Tag: BMW E46

  • BMW to Replace Passenger-Side Front Airbags on All E46 Models

    BMW is going to replace the passenger airbags on 1.6 million 3-Series E46 vehicles produced between 05/1999 and 08/2006. The manufacturer reports that there are issues with gas generators that may rupture in vehicles produced the competitors using similar systems from the same supplier. Still, BMW is not aware of a case involving their vehicle.

    The replacement campaign is a voluntary precautionary measure that aims at minimising the risk of faulty airbag activation, which may cause injuries. This is a voluntary extension of last year’s recall campaign, which included a recall of 240 000 3-Series vehicles (E46). The supplier has now extended the production period.

    In order to ensure maximum safety of customers, the German manufacturer has decided to replace the passenger airbags in the vehicles from the suggested production period, and additionally, as a voluntary precautionary measure, the passenger airbags in all E46 models.

    The customers affected will be informed by BMW. The rectification of the problem will take about 1 hour and will be done for free.

    So, if you have a 3-Series E46 (all models including the M3 versions), make an appointment at your local BMW dealer to solve an eventual problem.

    Source: BMW

  • BMW E46 M3 CSL – 10th Anniversary [video]

    BMW has published a new video to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the famous E46 M3 CSL. The sports car is designed to be the ultimate driving machine… and it is!

    Essentially, this is the lightweight version of the E46 M3 with some additional power, of course. The interior is a little stripped, there is a lighter rear window and some other lightweight components like a carbon fiber reinforced plastic roof, center console and trunk.

    The curb weight is pretty decent 1,385 kg (3,054 lbs), which is over 110kg (243 lbs) less than a standard E46 M3. Remember that the CSL also comes with 19” alloy wheels with performance tires and improved braking and traction.

    The heart of E46 M3 CSL is a 3.2 liter naturally aspirated I-6 with 360HP (265 kW) at 7,900RPM and 370Nm (270 lb-ft) of torque at 4,900RPM. The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 308 km/h (191 mph). ¼ mile in 13.0 seconds with 170 km/h (106 mph). A lap around Nurburgring is done within 7 minutes and 50 seconds.

    Totally 1,383 units were produced.

    httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qW1ID6Zd6Q0

    Source: BMW

  • BMW M3 E46 with 450hp by G-POWER

    G-POWER-M3-E46-thumbBy today’s standards, it’s an antique. A ten-year old dinosaur. A car that uses coal for fuel. Okey, so we got a bit carried over here. It’s the BMW M3 E46 – a generation before the latest one. Don’t be deceived though. G-POWER, the guys who got their hands on it, say it is now more powerful than the current V8 powered M3.

    The performance package installed is called the SK I „SPORTY DRIVE“ and if the figures they give are correct, the word “sporty” is a massive understatement – 450 hp and 460 Nm of torque. That’s a straight six engine we are talking about here. None of the pistons have been changed or altered in any way and the exhaust system is pretty standard. It’s not witchcraft either. No, those additional 107 bhp come from a humongous ASA T1-518 centrifugal supercharger – proper racing tech all the way. With it the venerable M3 can get to 200 km/h in 14,7 seconds (a massive improvement over the standard E46 – 18,1 seconds.). Compare that to the 200 km/h time of the E90 and you get a full second in favor of the G-POWERed predecessor.

    One would imagine then, that a more iron fisted stopping power is required as a compliment to the supercharger. Something more up to date maybe. That’s why the package also includes a set of 370 mm front and 342 mm back brake disks that get clamped by calipers that nest up to six brake pistons per wheel. The heat from the significantly bigger pads will be dissipated more efficiently once you exit a corner.

    And yes, you would be doing a lot corners. Especially with that new bound, rebound and height-adjustable G-POWER coil-over suspension. Just be careful not to destroy those Michelin Pilot Sport tires that can, and will have to, endure speeds of up to 300 km/h. Probably it would be best just to keep the M in a garage and occasionaly marvel at them, wrapped around 20-inch G-POWER “Sileverstone Diamond” alloy wheels – prime example of how a 450 hp monstrosity can stay light on its feet.

    As an optional extra, one can go for the G-POWER sports rear muffler – OEM standard product quality and four 76 mm pipes sticking out from the back. A car like that needs the sound to match the performance.

    G-POWER BMW M3 E46
    G-POWER BMW M3 E46

    Source: G-POWER