Icon of the Future: 2001 BMW M3 Archival Test Drive (11 pics + 1 video)

Translation of an archival article by journalist Larry Webster from Car magazine and Driver, which was released in December 2001 (I can't even believe that with more than 20 years have passed since then). Yes, you understood correctly: speech will talk about the legendary M3 in the back of the E46!





In the past 25 years, America has only had two Olympic decathlon champions Bruce Jenner and Daniel O'Brien. Majority of people consider Olympic decathlon gold medalists to be the best athletes of the world, because the competition includes 10 absolutely different disciplines: from pole vault to running and long jump. When Jenner won in '76, America fell in love with him and he started appear in commercials, star in bad sitcoms and smile at us with boxes of Wheaties corn flakes.

Similarly, the BMW M3 - the sporty version of the 3 Series - was in general demand since 1994, until the second appeared generation "Emka" with a torquey inline six with a capacity of 240 horsepower forces. Like a decathlete, the M3 could do it all: it could comfortably carry four adult passengers along with their luggage and at the same time go into turns with the agility and precision usually associated with hardcore sports cars. Until recently, the M3 has never lost in our comparative tests - in September 1999, a five-year-old car took second place behind the all-new Audi S4 Quattro. She's been five years in a row has been on our annual Top 10 Cars list since 1995 to 1999. And in 1997 she turned out to be the best among eight opponents, in among which were Acura NSX-T and Ferrari F355, earning the title car with the best handling.



However, we were very upset when we found out that BMW was selling more powerful M3 in other countries of the world. According to brand representatives, this badass version with an extra 77 horsepower was too expensive for the United States market.

They may have been right, as the number sold here Emok accounted for more than half of all M3s produced from 1995 to 1999 year. And in one particularly good year, 1998, four out of five M3s bought were a 240-horsepower American version costing about $40,000 (2,408,400 rubles at the rate of 60.21). More productive version offered in Germany for about $55,000 (3,311,550 ₽).





As for the new M3, built on the basis of the current two-door 3-series, then by the time it was released, the guys from BMW realized two things: 1 - Americans were probably willing to spend a little more money for another engine; 2 - one single motor for all M3 can reduce the cost so that everyone will be happy. Recently we drove a new car around Jerez in Spain and even managed to drive a few laps on the local race track.



The engine is a real gem. This ferocious, screaming at the top of his lungs the motor carries the car along the road so rapidly that from now on the M3 can compete with the best sports cars from Porsche and Chevrolet. BMW estimates it tops out at 60 mph (about 96 km/h) in just in 4.8 seconds and a quarter mile in 13.5 seconds - at the level of 911 Carrera and Corvette - and we think these numbers are accurate.



The M3 differs from the 3 Series in more than just the engine. First, she has own unique pendant. Basic design elements and layout same as 323 and 330, but almost every part, including hubs and spindles, has been changed, modified or strengthened to providing better controllability and improved feedback. The front track has been increased by 38 millimeters and the rear track by 45 to accommodate massive front (225/45ZR-18) and rear tires (255/40ZR-18). In addition, at the bottom of the front appeared bolted 2.5 mm thick aluminum plate for extra rigidity. The steering rack ratio is 7 percent lower compared to base car.

The new M3 retained its sharpness and coolness in corners, but she has a couple of bad habits. First, more severe travel than the last model, which felt stiff and pliable simultaneously. It's uncomfortable, but we feel like a new car more capable than before. Secondly, the new "Emka" clings so tightly rear axle that only the front wheels slide in corners. Yes, everything the fault is understeer, and that's bad. Considering how we really liked the neutral handlingold car - you can it was necessary to twist or under-twist the stern at will - this fact almost made us cry. But nothing can be done: without a selfless heroism of the driver, the back of the M3 remains stationary. Our test example was a European model with 19" tires that will not be available in the States, so there is a possibility that the American the version with 18-inch tires will feel different. Insufficient understeer is a safe, if dismal feature, and the new the car disguises its speed just like the old one.



On the road, where corners must be taken much more slowly than on race track, the situation changes markedly. The M3 feels daring again. Once behind the wheel, you would never guess that you are driving passenger car; it seems like you have a real one in your hands a sports car endowed with agility and precision that belies his real ability.



BMW representatives say the new car will cost about 46 000 dollars (2,769,660 rubles), which is approximately $5,000 (301,050 rubles) more than the 1999 model sold here. Given the fact that hides in the engine compartment, we think the price is quite justified. And, in unlike Bruce Jenner, who only won gold on one Olympic competition, the new M3 is sure to take over the winning baton old car.

→ Let's talk more about the high-torque 333-horsepower engine

There are only two naturally aspirated engines on the market of our country, which can surpass the output of the new "six" BMW in 103 horsepower Liter: Honda's amazing S2000 four-cylinder engine 120 "horses" from a similar volume, and a phenomenal V8 supercar Ferrari 360 Modena doing 110. Like Honda and Ferrari engines, 333 horsepower BMW power plant cannot boast any new revolutionary technology. They reach their excellent results thanks to a careful and methodical approach engineers to lighten the internal components and refine the intake.



To lighten the valve train, BMW used hollow camshafts (with variable valve timing VANOS on inlet and outlet) and piston pins. BMW claims they have two main advantages over conventional valve lifters: friction and the mass of the valve train is reduced by 30 percent.

The Bavarians claim that if there are internal components capable of rotate at 8000 rpm, the motor can freely breathe. On the intake side there are six separate channels with electronically controlled butterfly valves. According to the engineers, separate flaps, which are located much closer to the intake openings than is usually done in single-flap housings, significantly improve response. Responsible for exhaust air great exhaust manifolds of the same length.



Despite the new aluminum hood and the bulge in its central parts, the M3 engine still had to be installed at an angle of 30 degrees, for him to fit in. Tilt required oil modification pallet due to the need to release the front cross member. Such configuration created problems with oil circulation, especially during long corners that BMW solved by using one large pan in rear of the engine and a smaller pan in front. So here two oil pumps: one for transferring oil from the front sump to rear, and the other for pumping oil from the rear sump through the engine.



One of the unique features of the M3 engine is the ability to change of operating modes: using a special switch, the driver can adjust the rate at which the butterfly valve responds by pressing the gas pedal. In normal mode, the "butterflies" open slowly, so that the movement is smooth; in sports it happens much faster and the response time is reduced.



Although BMW was third after Honda and Ferrari in terms of power per liter displacement, its fiery engine boasts a higher torque (110 N•m/liter versus 104 for opponents). As a result the power unit is amazingly strong throughout the rev range and pulls like crazy right up to the red mark of 8000 rpm.