BMW E46 M3

Another generation of BMW M3, this time around based on the E46 model 3 series, that debuted in 2000. Yet again, another version of this world-famous sports car coming from Munich excelled from the start through more functionality, more dynamism and even more distinctive style, evidently setting this particular exceptional BMW apart from the other designs of the BMW 3 Series.In the very beginning, the earliest tests published from vehicle magazines clearly proved how the BMW M3 is a particularly impressive sports car of the greatest caliber, together with absolutely unequaled overall performance.

The traditional shift lever has been obsolete for some time in the highest areas of motorsport rather, today's Formula 1 driver changes gears by means of paddles on the steering wheel, keeping his foot fully on the gas pedal at the same time. In making this achievable, one of the most state-of-the-art motor technology disrupt the flow of power in the motor for a split second, whilst the control unit shifts gears electro hydraulically, engaging and disengaging the clutch at the same time. Subsequently, there's no need for the clutch pedal anymore, which has for that reason become unnecessary.
BMW unveiled the 1st version of the system now featured as top-of-the-line engineering in F1, in the successful touring cars of the track as far back as in 1996, becoming the very first manufacturer throughout the world make use of this technology. At that time still making use of a gear shift in the middle, the primary system used to change gears on a single level utilizing a sequential approach similar to a motorbike. To change up, the driver simply pulled the gear lever backwards without using the clutch; to shift down he pushed the gear lever to the front. The advantage provided by it is a very rapid gearshift and complete stability during use, without the chance of changing to the wrong gear.
Gaining more and more experience of motor-racing, BMW then moved over this particular
technology to its street vehicles, presenting the Sequential M Gearbox on the BMW E46 M3 in 1997. The 2nd era of SMG now substantially enhanced above the first version is identical in technical terms with the standard manual gearbox on the BMW M3, six forward gears offering the driver absolute freedom in choosing the type of gearshift they prefer. Especially the process of shifting gears through paddles plays a role in the drivers active safety while traveling, allowing him to maintain his hands on the controls continually.
Benefiting from M Drivelogic, the vehicle owner of the BMW M3 can also change gearshift characteristics within the manual setting to his personal type of motoring by means of six different options cover anything from clean but dynamic ( S1) all the way up to high performance and sporting ( S5). After which there is also Driving Program S6 activated whenever DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) featured as standard in the BMW M3 is switched off, SMG then shifting gears equally as fast as in a racing car.
The new Sequential M Gearbox also offers significant advantages when it comes to safety: In a critical driving situation, for example when changing back on a dicey surface, SMG quickly opens the clutch within milliseconds, avoiding the car from swerving out of control as a result of excessive engine forces engaged on the rear wheels. A further point is that the driver can't make an error when switching gears. Therefore, SMG contributes not only to additional sportiness on the streets, but additionally to increased safety in daily traffic.

The newly designed inline 6 displacing 3,246 cc is the 1st engine made for all places and nation's specifications. However, instead of the 252 kW/343 hp ECE variation, the motor is throttled on the USA version of the BMW M3 to decreased output of 333 SAE-hp (249 kW/338 DIN-hp).Which means that with an increase in motor volume by merely 1.4 percent compared to the previousE36 M3, peak power is increased by 6.9 and max torque up by 4.3 percent.
The rise in performance is a direct outcome of the high-speed engine concept, constant control of the charge cycle and reduction of internal friction effects improving the engines particular outcome from 100 to just about 106 hp per liter.
Despite its high max running speeds, the motor gives a substantial useful speed range, producing 80 per-cent of its maximum torque at just 2,000 rpm. No surprise, that this engine thrilled authorities and vehicle writers immediately, receiving the sought after Engine of the Year trophy, a really outstanding award, 6 times in a row from 2001 - 2006.

The designers accountable for creating the existing BMW M3 paid particular awareness from the start to the chassis and suspension. Pursuing the idea that the chassis should always be faster than the power-plant, they demanded the utmost from the chassis and suspension technology, a task clearly providing the suspension designers a substantial task taking into consideration the high-speed concept and exceptional performance of the M3 motor.
Nevertheless, the engineers were able to create from an excellent foundation right from the start, with the chassis and suspension from the 3 rd-generation BMW M3 being a dependable development of the former chassis. Plus the chassis on the second-generation remains to be identified to this day as the standard in the sports car section, being lauded by the experts of US publication Car and Driver for instance, as the Best Handling Car.
The very stiff body of the 3 Series , the large portion of light-weight material axle parts, and evenly-balanced front-to-rear weight dispersal of almost 50 : 50 are indeed ideal specifications for providing unfiltered driving pleasure with BMW typical drive giving power to the rear wheels.