AutomotiveArticle - 2002 BMW M3

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2002 BMW M3
Perfection Achieved?

Okay, I'm sure everyone is sick of the automotive press drooling over every hunk of sheetmetal that comes out of BMW. I am too. But, in the case of this new E46 M3, I can't help it! This car is hot, and it knows it. BMW's Motorsport Division has really outdone itself this time, and has quite possibly given journalists heart attacks while at it.

The new Coupe and Convertible are the 3rd generation of the famed M3 line. First introduced in 1988, the E30 (internal codename) M3 coupe featured a 2.3L 4-cyclinder M engine producing 192bhp. The engine was fairly high-tech at that time. And it still doesn't sound bad now. Compare it to Nissan's new QR 2.5L 4-cylinder in the new Sentra SE-R, while being considerably larger, it produces 22 to 12 less horsepower than the 13 year old M3. That's pretty damn good in my book!

BMW tormented it's American fans with the 2nd generation M3. While the US-spec version featured a 240bhp 3.0L inline-six, the European version featured considerably high power and an overall package that was far more hardcore.

But the past is past, what we have on our hands now more than rectifies the previous error by the Bavarians. This new M3, codenamed E46, features a 333bhp 3.2L inline-six that is sure to scorch earth. The new engine, known internally as S54, features a cast-iron block for extra strength and sound control. M engineers studied a silicon-impregnated aluminum block, but decided on the iron block. Cost-effectiveness measures was probably a large factor in the decision.

While the S54 engine features a larger bore and stroke (87x91 mm vs. 86.4x89.6) than the last generation engine, BMW attributes it's induction, combustion and exhaust engineering to the almost 100bhp increase. Another contributor to the new power output is BMW's Double VANOS system. It varies the valve timing on the intake and exhaust camshafts without the "step" of the previous-gen's two-step system.

Connecting the 333 horses to the rear 255/40ZR-18 wheels is a new 6- speed manual transmission. It feature's a specially designed dual-mass, hydraulically damped flywheel between the engine and clutch that is specifically tuned to the S54 engine's power pulses and personality.

The current 3-series is a nice looking car. While some may say it looks like the previous-generation Honda Civic, I think it is fairly distinctive and aggressive while not losing the "smoothness" a luxury car needs. But, the M3 doesn't want to be considered a "luxury car" so it trades smooth for brawn, and does a very good job at it. Up front, there's a new bumper and spoiler with 3 openings to provide better breathing for the engine. The side profile features new fender flares that are 20mm larger than the regular 3-series. Also new are "gills" just aft of the front wheels, new mirrors, and 18-inch wheels to round out the package. Out back there's a new bumper/apron flanked on both sides by dual tailpipes. A new trunklid spoiler, ala M5, and revised taillights complete the look.

Inside the M5-style gauges can be found. If you're not familiar with them, here's the lowdown. When the engine is cold, orange LED's light up showing a 4,000 rpm redline. As the engine warms, the redline retreats to the normal 7500-8000rpm level. Interior treatments also include nicely bolstered sport seats and a few other miniscule M3 embossed pieces.

Overall, BMW seems to have moved dangerously close to that much pursued idiom of perfection. But is it perfect? I don't know. Hey BMW, how about sending an M3 our way?!

--
Mike Cervantes,
Editor-In-Chief
AutomotiveArticles.com

COPYRIGHT 2001 MIKE CERVANTES, NO REPRODUCTION WITHOUT PERMISSION

http://www.automotiveforums.com/photos/m31.jpg
http://www.automotiveforums.com/photos/m32.jpg
http://www.automotiveforums.com/photos/m33.jpg

Images courtesy of BMW

Nice article. My local dealer got their demo in last week and I can't wait to go check it out.

l8

Yeah, its a good car, actually awesome.
Just 2 gripes:
1) In Europe, they can get 19 inch wheels.
2) Car and Driver said it even understeers, although it can be easily corrected, bu tyou shouldn't have to.

I would like one, it would be awesome even stock:D

I was reading the comparison of the BMW M3, MBenz C32, and Audi S4 Avant. They basically said the M3 is for the ultimate performance enthusiast seeing as the handling might be a little too hardcore for some people. If you want power and better driveability get the C32. If you don't have the dough for either of the above, get the S4. I personally like the M3 but would much rather get an M5. Don't exactly have that kinda cahs lying around though. Owell.

l8

ive quoted the hell out of that car and driver article in sho on the s2k forum.
if you are gonna quote it, tell it right. it understeers, mildy, at extreme limits on a race track. i believe that if you flip the page and keep reading, it tells that on the regular road, the m3 drives like the older m3.
it should be on the top of the third page of the article.
im not 100%, im at work it is at home

Yes, I remember now. And in automobile, the said it can be easily coaxed (i know that spelled wrong) into oversteer, then corrected, for a whole lotta fun.
So, it would still be lots of fun, and you may never see the understeer.
BUT STILL, it shouldn't even be present, at all, NEVER!!!!

I still want one:)

um... the front tires can only have so much grip...
and if the rear end is so stuck on the ground, is that bad? oversteer is caused by the lack of traction due to the forward momentum of the car, so the brute power pushes the car straight anyways...
gobs of power arent bad to me...

and the people who wrote the article are also very serious drivers (not that we arent), and know how to push those cars to the extremes...
i would probably give up right where some of those guys start...
so remember that you could drive it and not know the car understeers...
and no car is perfect
for example...

the audi r8 lmp cars understeer witha full fuel load... oh yeah, those cars won le mans... and the championship...
guess nobody is perfect...
:licker:

Originally posted by flylwsi
um... the front tires can only have so much grip...
and if the rear end is so stuck on the ground, is that bad? oversteer is caused by the lack of traction due to the forward momentum of the car, so the brute power pushes the car straight anyways...
gobs of power arent bad to me...

and the people who wrote the article are also very serious drivers (not that we arent), and know how to push those cars to the extremes...
i would probably give up right where some of those guys start...
so remember that you could drive it and not know the car understeers...
and no car is perfect
for example...

the audi r8 lmp cars understeer witha full fuel load... oh yeah, those cars won le mans... and the championship...
guess nobody is perfect...
:licker:

Have you ever been on the track???? Power has nothing to do with understeer/oversteer. These terms describe the balance of the car, independent of hp. They are influenced by many things, including weight distribution, tire size, sway bar set-up, tire pressure, and so on.

My M3 is pretty neutral, after switching to 235's all the way around, and playing with tire pressure.


*f

97 M3/4

Thanks! You're absolutely correct, but you're not as likely to have under or over steer on grandma's wagon at 15 mph. It usually happens when you step on the accelerator, and that means applying power.

Ok. agreed.

But I've gotten understeer in my M3 at 30mph, and I wasn't stomping on the gas pedal. It was a tight corner called 'buttonhook' at Texas World Speedway.

I've also gotten throttle lift-off oversteer at 80 mph in a left hand sweeper.

All in all though, the car is pretty well balanced.

Talking to friends w/ the E46 M3, it has gobs of understeer, even when tyring to coax it into throttle induced oversteer. The issue is this. . . a properly setup E36 M3, balanced to be neutral, can whoop ass on the E46 M3, on a road course. For the same reasons that a properly driven, modified Miata can terrorize high hp cars on the track.

Now, the new M3 can be corrected by attacking tire widths, tire pressure, new sways, and alignment settings. It's too bad BMW took it so conservatively and dialed in so much understeer, which is safe but boring.

So an E36 M3 can stomp on an E46 M3 on a road course, eh?

You may have a race on your hands!

with one qualification. . .

the comparison that I witnessed was back to back runs with the same driver, first with his tried and true E36 M3 (w/ coilovers, sways, aggressive alignment, frt/rear braces, x-brace, big brakes) against a stock E46 M3. both had comparable racing rubber.

the old ride was faster around the track by just under 5 seconds.

If it was a Euro-spec E36, then I can understand it. The old one was lighter, had a better power-to-weight ratio, and he was familiar with it. That helps alot.

PS. DOes anyone know the power on a 94 M3??