Performance Review: BMW 3 Series M3 CRT E90 - [2011]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 3 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 3 Series M3 CRT E90 is the 7 speed / Semi-Auto version and was first brought out in 2011. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2011 SSC Tuatara 6.9L V8 Twin Turbo.This particular BMW 3 Series has a 4361cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The 3 Series shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. 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 1655 kgs (3648 lbs) this makes the BMW 3 Series M3 CRT E90 in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW 3 Series shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp)

In terms of power the 4361cc 32V V8 engine produces 444 bhp (331 kW) @ 8300 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 325 lb-ft (440.6 Nm) @ 3750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (332 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 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 2012 Jaguar F Type 5.0L V8 S Cabriolet (293.0 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 268.2 bhp per ton and 196.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2011 3 Series competing with the 2012 Jaguar F Type 5.0L V8 S Cabriolet (293.0 bhp per ton) or the 2021 Mercedes SL Class 63 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (292.8 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 196.3 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 2018 BMW X7 M50d 3.0 Turbo (221.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2014 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS (221.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.4 secs, this made the BMW 3 Series M3 CRT E90 as fast as the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (4.30 secs) the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (4.30 secs) the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo (4.30 secs) the or the 2022 Lotus Eletre S 603 bhp (4.30 secs). This BMW 3 Series M3 CRT E90 is also faster than the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the 2020 Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the and the 2020 Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (4.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 3 Series and the 2008 Audi Q7 6.0 V12 TDi Quattro

When talking about the performance of the BMW 3 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.91 secs @ 106.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2008 Audi Q7 6.0 V12 TDi Quattro (12.85 secs), the 1996 Maserati Quattroporte 3.2 V8 Biturbo (12.85 secs), and the 2013 Maserati Ghibli S 3.0 V6 Turbo (12.86 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2011 version of the BMW 3 Series M3 CRT E90 has a maximum speed of 180mph.

Top Speed of the 2011 3 Series equals the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (191 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2011 BMW 3 Series M3 CRT E90 then how about the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (191 mph), the 2022 BMW 4 Series M4 CSL 3.0 Twin Turbo G82 (191 mph), or the 2021 Nissan NSX Type S 3.5L V6 (191 mph).

Related Links:

2011 3 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison