This particular video shows an E46 M3 coupe with a black-painted hood that one would automatically assume to be carbon fiber. It doesn’t seem to have the crisp lines of a CF hood, however, so it could be fiberglass. There’s also a matching CSL-type trunk, also in black. Although the hood doesn’t seem to fit very well, you have to give credit to the function of these lightened parts. What will catch your attention is the supercharger setup under the hood, giving the promise of a spike in power to the already powerful inline 6. The rest of the video shows the fierce acceleration the car is capable of, and it’s a sight that certainly isn’t tiresome to behold.

And then you get to follow a Ferrari, as this BMW owner experiences upon leaving a gas station. With a Maserati, a Porsche and a Mini all in attendance, the Ferrari just mildly accelerates away from the station and we viewers can only wonder how it really sounds in the flesh. Following the Scuderia is an E46 M3 with a huge wing and like it or not, it sounds so pedestrian compared to the Ferrari. The E46 M3 however is a well-known platform at this point and there’s a lot of stuff out there that can make an E46 M3 a Ferrari’s equal in terms of performance. It’s only a matter of how much money you can spare.

Adding to the satisfaction of the BMW teams was the fact that the win came on the heels of the BMW M division’s 40th anniversary, and the 41st win by a BMW M3 in the DTM. As owners of the E46 M3, we can only feel pride that the pedigree of the marque runs in the veins of our very special cars.

See more on the win, with pictures, here.

The picture is of the rear end of a silver E46 M3. As we said, you see only half the car, but you can see that it’s got a vented hood, freer flowing exhaust, a tow ring and a CSL trunk. The tires also have shallow, but evenly-worn grooves. And in the entire picture, we are looking out into what seems like a track. This is all but confirmed by one of the picture’s tags, which says Homestead-Miami Speedway. So, even if it’s only half a picture, an enthusiast would probably conclude that this BMW M3 is at a track day, and that the owner has put his personal stamp on the car by adding the bits that we noticed. This M3 must be a happy thing, because it’s being used as it was intended to be.

See the pic here.

A recent press release by the tuner must have raised a few eyebrows, because G-Power announced in it a power upgrade kit for the BMW M3. Given that the E46 M3 is a couple of generations down the line, one would not expect the tuner to come up with a kit for the E46 M3. But it has. Using a supercharger, G-Power has bumped this M3’s output to 440 plus horsepower, which is reportedly good for 300 km/h. Together with this power upgrade, the tuner is also offering a brake upgrade and a wheel package. If one looks to purchase all the options in this package, the cost would come out to a little over 21,000 Euros. With such an amount, we don’t think many enthusiasts will go this route, considering that there are even higher output kits that cost less but are just as reliable. Still, it’s heartwarming to see that this now-classic M3 hasn’t been forgotten by premium tuners like G-Power.

See G-Power’s setup here.

Well, HPF’s service manager admits that after a day’s work, he fools around with even more cars. One can only imagine the toys and tools he works with. Being able to build an E46 M3 with twice or thrice its original output is a job for the big boys, because as John the service manager says, it’s all about controlling all that power. It’s fairly easy to put together a package that will do a thousand horsepower. The question is, how long can you make the engine last without it going boom?

Instead, this four minute video begins with a piano then followed by a violinist playing a soothing tune. Then the E46 M3 comes into the picture, but it’s very artfully presented and its nature is revealed little by little. The combination of classic musical instruments gives a subliminal message that the M3 is a classic car that deserves more respect than just a tool to be used. And compared to the angular M3s that succeed it, the E46 M3’s rounded haunches give it a style that seems to be timeless, much like the piano and violin are.

Amateur videographers this production crew may be, but talented they certainly are.

At any rate, most enthusiasts would probably choose a 360 Stradale over an M3 CSL. Obviously though, the price of entry is quite different for the Italian car compared to the limited-edition BMW. Even then, CSLs are spread out pretty thinly, and owners who know what they have won’t part with the rare creatures very easily. But comparing a lightened E46 M3 to a true exotic is quite flattering, and even non-CSL owners who have mods comparable to a CSL’s performance apparently have a decent chance when they go up against this limited-edition Ferrari.

Having this incredible resource of information and “how to videos” for my M3 is very exciting to say the least.

I have watched a few of the videos and read the M3 Buyers Guide, it’s great…very impressive.

I’ve learnt a great deal already and must say you’ve done a first class job of putting this site together.

It’s a must have for anyone who owns an E46 M3, I’ve spent endless hours trying every possible combination of wording to find a “how to video ” on “YouTube” for my M3 regarding repairs and or upgrades.

Finally there is a resource that will save me time as well as provide me with how to instructions from licensed mechanics, who know these cars.
Huge thanks once again for this amazing resource.
I wish you and your team continued success with all you do.

Cheers!

Michael Richard Dobson
Film & TV Actor
Vancouver, BC Canada
www.michaelricharddobson.com

These novice track evenings will be taking place at Brands Hatch, Bedford Autodrome, Cadwell Park and Snetterton. Tutored by experienced instructors, each outing will consist of a safety briefing, after which participants will be taken on a familiarisation lap before putting theory into practice. The lucky novice drivers will then discover what it takes to drive their cars on England’s more famous racing circuits. In-car tutoring will also be part of this great opportunity, which will cost no more than £49 per event.

Further information can be found at www.clubmsv.co.uk/bmwontrack