This is my first post and I want to let you know im 15 and looking at getting a used M3 as my first car. I searched and didnt find anything, but then again I may just be stupid. Am I correct that 91-95 was a 3.0 liter engine and 96 up is 3.2? Also, what is the difference in hp between a 95 and 96? and what are the main performance differences between an E46 and E36? PLEASE dont tell me to buy a beater for a year, trust me, i know how to drive. Ty.
-
-
Heh. Get what suits you. Its still best to rack up a couple years on a beater.
You may know 'how' to drive, but you just lack real road experience.
But enough lecturing for one night.
Yes, 91-95 was the 3.0 engine, and the 96-99 was the 3.2l.
The E46 has a larger engine... and its really a completely different car. -
O, so is the E46 engine larger than 3.2l? And whats the horsepower for the 91-95, 96-99 and 00-up?Comment
-
The 95's and 96-99 both have 240 hp. The 3.2l has a much wider torque curve so it is a lot faster 0-60. The '00 and up have 333 hp from a naturally aspirated 3.3l. So its not much bigger displacement wise, it just generates a lot more torque due to a more advanced VANOS as well as more hp due to a higher 8k redline (e36 is 6.5k redline). Also, I find it funny that I had the same attitude as you when I was 15. Definitely fun to remember the know it all years . . .Comment
-
O, so is the E46 engine larger than 3.2l? And whats the horsepower for the 91-95, 96-99 and 00-up?
No. The E46 engine is still 3.2L. Its just more powerful.Comment
-
O, so is the E46 engine larger than 3.2l? And whats the horsepower for the 91-95, 96-99 and 00-up?
91-99 all about the same. 3.2L was brought upon by the addition of OBDII.
torque curve could be different - but honestly my friend's '95 feels like my '99 (or maybe the butt dyno is malfunctioning).
E46 M3 models have 333hp IIRC - S54 is what it's called.
it came in M coupes and M Roadsters as well.
before you fall too far in love with these cars, just remember : maintenance, parts, and mods on these cars come with a pretty stiff premiumComment
-
Thanks for the replies. Only 240 hp? So the difference in hp comes only from the difference in the VANOS? How does this big power diff. affect 0-60 and quarter times? thanks again.Comment
-
The US version is 240. The euro is about 320bhp. Their power increase comes from a few things. Six throttle boddies, different intake manifold, different catback system, double vanos.
The US version and the Euro versions run the same 1/4. The US version is geared differently to make up for the loss.Comment
-
Do you happen to know what those times are for a stock 96 e36?Comment
-
Its something around 5.4 seconds... +/- 2 tenths.Comment
-
The US version and the Euro versions run the same 1/4. The US version is geared differently to make up for the loss.
We wish this was true, but its not. The euro, 3.2 atleast, has the same 3.23 diff the US m3 did. The 6 speed box also has almost the same gear ratios as the US 5 speed.
In real life the euro powered car pulls away from the US spec car in just about everyway.Comment
-
Ahhhh. Well thats poo. Guess I was misinformed.Comment
-
Sirius I've heard the same thing. Maybe the 0-60's are about the same so that's what we went by. The 321 hp sure would be nice in the US for the e36.
richkid, one thing to remember about all this is that the ///M line started in 95 (for the e36) and went up to 99 I believe. Then BMW released the next gen 3 series as a 99.5 model. The ///M version came around 2001 I think. So if we're talking M's here, you can't count 91-94. The 95 is a 3.0 and from what I hear is a bit easier to tune for power. THe 96-99 is a 3.2 and has a bit flatter torque curve and feels a bit smoother/more powerful.
E36 M's are known for their handling and predictability at the limits. The 240 hp was very nice is the late 90's (and is still today), but these cars are not cheap to tune and large performance gains are hard to get unless you spend about 2,500-3000 for cams. :cry: The e46 is not as tossable and feels a bit heavier, but can kill the e36 is a straight line easily. If you're looking for a great all around car and price matters, i'd stick with the e36. Keep in mind that the e36 ///M WAS the standard for coupes and sedans (and in my mind still is), but 240 is not much anymore. If you're looking to just beat everyone is a race in a straight line, you've got to consider the fact that there are STI's, Evo's, etc that can keep up with both series ///M's, if not beat them.
You buy the ///M's for a reason, and everyone has their own. I personally would never buy an STI or Evo...To each his own, I guess.
Ok I'm done.Comment
-
Thanks. And 1/4 mile?Comment
-
Im from Canada and we had Eurospec M3's in 94. Just 45 of them sold in Canada with 281hp. Did you guys have them in the U.S.?Comment
Comment