I know that they're german, and 4 valves per cylinder, and an inline 6, but what makes the M3 motor stand out, and so fast?

If you have to ask you're on the wrong board

Short answer: The flux capacitor.

can anyone give me some real answers here?

Vtech!!!

M3's aren't fast. If you want fast go ride in a c6 z06, it will change your perception of fast (it did mine)

I know that they're german, and 4 valves per cylinder, and an inline 6, but what makes the M3 motor stand out, and so fast?

It's a good question that deserves a real answer. Here's mine.

The motor isn't "fast" so much as smooth, responsive, light, very powerful for it's displacement, with linear power delivery and a wide powerband. It's also almost completely optimized. You can't get much more power without serious internal work or forced induction.

A better question is what makes the CAR so fast -- which requires some history. I owned a 1969 BMW 2002 from 1971 -74. It was a very, very good car for the era. People still race those cars.

Since then BMW has continued to refine that basic vehicle -- not just the engine but suspension, balance, steering, cohesiveness, everything. The E46 M3 is the best in this long line of successively better cars (2002, 320i, E30 M3, E36 M3, and E46 M3). Whether the next M3 is better, we'll see.

The car is extremely well-balanced. Everything works together. No major component or function overwhelms any other major component or function. Under normal conditions, the engine, powerful as it is, will not exceed the capabilities of the suspension (unlike, say, the current Mustang GT). The car has excellent power-to-weight ratio.

Yes, it's fast in a straight line. Its main virtue is how fast (and safely) even an average driver like me can drive it on a winding mountain road. A good driver can drive one ungodly/scary fast (check YouTube for Hans Stuck driving Nurburgring in an M3 GTR).

That's one serious answer to your question. Any others out there?

^^ Thank you really appreciate it..any more?

Great drivers that drive BMW....hence it goes FAAAST!

The M3 is just a very good allrounder. Fastest thing i have driven in a straight line is a Porsche 911 Turbo with lots of work done to it. Fastest thing i have owned for corners is an almost 400 BHP Lancia Integrale EVO II. Neither of which i would want to have in my garage again! The E46 M3 is probably the best low/mid and high end performer i have owned. Combine the three and the car is fast but not in any particular area. Hope you kinda get my drift. Talking of drifting it does that quite well too!

The M3 is a 340HP car, capable of 0-60 in 4.6 and 1/4 mile in 13.2-3 at ~106-108MPH.

That doesn't make a top of the food chain car by any means considering the Camaro SS, Pontiac Firehawk, Pontiac GTO, and most flavors of Corvette from 1997 onward can run as fast or faster from the factory.

But what is impressive is that the M3 uses a small 3.2L Naturally aspirated 6 cylinder. The main reason the engine produces the power that it does is the VANOS (similar to VTEC in a Honda). Basically it gradually changes the cam timing from a very mild cam at low RPMS (hence the smooth idle) to a VERY aggressive racing-type cam at the higher RPMS. This allows the M3's engine to idle smoothly at 750RPM, and get 20MPG around town, and wind out to 8000RPM while still wanting to rev higher.

To put it into persective, the same type of cam profile in a 6.0L corvette engine would produce over 600HP. But that engine would idle for crap because the vette doesn't have the variable valve timing of VANOS.

So the combination of the VANOS and high RPM is what gives the engine it's power. Then, to add further, the M3's transmission is geared very close-ratio with high RPM in mind so you don't lose much through the shifts. However, the drawback is that at 80MPH the engine is taching 3000RPM in 6th (compared to 2000 in a vette or equivalent).

The C5 Z06 I used to own was by far faster than this M3 I have now in a straight line, running 11.9-12.0 @ 116-118 completely stock, but the M3 handles itself around corners on a bumpy road better than the vette did. Also, the M3 is much more refined inside, which makes my work commute pleasant since I can hear the radio (Z06 had MUCH more road noise), an it's a really good stereo. Plus everything inside is just another level higher in quality....or maybe it's just different since it's from Germany and I just assume it's higher quality. :)

If I raced the car regularly, or was concerned about having the fastest, I would have kept the Z06. Not much can touch it. But as a complete car for daily life and occasional track time, it's hard to beat the M3.

Hope this helps.

The M3 is a 340HP car, capable of 0-60 in 4.6 and 1/4 mile in 13.2-3 at ~106-108MPH.

That doesn't make a top of the food chain car by any means considering the Camaro SS, Pontiac Firehawk, Pontiac GTO, and most flavors of Corvette from 1997 onward can run as fast or faster from the factory.

But what is impressive is that the M3 uses a small 3.2L Naturally aspirated 6 cylinder. The main reason the engine produces the power that it does is the VANOS (similar to VTEC in a Honda). Basically it gradually changes the cam timing from a very mild cam at low RPMS (hence the smooth idle) to a VERY aggressive racing-type cam at the higher RPMS. This allows the M3's engine to idle smoothly at 750RPM, and get 20MPG around town, and wind out to 8000RPM while still wanting to rev higher.

To put it into persective, the same type of cam profile in a 6.0L corvette engine would produce over 600HP. But that engine would idle for crap because the vette doesn't have the variable valve timing of VANOS.

So the combination of the VANOS and high RPM is what gives the engine it's power. Then, to add further, the M3's transmission is geared very close-ratio with high RPM in mind so you don't lose much through the shifts. However, the drawback is that at 80MPH the engine is taching 3000RPM in 6th (compared to 2000 in a vette or equivalent).

The C5 Z06 I used to own was by far faster than this M3 I have now in a straight line, running 11.9-12.0 @ 116-118 completely stock, but the M3 handles itself around corners on a bumpy road better than the vette did. Also, the M3 is much more refined inside, which makes my work commute pleasant since I can hear the radio (Z06 had MUCH more road noise), an it's a really good stereo. Plus everything inside is just another level higher in quality....or maybe it's just different since it's from Germany and I just assume it's higher quality. :)

If I raced the car regularly, or was concerned about having the fastest, I would have kept the Z06. Not much can touch it. But as a complete car for daily life and occasional track time, it's hard to beat the M3.

Hope this helps.
Very well put. I purchased my M3 last November. At the time, I found a 2001 C5 ZO6 (also silver), that I could have purchased for the same price. I chose the M3 for the same reasons as above.

DaveCM3 --

Thanks for netting all that out. Nice post.

The M3 is a 340HP car, capable of 0-60 in 4.6 and 1/4 mile in 13.2-3 at ~106-108MPH.

That doesn't make a top of the food chain car by any means considering the Camaro SS, Pontiac Firehawk, Pontiac GTO, and most flavors of Corvette from 1997 onward can run as fast or faster from the factory.

But what is impressive is that the M3 uses a small 3.2L Naturally aspirated 6 cylinder. The main reason the engine produces the power that it does is the VANOS (similar to VTEC in a Honda). Basically it gradually changes the cam timing from a very mild cam at low RPMS (hence the smooth idle) to a VERY aggressive racing-type cam at the higher RPMS. This allows the M3's engine to idle smoothly at 750RPM, and get 20MPG around town, and wind out to 8000RPM while still wanting to rev higher.

To put it into persective, the same type of cam profile in a 6.0L corvette engine would produce over 600HP. But that engine would idle for crap because the vette doesn't have the variable valve timing of VANOS.

So the combination of the VANOS and high RPM is what gives the engine it's power. Then, to add further, the M3's transmission is geared very close-ratio with high RPM in mind so you don't lose much through the shifts. However, the drawback is that at 80MPH the engine is taching 3000RPM in 6th (compared to 2000 in a vette or equivalent).

The C5 Z06 I used to own was by far faster than this M3 I have now in a straight line, running 11.9-12.0 @ 116-118 completely stock, but the M3 handles itself around corners on a bumpy road better than the vette did. Also, the M3 is much more refined inside, which makes my work commute pleasant since I can hear the radio (Z06 had MUCH more road noise), an it's a really good stereo. Plus everything inside is just another level higher in quality....or maybe it's just different since it's from Germany and I just assume it's higher quality. :)

If I raced the car regularly, or was concerned about having the fastest, I would have kept the Z06. Not much can touch it. But as a complete car for daily life and occasional track time, it's hard to beat the M3.

Hope this helps.



i might repeat a few things but here goes.
torque, where the max torque happens, the gearing of the transmission and differential, both working to help the driver take advantage of where the most torque is made, and then where the most power is made.
ammount of grip available.
its all pretty neat huh.

The clear advantage of the m3 is that it's well-balanced. it provides modest power in comparsion to other cars, but it's able to transfer that power and make it functional within a large powerband. Most high-performance cars provide great power, but tends to show its flaws once the power is poured on. M3, unlike other cars provides an excellent suspesnion and great power to weight ratio, that you can apply the power and keep apply more.

I know that they're german, and 4 valves per cylinder, and an inline 6, but what makes the M3 motor stand out, and so fast?

high revving motor, 107.19hp per liter *based on 343hp*, great gearing..and its a M car what more do u need to know ;)

M3 is 3.2l inline 6. When compared to a 7.0l V8 which is more than twice the size of the M3's motor, its a pretty dumb comparison for 'fast'. M3 is fast enough for you to lose your licence and have fun. I mean, that 343hp is coming out of a 3.2l six-cylinder for crying out loud, in the days where turbocharging is the norm and big displacement V8s are everywhere. The M3 is a critically acclaimed car world wide by private users and motoring journalists. The history of ///M is far beyond straight line performance. :)

M3 is 3.2l inline 6. When compared to a 7.0l V8 which is more than twice the size of the M3's motor, its a pretty dumb comparison for 'fast'. M3 is fast enough for you to lose your licence and have fun. I mean, that 343hp is coming out of a 3.2l six-cylinder for crying out loud, in the days where turbocharging is the norm and big displacement V8s are everywhere. The M3 is a critically acclaimed car world wide by private users and motoring journalists. The history of ///M is far beyond straight line performance. :)


1000+ //models set the tone for all other automakers. Why do you think auto journalist always try to find match when audi or mercedes brings out a s or amg model. Bmw rules!

They are not that fast but they handle

As others have said, the way BMW engines deliver and maintain usable power through the RPM range is a hallmark of the VANOS technology.

As a comparison, a friend of mine took a ride in a heavily modded sti. Very fast, but the engine's usable power band is small. BMW engines by comparison, have a significant investment in technology to maintain a broud range of usable power from a relatively small engine.

I have owned alot of high performance and exotic cars, and driven even more, but the real secret of the M3 is the 'package'. As stated prior, it is a well balanced car, from the engine to the chassis, brakes, etc., and it is so forgiving that the average driver can look like a hero, and a good driver can do things in this car that are much harder to achieve in other cars.

As far as the engine not being tunable for motr power.....I beg to differ. With some simple changes it is possible to approach 370hp+

I don't think M3's are fast .. I just think everything else is slower ...

I have owned alot of high performance and exotic cars, and driven even more, but the real secret of the M3 is the 'package'. As stated prior, it is a well balanced car, from the engine to the chassis, brakes, etc., and it is so forgiving that the average driver can look like a hero, and a good driver can do things in this car that are much harder to achieve in other cars.

As far as the engine not being tunable for motr power.....I beg to differ. With some simple changes it is possible to approach 370hp+

How does the M3 compare in day-to-day drivability to, say, your '87 Indycar? :D

There was a show on the speed channel called "Born on the Nurburgring". All BMW especially M cars are born from this track. You really have to see the show to have an idea of what makes an M car fast.

333 hp might not seem like much, but BMW builds great transmissions. They are tops when it comes to transferring power to the ground. While most cars have a 16-17% drivetrain loss, M cars are closer to 14-15%. Sounds small, but makes a big difference.

but BMW builds great transmissions.

Minor nit.... transmissions in BMWs are sourced from several different manufacturers, depending on the application.

But your point is well taken...

Makes power through a larger range of RPM because of the high redline

I got to drive an SL600 for an afternoon - that was fast. made my 330 seem like a go cart after that.

SL600 um, not quite... z06 = fast.

individual throttle bodies for each cylinder...electro/hydro tranny... highly balanced 8k redline motor.. One of the hottest straight 6's ever made..
However when the next 2 cylinders become available in the 08 ... hopefully the answers will be just a little bit clearer..

2 cents here

M3s are designed as drivers cars, they are made to be track stars no straight line monsters like most american cars. They aren't so much quick, as they are nimble. In the right hands any car can be quick, and if a guy just happens to be driving an M3 there is a good chance he can use it.

SL600 um, not quite... z06 = fast.

Oh for god sake, is nothing except a Z06 fast now?! The sl600 is a twin turbo v-12 that does 0-60 in 3.8 seconds and the 1/4 mile in 11.8. All of a sudden thats not FAST because there is a new z-06?

the perfect balance between power and weight distribution