Dan Wheldon's 2006 BMW M3 is hitting the auction block on Bring a Trailer, and this isn't just any performance sedan. The two-time Indianapolis 500 winner specified the Dinan S Competition package when he ordered it new, a choice that reveals what serious drivers actually want from a modded M3.
The E90-generation M3 sits at an interesting inflection point in BMW performance history. Stock, it produces 414 horsepower from its naturally aspirated 4.0-liter V8, paired with a six-speed manual. Dinan's S Competition upgrade builds on that foundation with a revised engine tune, suspension work, and exhaust enhancements. For context, this was peak era M3 before turbocharged engines and dual-clutch transmissions started dominating the lineup.
Wheldon's selection of the Dinan package underscores what matters to professional drivers hunting for road cars. He wasn't chasing maximum numbers on a dyno. Instead, he chose a manufacturer known for balanced tuning that preserves reliability while sharpening response. That philosophy carries weight in collector circles, where provenance from actual racing talent can push values higher than stock equivalents.
The 2006 M3 with Dinan work represents a sweet spot for enthusiasts. It delivers visceral V8 character that turbocharged competitors can't match, plus a manual transmission that's increasingly rare in the performance segment. Values on clean E90 M3s have climbed steadily as millennial buyers who grew up lusting after these cars now have disposable income.
An Indy 500 winner's personal spec adds narrative appeal beyond the hardware. Auction buyers pay premiums for documented ownership by celebrities and athletes, particularly when they specify performance packages rather than cosmetic upgrades. Wheldon