BMW BOX

BMW revealed the M3 Concept at the Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland. The production car features a high-revving V8 powerplant, tuned suspension, a six-speed manual transmission, a carbon fiber roof, and all the exterior modifications typical of an “M” car.

The M3’s V8 powerplant has two more cylinders than its predecessor, delivering 420 hp from 4.0 liters and maximum torque of 295 lb-ft at 3,900 rpm. In keeping with BMW’s high-revving “M” tradition, maximum engine speed is 8,300 rpm. The engine is the lightest V8 in the world, weighing less than the previous M3’s inline-six.
Reminiscent of the carbon fiber roof panel used on the M6 coupe, the M3’s CFRP roof cuts unnecessary weight, and lowers the car’s center of gravity. It also lets the roof edge appear flatter and thus lowers the perceived body height. The production M3 is pictured with 18-inch wheels, though BMW is also expected to offer 19-inch alloys similar to the Y-spoke ones featured on the M3 concept.

I’m happy to say my ///M3 has made it to 42,000 miles! I am debating about getting the extended warranty from BMW for it. In the end, I think that I would rather take the ///M to my local german import mechanic that did some other things for me in the past like brake lines/brakes, exhaust, software… He’s a pretty nice guy and offers service at a good price.

The only issue I can remember having that was major was the coil packs needed replacement within the first 10K miles of owning the car. There was a service bulletin on them calling for replacement anyway, so BMW knew about the problem and other people had the same issue. They replaced them for me and they have been running good.

When I get close to Inspection II (another 3K miles), I want to put in Denso Iridium spark plugs, replace the RTABs (rear trailing arm bushings), get a set of diamond black BBS RGR’s, and try replacing the seats with recaros.

I am saving headers/exhaust and more intense upgrades for until after I finish paying off the loan!

Aww man, summer gas blows. My ///M seems to be finicky about what I put in the gas tank. Summertime ethanol makes the situation worse. Kinda sucks to have to turn the key twice to get going in the morning. The ///M seems to be okay on Shell V-Power and Chevron, but that’s about it! Here in So-Cal I am limited to only using 91 octane unfortunately. Maybe I’ll take a trip to a well-equipped 76 station and fill up with some 100-octane unleaded.

I had the opportunity to test drive a car that had the Borla exhaust (I’m talking just the muffler, not any of the other Sec I, Sec II, Headers…), another car that had the Masterschaft SuS, and finally a supersprint. Personally I liked the Masterschaft rumbly, droney, throaty sound that I heard. It’s just so raw and naughty but not too loud like the supersprint. The performance was probably pretty free-flowing, but I don’t know the exact numbers. If you want a more professional sound, go with the Borla and their anti-rasp mid-section. I don’t mind the rasp around 3500RPM… it reminds me of this killer I6.

I put the Masterschaft SuS on my E46 and I’m hoping to hook it up to: evosport headers, Supersprint cat section, supersprint sec II. That should give a pretty mean sound and good flow!

When I get it all set up, I’ll post some vids, and exhaust notes here. I’ll try to run off and get some exhaust notes before the Sec I/II and before headers also!

Tired of the naturally aspirated HP/TQ curves? Active Autowerke came out with an impressive collection of supercharger systems for the E46 M3 and both supercharger and turbocharger systems for the E36 M3. The supercharger (stage 3) can knock up around 520 bhp and around 400 torque. That is awesome. Then there’s VF engineering (vortech! good quality, and I believe they are working on CA CARB compliance). The VF kit does around 400rwhp I believe, not too sure on that, but any of these SC systems should give the newly chipped 335i a good run for the money— Not to mention the new E92 M3

Recent attempts at turbocharging the very high compression E46 M3 have resulted in a few successful projects - the most popular one being the horsepowerfreaks m3 turbo kit. This thing can whip out 700+rwhp on 91 pump gas! I think they had the car on display at bimmerfest with around 1000rwhp, but I was not able to attend that sadly.

Popular mods (for the E46 M3) include:

• Header swapout on the US Spec M3. The US M3 has the Catalytic Converters in the headers to allow them to heat up quicker to pass US emissions testing. This robs the exhaust gases of extra speed exiting the muffler as well as increases the chances of the cats “melting.” The best header swapouts that I am aware of include evosport E46 M3 headers, and the supersprint stepped headers. Previous supersprint headers had cracking issues. I myself plan to upgrade to the ceramic coated evosport headers later, but once you do the headers (in the US M3), expect to do the Cats and other exhaust sections at the same time.
• Short Shift Kits. UUC short shift kit is one such solution. Shorter throw, quicker shifting, ’nuff said.
• Hi-Flo Cats. The E46 BMW M3 Euro cat section incorporates two, side-by-side, 400-cell catalytic converters, offering an approximate 55% flow area. But these stock cats are still hugely restrictive. The US ones are worse, being in the headers. Enhancing power from within this area involves using higher-flow cats. This arrangement is the performance ideal - significantly reducing backpressure levels and enabling increased flow rates. Once fitted, one can expect much sharper throttle response from a now free-revving engine, with cooler operating temperatures.
• N/A: Hi-Flo Intake / Cold-Air Intake.
• Custom Software
• RTABs/RSMs
• Lightweight Clutch
• CSL Body Kits; OEM, Vorsteiner
• Differential Swap (3.91 or 4.10).
• Coilovers/Springs; Bilstein PSS9, Tein, Ground Control
• Big Brake Kits (BBKs); Brembo, StopTech
• Lightweight Wheels; my favorites: BBS RS-GT, RGR, CH; Volks
• Supercharger (and newer, HorsepowerFreaks Turbo!); active autowerke, VF engineering

An E46 GTR came to life on February 2001, powered by a 4000 cm³ V8 producing over 450 bhp.