Dan Wheldon was more than just an excellent driver, he apparently had outstanding taste in cars. The IndyCar racer tragically died in a crash in 2011, but bought an E46 M3 new back in 2006, and it’s a stunning spec. Carbon Black Metallic has been around for a while but it just hits different on an E46 M3. The subtle blue hues work so well on its elegant body lines. Even better is its Cinnamon Nappa leather interior, which works perfectly in contrast with Carbon Black. Wheldon didn’t stop there, as he tastefully upgraded the legendary coupe with some Dinan mods. Wheldon’s M3 was just on Bring a Trailer, but didn’t sell at a final bid of $35,750.
Source: Bring a Trailer
When Wheldon bought the M3, he spec’d the SMG automatic transmission, but it was converted to a six-speed manual by one of its three other owners. So you can really let its 3.2-liter naturally aspirated inline-six sing, without the herky-jerky shifts that come with the famously frustrating SMG. And sing it will with its upgrades.
The M3 has a Dinan S package, which brings the company’s Stage 3 engine software, a high airflow intake with a new mass airflow meter housing, an upgraded exhaust, and a new strut brace. All of those upgrades bump power to 355 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque. Not much more than the stock car’s output but the tune also ups the rev limiter to 8,240 rpm. So you get a few extra revs to hear that killer I6 scream. Since Wheldon spec’d the Competition Package from the factory, it also rides on stiffer suspension than stock and the best looking 19-inch wheels ever fitted to an M3.
Source: Bring a Trailer
With 78,000 miles on the clock, it’s still pretty damn fresh, considering it’s 20 years old now. An E46 M3 with so few miles regardless of its previous owners is going to fetch a pretty hefty haul, especially one as clean as this one and in an stunning spec. But having a former owner be a championship-winning IndyCar driver should make this auction quite competitive. Whoever gets it, though, isn’t just getting one of the best driver’s cars of this century, they’re getting a piece of racing history and a way to remember an IndyCar great.
