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BMW

E46 M3

4s0–60 MPH
249TOP SPEED KPH
337HORSEPOWER

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.

Rank
horsepower
337
WEIGHT KG
1,470
Power to Weight
0.23
CURRENT VALUE
$45,000

OEM Specs

engine Description
3.2L NA I6 (S54B32 )
drive Type
RWD
0-60 MPH
4 SECs
TOP SPEED KPH
249
PRICE (MSRP) USD
$47,100
gearbox
6 SPEED MANUAL
torque
365 N.M
Model Years
2001-2006

YEAR NOTES

2001: BMW launched third-generation M3 for the 2001 model year
2004: BMW released the limited version M3 CSL with 110 lbs less weight. CSL version has 17 PS more power than the normal M3
2006: BMW ended the production of the Third generation M3

Compare to

Popular BMW E46 M3 Mods by Level

From 169 documented builds

TrendsE46 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 builds
Tires Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RS6· Kumho Ecsta V7305· Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 25· Pirelli P Zero Rosso3· Nankang AR-13
Suspension KW Clubsport 2-Way7· Vorshlag Camber Plates5· Hotchkis Front Sway Bar5· Ground Control Camber Plates4· Spirit Coilovers3
Brakes Hawk DTC-605· PFC Pads3· Motul RBF6603· Endless Brake Pads3· StopTech Trophy Big Brake Kit3
Intake/Exhaust Bimmerworld Race Exhaust6· Supersprint Headers3· BMW CSL Airbox3· Karbonius CSL Airbox3· Friederich Rear Silencer2
Power/Tune Epic Motorsports Alpha-N Conversion2· VAC Power Pulleys2· BE/ARP Rod Bearings2· Buildjournal Tune2· Schrick 288/280 Standard Lift Cams2
Aero Karbonius Composites CSL Rear Wing3· Flossmann Wing/Splitter1· N15 Design Aero Suite1· Trackspec Hood Vents1· 1500mm Wing1
Drivetrain RTD REVO1 Shifter4· Diffsonline 4.10 Rear Differential3· CAE Shifter2· Rogue Engineering Transmission Bushings2· ClutchMasters FX400 Clutch Kit2
Wheels Apex ARC-86· Apex EC-73· Titan 7 TS-52· OZ Racing WTCC1· Bimmerworld TA:161
Weight Recaro Pole Position2· OMP WRC-R XL Seat2· DIY Rear Seat Delete2· Sparco Evo L2· Stripped Interior2
Other Sparco 6-Point Harness3· SCHROTH Flexi 6-point Harness3· Spirit Harmonic Drive2· Rogue Engineering Strut Bar2· Beisan VANOS2

Heavy

OEM Pace+5.1% 7 builds
Tires Maxxis RC-12· Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R1· Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RS1· Hankook Ventus V7301· BFGoodrich g-Force R11
Suspension TC Kline D/A Coilovers2· AST 5300 Coilovers1· MCS 2 Way Remote Reservoir Coilovers1· MCS 3-Way1· BMW CSL Camber Arms1
Brakes AP Racing 9660 BTCC Brakes1· Endless Brake Pads1· Alcon 6/4 BBK1· Brembo BBK1· AP Racing 9660 BBK1
Intake/Exhaust Bimmerworld Race Exhaust1· Supersprint Headers1· Karbonius CSL Cold Air Intake1· Eisenmann Muffler1· Supersprint Midsection1
Power/Tune ESS VT2-575 Supercharger1· Snow Performance Stage 2 Water Methanol Injection1· ESS Tuning 525 Supercharger1· ARP Head Studs1· ARP Main Studs1
Aero GOODAero Wing1· Adjustable Rear Wing1· BMW CSL Bootlid1· CSL Diffuser1· Bimmerworld Aero1
Drivetrain Diffsonline Differential1· RTD REVO1 Shifter1· Rogue Engineering Transmission Bushings1· OS Giken LSD1
Wheels Apex EC-72
Weight OMP WRC-R XL Seat1· DIY Rear Seat Delete1· Stripped Interior1
Other VAC Power Pulleys1· BMW Purple Tag Steering Rack1· Rogue Engineering Strut Bar1· Radium Oil Catch Can1· Brey Krause Seat Mounts1

Race

OEM Pace+7.4% 70 builds
Tires Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RS6· Nankang AR-15· Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R4· Hoosier A73· Michelin Slicks3
Suspension Reinharte 3-Way Coilovers3· MCS 2-Way3· Ground Control Camber Plates3· Eibach ERS Springs3· KW Competition 2-Way2
Brakes StopTech ST403· Alcon 6/4 BBK2· AP Racing 9660 BBK2· StopTech Slotted Rotors2· Raybestos ST45/ST43 Pads2
Intake/Exhaust Bimmerworld Race Exhaust3· Eventuri Intake2· El Diablo Exhaust2· Macht Schnell Intake Elbow2· BMC Intake Filter2
Power/Tune Schrick 288/280 Cams2· Beisan VANOS2· BE/ARP Rod Bearings2· BMW S542· B-Spec Tune2
Aero RS Future LM Wing2· Aeromotions Wing2· APR GT-250 Wing1· CSL Carbon Roof1· CSL Trunk1
Drivetrain OS Giken Super Lock LSD3· Diffsonline Differential2· RTD REVO1 Shifter2· Rogue Engineering Transmission Bushings2· Sachs RCS200 Clutch2
Wheels Apex EC-72· Apex VS-5RS2· Apex ARC-82· OZ Racing Wheels1· Rogue Engineering GTR1
Weight Stripped Interior2· OMP WRC-R XL Seat2· DIY Rear Seat Delete2· Sparco Racing Seat2· Sparco Race Seat1
Other Roll Cage5· Rogue Engineering Strut Bar2· Radium Oil Catch Can2· DO88 Radiator2· Brey Krause Seat Mounts2

Lap Times

Time Track Car Mod Driver Tire Lap Date Date Added vs Predict Pace
1:17.7 SM P L Portland International Raceway - PIR (w/ Chicane) Medium 12 Jul, 2019 05 Apr, 2021 -7.57s +9.67%
1:48.5 C O Sonoma Raceway (WTCC) Race 17 May, 2025 24 May, 2025 -10.37s +9.17%
1:18.8 C O 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 C O Sonoma Raceway (WTCC) Race 13 May, 2025 29 May, 2025 -7.24s +6.23%
1:37.9 SM L P Cremona Circuit (Pre 2024) Medium 04 Dec, 2016 07 Feb, 2026 -6s +6.10%
1:35.4 L P SM C Spreewaldring STC Motodrom Medium 02 Oct, 2022 22 Jan, 2026 -5.76s +6.01%
1:38.1 C O Utah Motorsports Campus (East Circuit) Race 24 Apr, 2021 25 Oct, 2022 -5.94s +5.68%
1:55.8 L SM Strawberry Creek Raceway (Full CCW) Medium 13 Jun, 2023 17 Feb, 2026 -5.37s +4.62%
1:45.4 L SM P Albacete Circuit Medium 11 Nov, 2017 18 Jan, 2026 -4.82s +4.57%
1:55.2 L SM P 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 L P SM C 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 L S SM GingerMan Raceway (Extended Course 10B CCW) Light 30 May, 2021 15 Jul, 2022 -4.04s +3.88%
1:08.7 C O Atlantic Motorsport Park Race 02 Oct, 2020 17 Dec, 2025 -2.66s +3.61%
1:36.9 L 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 L SM Circuito del Jarama Medium 23 Apr, 2017 18 Jan, 2026 -3.57s +3.30%
2:22.9 L 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 P L C 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 L SM Circuit de Charade Medium 21 Aug, 2023 24 Jul, 2024 -4.29s +3.18%
1:39.0 L P Utah Motorsports Campus (West Circuit) Medium 01 Jul, 2021 12 Jan, 2026 -3.15s +3.13%
2:01.6 L 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 L 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 warning
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 P Morgan Park Raceway (K Circuit CW) Heavy 03 Aug, 2023 26 Jul, 2024 -2.46s +2.88%
1:53.1 L SM 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 C 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 L Thunderhill (East 3 Mile w/ Bypass) Medium 27 Jan, 2025 19 Feb, 2025 -2.92s +2.44%
1:12.0 C 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 S L SM 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 O C Canadian Tire Motorsport Park-Mosport (DDT 2 Kink) Race 28 May, 2017 13 Jun, 2026 -2.2s +2.26%
1:24.1 L SM 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 L Pittsburgh International Race Complex - PittRace (Full Course) Medium 24 Sep, 2025 01 Oct, 2025 -2.63s +2.25%
1:22.6 L Thunderhill (West) Medium 12 Oct, 2014 13 Aug, 2022 -1.85s +2.20%
1:25.5 L 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 L SM Buttonwillow Raceway (1CCW) Medium 24 Sep, 2017 26 Oct, 2021 -2.68s +2.14%
1:54.7 L 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 L Eagles Canyon Raceway (2.7 miles CCW) Medium 25 Nov, 2025 23 Jan, 2026 -2.54s +2.03%
1:47.5 L Sonoma Raceway (Long) Medium 16 Mar, 2024 22 Mar, 2024 -2.13s +1.98%
1:30.9 SM L P 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 L P Bilster Berg Light 17 Nov, 2024 25 Mar, 2026 -2.09s +1.87%
1:24.0 L Thunderhill (CW) Medium 18 Mar, 2023 23 Nov, 2023 -1.58s +1.87%
1:13.6 SM L 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 L 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 L 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 L SM Circuit Dreux Medium 16 Dec, 2014 04 Dec, 2025 -1.04s +1.71%
2:40.2 L SM 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 L SM P 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 L 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 SM 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 L Grattan Raceway Medium 07 Jul, 2025 11 Jul, 2025 -1.35s +1.56%
1:25.7 C Salzburgring Race 26 Aug, 2025 30 Aug, 2025 -1.43s +1.55%
1:11.9 L Zwartkops Medium 26 Jun, 2023 22 Jan, 2026 -1.09s +1.51%
1:51.5 L Circuito de Alcarrás Medium 15 Jan, 2017 18 Jan, 2026 -1.66s +1.49%
2:24.3 L 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 L Harris Hill Raceway (CW) Medium 11 Jun, 2023 04 Aug, 2024 -1.2s +1.42%
1:01.0 L 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 C 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 L 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 L Thunderhill (CW) Medium 06 Dec, 2020 22 Jan, 2026 -1.02s +1.21%
1:38.0 L 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
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