If Mini asks $35k for a decontented LTW, it won’t sell either.

I wish I had bought one of the Type Rs back in 2000 or so, but I didn’t know what the car was about. Later I drove one, and it’s like night and day compared to my GSR sedan.

They are very decontented (like the M3 LTW) and do not include any sound deadening, cruise, a/c (although it was availabe as a dealer installed option – but not available from the factory). Rear wipers were deleted in 97, ABS system was 12lbs lighter, chassis was reinforced in key areas, all bushings were much firmer, track widened, brakes enlarged, axle counter weights removed, new crank, pistons, rods, cams, etc. mildly ported head. LSD added, plus a whole lot of other stuff.

Like the sales story of the M3 LTW, the 98 ITR’s were a tough sell. They languished on dealer lots, were discounted eventually. Even the 00-01 Type R’s with cooler colors and AC standard weren’t a great sales successes. They were even subsidized with special lease deals ($319/mo) to get them off the showroom.

All I’m saying is most people won’t actually put up the money to buy a MCS LTW if they actually make one. These specialty cars often have way too many concessions that most can’t live with in a primary vehicle or even one they casually drive. I’m one of those knuckleheads who can, but it’s getting harder with age ;)

In the Spring and Summer of 1996 I was in the market for a 318ti and 3 of the dealers I went to practically begged me to buy their M3 LTW.

An interesting note about the radio deletion: one of the dealers I talked to told me that the cars were completely setup for the radio, including speakers and an antenna. The only thing actually deleted was the radio itself.

Direct quote from the site: What is an E36 M3 Lightweight? The M3 Lightweight (sometimes referred to as the M3 CSL) is a special version of the U.S. model E36 M3 designed for track driving. Approximately 120 were built between July and October of 1995 by BMW Individual (the division of BMW M responsible for special orders). These cars retain the stock 240-hp S50 B30 USA powerplant, though BMW claimed that all engines fitted to the Lightweights were tested to make sure they were operating at the top of the acceptable range. According to BMW figures, the Lightweight weighs 2,950 lbs., 225 less than the regular M3 coupe. All M3 Lightweights are painted Alpine White III (300)

They seem to be one of the more accurate sites regarding M Cars on the net, but I know you have good sources on your end as well.

I believe the limited edition Integra Type “R” coupe released circa 1997-98 did not come with the A/C system in order to keep the weight of the vehicle down. The Type R was essentially more race oriented than street. If memory serves me well, the Type R Integra coupe was only made in “Frost White” paintwork.

The car had no sunroof either.

The BMW E36 M3 Lightweight was a low production car built by BMW Individual – around 120 of them were made.

Actually are you sure BMW Individual had anything to do with it? I thought it was all Motorsport. Anyway it’s interesting to note… a M3 lightweight sat in my local dealers showroom when it was first released for well over a year before finally selling for $26,000. Demand at the time was simply not there. Even for only the 80 cars imported into the US.

You can find out more on the E36 M3 Lightweight (or CSL as it’s sometimes referred to) here: bmwworld.com/models/m3_ltw.htm

I see no chance the US will get this model, but give us the aero kit and Works package as factory options, please!

Personally, I would love to have an MCS LTW but would definitely want it as a secondary car.

With any luck, the car will go into production and many of the parts will be available seperately. Similar to how many of the E30 EVO parts and E36 LTW parts were available from BMW.

It was a total sales flop in the US. There were unsold cars in dealer inventories well into the next model year. In reality, most people were not willing to pay more for a decontented car, limited quantity performance version or not.

I wouldn’t hold a lot of hope for seeing something like car described on MINI2 sold in the US.

I can’t afford to buy this anymore, To buy that kind of car is more than what i have, my 2003 cooper S cost me 32k much this lightweight cooperS maybe more….