10 moments from the life of the BMW M3 / M4
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Less than a month away from the debut of the new BMW M3 and M4, this is a great time to look back at the history of the 1985 model. If then-BMW boss Eberhard von Kunheim had been told what the idea of producing 5000 homologation units from a very fast car, in this case the BMW M3 E30, would lead to, he would probably have been surprised.
BMW M3 (E30)
The debut of the first M3 took place at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1985 and the first buyers received their cars after Christmas. Compared to the standard E30, the sporty M3 features inflated fenders, redesigned suspension (not only components but also geometry), reinforced brakes and a 2,3-liter S4 inline-12 engine designed by BMW Motorsport CTO Paul Roche.
Due to its low weight - 1200 kg., Coupe with a capacity of 190 hp. accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 7 seconds and has a top speed of 235 km/h. Later, a 238 hp version of the EVO II was introduced that reaches speeds of up to 250 km/h.
BMW M3 (E30)
In addition to distinctive features, including an apron on the front bumper, various sills and a trunk spoiler, the Bavarians are making other improvements. For improved streamlining, the ferocious "troika" gets sloped C-pillars, and the windshield has a different shape. Over time, the drag coefficient Cx decreased from 0,38 to 0,33. Today, every second crossover can boast of such an indicator.
BMW M3 (E30) Convertible
Despite the hefty price tag - the top-of-the-line version of the first M3 costs as much as a Porsche 911 - the interest in BMW's sporty model is impressive. Probably out of a desire to please everyone, they decided on an adventure in Munich and in 1988 a removable roof version of the M3 was released, of which 786 units were produced. The total circulation of the BMW M3 (E30) for 6 years is 17 copies.
BMW M3 (E36)
BMW was not long in coming and in 1992 the E30 receiver was released. This is the M3 with the E36 index, with which the company is making a huge leap forward in all directions. And for two years he offered this car only as a coupe.
Under the hood of the new M3 is a 3,0-liter engine and a 6-cylinder 296 hp engine. and 320 Nm. Weight has increased, but the acceleration time from 0 to 100 km / h is now 5,9 seconds. That's just a few seconds slower than the Ferrari 512 TR that debuted the same year.
BMW M3 (E36)
In an effort to attract more buyers, the Bavarians expanded the model range, and in 1994 a sedan joined the coupe and convertible. And for those who consider manual speeds obsolete, the SMG (Sequential Manual Gearbox) robotic box was invented.
The latest M3 series (E36) is powered by a 6-liter 3,2-cylinder engine with 321 hp. and 350 Nm, where acceleration from 0 to 100 km / takes 5,5 seconds. With a circulation of 6 units (again in 71 years), this is the first BMW M to be offered not only with left-hand drive, but also with right-hand drive.
BMW M3 (E46)
Meeting the new millennium with an old "tank" is not a good idea, so in 2000 the Bavarians introduced a new generation of the model - the E46. Under the aluminum hood of the car there is a 3,2-liter naturally aspirated engine with a capacity of 343 hp. (available at 7900 rpm) and 365 Nm. Gear shifting is carried out by a modified "robot" SMG II or a manual transmission.
After the changes, 0 to 100 km/h now takes 5,2 seconds, and to this day, many claim that this is one of the BMW M models with the most impressive chassis settings. The only drawback is the rejection of the sedan, since this model is only available in the coupe and convertible.
BMW M3 (E46) CSL
The wreath in the evolution of this M3 debuted in 2003 as a CSL (Coupe Sport Lightweight) version. Carbon fiber body panels, reinforced fiberglass bumpers and ultra-thin rear windows reduce vehicle weight to 1385 kg. Add to that the 360 hp engine, 370 Nm and a redesigned chassis and you have one of the fastest cars in BMW history.
Acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h takes 4 seconds, making it one of the most driveable BMW M vehicles in history. The circulation of the CSL version is only 1250 copies, while the M3 E46 produced 2000 cars from 2006 to 85.
BMW M3 (E90 / E92 / E93)
The next-generation M3 will debut just 14 months after the stop of its predecessor. The serial E3 M92 coupe was shown at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. Shortly thereafter, the E93 convertible and E90 sedan appeared, both powered by a 4,0-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine with 420 hp. and 400 Nm.
Acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h takes 4,8 seconds at manual speed and 4,6 seconds at the SMG III robotic gearbox. The model is produced until 2013, with a circulation of about 70 pieces.
BMW M3 (F30) and M4 (F82 / F83)
The current generation, shown in 2014, has taken the path of downsizing, having received a 6 hp 431-cylinder turbo engine. and 550 Nm, power steering (for the first time in history) and ... a split personality. Continuing to sell their sedan under the name M3, the Bavarians are positioning the coupe as a separate model - M4.
The slowest version of this generation accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,3 seconds, while the fastest, the M4 GTS, takes 3,8 seconds. The top speed is 300 km/h and the time to complete one lap of the Northern Arc is 7 minutes 27,88 seconds.
BMW M3 (G80) and M4 (G82)
The premiere of the new M3 and M4 will take place on September 23, and the appearance and technical characteristics of the models are no longer a secret. The 6-cylinder engine will be mated to a 6-speed manual transmission or an 8-speed hydromechanical automatic transmission. Its power will be 480 hp. in the standard version and 510 hp. in the version of the competition.
The drive will be rear-wheel drive, but for the first time in the history of the model, a 4x4 system will be offered. After the sedan and coupe, there will be an M4 Convertible, an M3 Touring station wagon (again for the first time in history) and two hardcore versions of the CL and CSL. The release of the M4 Gran Coupe is also being discussed.
