The 3. The S54 was the overall International Engine of the Year Award recipient in , and best engine in its class for the next five years. In the E46 M3, it was paired in some form with an Getrag G gearbox, the only difference being whether your left foot actuates the clutch and you throw the gears, also known as the 6-speed manual, or you push a flappy paddle and the computer actuates a clutch for you, also known as sequential manual gearbox or SMG.
The S54B32 revs out to 8, RPM, delivering its max horsepower just RPM shy of redline, and it manages a respectable 15 miles per gallon city and 22 miles per gallon on the highway.
It sounds easily fixable and cheap, but if left unattended could result in serious chassis damage. And even the S54 has a couple issues that may arise, in fact, there were two engine-related recalls on through model years. One was for bad connecting rod bearings. Owners have also commented on the fragility of the cooling system. The max for each category is 2 thumbs up, which means off-the-charts awesome. Smiles Per Gallon. Smooth, precise, and balanced are all attributes of a great sports car possessed by the E46 M3.
Throw in the fact that you know you look good while doing it , and the E46 M3 receives two thumbs of approval! Curb Appeal. The E46 M3 is the type of car to spark conversation at your local cars and coffee. If you pull up in a E46 M3 at pretty much any car meet, people will notice. Whether you decide to worship the stance gods, or to maintain pure OEM status, it will always be a nice looking car.
Prove me wrong! I know you will! Either way, the E46 M3 receives one thumb of approval. The S54 engine is stout, but it is a BMW, so it has its fair share of problems. You can save yourself some headache by purchasing a 6-speed manual instead of an SMG. It does have numerous issues, but many of the affected cars have been fixed or been given new engines.
I have to shake my thumb on this one. Oh, and you can fit three passengers if you two are contortionists. Reasonable and perfectly acceptable for its segment and era, the E46 M3 gets one thumb of approval. Achieving fame from video games and respect on racetracks, the E46 M3 is unquestionably good, and now more people want to buy one. Because of its timeless looks and the significance it instilled in people of what a sports car is, the E46 M3 is always sought after.
The interior of the earlier M3 has a large amount of plastic, which is not what one would find at its price pricepoint. If you try to flip it up, then it turns on the left turn signal. The center console has what appears to be two different compartments, but when one is opened, it becomes clear that it only has one. There is no cupholder for the driver, although there are two cup holders on the passenger side.
The rear seats have virtually no accommodations, no cup holders, and the center armrest is unlike any other center armrest known to man. It has no hinge but flops out without structure. The M3 honestly had no concern for rear passengers. We recommend passing this one by unless you are simply an enthusiast or a BMW lover. This is a car you can do some serious miles in, so long as you can stomach our next point…. While some naturally-aspirated V8s can return surprisingly good economy figures when driven conservatively, the E9x M3 is a thirsty scoundrel however gently you treat the throttle.
Expect to be on first-name terms with everyone who works at your local petrol station within a few weeks of taking the keys. There are supercharger kits around that can provide upwards of bhp, but the associated costs are eye-watering.
It is still worth making powertrain changes, however. Many companies offer a Stage 2 remap paired with a removal of the primary catalysts, which decreases restrictions in the exhaust system while allowing you to keep the stock backbox and tailpipe arrangement. Doing so should give a healthy increase of around 35bhp and in some cases a slight increase on the stock rpm redline. The latter - post- or pre-LCI - would be our pick of the bunch.
Expect to pay a premium for a Competition, although a good Comp should at least be cheaper than a limited-edition M3 like the LE pictured. Please confirm you agree to the use of tracking cookies as outlined in the Cookies Policy. Sign in or register. Matt Robinson 2 years ago.
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