Hed choose the new Tremec Magnum XL. Its the appropriate age, too, built when cars began to have more power but not an excessive amount of electronics to frustrate and intervene.. If you want to take it a step further, there's always the dedicated Miata Racing Cup as well. 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. While the automatic doesnt have the issues of the later single-clutch automated manual, the E36s conventional automatic saps performance and acceleration. $10k+ for a new engine. Another commonly discussed weak point of the E46 chassis are the rear trailing arm bushingstypically they should be replaced every 60,000 to 80,000 miles Clay explains. The package was primarily a cosmetic package that included 19-inch BBS wheels, larger brake rotors and calipers, stiffer suspension, and various interior trims. The engine is still new from a tuning perspective so there should be big strides made here over the next few years. Replace it with what? Theres no such thing as too much preventative maintenance. 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. They definitely missed those, but that makes the list complete. The S55 engine in the F80, in early 2019, is still too new to truly know how reliable it is. . Avoid the Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG) automated transmission. Its more problematic than with the earlier cars., That leaves the second generation, produced from 1999 through 2005, in todays sweet spot. It doesnt bind or have weird tics like the old four-link setups. BMW adjusted the bed plate in 2016 which fixed this issue and made it less prevalent, so opt for a 2016+ if this does concern you. Torque peaked at 406 pound-feet at a low 1850 rpm and stayed there until way up at 5500 rpm. However all the work done on the chassis makes it a different car. Initially created to establish BMWs racing program, the division came to prominence in the 70s and 80s after developing numerous world-class race cars. Look also for wear on suspension pieces and the points where they connect to the body. bimmerworld.com If you only do one thing, do suspensionand save money by doing it the right way the first time., James Clay This guide is going to dig into every BMW M3 model ever manufactured. A huge misconception is that there are some insanely tight clearances requiring 0w20. Forced induction is really the only way to make serious power with the S52, but be ready to open up your wallet. 1 Shelby GT350/GT350R Again six-speed manual or seven-speed automated transmissions were offered. What didnt return were the coupe and convertible as BMW rebranded those as M4s to match their 4-series compatriots. But Porsche, as always, is standing by the failures and replacing them for all cars having issues. Plus, the top goes down. Out of the box, the car satisfies the simple requirement that most car companies vehicles do not, explains John Tecce, director of BGB Motorsports. The ZCP package, in the US, uses the same S54 as the base models, so there were no power benefits. The early model years had plastic housings and composite impellers on the water pump, both of which you want to make sure have been upgraded to metal. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. European models with the close-ratio five-speed gearbox have a dog leg shifter with first gear located down and to the left. The S55 is built off of the N54 platform, which certainly had its fair share of common problems. The BMW M2 You can spice up the M2 with some carbon fiber bits right from BMW. The safe solution here is spending $2.5k upfront to replace the bearings and prevent this from happening. Since the N54 came stock with twin turbos, upgrade kits are reasonably cheap and the cost of building a 650whp S65 is probably 5x more than building a 650whp N54. They cost $3800, but the lateral support and low-slung mounting points mean a much-improved driving experience. The BMW M3 perfectly balances a sports car driving experience with a sense of practicality, but the nameplate wasn't always stellar. This will get you approx. BMW claims a 4.3 second dash to 100km/h, but independent testing suggests it . We recommend purchasing some additional camber shims and some rear toe links so that you can put a more track-oriented alignment on the car, he explains. Why not consider a S2000? If you do experience crank hub failure, the total cost with parts and labor to fix it is only about $2k. And since you put the unobtanium Cayman GT4 you might as well include the Nissan GT-R. ^^^YES! Its simpler and less expensive than the current car, yet more advanced than anything offered before it. Best thing you could do though is give a call over to Alex Roy at Olsen Motorsports in IL. C/D tested a 2016 Competition model with the dual-clutch transmission and ripped to 60 mph in a stunning 4.0 seconds. Due to the introduction in 1999 (production year 2000) of the E39 M5, the E46 M3 was only produced in coupe and convertible models. Exhaust Now that you're becoming familiar with your car, you can start upgrading power. Still, there was an M3 CS that came with extra power and a stiffened suspension. Manual M3s command a premium over the five-speed automatic. You will need to factor in a few K for a brake kit. Having driven them on track, the GT-R would not be on my list of favorite track day cars regardless of price. Many of the problems that come with age and mileage arent fully known yet. elementtuning.com BMW also produced 67 four-door versions during 2011 wearing the name M3 CRT. 2010 What is perhaps the meanest of all M3s appeared this year in the form of the M3 GTS. A lightly tuned 335i can't compete with the M3 on the track. A strong seller, about 85,000 of them were built. 2011 BMW produced 67 four-door versions of the GTS wearing the name M3 CRT. 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. So the E36 M3 got a dialed down S50 engine that was less expensive and ultimately had 76hp less than the Euro-spec models. S65 Turbo/Supercharger Horsepower: turbo or supercharged S65s can get up and over 650whp, but the downside is that the kits are very expensive and the total cost will likely run you around $20k. What is the best BMW M3 of all times? The new G80s are currently the best M3 you can buy in terms of features, performance, and safety. BMW E30 M3 (1986-1991) E30 M3 Engine: S14, 2.3L naturally aspirated 4-banger Horsepower/Torque: 197hp / 177lb-ft 0-60mph: 6.5 seconds Top Speed: 146mph Curb Weight: Coupe = 2,568 lbs., Convertible = 2,998 lbs. The G80 M3 aims at offering the best driver's performance. BMW tested the V8, Read More The 3 Most Common BMW S54 Engine ProblemsContinue, BMW forever left the world of naturally-aspirated performance motors in M-series cars in 2013 with the launch of the S55. Sold in much higher numbers than its predecessor. The first M3 to come with an available four-door body style. Eventually the transmissions synchros will go, too, he says. G1GPcV5loY5mi0zUnfKLZ7CqEFsfLb1rTqBJyaaV59hViPPpL8pxMG0mYTs4Qcnd. Fortunately, so far after 4 years of production, the S55 doesnt seem to have any glaring common issues. The Sport Evolution M3 was the last of the series, only 600 were made. The M3 and M4 are the first M cars to use the company's new massive vertical grille design, which debuted on the 2021 4-Series. Our car experts choose every product we feature. This is arguably the best-sounding M3 ever made. Key functional upgrades include JRZ Pro 3-ways with a true rear coilover . This causes the pistons to smash into the valves and leaves you with a few thousand dollar repair bill. BMW short-shafted the US models giving them only 240hp vs. 320hp on the Euro models. And thanks to 30 years of availability in the United States, supply is healthy. Despite a carbon-fiber roof panel on models without a sunroof, the coupe coupe weighed about 200 pounds more than before. It was only available painted in British Racing Green or silver, and is now eligible to be imported into the United States under the 25-year rule. Way more fun than stuff with twice the HP. Process of elimination. Because of the wide range of mileage and condition found on these cars, it's not uncommon to score a running and driving one for as little as $1000-$3000 on an online classified ad or in a front yard in Anytown, America. BimmerWorlds James Clay recommends the E46-chassis cars. One of the best versions of the M3 came in the mid 2000s with the E92. When asked to recommend a Mustang GT for easy, no-hassle track work, Dario Orlando of Steeda Autosports answers quickly: S197. 32,932 ended up being sold in the US. BimmerWorld's James Clay recommends the E46-chassis cars. These cars are easily identified by their valve covers, which feature three painted stripes of the BMW M livery. I instruct at track days and while I see many a Corvette, BMW, or Porsche I also see Camerys, Jettas, & Focus being tracked. 300-320hp at the crank. The M3 has better suspension, cooling, an LSD, big brakes, and the S65 is nothing to scoff at. 2016 This is the first year for the Competition Package that brought with it a modest power bump, larger wheels and tires, and revised programming for electronic limited-slip differential. But given the age of these cars they need some significant maintenance and the cost of ownership is probably on the higher end compared to the newer M3 models. Unfortunately, this six lacks the smoothness of the E36s engine. The E46 was coupe only. Your wife will just think its a good-looking sedan thats safe for the kids, More reliable than all of its predecessors, Potential rod bearing and throttle actuators issues, The N54 came out at the same time and can make way more power than the S65 for a lot less $$$, Cheapest horsepower out of all other models, 500whp for about $1,000, Perfect balance of 4-door practicality and performance, Torque is right where it should be after a soft output on the S65 M3s, It can get pricey with all of the packages and add-ons, Exhaust sound is fabricated and not quite the same as a naturally aspirated 400hp car. At the bare minimum, you will need to keep fresh and proper fluids in the car and perform periodic valve adjustments since the S14 doesnt have hydraulic lifters. Then add a 911 Carrera S engineand subtract the 911 price premium. 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 which BMW would be the best to create a track car out of while on a tight budget? There are really only two potential issues to worry about with these engines: rod bearing failure and throttle actuators failure. But the V-8 is unique, many of the systems are complex, and parts are exotic-car expensive. IMO, an E9X M3 with a fresh OE suspension, camber plates, 275s on all 4 corners, a . The E9X drinks more fuel, uses more oil, eats more tires, shreds more brakes. However, they are now among the most valued M3s. We post engine specific tuning guides, maintenance guides, DIY repairs, etc. Enter the S52, a 3.2L I6 generating 240hp, which again is about 80hp less than the Euro-spec models were generating. We believe this 2004 330Ci is a perfect candidate for a Street Car Project and transformation. The E30 M3 is very dependable and can be a great daily driver. Good article , thanks and we would like extra! Our garage currently includes a 2008 135i, 2007 335i, and 2008 535i. The previous M3 models required forced induction, to the tune of about $10-20k to get any serious power gains over the stock engine. 16,000 were produced including European models. The M3 wears flared fenders to cover wider tires, its nose has a lower air dam and its tail is higher to improve aerodynamics. . TPG claims both these engines have common issues with the crank hub we own 3 N54s, two of which are highly tuned, and weve been BMW bloggers and active forum members for years, and have never heard about a crank hub issue on an N54 or N55. 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. Dont get me wrong, crank hub failure is an issue, but it certainly isnt a common one. The M3/4 are good track cars for BMWCCA track days and similar events but there have been compromises made as they are basically intended to be road cars. The current S55 horsepower record is 1,163whp and 983wtq. Great for the Dad with kids. Built primarily for the street, rather than a homologation special, the second-gen (E36) M3 sold in much higher numbers than its predecessor. Unlike its high-revving predecessors, the turbocharged enabled an easily accessed and fat torque curve. Valve adjustments cost about $200-250 from an independent shop if you arent able to DIY it, and needs to be done every 10,000-15,000 miles. You can do inserts as a low-cost, low-time option to reduce the rate of degradation. https://www.turnermotorsport.com/BMW-E30-M3/c-151-bmw-routine-maintenance-packages, http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=308718, Even with only 200hp this is probably the most fun M3 to drive, The wide fenders and front bumper give the car so much character and make it turn heads everywhere, Continually increasing in price and value, Racing machine and awesome 7,500rpm redline, Extremely stiff chassis with excellent weight balance makes it awesome on winding roads and in corners, Most successful touring car in racing history, winning more titles than the Porsche 911, The cheapest E30 M3 goes for about $30k. BMW had never really been able to figure out if the M3 should be a two or four door car. As an instructor, I've enjoyed every single time in the right seat of a Miata. S2000s make great track/race cars. Choosing from these models is easy: Regardless of model year or badge on the nose, theyre all the same car. The engine was massage with increased compression, a revised air intake, and tweaked engine management software. In the U.S., a naturally-aspirated 2.3-liter, DOHC, 16-valve four-cylinder engine with 192 horsepower powered all of them and theyre all manuals. The new gearbox is more smooth than the old DCT, one could argue it lacks the aggression of the old box. Keith Tanner And then the E9X version had both coupe and sedan. No, the Evo 2 wasnt exported to America either. Good-condition E30 M3s are relatively easy to locate in the U.S. With bolt-on mods and upgrades, the S14 engine can get to 240-250hp at the crank. Wow. In 1996, BMW bumped displacement to 3.2 liters to increase torque, but the 240-hp number remained unchanged. In late 1995, the E36 M3 received a facelift, which came with a new engine for the US models. Just over 19,000 E30 M3s. As for reliability, well, there's no telling at this point. 1988 BMW produced only 786 M3 convertibles in the E30 generation. The stout inline-6 S54 managed an impressive 102.5hp per liter in the 333hp US models. The North American version got a neutered engine with less power. Endurance race teams can see failures in one race; enthusiast cars meet a slower death. When it initially debuted, BMW had no plans of making a US model after E30 sales had only reached 5,000 cars in the US. 5-speed manual transmission is extremely smooth with great steering, Easy to handle due to lighter weight and smaller size compared to later model M3s, Limited slip differential from the factory makes for great traction and good handling, Made more for luxury and less for the track softer suspension, Vanos, shock mounts, and water pump usually have problems over 100k miles, Tons of forum information for DIYs and performance upgrades, Inexpensive nowadays, looks great, and provides ample performance for a 15-year-old car, Great daily driver if you are looking for decent reliability and a fun amount of power, SMG transmission had issues and was less reliable than manual versions, Valve adjustments are ocassionally necessary, similar to the E30, V8 with one of the best sounding factory exhausts, ever, Dual clutch transmission is extremely smooth and fast shifting, 400whp is easy with a few simple bolt-ons, Extremely practical drives like a luxury car at normal speeds but really opens up under throttle. 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