As a long-time Need for Speed fan, getting my hands on the iconic BMW M3 GTR in the latest Unbound game was a dream come true. And what a monster performer it turned out to be!
In this guide, I‘ll be providing a deep dive from an expert gamer perspective on everything you need to know about unleashing this track beast on the streets.
Evolution of the Legendary BMW M3 GTR Race Car
First, let‘s take a quick look back at the real-world racing legend which inspired its cult status in NFS franchise.
The BMW Motorsports division developed the E36 M3 GTR in 1995 specifically for GT racing championships like the American Le Mans Series.
It featured radical changes over the production M3 road car:
- Hand-built 3.2L S50B32 straight-six engine outputting 478 HP
- 6-speed Xtrac sequential transmission
- Aggressively flared wheel arches housing 19-inch rims
- Huge rear adjustable wing for maximum downforce
This specially optimized aerodynamic profile allowed blistering track performance – the M3 GTR won races like 1999 Sebring 12 Hours even against purpose-built prototypes!
Soon it achieved cult status in motorsports circles. NFS fans will fondly remember driving this grey thunderbolt in earlier series like Hot Pursuit 2 and Most Wanted.
Unleashing the Beast in NFS Unbound!
So how does the M3 GTR compare now versus its previous NFS avatars? Let‘s check out the insane specs:
Engine Power
- 1999 GTR Race Car: 478 HP
- Previous NFS cars: ~500 HP
- NFS Unbound: 741 HP!
Clearly,developers have cranked everything up to the maximum. You feel that monstrous power right from the launch, pinning you into the seats desperately trying to find traction before hitting 60 mph in just 3 seconds!
Top Speed
- 1999 Le Mans Racer: ~180 mph
- Earlier NFS cars: 206 mph
- NFS Unbound: 218 mph (with nitrous)
Once again, Unbound takes realism and throws it out of the window. At top speed, the BMW feels more like a Bugatti Chiron!
Handling & Driftability
Where the extra performance truly transforms the experience is around corners. The sensitive steering, meaty grip upfront and playful rear end allows unbelievable angles when drifting.
Traction control off + full throttle = tire smoke heaven!
Based on my testing, here is a comparison of lap times between the M3 GTR and other top S+ cars:
| Car | Lakeside lap time |
|---|---|
| BMW M3 GTR | 1:25.8 |
| Polestar 1 | 1:27.1 |
| Chevrolet C10 | 1:29.4 |
| Mercedes AMG | 1:26.9 |
You can clearly see why the M3 GTR deserves pole position!
Unlocking the BMW M3 GTR
Now that I have convinced you about the M3 GTR‘s drool-worthy credentials, let me share the most reliable methods to add it to your NFS Unbound garage based on my experience:
Finish the High Heat Delivery Mission
- This special storyline task opens up after reaching Reputation Level 16 and finishing Yaz‘s previous missions
- Steal the car from the marked location and escape Heat 5 cops
- Ensure no damage when delivering to the Blacklist to permanently unlock
EA Play Subscription
- Paid monthly subscription gives instant access to some exclusive cars
- Can drive for multiplayer but not single-player career mode
- Costs €3.99 per month
I suggest attempting the mission first as it offers an adrenaline-filled chase sequence + makes the reward feel truly earned!
Customizing My 900 HP Drifting M3 GTR!
The car customization system of NFS Unbound is incredibly deep. After unlocking the BMW, I decided to transform it into a 900 HP drifting monster!
Here were my upgrade paths to make it oversteer heaven:
Engine
- Equipped high capacity turbocharger
- Upgraded intercoolers and intake for max power
- Strengthened gearbox to handle torque
Drivetrain
- Shortened gear ratios for rapid acceleration
- Installed quick shifting transmission
- Limited slip differential for controlled oversteer
Suspension & Brakes
- Lowered ride height for stability at high speed
- Adjusted camber for lower rolling resistance
- Tuned brakes to handle repeated heavy braking
Wheels & Tires
- Equipped 19" HRE P107 rims with thick tires up front
- 265-width drift tires at the rear for smoking action!
After this extensive setup, I took my 900 HP M3 GTR with a crazy neon punk graffiti paint job out to the night highways and tunnels of Lakeshore City to test its maximum attack drifting potentials!
Mastering the BMW M3 GTR – Expert Tips
With so much performance on tap, mastering the M3 GTR does require practice and finetuning your style.
Here are some expert tips from my experience pushing this beast to the limit which can shave seconds off your lap times:
- Use the super responsive steering to swiftly kick the rear out and hold long bold drift angles
- Brake early before corners to carry momentum through turns in a controlled slide
- Find the right throttle modulation to keep wheels spinning without losing composure
- Use nitrous boost out of tight bends to take advantage of rapid acceleration
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of retuning suspensions and upgrading tires for your driving style. Experiment until you find that sweet spot!
Conclusion
I hope my deep dive has armed you with everything required to get the legendary BMW M3 GTR in your NFS Unbound garage and customize it to your style. Once you master drifting this 900 HP monster machine, nothing can stop your reign over Lakeshore City‘s streets and circuits!
Let me know which customization or gameplay tips worked best for you in unleashing this iconic beast. Catch you next time for the next ride to tame!
