M3 E46

About the M3 E46

The third M3 is the one built around the S54. Shown as a concept at the 1999 Frankfurt show and launched in 2000, it had a new 3,246 cc straight-six with six individual throttles, making 343 PS at 7,900 rpm and 365 Nm, plus a power-domed aluminium bonnet, wider arches and four tailpipes. It reached 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds. US cars were rated at 333 hp. The variable M differential lock was new to the M3, a convertible followed in 2001, and the second-generation SMG added steering-wheel paddles. The 2003 M3 CSL cut weight to 1,385 kg and raised output to 360 PS; all 1,383 sold within months. BMW sold more than 85,000 E46 M3s before production ended in 2006.