Since 1987 AC Schnitzer has brought technology from motorsport to BMW and MINI drivers. Some of its developments achieved remarkable results on track, and they earned a place in the AC Schnitzer record list. Here are the highlights, from the first lightweight M3 coupés to the latest M cars.
The list starts in the 1990s. The ACS3 CLS based on the BMW M3 3.0 lapped the Nordschleife in 8:21 min in 1993, and the CLS II on the M3 3.2 improved that to 8:16 min. In 1997 the V8 Roadster and the ACS3 3.2 compact "10 Years Limited Edition" followed, and in 1999 the ACS3 A.R.T. based on the E46 Coupé set 8:17 min on the Nordschleife.
The 2000s brought top speed records. The TENSION based on the BMW M6 set a world record of 331.78 km/h at Nardò in 2005, as the fastest road-legal BMW. In 2007 the GP3.10 Gas Powered, based on the 335i Coupé, reached 318.1 km/h at Nardò, a world record for LPG-powered cars. In 2009 the ACS3 3.5d Coupé became the fastest diesel on the Nordschleife with 8:21 min.
From 2011 the focus shifted to MINI, diesel and M cars. The EAGLE and the RAPTOR became the fastest road-legal MINIs at Hockenheim, and the 99d the fastest diesel on the Sachsenring. In 2015 the M4 Coupé lapped Hockenheim in 1:09.20 min. In 2017 the ACL2 became the fastest road-legal BMW on the Nordschleife with 7:25.80 min, and in 2018 the M5 set 7:29.50 min there.
The Sachsenring became the main stage in recent years. The M8 Gran Coupé was the fastest saloon there in 2021 with 1:31.34 min, and the M3 Touring the fastest estate in 2024 with 1:30.08 min. In 2025 the M2 by AC Schnitzer became the fastest M2 on the Sachsenring, with a lap time of 1:29.79 min.
Key facts
- 2025: M2 by AC Schnitzer, Sachsenring, 1:29.79 min
- 2024: M3 Touring by AC Schnitzer, Sachsenring, 1:30.08 min
- 2021: M8 Gran Coupé by AC Schnitzer, Sachsenring, 1:31.34 min
- 2018: M5 by AC Schnitzer, Nürburgring Nordschleife, 7:29.50 min
- 2017: AC Schnitzer ACL2, Nürburgring Nordschleife, 7:25.80 min
- 2015: M4 Coupé by AC Schnitzer, Hockenheimring, 1:09.20 min
- 2012: AC Schnitzer RAPTOR (MINI), Hockenheimring, 1:10.87 min
- 2007: AC Schnitzer GP3.10 Gas Powered, Nardò, 318.1 km/h
- 2005: AC Schnitzer TENSION, Nardò, 331.78 km/h
- 1993: AC Schnitzer ACS3 CLS, Nürburgring Nordschleife, 8:21 min
