![]() It isn't uncomfortable, but we sense that the new car bounds around more than the previous model. The first is a ride that's more punishing than the last model's, which managed to feel both firm and compliant. The new M3 retains its knife-edged turn-in and flat cornering attitude, but it has picked up a couple of bad habits. In addition, a 0.1-inch-thick aluminum stiffening plate is bolted to the bottom of the front frame rails, and the steering rack uses a turning ratio that is seven percent quicker than the base car's. The front track was increased 1.5 inches and the rear by 1.8 inches to accommodate big 225/45ZR-18 front tires and 255/40ZR-18 rears. 2001 BMW E46 M3 SPECS DRIVERThe basic design and layout are shared with the 323 and 330, but nearly every component - including the hubs and spindles - was changed, modified, or strengthened for crisper handling and more driver feedback. For one, the M3 rides on its own unique suspension. More than the engine distinguishes the M3 from the 3-series cars. BMW estimates the M3 will hit 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds and will eat up a quarter-mile in 13.5 seconds-on a par with the 911 Carrera and Corvette - and we think those numbers are accurate. This ferocious, screaming motor hurtles the M3 down the road with an urgency that now rivals the world's best sports cars from Porsche and Chevrolet. We recently drove the new car in Jerez, Spain, and even got a chance to turn some laps at the Jerez circuit. 2001 BMW E46 M3 SPECS DRIVERSGorgeous red-leather seats have adjustable torso bolsters to keep drivers in place.įor the new M3, based on the current 3-series two-door, BMW decided on two things: (1) Americans were probably willing to spend a little more for the other engine, and (2) making all M3s with the same engine would probably lower the cost enough to make everyone happy. The more powerful M3 cost about $55,000 in Germany. In one particularly good year, 1998, four of five M3s sold were the 240-hp U.S. Perhaps BMW had a point, since the M3 sold here accounted for more than half of all M3s produced from 1995 through 1999. BMW said this supreme M3, with 77 more horsepower, was too pricey for the U.S. ![]() Still, we were frustrated to know that BMW sold a better, more powerful M3 elsewhere in the world. In 1997, it defeated eight cars, including the Acura NSX-T and Ferrari F355, to win our best-handling-car shootout. The M3 earned a spot on our annual 10Best list five years in a row - 1995 through '99. Until recently, the M3 was undefeated in our comparison tests-the five-year-old M3 did place second ( C/D, September 1999) to the brand-new Audi S4 Quattro. Like a decathlete, the M3 did it all: It could carry four adults and their luggage in comfort, and in the process the car could whip through turns with an agility and crispness usually reserved for hard-core sports cars. Everything works as it should including the power convertible top, there are no lights on the dash and the car, starts, runs, shifts and goes down the road very smoothly and quickly.In a similar way, BMW's M3-the motorsports version of the 3-series-has been universally coveted since 1994 when the second-generation M3 appeared with a smooth, broad-shouldered 240-hp in-line six. The car has good mileage for the year and appears to have had good ownership. The wheels are a very attractive ASA brand black/chrome with excellent rubber. In addition it has a stop tech kit, adjustable coil over suspension a new clutch, heated seats, a perfect carfax and original owners manual. This particular M3 is particular rare with a triple black setup from the factory. A multitude of engine options were available during that time but the holy grail was M3 CSL, now very few of these were made and if you were not lucky enough to snag one, the second best was the E46 M3 with the S54B32 Engine producing a powerful 333 HP engine and for that time was pretty significant. They were also available in a All-Wheel drive variant, called the X or X-drive. They were available in a 4-door sedan, 2-door coupe, convertible, wagon or hatchback. The E46 was the fourth generation of the BMW 3-series cars that was produced from 1997-2006 even though production and design dated back all the way to 1993.
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