with a higher boiling point, this brake system is able to cope even under race conditions.

Fine-Tuned Suspension

In order to compensate for the concept related unfavorable front heavy weight distribution of the M3 which can result, together with the rear wheel drive, in traction problems, a-workx developed together with the suspension specialists KW a suspension for the M3 which is specially set up for the requirements and characteristics of this vehicle. This required weeks of test work together with professional race drivers and chassis specialists until Niko Wieth was finally satisfied with the results. The interaction between ride height, the weight distribution over all four wheels (wheel load), track and camber settings, the correct spring and damper settings, as well as the exact setting of the compression and rebound rates, is what is finally responsible for the maximum contact between the tires and the road or track surface and so for the optimum traction and best possible grip.

One can imagine that such exact and fine set up of the suspension can be quickly negated when heavy wheels are then mounted. For this reason the M3 460cs is fitted with the possibly record breaking 19" ATS Superlight wheels weighing only 17 lbs / 7.9 kg (standard 22 lbs / 10.2 kg) each.

More Power with Akrapovic Exhaust, ECU Calibration

Of course the power output also did not remain as standard. The core of the performance enhancement is the Akrapovic Evolution exhaust system with special catalysts. The exhaust system is manufactured from high strength and super light titanium. The 55 lbs (25 kg) reduction in weight also results in an extremely positive effect on the overall vehicle weight. In addition special camshafts have been installed, the air intake improved with a carbon fiber air box and a sport air filter and the motor electronics recalibrated to suit the modified parameters.

The result is simply sensational: The M3 460cs now has an additional 40 hp at its disposal together with 339 lb-ft (460 Nm) of torque and responds so instantaneously to the movement of the accelerator pedal it is as if the drivers central nervous system is directly connected to the throttle valve. The engine revs easily up to 8,500 rpm before gear change lamp urges the next flick of the gear change paddles. The weight reduction of over 154 lbs (70 kg) together with the increased power allow the M3 460cs to sprint from 0-60 mph in 3.9 secs and from 0-125 mph (0-200 km/h) in 13.2 secs (standard 15.7 secs).

Price

The M3 460cs from a-works is an expensive package, costing 52,229 EUR ($70,000) with the ceramic brakes and 34,034 EUR ($45,900) with the steel ones. Of course, the price doesn't include the car.

Components:

* AKRAPOVIC titanium Evolution exhaust system: 4,160 EUR
* a-workx clubsport suspension by KW (incl. top mounts): 1,999 EUR
* MOV'IT CER ceramic brake system front & rear: 19,235 EUR (alternative MOV'IT steel brake system from 3,945 EUR)
* Wheel set ATS Superlight: 4,202 EUR
* DREXLER mechanical differential lock incl. shorter final drive (i=3.62): 4,000 EUR
* Performance kit (software incl. removal of Vmax limiter, sport camshafts, carbon airbox, sport air filter, fitting, dyno test): 8,710 EUR
* RECARO Pole Position seats (driver & co driver incl. console, longitudinal adjustment, airbag immobilization, sensor mat): 1,584 EUR

All prices are excluding VAT tax, customs and delivery cost.