Power is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed Getrag 420G manual gearbox-the same unit found in the E39 M5. This motor can also be found in the Z4 M and later versions of the Z3 M. There’s also a one-piece aluminum head casting to save weight and an oil scavenging pump to keep oil flowing during cornering. That’s thanks to things like an increased bore, new camshafts, a higher compression ratio, individual throttle bodies, and a VANOS (a German acronym for variable nockenwellen steuerung) solenoid attached to the front of the engine that uses oil pressure to adjust cam timing. An evolution of the Euro-model E36 M3’s S50B32 straight-six, it displaces 3.2 liters and made 333 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque when new. Under the hood sits one of BMW’s most iconic motors, the S54.
In our initial 2001 test, we were able to clock a 0-60 time of just 4.7 seconds, and a quarter-mile of 13.3 seconds at 106 mph-not bad for a car that’s now two decades old. Based on the standard 3-Series, it was longer, wider, heavier, and more powerful than its predecessor, the E36. The E46 M3 was first shown to the public as a concept at the 1999 Frankfurt Auto Show in Germany, before making its debut as a production vehicle at Geneva the following March. Thinking about picking up an E46 M3 of your own? Great choice.
Despite the car’s rising status as a collector’s item, prices have remained reasonable over the years, meaning pretty much anyone can own one. Its stylish, understated looks, combined with a world-class straight-six engine and expertly tuned chassis dynamics, make it a true joy to drive.
Some people consider the E46-generation BMW M3 the greatest M car ever built.
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