Performance Review: BMW 3 Series M3 CSL 2d SMG E46 - [2003]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 3 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 3 Series M3 CSL 2d SMG E46 is the 6 speed / Semi-Auto version and was first brought out in 2003. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2004 Westfield Sport 2000S and the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 400.This particular BMW 3 Series has a 3246cc 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, Coupe 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 1385 kgs (3053 lbs) this makes the BMW 3 Series M3 CSL 2d SMG E46 in the same weight category as the 2022 Koenigsegg CC850 4.9 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW 3 Series shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 3246cc 24V St6 engine produces 360 bhp (268 kW) @ 7900 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 274 lb-ft (371.4 Nm) @ 4900 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 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 2008 Mercedes SL Class 65 AMG V12 R230 (284.9 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 259.9 bhp per ton and 197.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2003 3 Series competing with the 2008 Mercedes SL Class 65 AMG V12 R230 (284.9 bhp per ton) or the 2015 Mercedes C Class 63 AMG Coupe 507 Edition (284.8 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 197.8 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 2021 Porsche Cayman GT4 RS 4.0 982 (222.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 2016 Audi A3 RS3 Saloon 2.5 Turbo (222.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.1 secs, this made the BMW 3 Series M3 CSL 2d SMG E46 as fast as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2021 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (4.90 secs) the or the 2020 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Touring (4.90 secs). This BMW 3 Series M3 CSL 2d SMG E46 is also faster than the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the 2022 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 Turbo FL5 (5.00 secs) the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the and the 2020 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP (5.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 3 Series and the 1998 Jaguar XK R Coupe 4.0 V8 Supercharged

When talking about the performance of the BMW 3 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.08 secs @ 104.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1998 Jaguar XK R Coupe 4.0 V8 Supercharged (13.02 secs), the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Golf R 2.0 Turbo (13.02 secs), and the 1988 Maserati 430 2.8 V6 (13.03 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2003 version of the BMW 3 Series M3 CSL 2d SMG E46 has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2003 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 2003 BMW 3 Series M3 CSL 2d SMG E46 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:

2003 3 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison