The early history of the car is unknown.

In 1997 the car went to BMW Australia and kept predominately as a spare car. It's believed the car was intended to be used as the team's third entry at the 1997 Bathurst 1000 but ultimately the team secure the series of a pair of European drivers. Paul Morris ran the car during testing but it was withdrawn before the race.. The only actual race outings were in the final two rounds of the Australian Super Touring Championship where it was driven by Craig Baird.

Sold at the end of the year to Kim Esbjug, who raced the car in the opening round of the 1999 Swedish Touring Car Championship, however the second race of the day ended with the car involved in a multiple roll-over.

Esbjug purchased 96/018 as a replacement shell and set about transferring the running gear from remains of 96/004, but was unable to complete the work in time and instead purchased 97/010 which he used for the remainder of the year.

The car is still owned by Esbjug and has remained in a largely untouched since.