Cars - BMW M3

	Cars - BMW M3

The BMW M3 is a sports version of the popular compact BMW 3-Series automobile, made by BMW Motorsport.

The first M3 was based on the 1986s E30 range, and there has been an M version of every 3-Series since.

E30 M3

Based on the 1986 E30 3-Series body, the first M3 was introduced with a 2.3 L S14 engine, derived from the M10 straight-4. One of the main reasons for production of the road car was to homologate the M3 for Group A Touring Car racing, as an answer to the "2.3-16V"-model of the Mercedes-Benz W201 which was introduced in 1983.

The first version produced 195 hp (143 kW), and later versions upped displacement to 2.5 L and 238 hp (175 kW). 786 cabriolets were also produced.

The E30 M3 differed from the rest of the E30 line-up in many ways. The M3 was equipped with flared fenders to accommodate a wider track with wider and taller wheels and tires. It also had three times the caster angle of any other E30. The M3 had larger brakes and shared wheel bearings with the E28 5-Series.

Special editions and later homologation specials included the Evo I, Evo II and Sport Evo (AKA. Evo III) some of which featured less weight, improved aerodynamics, and more power to keep the car competitive in racing following homologation rules.

Production of the original M3 (E30 coupe) ended in 1991.

The M3 was (and is) a successful racer, winning the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft, European Touring Car Championship and even the one-off world title in 1987. The E30 M3 is also a multiple winner of Macau Grand Prix, 24 Hours Nürburgring and Spa 24 Hours.

Performance

(2.3l-16v I4) - 143 kW/195 bhp 0-60 mph - 6.9 s. Top Speed: 140 mph
(2.5l-16v I4) - 175 kW/238 bhp 0-60 mph - 6.2 s. Top Speed: 150 mph

In 2004, Sports Car International named this car number six on the list of Top Sports Cars of the 1980s.

E36 M3

The replacement for the original M3 appeared at the 1992 Paris Auto Show. This E36 coupe model got the 3.0 L S50B30 straight-6 engine, which produced 286 hp (210 kW).

For the 1996 model year the M3 was upgraded to a new 3.2 L, 321 hp (236 kW) engine (S52B30),a six speed gearbox and the M5's larger brakes. The new SMG gearbox was also offered as an option. These models are often described as the "Euro" models to differentiate them from the models sold in the US which were quite different. The 3.2 Euro is also known as the M3 "Evolution" or "Evo".

The first E36 M3 to be imported to the United States was the 1995 model, which received a tamer 3.0 L engine with 240 hp (176 kW) and 305 N•m (225 ft·lbf) (S50B30US) and a different suspension. The reasons for the tamer car were largely due to excessive costs for the US market with the original engine and possible difficulty in getting the Euro engine to pass emission tests. The 1996-1999 model years had displacement bumped up to 3.2 L, with 240 hp (176 kW) and 320 N•m (236 ft·lbf) which is the same engine used in the early M Roadster and M Coupe. Starting in model year 1997, it was also available as a sedan with a convertible in 1998. Production of the sedan was halted in 1998, while the other models continued until 1999.

Performance

(3.0l-24v I6)Euro Version - 210 kW/286 bhp 0-60 mph - 6.0 s. Top Speed: 155 mph (electronically limited)
(3.2l-24v I6)Euro Version - 240 kW/321 bhp 0-60 mph - 5.5 s. Top Speed: 155 mph (electronically limited)

Special Models

There were four special-edition models of the E36 M3 produced: the M3 CSL (also known as the M3 Lightweight), M3 GT, M3 GT-R, and the M3-R.

M3 CSL

Beginning with the first E36 M3's delivered to American shores, American BMW racers began pressuring BMW North America and BMW AG for a race-ready version with which to compete against Porche's 911 in American sports-car racing.

In 1995, BMW relented and began building batches of the M3 CSL at BMW Individual. Upon completion they were sent to Prototype Technology Group (PTG) Racing in Virginia for final preparation, which included the front and rear Motorsport flag decals, and "trunk goodies."

=Performance Modifications=====

3.23 final drive
Adjustable front splitter
Stiffer springs and dampers
Aluminium doors
Sound insulation deleted
Radio deleted
Air conditioning deleted
Tool kit deleted
Control computer deleted
Very light BMW Motorsport forged double spoke wheel: 7.5" x 17" front and 8.5" x 17" rear
"Hand-picked" motors (see section below)
There were several boxes of parts left in the trunk of the car. Each had a sticker attached which read, "WARNING. This part is intended for off-road use only. Installation will void your warranty." These parts were:
* A rear wing with integrated brake light and risers. This wing is often referred to as adjustable, but in order to install or remove the risers, it was necessary to entirely remove the wing. No other part of the wing was adjustable.
* A baffled aluminium oil pan with dual pickups. It was discovered that early M3's would become oil-starved in sustained high-G corners. Because replacement of the oil pan was difficult procedure, it is likely that few were installed.
* Front strut tower brace
* Cross-brace, or X-brace, for underbody of car.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for BMW M3 ]

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Cars - BMW M3

E30 M3

Performance

E36 M3

Performance

Special Models

M3 CSL

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