Evolution of the
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Will Cartwright
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (Model Type/ Years Produced)
E30 (1985-1992) E36 (1992-1999) E46 (2000-2006) E90 (2007-2013) F80 (2014-) 3
BMW E30 M3
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3 (1985-1992)
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The M3 exceeded in handling from the rest of the E30 line-up in many ways. The M3 has “box flared� wheel-arches
in the front and rear to accommodate a wider track with wider and taller wheels and tires. The E30 M3 had special front and rear brake calipers and rotors. It also has a special brake master cylinder. The E30 M3 had increased caster angle through major front suspension changes. The M3 had specific solid rubber offset control arm bushings. It used aluminum control arms and the front strut tubes were changed to a design similar (bolt on kingpins and swaybar mounted to strut tube) to the E28 5-series. The E30 M3 had one of two Getrag 265 5-speed gearboxes. 6
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BMW E30 M3 Motor Displacement: 2.5 Liters Cylinders: Inline 4 Power: 192 horsepower
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BMW E36 M3
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3 (1992-1999)
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The E36 M3 was designed to be able to handle & race on the track from day 1.
The E36 chassis M3 was touted as one of the best handling cars of the 1990s in independent tests by Car & Driver. Known for its benign handling and balance, the car is popular amongst circuit racers and track enthusiasts. The E36 was also one of the first cars BMW designed mainly with computer aid with the use of detailed Finite Element Analysis and other software. All late model M3’s received subframe reinforcements and more aggressive front end suspension geometry due to the differences in caster and camber yielded by top hat design and lower control arm bushings. 13
BMW E36 M3 Motor Displacement: 3.2 Liters Cylinders: Inline 6 Power: 240 horsepower
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BMW E46 M3
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3 (2000-2006)
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The E46 M3 Gets a Huge Boost in Power and Performance
The E46 M3 was offered with a standard 6-speed Getrag transmission, but optionally came with a SMG drivelogic transmission (also known as the SMG II). This is the standard 6-speed Getrag transmission with an electrohydraulically actuated clutch (no clutch pedal). The engine had a redline of 8,000 rpm. As with most M engines, the S54 again had 6 independent throttle bodies and this time electronically operated throttles (drive-bywire throttle with no cable). It was only available in coupe and convertible bodies as the saloon version had been dropped. 18
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BMW E46 M3 Motor Displacement: 3.2 Liters Cylinders: Inline 6 Power: 338 horsepower
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BMW E90 M3
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3 (2007-2013)
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The E90 M3 Gets a New Powerful V8 and Modern Styling.
The new M3 is again available as a 4-door saloon, based on the E90 3-Series saloon, but unlike the regular saloons, the M3 version shares the coupe’s wide and sculpted front end, including headlights.
Similar to the previous M3 generations that introduced a new engine, the fourth generation M3 did the same: the BMW S65 V8 engine. The engine produces 414 bhp (309 kW; 420 PS) at 8300 rpm, with peak torque of 295 lb·ft (400 N·m) at 3900 rpm. A sixspeed manual transmission is standard. Recent testing by Car and Driver magazine has shown that the 2011 M3 equipped with an M-DCT transmission accelerated from 0–60 mph in 3.9 seconds and went on to record a 12.4 second quarter mile time. 25
BMW E90 M3 Motor Displacement: 4.0 Liters Cylinders: V8 Power: 414 horsepower
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BMW F80 M3
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3/M4 (2014-)
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A New Age Twin Turbo Engine & Incredible Technology
BMW produced the F80 M3 for the 2014 model year (2015 for USA), introducing it as only a saloon following the company’s plans to split off the BMW 4 Series coupe/ convertible from the BMW 3 Series. The performance of the car has improved from the previous generation. BMW claims that the car can do 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds with the 6-speed manual gearbox and 3.9 seconds with the optional DCT gearbox. The M3 and M4 will run the standing kilometer in 22.20 seconds. Top speed will be limited to 155 mph (249 km/h) but an optional M Driver’s package will raise this to 174 mph (280 km/h). 31
BMW F80 M4/M3 Motor Displacement: 3.0 Liters Cylinders: Twin Turbo Inline 6 Power: 425 horsepower
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