M3 GTS left on the shelf

The Aussie market won't be seeing BMW's hyper-intense M3 GTS any time soon, if at all. Unveiled late last year in an eye-searing 'Fire Orange' finish, the M3 GTS is only built in left-hand drive, despite the donor being built in right-hook versions. That was the word from BMW's Australian management during the official media launch for the X1 before Easter.

The matter arose when it was revealed that BMW will import five standard coupes finished in the GTS's same 'Fire Orange' exterior colour, carbonfibre roof and black wheels. These five cars are being sold here through BMW's Individual program and have already wholesaled to dealers.

Tim James, the local PR & Corporate Communications Manager explained to the Carsales Network that similar low-volume/high-spec 'Individual' cars had been brought into the country previously, but unlike Mercedes-Benz's 'Black Series' AMG cars, the BMWs are cosmetic upgrades only.

"There's a 'Frozen Grey' M5 that was brought into the country -- just one -- that was sold to a customer in Queensland," he said. "That was the first 'Frozen' colour [matt paint], and they have had limited runs of other editions. I think there was an M3 limited edition model that came in... black, white or blue.

"That's what the Individual program really offers, it allows you to tailor some small, specific editions to some special cars -- particularly M Cars.

"At this stage, it's purely a cosmetic thing. From my understanding, the [Benz] Black Series is an engineered car that's quite different. I think you could probably compare the Black Series with something like that GTS M3."

With Benz bringing in the Black Series, what's the likelihood of the M3 GTS being sold here also, we asked.

"We had a lot of interest in that car [the M3 GTS], when the pictures were sent out," James replied, "but the factory has confirmed that it's left-hand drive only. The only way someone could get a car in here is import it privately... it would be pretty much track use only."

It's like déjà vu all over again, except this time it's BMW involved, rather than Benz --with that company's failure to convince the factory that the GLK compact/prestige SUV could sell up a storm in Australia.

So the M3 GTS is out of the question, but its standard-spec look-alikes will arrive in September. Dealers snapped them up as soon as they were wholesaled, but plainly they're still up for grabs by retail buyers. You'll just need to know where to look...

The blokes at BMW also advise they are offering 6 Series, 3 Series and M3 in Frozen Grey and Frozen Matt (both matt colours with the latter a flat black). That matt colour option doesn't come cheap however, The pricetag is $5950.

"It's not the paint that's that expensive, it's the air conditioning that keeps it frozen," quipped Tom Noble, BMW's Marketing Manager.

Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at www.carsales.mobi