Originally, the goal, for designers and engineers of the BMW M3, was to build a powerful and yet lightweight automobile derived from the BMW 3 series. The resulting 5000 examples hand -built by BMW Motorsport culminated with the introduction of the first series, which was based on the E30 platform in 1986 in Europe. The E30 M3 remained in production until 1990 and was replaced in 1992 with the next generation E36 M3.
The E30 M3 quickly became one of the most successful touring cars in history. Equipped with a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with a twin-cam-four valve head with Bosch fuel injection, the E30 M3 hit a top speed of 140 miles per hour and hit zero to sixty in less than 7 seconds. The vehicle weighed only 2850 pounds and had a 5-speed manual transmission.
The E36 M3 was introduced in 1992 in Paris. The engine, known as the S50, was based on the M50TU. Changes included enlarging the bore and stroke, modifying the intake to include individual throttle bodies and adapting a new variable valve timing system on the intake camshaft to the engine. With these modifications, the S50 produced over 280 horsepower. The E36 M3 had a few distinctions from the regular three series including larger anti-roll bars, firmer springs and shocks, 12-inch vented disc brakes and the M-tuned variable-ration steering. The exterior of the E36 M3 varied slightly from the regular three series with a front air dam, deeper side valance panels and aerodynamic side mirrors. When the automobile was introduced in the United States in 1994, it had been modified with what was then known as the S50 B30 USA engine. While the cost had dropped, the US model was only capable of producing 240 horsepower instead of the original 280.
In 1995, BMW offered the M3 offered an automatic transmission and also introduced a Lightweight M3. This model was actually manufactured as a competition vehicle and weighed in 200 pounds less than the original E36 M3. Stripped of it's air conditioning, radio and rear seat, the 1995 M3 Lightweight only sold 85 models in the United States.
The 1996 model, however, underwent a few radical changes with the addition of a new engine called the S50 B32. Although the European version engine was capable of producing over 320 horsepower, the US version still remained at 240. The transmission was a Getrag six-speed manual that was matted to the engine. Acceleration increased to zero to sixty mph in 5.6 seconds. The model years for the E36 M3 ran from 1992-1999.
Billed as the hird generation M3, the 2001 M3 Convertible was a four-seater that was identical to the M3 coupe with an automatic soft top. Equipped with a new 333 horsepower engine and a new 6 speed transmission, the 2001 M3 accelerated from zero to 62 mph in 5 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph. It wasn't until this year that US sport car enthusiasts were able to experience the full power of the BMW as the models sold in the US sported the same horsepower as those sold abroad.
While the BMW M3 has continued to evolve on the same previous generation platform with no significant changes, the 2006 model was available as either a coupe or convertible.
Standard features on the coupe include:
- ? 18-inch wheels with Z-rated rubber
- ? Automatic climate control
- ? 10-way adjustable sport seats
- ? Leather and cloth upholstery
- ? One-touch power windows
- ? Heated power mirrors
- ? CD player
- ? Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- ? Automatic headlights,
- ? Rain-sensing wipers
- ? Keyless entry.
About the Author Jonathan Blaze is a BMW enthusiast and entrepreneur. His website http://www.bimmerfreak.com/ has many BMW parts for every generation M3.
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