BMW M3 Evolution

The year was 1986, and Mercedes-Benz had just unveiled a sportier version of their legendary 190E, dubbed the 190E 2.3-16. This move set the stage in the automotive world, particularly among German manufacturers who saw motorsport not just as a competition, but as a proving ground for their engineering excellence.

In response to their Stuttgart rival, BMW couldn’t sit idle. They needed to burn the track and overcome Mercedes at all costs. BMW already had an M division that specifically built cars for the track, but it had to comply with FIA regulations to compete.

These regulations required BMW, like other automakers, to produce a certain number of street-legal versions of the car they intended to race. Consequently, BMW had to create a road-going version of the specially designed 3 Series.

Back in the 1990s sports cars were not the most sought-after option and sales were pessimistic these would make it to the road. Not only did BMW sell all 5000 M3 of the first batch but the public was so thirsty for an exciting sports car that they wanted more.

The idea was simple, shrink the M1 car into the E30 chassis, but not so easy! The original M1 car from BMW was legendary, packed an inline-six engine and had proven to be one of the fastest naturally aspirated inline-six engines of the time. But we have a problem! The engine is too big to fit into a tiny E30.

In 2 weeks BMW made it possible to cut 2 cylinders off and come up with a sportier, beefier, and more refined version of the E30. From the outside the car remained the same.

BMW was all in for tuning the suspension, brakes, engine and it went as far as removing all panels and refining them for aerodynamics. Naming was simple, M3. It hit the ground fast and went neck to neck against the Mercedes 190E 2.3 -16.

In this blog we will explore all generations of the BMW M3!

As a well known brand for our Audi aftermarket parts it might sound biased for us to talk any good about our long lived rivals in Munich! Reality is we love both brands and we believe that this love-hate rivalry has brought both brands together in automotive excellence.

What does this mean for you bimmers? Canadian Auto Performance is bringing the best of the best for you too! Grilles, bumpers, M stickers - we know you love those, and much more! Stay tuned!

BMW E30 M3 |  1981-1993

Thanks to FIA regulations BMW had to produce 5000 road legal M3. During this time sports cars were not the most popular choice for buyers and BMW sales were pessimistic.

Time goes by and the first 5000 batches sell like candy! Europeans were loving the original M3!

The BMW E30 M3 was made between 1981 to 1993. It carried a 4 cylinder making 200 horsepower and a 5 speed manual. What more can you ask for back in 1981?

North America and Canada received a de-tuned version of the original M3 and it was only made available from 1987 to 1991 with a 2.3 liter engine. Europe also had the option to get a 2.5 liter option with slightly more power.

While the original M3 was a success in Europe, Americans didn’t really like the idea of a sports coupe with 200 horsepower, and this would set the stage for the next generation of the M3, the E36!

BMW M3 (E36): 1992–1999

The E36 M3 was made between 1992 to 1999. It’s probably one of the most questioned models to have ever entered the North American market. Wondering why?

The original BMW M3 was a success - but only for the European market. It was not a preferred car for US consumers who were already used to big V8 engines.

The E30 simply didn’t have the punch and the BMW consecutives were considering not bringing the next generation M3 to the states!

Not until BMW enthusiasts of the time sent letters to the head of BMW M Division of the time. His office was filled with letters asking him to bring the E36 to the US, promising they would buy it if the price is reasonable. This is why we have a US E36 M3 and a more powerful E36 European M3.

The most significant difference was the engine. When the E36 M3 was first introduced, both versions featured a 3.0-liter inline-six engine and a five-speed manual transmission.

However, the European version was equipped with a more advanced VANOS system and individual throttle bodies, resulting in 286 horsepower compared to the U.S. version's 240 horsepower.

Later, when the engine displacement increased to 3.2 liters, the European model's power jumped to 321 horsepower, while the American version remained at 240 horsepower but gained 11 lb-ft of torque, reaching 236 lb-ft.

The best thing about the E36 M3 is that it was available as a coupe, convertible and most importantly sedan. This is what the North American market loved and kept the M market growing in the US.

Not only did this sports car consistently earn top titles back to back in magazines of the era, but it also featured seating for five, making it practical for families with kids.

BMW M3 (E46): 2000–2006

Probably one of the most iconic M3s to exist, the E46 M3 is the real thrill. Made between 2000 and 2006, it packed an iconic, high revving inline-six with 333 horsepower and an SMG transmission which brought a lot of love-hate questions among bimmers.

The E46 could also be optioned with a 6 speed manual transmission but SMGs were the hype of the time for BMW. Recall that during these years BMW was going neck to neck against Mercedes-Benz across all divisions.

Unfortunately the E46 was made available only as a coupe or convertible, dropping the sedan. Many people love the E46 M3 for good reasons, but most importantly for being one of the most superior cars of its time.

Fun Fact: BMW experimented with the E36 in 2003 and released the M3 CSL. It packed a V8 under the hood and was a track only concept which never made it to production.

But hold your beers gentlemans because BMW has been cooking the whole time!

BMW M3 (E90, E92, E93): 2007–2013

The First V8 Powered M3

2007 was the peak of German engineering. BMW was only growing bigger and so were the engines. Made between 2007 and 2013 the BMW E90 M3 brings a V8 onboard!

BMW had already been experimenting with a naturally aspirated V10 on their E60 M5, and let me tell you. That car sounded like hell! Probably one of the best sounding engines of all time.

BMW decides to stick to naturally aspirated engines. The E90 carried a 4.0-liter V8 making 414 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. It also redlined at a screaming 8,400 rpm.

During this time BMW brings back the sedan body style as the E90 M3. E92 was the designated letters for coupe and E93 M3 for convertible

This era was not the greatest for BMW. Despite being very good on paper and excitingly revved too high these engines didn’t last as long!

BMW M3 (F80): 2014–2019

The F80 series was made between 2014 - 2018. The F80 M3 is one of the most popular M3’s of all time. During this time BMW has learned their lesson well and brings back the inline-six engine stronger than ever.

The F80 M3 brings a twin-turbo 3.0-liter straight-six onboard, making 425 hp and 416 lb-ft of torque - 100 lb-ft more than its predecessor. If you’re curious about how that translates to 0-60mph:

F80 M3 does 0-60 mph in 4.3 seconds

Unlike its predecessors, the F80 M3 carried a more luxurious interior that didn’t fall apart after just a few years. Many of the complaints for the early models of the M3 have been on the interior build quality!

The F80 M3 also marks the end of the coupe and convertible options, under this name to say at least. After 2014 BMW has named the coupe and convertible versions of the M3 as the M4.

BMW M3 (G80) : 2020–Present

The sixth generation of the BMW M3 brought significant drivetrain updates. It introduced the S58 3.0-liter straight-six engine, previously exclusive to the G01 X3 M, and marked the debut of an all-wheel-drive option for the M3.

However, the six-speed manual transmission is only available for the rear-wheel-drive version, while the all-wheel-drive models come with BMW's eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission.

This generation of the M3 is available in three editions: the M3 Sedan, the M3 Competition Sedan, and the all-wheel-drive Competition xDrive Sedan.

The standard M3 engine produces 473 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, achieving a top speed of 155 mph and accelerating from zero to 60 in 4.1 seconds.

The Competition model increases power to 503 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, cutting the zero to 60 time to just 3.8 seconds. With the optional driver's package, the top speed can be increased to 180 mph by removing the speed limiter.