With the production of the E36 M3 ending in 1999 the E46 M3 was eagerly awaited.
When it arrived in February 2000, visually it had followed in the subtle footsteps of the E36 with a more aggressive wheels, front bumper, flaring of the arches and cooling vents in the front wings. Turn to the rear of the car and notice the four exhaust tips and that gives you a clue to what is going to stand out on the car. The engine. The new 3.2L S54B32 naturally aspirated engine produces more than 100 horsepower per litre! This extremely high revving engine combined with such power meant that the little M3 badge deserves its place on the back of the car.
The E46 M3 came with the Getrag six speed gearbox from the previous M3 and the SMG Formula 1 style paddle shift was an option.
In 2003 BMW decided to improve the M3 even further by introducing the CSL, Coupe Sport Lightweight. Coupe, yes. Sport, definitely, due to modifications in the engine bringing the power to 360 horsepower.
Lighter by about 400 pounds with the addition of plenty of carbon fibre and the reduction of some 'luxury items'. Who wants side airbags anyway? It is worth mentioning that most of these 'luxury items' such as air conditioning and stereo were options that could be added and usually were. Although there are subtle body modifications on the CSL most people would spot the new 19" wheels that were introduced.
BMW did toy with the idea of squeezing a V8 into the E46 but it never made it. Powered by the S54 engine the E46 M3 is still one of the most impressive cars on the road.
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