Notes
The BMW E46 M3 is a five-seat, two-door coupe assembled at the BMW plant in Regensburg, Germany, from 2001 until 2006. This rear-wheel-drive roadster comes with a 6-speed manual transmission from stock, a wishbone front suspension, and a helical spring back suspension. This coupe gets power from a naturally aspirated, 3.2L 24V (343 horsepower) 6-cylinder inline, multi-point indirect injection engine. The E46 M3 can go from 0-62mph (100km/h) in 5.2 seconds, with a top speed measured at 156mph (250 km/h). In some scenarios, the E46 has reached an impressive 178mph earning a reputation as the ''fastest BMW" by many enthusiasts.
The BMW E46 M3 is not only a fast car to use on track settings but also a well-equipped touring machine, with M double-spoke wheels, 225/45 R18 tires on the front, and 255/40 R18 on the rear. The luxurious interior offers all the comfort needed for drivers to remain behind the wheel on long road trips. The braking system uses ventilated discs brakes in the four wheels, with an ABS supervising the whole thing. With a current resell value of around $17,500, the BMW E46 M3 stands in the low end of the high-performance sports cars spectrum, but make no mistakes underestimating the capabilities of this German jewel.
OEM Specs
YEAR NOTES
Compare to
Popular BMW E46 M3 Mods by Level
From 169 documented buildsTrendsE46 M3 track builds consistently feature Apex wheels, RTD shifters, and Rogue Engineering bushings across all levels. Medium builds favor TC Kline coilovers and Hawk DTC-60 pads, escalating to AP Racing 9660 BBKs and ESS superchargers for Heavy builds. Race builds prioritize Nankang AR-1 tires, RS Future aero, and Samsonas dogboxes.
Medium
OEM Pace+2.3% 87 buildsHeavy
OEM Pace+5.1% 7 buildsRace
OEM Pace+7.4% 70 buildsLap Times
| Time | Track | Car | Mod | Driver | Tire | Lap Date | Date Added | vs Predict | Pace |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:17.7 | Portland International Raceway - PIR (w/ Chicane) | Medium | 12 Jul, 2019 | 05 Apr, 2021 | -7.57s | +9.67% | |||
| 1:48.5 | Sonoma Raceway (WTCC) | Race | 17 May, 2025 | 24 May, 2025 | -10.37s | +9.17% | |||
| 1:18.8 | Thruxton Circuit | Race | 20 May, 2024 | 07 Jun, 2024 | -7.51s | +8.95% | |||
| 1:10.3 | Midvaal Raceway (CCW) | Medium | 23 Oct, 2010 | 15 May, 2026 | -5.19s | +7.28% | |||
| 1:51.2 | Sonoma Raceway (WTCC) | Race | 13 May, 2025 | 29 May, 2025 | -7.24s | +6.23% | |||
| 1:37.9 | Cremona Circuit (Pre 2024) | Medium | 04 Dec, 2016 | 07 Feb, 2026 | -6s | +6.10% | |||
| 1:35.4 | Spreewaldring STC Motodrom | Medium | 02 Oct, 2022 | 22 Jan, 2026 | -5.76s | +6.01% | |||
| 1:38.1 | Utah Motorsports Campus (East Circuit) | Race | 24 Apr, 2021 | 25 Oct, 2022 | -5.94s | +5.68% | |||
| 1:55.8 | Strawberry Creek Raceway (Full CCW) | Medium | 13 Jun, 2023 | 17 Feb, 2026 | -5.37s | +4.62% | |||
| 1:45.4 | Albacete Circuit | Medium | 11 Nov, 2017 | 18 Jan, 2026 | -4.82s | +4.57% | |||
| 1:55.2 | Circuit Parcmotor Castellolí | Medium | 03 Dec, 2016 | 07 Feb, 2026 | -5.24s | +4.54% | |||
| 1:50.8 | Thunderhill (East 3 Mile w/ Bypass) | Race | 31 Oct, 2014 | 05 Apr, 2021 | -4.96s | +4.22% | |||
| 1:37.0 | Sonoma Raceway (Long) | Race | 01 May, 2025 | 07 Apr, 2026 | -4.42s | +4.19% | |||
| 1:18.8 New | Portland International Raceway - PIR (CW) | Medium | 25 Apr, 2026 | 25 Apr, 2026 | -3.25s | +4.09% | |||
| 1:11.6 | Roebling Road Raceway (Road Course) | Race | 10 Feb, 2020 | 15 Aug, 2022 | -3.1s | +4.04% | |||
| 1:45.1 | GingerMan Raceway (Extended Course 10B CCW) | Light | 30 May, 2021 | 15 Jul, 2022 | -4.04s | +3.88% | |||
| 1:08.7 | Atlantic Motorsport Park | Race | 02 Oct, 2020 | 17 Dec, 2025 | -2.66s | +3.61% | |||
| 1:36.9 | Summit Point Motorsports Park (Shenandoah Circuit CCW) | Medium | 15 Jul, 2024 | 29 Jul, 2024 | -3.44s | +3.54% | |||
| 1:10.4 | Donnington Park National Circuit | Race | 01 Jan, 2024 | 16 Mar, 2026 | -2.65s | +3.45% | |||
| 1:35.4 | Laguna Seca (Pre 2023) | Medium | 04 Aug, 2021 | 30 Mar, 2022 | -3.28s | +3.36% | |||
| 1:48.1 | Circuito del Jarama | Medium | 23 Apr, 2017 | 18 Jan, 2026 | -3.57s | +3.30% | |||
| 2:22.9 | Motorsport Ranch-MSR Cresson (3.1) | Medium | 10 Nov, 2020 | 05 Aug, 2021 | -4.72s | +3.29% | |||
| 1:57.8 | Buttonwillow Raceway (26CCW) | Race | 14 Sep, 2020 | 23 Aug, 2021 | -3.97s | +3.22% | |||
| 57.5 | Ljungbyhed | Medium | 04 Jul, 2017 | 11 Nov, 2021 | -1.91s | +3.22% | |||
| 1:56.3 | Watkins Glen International (Full Circuit w/ Loop) | Race | 24 Apr, 2022 | 19 Oct, 2024 | -4.01s | +3.18% | |||
| 2:14.4 | Circuit de Charade | Medium | 21 Aug, 2023 | 24 Jul, 2024 | -4.29s | +3.18% | |||
| 1:39.0 | Utah Motorsports Campus (West Circuit) | Medium | 01 Jul, 2021 | 12 Jan, 2026 | -3.15s | +3.13% | |||
| 2:01.6 | Thunderhill (East 3 Mile w/ Cyclone) | Medium | 03 May, 2022 | 02 Jun, 2022 | -3.78s | +3.09% | |||
| 7:57.4 | Nürburgring (BTG) | Light | 07 Oct, 2013 | 17 Jan, 2026 | -14.15s | +3.06% | |||
| 1:21.9 | Thunderhill (West) | Medium | 27 Oct, 2018 | 30 Oct, 2022 | -2.55s | +3.05% | |||
| 7:18.0 | Nürburgring (BTG) | Race | 10 Jun, 2025 | 29 May, 2026 | — | ||||
| 1:08.5 | Bondurant-Radford Racing School | Race | 12 Mar, 2023 | 20 Aug, 2024 | -2.13s | +2.98% | |||
| 1:52.7 | Thunderhill (East 3 Mile w/ Bypass) | Race | 20 May, 2013 | 28 Feb, 2026 | -3.52s | +2.96% | |||
| 2:39.3 | Virginia International Raceway - VIR (Grand West Course) | Race | 15 Mar, 2022 | 19 Mar, 2023 | -5.06s | +2.94% | |||
| 1:06.5 | New Jersey Motorsports Park-NJMP (Lightning) | Race | 06 Aug, 2022 | 10 Aug, 2022 | -2.1s | +2.91% | |||
| 1:46.9 | Chuckwalla Valley Raceway (CCW) | Race | 30 Oct, 2023 | 03 Feb, 2024 | -3.34s | +2.89% | |||
| 1:21.2 | Morgan Park Raceway (K Circuit CW) | Heavy | 03 Aug, 2023 | 26 Jul, 2024 | -2.46s | +2.88% | |||
| 1:53.1 | Hockenheimring (GP) | Medium | 01 May, 2024 | 10 Jan, 2026 | -3.23s | +2.85% | |||
| 1:48.6 | Chuckwalla Valley Raceway (CW) | Race | 12 Nov, 2024 | 20 Jun, 2026 | -3.29s | +2.80% | |||
| 1:39.8 | GingerMan Raceway (Extended Course 10B CW) | Medium | 19 Sep, 2024 | 11 Jul, 2025 | -2.76s | +2.76% | |||
| 1:14.8 | Waterford Hills Road Racing | Medium | 04 Oct, 2024 | 09 Oct, 2024 | -2.07s | +2.75% | |||
| 54.1 | Lime Rock Park (CW) | Race | 08 Jul, 2022 | 09 Dec, 2022 | -1.52s | +2.56% | |||
| 1:32.3 | Motorsport Arena Oschersleben | Race | 16 Jun, 2025 | 30 Aug, 2025 | -2.54s | +2.55% | |||
| 1:56.8 | Buttonwillow Raceway (25CW) | Race | 23 Mar, 2026 | 17 May, 2026 | -3.04s | +2.50% | |||
| 2:25.0 | Suzuka Circuit | Medium | 10 Jan, 2025 | 14 Jan, 2025 | -3.61s | +2.48% | |||
| 1:59.0 | Thunderhill (East 3 Mile w/ Bypass) | Medium | 27 Jan, 2025 | 19 Feb, 2025 | -2.92s | +2.44% | |||
| 1:12.0 | Silverstone (International) | Race | 16 Mar, 2025 | 19 Jan, 2026 | -1.86s | +2.41% | |||
| 1:53.0 | Atlanta Motor Speedway | Stock | 28 Jul, 2014 | 21 Jan, 2026 | -2.63s | +2.41% | |||
| 3:27.3 | Thunderhill (5 Mile Cyclone w/ West Bypass) | Stock | 15 Sep, 2017 | 07 Jul, 2023 | -4.83s | +2.41% | |||
| 1:24.5 | New Jersey Motorsports Park-NJMP (Thunderbolt) | Race | 03 Jun, 2025 | 13 Jul, 2025 | -2.11s | +2.38% | |||
| 1:41.7 New | Sonoma Raceway (Long) | Race | 25 May, 2026 | 29 May, 2026 | -2.53s | +2.36% | |||
| 1:54.5 | High Plains Raceway (Full) | Race | 14 Jul, 2013 | 18 Jan, 2026 | -2.83s | +2.35% | |||
| 1:32.5 | Canadian Tire Motorsport Park-Mosport (DDT 2 Kink) | Race | 28 May, 2017 | 13 Jun, 2026 | -2.2s | +2.26% | |||
| 1:24.1 | Portland International Raceway - PIR (w/ Chicane) | Stock | 07 Aug, 2021 | 09 Aug, 2021 | -1.89s | +2.26% | |||
| 7:20.0 | Nürburgring (BTG) | Race | 13 Apr, 2025 | 19 Apr, 2025 | -10.48s | +2.25% | |||
| 1:56.5 | Pittsburgh International Race Complex - PittRace (Full Course) | Medium | 24 Sep, 2025 | 01 Oct, 2025 | -2.63s | +2.25% | |||
| 1:22.6 | Thunderhill (West) | Medium | 12 Oct, 2014 | 13 Aug, 2022 | -1.85s | +2.20% | |||
| 1:25.5 | Grattan Raceway | Medium | 04 Oct, 2024 | 09 Oct, 2024 | -1.89s | +2.20% | |||
| 1:48.0 | Buttonwillow Raceway (13CW) | Race | 19 Nov, 2013 | 10 Jul, 2021 | -2.5s | +2.15% | |||
| 2:04.6 | Buttonwillow Raceway (1CCW) | Medium | 24 Sep, 2017 | 26 Oct, 2021 | -2.68s | +2.14% | |||
| 1:54.7 | Buttonwillow Raceway (13CW) | Medium | 20 Oct, 2018 | 30 Oct, 2022 | -2.48s | +2.13% | |||
| 2:08.9 | Eagles Canyon Raceway (2.7 miles CCW) | Stock | 13 May, 2025 | 14 Jun, 2025 | -2.66s | +2.13% | |||
| 2:04.5 | Eagles Canyon Raceway (2.7 miles CCW) | Medium | 25 Nov, 2025 | 23 Jan, 2026 | -2.54s | +2.03% | |||
| 1:47.5 | Sonoma Raceway (Long) | Medium | 16 Mar, 2024 | 22 Mar, 2024 | -2.13s | +1.98% | |||
| 1:30.9 | Circuit Européen Pau-Arnos | Medium | 18 Sep, 2019 | 13 Jun, 2026 | -1.79s | +1.97% | |||
| 1:33.0 | Canadian Tire Motorsport Park-Mosport (DDT 2 Kink) | Race | 02 Jul, 2019 | 07 Sep, 2022 | -1.91s | +1.95% | |||
| 1:55.7 | Oregon Raceway Park (CCW) | Stock | 08 May, 2021 | 09 Aug, 2021 | -2.22s | +1.93% | |||
| 1:50.0 | Bilster Berg | Light | 17 Nov, 2024 | 25 Mar, 2026 | -2.09s | +1.87% | |||
| 1:24.0 | Thunderhill (CW) | Medium | 18 Mar, 2023 | 23 Nov, 2023 | -1.58s | +1.87% | |||
| 1:13.6 | Champion Motor Speedway M1 Concourse | Medium | 27 Sep, 2019 | 11 Nov, 2022 | -1.38s | +1.87% | |||
| 1:36.8 | Laguna Seca (Pre 2023) | Medium | 14 Oct, 2016 | 02 Nov, 2022 | -1.84s | +1.86% | |||
| 1:19.7 | Autodromo di Franciacorta | Medium | 15 Jul, 2017 | 18 Jan, 2026 | -1.4s | +1.75% | |||
| 2:09.6 | Virginia International Raceway - VIR (Full Course) | Light | 03 Nov, 2016 | 18 Jan, 2026 | -2.19s | +1.75% | |||
| 3:15.1 | Thunderhill (5 Mile w/Double Bypass) | Medium | 06 Sep, 2021 | 02 Jun, 2022 | -3.4s | +1.74% | |||
| 1:22.2 | New Jersey Motorsports Park-NJMP (Thunderbolt (Pre 2024)) | Race | 27 Aug, 2022 | 26 Sep, 2024 | -1.52s | +1.72% | |||
| 1:00.4 | Circuit Dreux | Medium | 16 Dec, 2014 | 04 Dec, 2025 | -1.04s | +1.71% | |||
| 2:40.2 | Autobahn Country Club (Full Circuit) | Medium | 20 Jun, 2019 | 09 Feb, 2026 | -2.7s | +1.68% | |||
| 1:16.5 | Willow Springs Raceway (Streets - CCW) | Race | 08 May, 2022 | 06 Aug, 2022 | -1.38s | +1.67% | |||
| 1:59.4 | Circuito de Navarra (Full CW) | Medium | 25 Sep, 2016 | 07 Feb, 2026 | -1.99s | +1.67% | |||
| 1:49.4 | Pittsburgh International Race Complex - PittRace (Full Course) | Race | 11 Sep, 2023 | 08 Oct, 2023 | -1.91s | +1.63% | |||
| 2:47.0 | Bedford Autodrome (GT Circuit) | Medium | 18 Aug, 2019 | 24 Jan, 2023 | -2.69s | +1.61% | |||
| 1:46.0 | TT Circuit Assen | Race | 29 Sep, 2025 | 23 Jan, 2026 | -1.81s | +1.59% | |||
| 1:41.9 | Utah Motorsports Campus (West Circuit) | Medium | 13 Feb, 2021 | 21 Jun, 2022 | -1.62s | +1.59% | |||
| 1:12.8 | Roebling Road Raceway (Road Course) | Race | 15 Dec, 2025 | 13 Jan, 2026 | -1.23s | +1.57% | |||
| 1:26.2 | Grattan Raceway | Medium | 07 Jul, 2025 | 11 Jul, 2025 | -1.35s | +1.56% | |||
| 1:25.7 | Salzburgring | Race | 26 Aug, 2025 | 30 Aug, 2025 | -1.43s | +1.55% | |||
| 1:11.9 | Zwartkops | Medium | 26 Jun, 2023 | 22 Jan, 2026 | -1.09s | +1.51% | |||
| 1:51.5 | Circuito de Alcarrás | Medium | 15 Jan, 2017 | 18 Jan, 2026 | -1.66s | +1.49% | |||
| 2:24.3 | Suzuka Circuit | Medium | 13 Feb, 2014 | 08 Mar, 2022 | -2.16s | +1.47% | |||
| 2:13.1 | Silverstone (GP) | Race | 23 Jun, 2024 | 07 Jul, 2024 | -2.07s | +1.45% | |||
| 1:24.7 | Harris Hill Raceway (CW) | Medium | 11 Jun, 2023 | 04 Aug, 2024 | -1.2s | +1.42% | |||
| 1:01.0 | Grand Bend Motorplex (Modified) | Light | 29 Aug, 2013 | 11 Jun, 2026 | -0.83s | +1.41% | |||
| 2:01.4 | Watkins Glen International (Full Circuit w/ Loop) | Race | 11 Oct, 2025 | 14 Oct, 2025 | -1.79s | +1.40% | |||
| 1:35.3 | Utah Motorsports Campus (West Circuit) | Race | 13 Oct, 2021 | 21 Jun, 2022 | -1.39s | +1.36% | |||
| 1:48.8 | Sonoma Raceway (Long Pre 2024) | Medium | 29 Jan, 2022 | 12 Nov, 2022 | -1.43s | +1.31% | |||
| 1:59.3 | Eagles Canyon Raceway (2.7 miles CCW) | Race | 12 Nov, 2022 | 22 Jan, 2026 | -1.62s | +1.29% | |||
| 1:55.5 | Oregon Raceway Park (CW) | Medium | 22 Mar, 2020 | 31 Mar, 2021 | -1.41s | +1.22% | |||
| 1:16.1 | Waterford Hills Road Racing | Medium | 11 Jul, 2025 | 10 Aug, 2025 | -0.93s | +1.22% | |||
| 1:24.6 | Thunderhill (CW) | Medium | 06 Dec, 2020 | 22 Jan, 2026 | -1.02s | +1.21% | |||
| 1:38.0 | Homestead-Miami Speedway (Road Course) | Medium | 25 Jan, 2025 | 03 Jun, 2026 | -1.18s | +1.20% |
Top Modified E46 M3
| Year | Driver Name | Mod | Horsepower | Tire | Tire Size | Vs Predict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Chicane Motorsport | Race | — | 40 ADVAN A005 | — | -16.66s |
| 2002 (Pikes Peak Hill Climb E46 M3) | tomchutang | Race | 600 | 1 Slicks | 285/650/18 / 305/650/18 | -14.3s |
| 2004 (STROM B46 ST2) | Brett Strom | Race | 337 | 1 Slicks | 27/65/18 | -12.42s |
| 2001 (Main Line Motorsport) | Eric Magnussen | Race | 400 | 40 Radial Wet H2O | 235/35/19 | -12.31s |
| 2006 (MatthewT/Race) | Matthew Trivett | Race | 337 | 40 DH Slick | 305/645/18 | -12.07s |
| 2004 (w/A7) | Austin Kent | Race | 337 | 40 A7 | 235/35/19 | -11.9s |
| 2003 | Eddie Nakato | Race | — | — | — | -11.44s |
| 2001 (Tyler McQuarrie) | Tyler McQuarrie | Race | 500 | 80 Ventus TD | 295/30/18 | -11.32s |
| 2003 | Jack Layton | Race | — | 60 A048 | — | -10.85s |
| 2001 (w/PZeroRos) | Kris Budnik | Medium | — | 220 P Zero Rosso | 235/35/19 / 265/30/19 | -9.7s |