M3 E46

BMW M3 [E46]



The E46 M3, first introduced in October 2000, appeared worldwide with the new 3.2 L S54 M-tuned engine. At the time of the car's introduction, this engine had the highest specific output naturally aspirated of any engine ever made by BMW (except in the McLaren F1), producing 343 horsepower (256 kW) and 365 N·m (269 lb·ft). It was only available in coupe and convertible bodies as the saloon version has been dropped.

The E46 M3 was offered with a standard 6-speed Getrag transmission, but optionally came with a SMG drivelogic transmission (also known as the SMG II). This is the standard 6-speed Getrag transmission with an electrohydraulically actuated clutch (no clutch pedal). Shifts are made via the SMG gear knob or the steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. The engine had a redline of 8,000 rpm. As with most M engines, the S54 again had 6 independent throttle bodies and this time electronically operated throttles (drive-by-wire throttle with no cable).



In the U.S., the E46 M3 came with similar engine output as the European version, unlike in the E36, whose engine was derived from the M50/52 series engine. Power was now at 333 bhp (248 kW; 338 PS) due to close-coupled catalytic converters closer to the engine exhaust ports. In 2009, Road and Track magazine announced the 2006 M3 with the SMG transmission as its favorite sports car of all time.

E46 performance
The M3's S54 naturally aspirated engine produces 343 PS (252 kW; 338 hp) / 3.2-litre.

Germany Models

United States Models
 * 343 PS (252 kW; 338 hp) @ 7900 rpm
 * Torque: 365 N·m (269 lb·ft) @ 4900 rpm
 * 0-100 km/h (62 mph) — 5.1 s for manual and SMG, 5.5 s for cabriolet
 * 1/4 Mile — 13.3 s @ 104 mph (167.4 km/h)
 * Top Speed: 155 mph (250 km/h)(electronically limited); 191.38 mph (308.00 km/h) (delimited)
 * Skid Pad: 0.89 g


 * 333 hp (248 kW; 338 PS)
 * Torque: 262 lb·ft (355 N·m)
 * 0-60 mph (97 km/h) — 4.8 s for manual and SMG, 5.6 s for cabriolet
 * 4.5 s is reported for E46 M3 manual transmission via independent magazine.
 * 0–60 mph — 5.1 s for cabriolet as measured by Car and Driver magazine.
 * 1/4 mile – Coupe: 13.0 s @ 104 mph (167 km/h),Convertible: 13.7 s @ 104 mph (167 km/h)
 * Top speed – Coupe: 155 mph (250 km/h) (electronically limited),170 mph (270 km/h) (delimited)
 * Skid pad – Coupe: 0.89 g, Convertible: 0.81 g