Performance Review: BMW 3 Series 330i M-Sport Manual E90 - [2005]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 3 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 3 Series 330i M-Sport Manual E90 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2005. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2006 Caparo T1 2.4 V8 and the 2005 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16.This particular BMW 3 Series has a 2996cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The 3 Series shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 3 Series's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1525 kgs (3362 lbs) this makes the BMW 3 Series 330i M-Sport Manual E90 in the same weight category as the 2022 Ferrari 296 GTS 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo Hybrid or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW 3 Series shares the same bhp with the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp)

In terms of power the 2996cc 24V St6 engine produces 258 bhp (192 kW) @ 6600 rpm similar to the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp) or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (266 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 221 lb-ft (299.6 Nm) @ 2500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the BMW 3 Series you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2009 Volkswagen-VW Scirocco R 2.0 Turbo (194.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW 3 Series.

The BMW 3 Series has a Power to weight ratio of 169.1 bhp per ton and 144.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2005 3 Series competing with the 2009 Volkswagen-VW Scirocco R 2.0 Turbo (194.1 bhp per ton) or the 2008 Pontiac G8 GT 6.0 (194.0 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the BMW 3 Series generating around 144.9 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2006 Mini Cooper S R56 (169.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 1986 Mercedes SL Class 560SL V8 R107 (169.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.3 secs, this made the BMW 3 Series 330i M-Sport Manual E90 as fast as the 2017 Hyundai i30 N 2.0 Turbo (6.10 secs) the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 SDV6 300 (6.10 secs) the 2017 Maserati Ghibli 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.10 secs) the or the 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTI 2.0 Turbo DSG (6.10 secs). This BMW 3 Series 330i M-Sport Manual E90 is also faster than the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ-R 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TDi SCR 4Motion (6.20 secs) the and the 2014 Peugeot 208 Gti 1.6 Turbo 30th (6.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 3 Series and the 1970 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale 7.5L V8

When talking about the performance of the BMW 3 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.77 secs @ 92.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1970 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale 7.5L V8 (14.70 secs), the 2007 Vauxhall-Opel Vectra 2.8T V6 VXR (14.70 secs), and the 2004 Honda S2000 2.2i (14.72 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2005 version of the BMW 3 Series 330i M-Sport Manual E90 has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2005 3 Series equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2005 BMW 3 Series 330i M-Sport Manual E90 then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2005 3 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison