Performance Review: BMW 3 Series M3 SMG 2d E46 - [2001]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 3 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 3 Series M3 SMG 2d 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 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 1577 kgs (3476 lbs) this makes the BMW 3 Series M3 SMG 2d E46 in the same weight category as the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 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 343 bhp (255 kW) @ 7900 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (360 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 269 lb-ft (364.7 Nm) @ 4900 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 1969 AMC AMX /3 6.4L V8 (242.5 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 217.5 bhp per ton and 170.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2001 3 Series competing with the 1969 AMC AMX /3 6.4L V8 (242.5 bhp per ton) or the 2012 Porsche Cayman S 3.4l (242.4 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 170.5 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 1995 Maserati Quattroporte 2.8 V6 (195.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2009 Lotus Exige Cup 260 1.8 Supercharged (195.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.0 secs, this made the BMW 3 Series M3 SMG 2d E46 as fast as the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (4.80 secs) the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (4.80 secs) the 2018 Rolls-Royce Cullinan 6.7 V12 Turbo (4.80 secs) the or the 2017 Maserati GranCabrio Sport 4.7 V8 (4.80 secs). This BMW 3 Series M3 SMG 2d E46 is also faster than 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 and the 2020 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Touring (4.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 3 Series and the 1993 Nissan Skyline R33 GTR

When talking about the performance of the BMW 3 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.58 secs @ 100.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1993 Nissan Skyline R33 GTR (13.51 secs), the 2012 Renault Megane RenaultSport 2.0T 265 (13.52 secs), and the 1993 Toyota Supra 3.0 Turbo Auto (13.53 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2001 version of the BMW 3 Series M3 SMG 2d E46 has a maximum speed of 160mph.

Top Speed of the 2001 3 Series equals the 2018 Porsche Boxster T 2.0 Turbo PDK 982 (171 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 SMG 2d E46 then how about the 2018 Porsche Boxster T 2.0 Turbo PDK 982 (171 mph), the 2018 Porsche Boxster T 2.0 Turbo 982 (171 mph), or the 2013 Jaguar F Type S 3.0 V6 (171 mph).

Related Links:

2001 3 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison