However, some look to bolt-on performance mods to take the S65 M3 to the next level. 2011 BMW produced 67 four-door versions of the GTS wearing the name M3 CRT. A solid turbo setup can get you to the 400whp mark and beyond, but the cost for a proper setup, with the 2.5L conversion is about $25k. F80 M3 Engine: S55 3.0L Twin-Turbocharged I6Horsepower/Torque: 425hp / 406lb-ft0-60mph: 3.8 seconds DCT, 4.1 seconds manual1/4 Mile:11.66 seconds at 119.24mphTop Speed: 174mph (limited to 155mph), but probably faster (no conclusive data)Curb Weight: 3,590 lbs.Production: 34,677 globally, 16,057 US. We also found a ton of time by dialing in our suspension without a rear bar, keeping the inside-rear wheel planted. When his FR-S took its first stab at our Ultimate Track Car Challenge just a proper chassis setup shaved more than 2 seconds off Grabows Virginia International Raceway lap times. Comparing a E90 M3 with a N54 M3 while talking about horsepower only is a sin. The E46-chassis M3, available for the 200106 model years came in a few different flavors. And what a V-8. The E36 interior isnt nearly as nice as what the brand put in the contemporary 5-series and 7-series. Is the BMW M3 a track car? The E46 M3 is one of the most recognizable, and celebrated, BMWs of all time. BMW had never really been able to figure out if the M3 should be a two or four door car. Tanner says to check in with the Spec Miata and Spec E30 racers. That fifth-generation Mustang, offered for the 200514 model years, lands in a developmental sweet spot. 2011 BMW E90 M3 [10.00] 2013 BMW 328i [10.00] E9X >>>>> E46. If you also need to replace your cylinder head, you are looking at $10-15k. The car is brand-new. If youre going to buy an M3, you probably already know which model you want to buy, but at least revel in the history. The first true M badged car was the 1978 M1, but only 453 were manufactured so it doesnt fall into my category of high-production. Most marque specialists believe a healthy M3 is easier to source than a period 325i in similar condition. Since most of the E30 M3s for sale nowadays have very high, 150,000+ mileage, a potential cost to consider is an engine rebuilt. So, which M3 is the most reliable track companion? Today, BMW claims the E30-based M3 is the winningest touring car in history. The newest E46-chassis M3 was built more than a decade ago, so Clays pre-track to-do list starts with maintenance items. The steering, in typical BMW fashion, is devoid of any real feel. One must-have option are the M carbon bucket seats. Differentials are another possible failure point. Snagging one with higher mileage for under the price of a new Miata is easy. flyinmiata.com Models equipped with iDrive-controlled infotainment and settings can be avoided and should be avoided. Wearing . Track-ready cooling system. Check the rear trail arm bushings and listen for clunking noises while driving around. Despite being the performance version of the N55, the S55 has little in common: a closed deck block, twin turbos, forged pistons,, Read More BMW S55 vs S58: Performance, Reliability & TuningContinue, I dont know about you, but when someone says M3, Im immediately taken back to the early 2000s. Combines two mono-scroll turbochargers with variable valve control (Double-VANOS and Valvetronic) and high-precision direct injection. Regardless, we are going to cover the pros and cons, reliability, and tuning potential for every M3 model ever manufactured. Probably closer to the $20k mark if you include labor. While the S65 would cap out at 400whp with bolt-ons, the N54 was going on to break 450whp on bolt-ons and about $2,000 worth of parts. It all started with the E28 M5, released over 35 years ago, which set the benchmark for four-door, high horsepower, track-capable saloon cars well into the future. Avoid the clunky single-clutch automatic (SMG) at all costs and go for the manual. I pretty much end up driving some great cars and I'm always telling people Miatas are the most fun car ever. Here's your best selection of street-legal production track cars, according to us. Outside of those issues, the S54 is a great engine and relatively problem free. While E30 models are known to be robust, the M3s solid lifters demand periodic valve adjustments. The 200105 cars will be quickest and of course the newest, he continues. Carbon ceramic brakes were a pricey option on the M3, but might be worth seeking but if you plan to take your M3 to the track. Unlike the E36 M3, the E46 M3 brought all the good stuff from Europe to the U.S. market. None were exported to the United States by BMW. In production since the mid-Eighties, the first M3 arrived in North America for the 1988 model year. Ignition coils are known to go bad pretty quickly, but this is a common maintenance item and shouldnt drive you away from ownership. In addition to offering much stronger internals, the Tremec box replaces the remotely mounted shifter with a more precise, directly mounted one. I've loved the M2 since it came out back in 2016, and with either the N55 or S55, it's a great car. Take our long-term 2022 BMW M3. BMW hit the nail on the head with this engine and finally built an M3 that is easy and cheap to tune and make big power from. Car and Driver called the M3 the worlds all-around best car for the money, the finest car on the market, period. 1995 The M3 GT is offered in Europe with up to 295 horsepower. S2000s make great track/race cars. Also be aware of any faults from the two throttle actuators that can trigger the main ECUs limp-home mode. 500whp will only cost you about $1,000 and you can get to 550whp for less than $2,500. Despite its more-pedestrian roots, the M3s handling and performance lived up to the name. The engine remained the same size as the E36, at 3.2L and kept the I6, which has been dubbed the pinnacle of BMW performance. Power ratings did not rise on the road cars, but the engine changes were needed to keep pace in racing. There are a lot of rebuild kits out there for this but you will need a CNC machinist to expand the size of the engine, with the total cost of this running about $14k. You can get something like the PB kit for around 1300, or the AP CP5555 kit for 2.6k - all the way up to the likes of your Schirmer AP Racing/PF kit which are very, very expensive. Its 343PS (252kW) 3.2-litre straight-six was the sweetest engine ever to go into an M3, its chassis the best balanced and I include the E30 in that judgement. This isnt an M3 vs 335i article, and the info you reference is under the Tuning Potential section. For me, the criteria I like to start with is what's the easiest car to get on the track with the least amount of prep. We believe this 2004 330Ci is a perfect candidate for a Street Car Project and transformation. 1987 The M3 Evolution went on sale outside the United States with a revised cylinder head. That simplicity and reliability is partly thanks to the rear axle. Americans had to wait until the 1995 model year for the E36 M3, and when it arrived, it had a less exotic engine than the rest of the world enjoyed. Philip Grabow And since theyre all sedans, the more-exotic variations on the M3 themes are now M4s. The most popular route is doing the above 2.5L engine rebuild and then adding a single turbo setup to the S14. The current S55 horsepower record is 1,163whp and 983wtq. We are hoping to soon add an F80 M3 and F82 M4 GTS. The S65 comes packed with a good amount of power from the factory, so this might be enough for some people. There is something about the M3 Coupe which screams take me to the track, but before that, it just needs a few additions. However all the work done on the chassis makes it a different car. Prep is even easier if you start with a fresh healthy car Tanner continues. And then the E9X version had both coupe and sedan. Like the previous car, an M4 coupe and convertible means the M3 is sedan only for the G80. Forced induction is really the only way to make serious power with the S52, but be ready to open up your wallet. For track use, we recommend a hardtop fitted with the six-speed manual transmission. Still, there was an M3 CS that came with extra power and a stiffened suspension. Torque peaked at 406 pound-feet at a low 1850 rpm and stayed there until way up at 5500 rpm. Look out for re-flashed programming that can produce big dyno numbers but destroy everyday driving friendliness and longevity. Driving those 2 cars is a completely different experience. I track a Panoz GTS-WC, a Spec E36, a track-built 944 with a 968 engine swap, a 2016 Cayman S and, occasionally, my brothers 2022 C8 Z51. steeda.com When Mustang would release a new GT, the question became, well how does it compare to the M3?. That being said, we like the proportions of the four-door M3 better than the sometimes-awkward-looking two-door M4. In time, the rest of the staff might come around. The S50 is a popular swap, will land you around 320whp, and cost approx. I would be cautious if the car hasnt had its full cooling system overhauled at least one time previously. Maybe do a little research before commenting. The Mazda MX-5 Miata will always be a prime track day car whether it's a NA, NB, NC, or ND. This car was built during BMW Ms racing heyday and was built to destroy European racetracks, and that it did. So for the time being, I am going to crown the S65 as the most reliable M3 engine that has been made to date. 2023 Porsche 718 GT4 RS DW Burnett Price: $144,050 The Porsche 718 GT4 RS is the mid-engine Porsche platform. (877) 639-9648. This is literally the manual six-speed transmission converted to computerized operation. (970) 464-5600. Like all of the other M3s (with the exception of the F80) tuning is somewhat limited without adding a supercharger or turbocharger since the car is naturally aspirated from the factory. So, the M3 will now forever be a 4-door sedan. The M340i is powered by a turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six capable of sending 285kW and 500Nm to all four Michelins. A tuner running a more aggressive tune will bring in an additional 25hp and 20lb-ft of torque. As this is written, these are recent machines. Enthusiasts were skeptical of the lower-performance engine, but the American M3 was still capable of hitting 60 mph in 5.6 seconds. With it, the M3 is lowered by millimeters, and changes to the stability control system facilitate more aggressive cornering before the system intervenes. We look at all the BMW M3 models and choose the best M3 . Several of R&T's younger editors picked the F82 out as the best-looking M3. Rebuilding the seals, gaskets, bolts, etc. "E36 BMW non-M3 - cheap, simple strong motor, plentiful. By 1988 the M division had 400 employees and was making its legendary mark on the performance street car market with the E30 M3. You will really suffer with braking on track. Their takeoffs should still have some remaining life for a lapping day. The E36 M3 was a good car and can be found for cheap. The US-spec M3 made only 240 hp as opposed to as much as 321 hp in other markets, but its six-cylinder engine was a marked step up from the E30 M3's four-pot. They also come with the largest brakes, but you can still run the ideal 15-inch tire. Unfortunately, there is no maintenance that will prevent this, failure is random. Enter the S52, a 3.2L I6 generating 240hp, which again is about 80hp less than the Euro-spec models were generating. A huge misconception is that there are some insanely tight clearances requiring 0w20. Thats the weakest point.. Is the Ford Festiva really just a front-wheel-drive Miata? The crank hub issue occurs when the nut that holds the crank hub to the crankshaft loses its tension which results in the crankshaft and camshaft timing getting thrown out of whack. You can check out our maintenance guide below which outlines all the periodic maintenance that needs to be done on these cars to keep them running in tip top shape. In quite a few enthusiasts eyes, the E46 M3 condenses the essence of BMWs M-division into a tight, driver-focused package, arguably better, BMWs S65 engine in the 2008-2013 E90/E92 M3 is well-known for its amazing sounds and high-revving ability. But the V-8 is unique, many of the systems are complex, and parts are exotic-car expensive. Purpose-built for the M3, the 4.0-liter V-8 offers up 414 horsepower and an 8400-rpm redline. Output for U.S. models was 192 horsepower, so this M3s 6.9-second time to 60 is unlikely to win many modern drag races, and it isnt much quicker than a contemporary 325i. Go for the standard car, and your transmission is a six-speed manual as standard. The E36-chassis M3 was released in Europe in 1992. Either inspect the bearings to ensure theyre still good or install fresh ones, he advises. The new G80s are currently the best M3 you can buy in terms of features, performance, and safety. Rust isnt a problem for cars from the sunshine states, but snowbelt cars can be affected. 2010 What is perhaps the meanest of all M3s appeared this year in the form of the M3 GTS. But Porsche, as always, is standing by the failures and replacing them for all cars having issues. Born to race in the European Touring Car Championship, the street-going M3s were built to comply with the mid-80s FIA Group A rules that required that at least 5000 street-legal copies of the race car. Inspect those front hubs regularly and keep the brake fluid fresh. Unfortunately, this six lacks the smoothness of the E36s engine. The internet is ablaze with accusations that this problem is a fantasy created to sell unnecessary aftermarket solutions for it. Unlike its high-revving predecessors, the turbocharged enabled an easily accessed and fat torque curve. 330whp and 260wtq. A stock Coyote-powered Mustang GT makes a little more than 400 horsepower. In 2014, BMW launched the M2 and M4, which are only two door coupes. Its power was extremely toned back, it was built to be more luxurious and featured softer suspension. There are really only two potential issues to worry about with these engines: rod bearing failure and throttle actuators failure. Rust isnt a major problem in cars from warm-weather areas. Engine, transmission, and aerodynamic features. The mid-2000s brought the best in companies: the world gave birth to the Audi S4, the Mercedes Benz C63 AMG, and the E90 BMW M3. For others that it isnt, making additional power in these cars is pretty easy and inexpensive. Then you have to stomach the thought of putting a $35k car into the wall vs a $10-$15k car. That includes the water pump, hoses, radiator, and seals. Outside the United States, the S14 engine grew to 2.5-liters for the special-edition "Sport Evolution" models (built from the 1989 model year on), with output rising to 235 horsepower for the final incarnation of the M3, known as the "Sport Evolution 2.". So much had to be changed for the M3 that the only exterior body panels it shares with the regular 3-Series were the hood and the roof. The E30 is not only the rarest of the M3s, its also the only one powered by a four-cylinder engine. Process of elimination. E90/E92/E93 M3 Engine: S65 4.0L V8Horsepower/Torque: 414hp / 295lb-ft0-60mph: 3.9 seconds (DCT E92)1/4 Mile:12.4 seconds at 114mph (E92 DCT)Top Speed: 178mph (limited to 155mph)Curb Weight: Coupe = 3,648 lbs., Convertible = 3,538 lbs.Production:65,917 globally. Theyre like modern interpretations of the AE86-chassis Toyota Corolla or original Nissan 240SX. Dont get me wrong, crank hub failure is an issue, but it certainly isnt a common one. Questionable front end design. The six-speed may be more fun, but the DCT shifts quicker than humanely possible and offers launch control for easy and repeatable acceleration runs. In late 1995, the E36 M3 received a facelift, which came with a new engine for the US models. When asked to recommend a Mustang GT for easy, no-hassle track work, Dario Orlando of Steeda Autosports answers quickly: S197. It is, however, one of the most direct and accurate racks put into an M car in recent memory. Some BMW dealerships can do it, but will the cost will like run around $1,000. The M3 and M4, BMW's newest entries into the M car legacy, certainly seem up to the task, with tons of chassis improvements and a 503-hp twin-turbo straight-six under the hood. Arguably the best-sounding M3. It was an absolute hoot to charge about in but, crucially, it . It very well could be the E36 BMW M3. But the handling and suspension still make it a fun car to drive. Attractive in coupe and convertible form with flared fenders and unique bodywork, the sedan version sat out the E46 generation. Its heavy but the AWD helps with pulling you out of a corner. 600hp+ can be obtained with an aggressive supercharger setup and a tune. There arent even any pesky sunroofs to avoid, as they were never offered on these cars. So, which M3 is the most reliable track companion? Complement them with the right bushings. The system is largely reliable, but if you can avoid the dated displays, menus, and terrible user experience you should definitely do that. Steeda Autosports It was 275-pounds lighter than standard and the V8-engine was stroked from 4.0- to 4.4-liters adding 40 horsepower in the process. Even if youre new, you will need them and appreciate the confidence they inspire., Where should you direct your attention after that? elementtuning.com I instruct at track days and while I see many a Corvette, BMW, or Porsche I also see Camerys, Jettas, & Focus being tracked. Today, all M models are tested and tuned by BMWs private facility at the Nurburgring racing circuit in Germany. Although it is the slowest of the group, by 15-35 sec per lap, the Miata is the most FUN to drive on track and it isn't even close, even if my elbow gets sore pointing by the other cars in my run group (Chin Blue) at Barber and Road Atlanta :-) As for reliability, well, there's no telling at this point. 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