Performance Review: BMW 3 Series M3 GTR E46 - [2001]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 3 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 3 Series M3 GTR E46 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2001. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2001 Lamborghini Diablo GTR 6.0L V12 and the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12.This particular BMW 3 Series has a 3997cc 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, 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 1350 kgs (2976 lbs) this makes the BMW 3 Series M3 GTR E46 in the same weight category as the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12 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 3997cc 32V V8 engine produces 345 bhp (257 kW) @ 7250 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 V8 throws out 269 lb-ft (364.7 Nm) @ 5000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 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 2012 Audi A6 RS6 Avant 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (280.2 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 255.5 bhp per ton and 199.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2001 3 Series competing with the 2012 Audi A6 RS6 Avant 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (280.2 bhp per ton) or the 1968 Iso Grifo 7 Litre (280.1 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 199.2 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 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado 7L V8 (224.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 Aston-Martin Vantage V8 SP10 (224.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.7 secs, this made the BMW 3 Series M3 GTR E46 as fast as the 2023 BMW i7 M70 xDrive G70 (3.60 secs) the 2020 Iso Rivolta GTZ 6.2 V8 Supercharged (3.60 secs) the 2020 Audi TT RS 2.0 Turbo (3.60 secs) the or the 2019 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 V8 Turbo F85 (3.60 secs). This BMW 3 Series M3 GTR E46 is also faster than the 2022 BMW 8 Series M850i xDrive 4.4 V8 Turbo G15 (3.70 secs) the 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 (3.70 secs) the 2021 Porsche 911 GT3 Touring 992 (3.70 secs) the and the 2021 Porsche 911 GT3 992 (3.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 3 Series and the 2004 Lotus Elise 111R

When talking about the performance of the BMW 3 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.9 secs @ 106.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2004 Lotus Elise 111R (12.84 secs), the 2008 Audi Q7 6.0 V12 TDi Quattro (12.85 secs), and the 1996 Maserati Quattroporte 3.2 V8 Biturbo (12.85 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2001 version of the BMW 3 Series M3 GTR E46 has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2001 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 2001 BMW 3 Series M3 GTR 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:

2001 3 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison