BMW E46 M3
The E46 M3 cars were first introduced the year 2000 and were marketed worldwide together with the new 3.2 litre S54 M-tuned naturally aspirated engine which is more than capable of producing a 252 kW and 338 Hp.
At the time of the cars introduction in 2000 the S54 engine had the highest specific output of a naturally aspirated motor that any engine ever made that rolled out of a BMW factory, producing 343 Hp and 256 kW and 365 N·m of torque at sea level. The engine has a 91mm stroke x 87mm bore size and runs at 11.5:1 compression ratio.
The E46 M3 was offered with a standard 6 speed Getrag transmission gearbox and the SMG 2 as an optional extra which comes standard with an electro-hydraulically actuated clutch pedal.
Gear shifts are made via the SMG launch control or the steering wheel mounted paddle shifters that are standard on all M3’s today.
The engine has a redline of 8,000 RPM. As with most M-Powered Engines, the M3 S54 engine has 6 independent throttle bodies and this time electronically operated throttles known as drive-by-wire throttle which has no accelerator cable between the throttle body and accelerator pedal.
The CSL is given a retuned dynamic intake and exhaust manifolds that have been remolded into straighter tubes to improve gas flow, thus enabling improved engine responsiveness throughout the rev range of the engine, but more so giving the engine a slightly longer torque curve at the higher end of the graph.
There were three models of the E46 M3’s produced: Model M3, the M3 CSL, and the M3 GTR V8 which was a limited production car. The CSL has a curb weight of 1,385 kg which weighed 110 kg lighter than the regular M3. Emphasis was put on strategically reducing or moving the weight in the car to retain an ideal 50:50 weight distribution throughout the length of the chassis to achieve improved handling and road holding benefits.
The M3 CSL's come standard with 19 inch lightweight forged BBS alloy rims, 19"x8" for the front and 19"x9.5" rear alloy rims that only weigh in at a mere 12 kg and includes a unique roof dome produced from carbon fibre. The dome reduces curb weight of the car by 6.8 kg and in turn greatly lowers the center of gravity of the vehicle, decreasing body roll improving cornering speed.
The center console, door panels and trim are all formed from carbon fibre with and the standard rear lite (rear windscreen) that has been replaced with one specifically made from a thinner tempered auto glass to save weight.
The braking system is also modified, with larger front and rear floating brake discs or rotors and brake calipers robbed off the E39 M5.
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