What Makes A BMW M3,M5...etc????

Does anyone know what makes a BMW to be label as a M3 or M5, etc? thanks.

Motor/trans/suspension/brakes/exhaust/interior/bumpers/molding/computer/

Ok. But what is the difference between M3 and M5, can I make my bmw an M3, what do I need to change on it for it to be an M3? My car: 318is 1991 thanks

Motor/trans/suspension/brakes/exhaust/interior/bumpers/molding/computer/Rims
You need all of the above to make it a M3 . . . if not you'll be shunned by the owners of BMW's.
No . . . you can't make yours into an M# . . . because you have a 318. If you had a 325 or 328 maybe.

Don't do it ! ! ! just do some good mods in the car . . . Like put a M50 motor into your 318 . . . a lot of guys do this. Nice little sleeper car.

The difference between M3 and M5
M3=E36 M5=E39 total different body styles and options different motors the list goes on . . . .

Bimmer9, the "M" stands for cars tuned by BMW's Motorsport division (hence the "M"). They are hotter (and more expensive, rarer) versions of their respective series. Therefore, an M3 is a 3-Series with, as SkyCityBMW said, a more powerful, higher-strung engine and better brakes, suspension, wheels, tires, etc. M5 applies to the 5-Series, and so on. These are some of the M cars that have been produced over the years:

M3 (E30), 1988-1991, coupe only
M3 (E36), 1995-1999, coupe (95-99), sedan (97-99), conv. (98-99)
M3 (E46), 2001-current, coupe and conv. (01-current)

M5 (E28), 1988, sedan
M5 (E34), 1991-1993, sedan
M5 (E39), 2000-2003, sedan
M5 (E60), 2005-, sedan (upcoming)

M6 (E24), 1987-1988, coupe

As footnotes, there has never officially been an M8 (8-Series) in the U.S., but I believe there was in Europe. When the E34 540i came out in 1994-1995, the M5 was dropped, but Motorsport division did upgrade non-engine components and 200 examples imported to the U.S. These are referred to as "540i Sports" or "M540i's".

All normal BMW's have a VIN number beginning with "WBA..." Motorsport bimmers begin "WBS..."

As to upgrading your E30 318is--the E30 M3 coupe (1988-1991) has dropped in value to the point where you can get a nice one for under $10K. I'm sure you'll spend at least this upgrading your current car, and then you'd still not have a genuine M3. You can even find E36 M3's (1995+) for under $15K.

Hey.... I was just wondering.... How much money would it be to make a 1987 BMW 325e into an M3? Can it be done?

NO, not really, if I remember correctly, the only body panels E30 M3's shared with std. E30's were the doors and roof........much cheaper to find the whole, real, car..........................................jb.

Great information, thank you