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[Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the May 2011 issue of Grassroots Motorsports, when Bavarian Autosport was still in operation.]
The discharge of a brand new 3 Collection BMW is greater than only a mannequin change of some automobile. For lovers it heralds a brand new epoch of automotive historical past, like an ice age or the top of the dinosaurs.
The three Collection’ big fanatic following and perennial standing atop “better of” lists make it extraordinarily seen in our world. Simply think about the place you had been in 1991 and 1992, for instance, when the boxy, E30-chassis 3 Collection was changed—or in 1999, when the up to date E46-chassis mannequin made an look on our shores. Should you’re like the remainder of us, you couldn’t assist however participate within the fanfare that accompanied every 3 Collection launch.
New on the Scene
Much more monumental is the introduction of a brand new M3. Primarily based on the pedestrian 3 Collection physique and chassis, the BMW M3 takes the entire bundle to a brand new degree. The unique E30-chassis M3—bought right here between 1988 and 1991—was a hardcore machine sporting a high-strung, four-cylinder engine. The automobile’s wild, boxy flares and tacked-on wing made it laborious to overlook.
The E36-chassis M3 was refined and way more sensible than the unique. It was bought within the U.S. from 1995 by means of 1999, and patrons might select a coupe, sedan or convertible. The automobile provided a mix of efficiency, practicality and an sudden degree of refinement. Instead of the E30 M3’s racing-developed, four-cylinder engine was a lower-revving straight six with street-friendly torque. Fanatic patrons appreciated the automobile, however some longed for the unique’s hardcore nature.
Following BMW’s custom, the automaker launched the bread-and-butter mannequin earlier than the M model. The brand new E46-chassis 3 Collection landed right here first in 1999.
This new chassis was an additional refinement of the E36. Even the general profile remained remarkably related, although the brand new automobile’s pores and skin was extra taut and fluid. The overhangs had been decreased considerably, giving the entire line a lighter and extra fashionable look.
When the E46-chassis 3 Collection arrived, the press instantly fell in love. Positive, all the fashions had been barely heavier than the vehicles they changed, and naturally they had been dearer, however they had been additionally much more highly effective. Plus, they had been wider and higher geared up. The brand new 328i, for instance, made nearly 200 horsepower, solely 40 lower than the earlier M3. A couple of years later, the 231-horsepower 330i additional narrowed that hole.
Like its profitable forebear, the E36 M3, BMW’s E46-chassis M3 presents solely delicate visible cues to point that it’s extra than simply one other luxurious sedan. Pictures Credit: David S. Wallens
With a regular lineup this highly effective, the brand new M3 had a tricky act to observe. The manufacturing facility waited just a few years—till mannequin yr 2001—to launch the brand new final 3 Collection. BMW followers and doubters alike had been wowed by the automobile, its new engine, and its pumped-up efficiency.
The brand new M3 was fairly a departure from the earlier one. As a substitute of following a detuned-for-America technique like they’d prior to now, BMW used the identical engine for all markets. Solely minor variations, like close-coupled catalytic converters, barely decreased the U.S. automobile’s rated horsepower.
The E46-chassis M3 acquired a brand new 333-horsepower, six-cylinder engine. It carried the S54 engine code and acquired all the newest tuning tips.
A big airbox containing particular person throttle our bodies fed air to an aluminum head fitted with twin overhead cams. Constantly variable valve timing on each the consumption and exhaust was cutting-edge expertise on the time. The 11.5:1 compression ratio was (and nonetheless is) simply throughout the limits of being suitable with pump fuel. Exhaust fumes left the engine by means of a neat welded exhaust header and what BMW claimed was one of many lowest-restriction exhaust methods on the planet.
Nonetheless, the engine’s iron block appeared primitive and misplaced in a newly developed efficiency automobile. In response to the German firm, a historically lined aluminum block would have required an excessive amount of house between every cylinder, making the engine longer than desired. A sleeveless aluminum block, however, wouldn’t be robust sufficient for the excessive energy output. A conventional iron block was the reply.
Oiling was additionally high-tech. A semi-dry-sump system employed a dual-sump design that scavenged oil from the entrance sump and fed it to a reservoir situated deep within the rear sump.
In some ways, this new engine echoed the one discovered within the authentic M3. The S54 was additionally a screamer, making peak energy at 7900 rpm, only a few ticks shy of its 8000 rpm redline.
The usual transmission was a Getrag six-speed unit carried over from different BMWs. It was a tricky, smooth-shifting transmission.
Highly effective Meets Plush
When it got here to creature comforts, total efficiency and refinement, nonetheless, the E46-chassis M3 was gentle years forward of its Eighties namesake. Whereas the brand new automobile was snug, it nonetheless provided some severe efficiency.
The suspension acquired aluminum entrance decrease management arms, in depth entrance and rear chassis bracing, and aluminum higher lateral hyperlinks within the rear. The rear subframe was distinctive to the M3, as had been the anti-roll bars. The rear differential and spindles had been tailored 7 Collection items that offered sufficient energy to deal with the output of the extra highly effective engine.
A performance-oriented DSC stability management system labored with a brand new kind of limited-slip differential—the M Variable Differential Lock—to maintain the automobile in step with the motive force’s calls for. Nonetheless, it didn’t kill the enjoyable of flogging it round a monitor. Large brakes featured 325mm entrance rotors teamed with 328mm rears.
The wheels had been equally large: 18×8-inch fronts and 18×9-inch rears. The M3 was shipped and not using a spare tire, so house owners bought a compressor and fix-a-flat instead.
The entrance and rear bumpers, aluminum hood and entrance fenders additionally differed from the bizarre 3 Collection coupe. The fenders had been flared almost an additional inch on either side in comparison with the remainder of the lineup, serving to them swallow these large wheels with minimal fender gaps.
Neo-retro fender vents meant to echo the 1960-’72 3.0 CSi had been maybe the M3’s most distinctive styling characteristic, one which spawned 1000’s of aftermarket copycats. For a time within the early 2000s, it appeared that each lowered Civic had sprouted a pair of M3 fender vents. A number of eye-catching colours had been provided by means of the years, together with a particular Laguna Seca Blue and a mustardlike Phoenix Yellow.
The inside is purposeful and a bit extra posh than these of earlier M-badged 3 Collection vehicles. Below the hood, you’ll discover a romping 333-horsepower, naturally aspirated deal with. Pictures Credit: David S. Wallens
The inside was distinctive to the M3, with a particular steering wheel, rearview mirror, seats and gauges. (Nonetheless, most of those elements had been later out there within the 330Ci as nicely.) The in depth choices record included packages containing computerized wipers, leather-based upholstery, heated seats, Xenon HID headlights, a moonroof, and even a spoiler delete. M3 patrons might principally select any mixture of choices they needed—they might even add a built-in cell phone.
E46 Evolution
Initially, the brand new M3 was out there solely as a coupe with a six-speed handbook transmission. Some adjustments got here down the pike, nonetheless.
A couple of months later, BMW started to supply a convertible model of the M3. It was almost similar to the coupe, though the highest might go down, in fact. It was additionally barely heavier than the coupe and didn’t have the game seats. Not like the earlier M3, no four-door bodyshell was provided.
Beginning in 2002, patrons might go for a Sequential Guide Gearbox, also called the SMG-II, as a substitute of the usual computerized. One of many first broadly out there manumatic gearboxes, the SMG was meant to supply one of the best of each worlds when it got here to shifting. No clutch meant straightforward visitors driving, whereas fast shifting and a direct connection to the wheels preserved efficiency. Modern highway checks proved this, too, because the SMG was often neck and neck with the six-speed handbook in zero-to-60 sprints.
A number of particular variations of the M3 had been produced by means of the years, although not all had been out there in North America. Most well-known is the M3 GTR, a particular V8-powered M3 meant for ALMS and FIA competitors. Solely 5 of the hand-built vehicles are thought to have been produced, and it’s unclear if any had been ever registered for avenue use.
BMW campaigned the automobile in varied types of autosport. Their V8-powered GTR mannequin competed within the American Le Mans Collection plus FIA contests. Pictures Credit score: Courtesy BMW
In 2003, BMW of Europe launched a particular M3 CSL. This light-weight model sported a carbon roof, plastic-composite trunk lid and trunk flooring, and a particular stripped-down inside.
The M3 Competitors Bundle was launched on our shores in 2004. It included faster steering, a singular Alcantara steering wheel, drilled brake rotors, 19-inch cast alloy wheels and totally different inside trimmings. These within the know confer with the bundle by its inside BMW identify, ZCP.
The E46-chassis M3 didn’t see too many adjustments by means of the years, and it rapidly turned a staple on our scene. The automobile scored wins and championships in nearly each venue, from autocross to skilled highway racing. It additionally bought excessive marks as a day by day driver.
The top of the mannequin run got here in 2006, however there was large information on the horizon: The subsequent M3 can be powered by a V8.
Issues to Know
Like so a lot of our favourite vehicles, the E46-chassis BMW M3 continues to be on the downward aspect of its depreciation curve. With a reported 26,202 coupes and 17,577 convertibles bought within the U.S. market, the E46 M3 is unlikely to understand anytime quickly. Nonetheless, the mannequin’s efficiency, uniqueness and desirability will assist examples maintain their worth higher than a same-year 330i or 328i coupe.
In immediately’s market, you could find the occasional sub-$10,000 E46-chassis M3, however that’s not likely the automobile you need. These are severely ragged-out vehicles that most likely have salvage titles. Plan to spend $20,000 for an honest, clear early automobile. Put aside $5000 to $10,000 extra for a pleasant later instance. Unsure of your potential to decide on a pleasant automobile? Licensed preowned vehicles are nonetheless on the market.
As with all used European vehicles, ensure you get one with as a lot service historical past info as potential. These usually are not particularly fragile vehicles, however they do have their quirks, and elements might be costly. For a similar cause, take into account a prepurchase inspection at a neighborhood BMW seller or good impartial store. A couple of hundred {dollars} spent now might save 1000’s later.
Pictures Credit score: Perry Bennett
Engine and Drivetrain
Probably the most well-known problem with the early vehicles includes the connecting rod bearings. Numerous them failed, so BMW issued a recall—Service Data B11 02 03—and instructed sellers to interchange rod bearings free of charge for affected vehicles. Make it possible for any automobile you purchase has had this executed, or price range $1000 for the repair.
“If I’m shopping for a automobile that I’m going to tackle the monitor or in any other case beat on a little bit bit—or is anyplace across the 100,000-to-120,000-mile vary—I feel these rod bearings are good preventative upkeep, anyway,” says James Clay, longtime BMW racer and proprietor of BMW tuning home BimmerWorld.
[Project BMW M3: How BimmerWorld Grew a BMW Passion Into a BMW Business]
Clay calls these strong vehicles, however he recommends avoiding the SMG transmission for simplicity’s sake. The usual six-speed Getrag is a tricky trans, however the synchros can’t tolerate abuse due to their measurement. “These transmissions are large and beefy, however which means numerous work for the synchros. Velocity shifting or poor rev matching will take its toll on them, making the automobile more durable to shift or necessitating a transmission substitute,” he explains.
Like all late-model BMWs, the E46-chassis M3’s plastic radiator tanks and coolant overflow bottles will grow to be brittle because the automobile approaches the 100,000-mile mark. Gordon Arnold, gross sales supervisor at Bavarian Autosport, recommends changing the radiator and overflow bottle earlier than a failure leaves you stranded. The E46 M3’s water pump doesn’t have the failure-prone plastic impeller discovered on the E36 M3, however Arnold nonetheless recommends changing the pump whereas servicing the cooling system—name it preventative upkeep.
The engine’s excessive state of tune means the manufacturing facility did job of maximizing the horsepower out there within the inventory setup, however spectacular beneficial properties might be made for surprisingly little cash in case you’re keen to interrupt out the bank card and do a little bit of wrenching. In response to Clay, one of the best method to creating extra energy is to put in an exhaust header, add a set of pulleys, and have the software program tuned. If it’s a track-only automobile, the catalytic converters might be eliminated, too. “On a budget, that is $1500 for 30 rear-wheel horsepower, which is excellent in BMW phrases,” he provides.
BimmerWorld now presents ECU tuning from Epic Motorsports. Guarantees embrace large energy and more energizing breath.
The S54 engine has a excessive manufacturing facility compression ratio, so compelled induction will not be one of the best method to an in any other case inventory engine.
Physique and Inside
“There have been reported problems with subframe mounting factors tearing, however we discover this could sometimes be prevented by changing worn bushings—or putting in the right elements for the automobile’s meant use—earlier than they take their toll on the remainder of the automobile,” Clay explains.
“If it hasn’t had window regulators, it’s going to want window regulators,” Gordon Arnold notes. All E46-chassis BMWs undergo from this drawback, and Bavarian Autosport has a how-to restore video on their weblog, weblog.bavauto.com.
The E46-chassis BMWs are inclined to encounter issues with their gentle management modules, Arnold notes. It’s a part of the sunshine swap.
Chassis
The entrance management arm bushings on all E46-chassis BMWs have a tendency to want substitute in some unspecified time in the future. Rear shock absorber mounts and rear trailing arm bushings may also most likely want consideration.
In response to Clay, one of the best bang-for-your-buck modifications contain the suspension, not the engine. “A superb coil-over with a high quality damper like an AST or Moton will take a number of seconds off lap occasions—or in a avenue setting, make the automobile nimble and enjoyable to drive.”
Feedback
View comments on the GRM forums
I bought this automobile at no cost from my son. He had messed with it for a yr making an attempt to get it to remain out of limp mode when it went to high gear. I did a automobile fax on it and it had been in bunches of automobile auctions as sellers tried to repair the factor. I simply circumvented the entire mess with a stand alongside large block Chevy. It was unhealthy sufficient simply getting that to work with the electronics. I realized much more about BMW wiring than I ever needed to know. It pulls fairly robust for a BMW. Complete sleeper from the skin.
In reply to Slippery :
Should you thought pulling the valve cowl in an E46 sucked, think about making an attempt to R&R these infants for the valve adjustment each 2k miles or so. After which adjusting the valves in chassis. And discovering that two or three of the exhausts have gone from .017″ lash to .heaps” lash and it’s important to change the lifters once more, which entails pulling the distributor so you may get the consumption off…
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