E46 – Automobiles Review

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

July 16, 2014

BMW E46 M3 CSL – 10th Anniversary [video]

BMW has published a new video to celebrate the 10^th 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

June 11, 2013

How to crash BMW E46 M3 in few seconds? [HD video]

Here is a short lesson, how to crash a nice BMW E46 M3. There are few steps, which you need to do and everything will be “OK”.

First, turn off the traction control (Dynamic Stability Control in E46 M3). Second, you have to find a hard course with a lot of curves and third just let a kid to drive it. This combination will guarantee you in the end … or the beginning of the day a crashed BMW E46 M3. Check also the strange driving position!

Hopefully nobody is hurt in the video, but the car, however is a total loss.

Indeed, E46 M3 is a very fast car and of course very difficult to drive. It is powered by a naturally aspirated six-cylinder 3.2 liter engine delivering 333HP (248 kW) and 355Nm (262 lb-ft) of torque in its US variant. 0-100 km/h in less than 5 seconds, ¼ mile in 13 seconds flat and a top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph).

So, the next time you decide to step on the gas pedal to the floor on such car just remind this video!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZVrnd9V7sk

Source: mischieftelevision via Youtube

August 21, 2012

BMW E46 M3 CSL by REIL Performance

MR Car Design BMW E46 M3 CSL
This project is completed thanks to the collaboration between REIL Performance and MR Car Design. Both companies will produce totally 1383 units of the limited edition BMW E46 M3 CSL, where the last three letters stand for, according to BMW, light weight construction of Coupe Sport.

Doors and tailgates are made from a strong resistant carbon, which is also ultra-light contributing to the reduction of weight. The rear wing is originally from the Porsche GT3, side windows and rear window are made of Plexiglas.

BMW M3 CSL is powered by a fantastic Inline six-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine delivering 360HP (265 kW) at 7900RPM and 370Nm (270 lb-ft) of torque at 4900RPM. The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. 0-100 km/h in less than 5 seconds and a top speed of 308 km/h (191 mph). ¼ mile in 13.0 seconds with 170 km/h (106 mph).

The tuned M3 CSL rolls BBS Motorsport wheels fitted with Yokohama set of tires. The suspension comes from Bilstein granting perfect road behavior at all conditions. The brake system consists of 6-piston calipers at the front and 4-piston at the rear with brake discs from Porsche GT3.

The E46 M3 CSL is shrouded in dark blue color of CFC foil as the base and the strips of the same origin are presented in Bright Blue Metallic and Cherry Red.

Also in the interior REIL performance has nothing left to chance and installed a welded cage from company Cardiff.

Source: REIL Performance

August 1, 2012

The evolution of BMW M3 series

The ultimate driving machine. This is how they call BMW M3 series. And it is for a reason. The MOTORSPORT division of BMW did their best to deliver the best possible experience from a BMW .

How it all began

In 1986 the first M3(1986-1992) was introduced. It was on the basis of E30 and had a 2,3 4 cylinder engine with 195 hp. The reason why the first M3 was actually produced was to homologate the car for the tourist car championship where it would compete with the Mercedes 190 EVO. Two more engines were used for the first M3. A 2 litre, 4 cylinder engine and also a 2,5 delivering the massive 250 hp, still naturally aspirated. The 2,0 version could be easily recognized, it lacked the curves of the wide arches. It seems like the M3 version does not have much in common with the regular e30. Besides the hood, roof panel, and sunroof it did not have much in common. These 4 cylinder engines were only reserved for the M3, and so was the firm suspension.

The 6 cylinders(E36)

Although nowadays 6 cylinders in a row is almost dead as conception, when the E36 M3 showed on the market, things seemed a little different. 1992 – the new M3 was introduced. With a 3 litre engine, 6 cylinders and output of 286hp. At first all M3s were based on coupe, but later the sedan and convertible models could also carry the M3 badge. Later in the production a more powerful engine was to be used – a 3,2 with 321hp . What is interesting, models sold in North America had 240 hp, regardless 3,0 or 3,2. Also, the 6 speed gearbox was never available in North America.

A special version – the M3 CSL is definitely worth mentioning. This model was sold with a trunk full of goodies to improve the performance of the car. Why they were not put directly into the car? Very simple, buying this version, the customer would sign a legal paper that they were aware installation of the latter would void the warranty of the car.

The production of E36 M3 seized in December 1999 with the convertibles being produced last.

The E46 M3

The next M3 came in October 2000. The engine is a 3,2 liter with code S54 – 343 hp available. What is new is the SMG II drivelogic transmission. It is basically the standard 6 speed manual but with electrohydraulically actuated clutch pedal. The E46 also had a CSL version, which is a real sports car that one could drive home. This version is cut off in terms of all unnecessary gadgets you do not need for the track, it does not even come with AC, stereo or navigation system.

What’s on the market now?

Well, it is the E90/92/93. First introduced in 2007 it did have a thing or two to show. The new M3 was a totally different car compared to its predecessors. First of all it has two more cylinders. Despite the return of the turbo mania, the new M3 is naturally aspirated. To be more precise it is a 4,0 litre v8 engine with 420 hp available at 8300 rpm. The latest M3 comes with a 6 speed manual or the optional M-DKG transmission which reduces the 0-100 time with 2 tenths of a second. The E92 M3 also has a light weight carbon-fiber roof to reduce the weight and lower the centre of gravity. At first the new M3 was supposed to be called… M4, but BMW realized this might not be well perceived by the customers and people who liked the traditions created more than 20 years ago. Many people say that market researchers and accountants are more and more involved in the build of cars. It seems like this has had some impact on the ultimate driving machine. The convertible suffers from the heavy mechanics that take care of the roof and the result is 1880 kg curb weight – not a good prerequisite for agility and speed.

A special model is also available(A special M3, ironic right). It is called the GTS. The 4,0 litre engine has been further developed to become 4,4 and to provide 450hp. What is more, it weighs about 150 kg less than the regular M3 making it a true beast on the road… or track. The production of GTS started in May 2010. Today all 250 GTS M3s have been sold.

To be continued…

May 27, 2011

RDX-Racedesign offers complete programme for the BMW E46

Already the basic BMW E46 from the 3series has a very sporty appearance. But the aerodynamics- and component parts by RDX Racedesign turn this car into an individual automobile with a significantly refined look. (more…)

April 24, 2009