The brake calipers, rotors and master cylinder were unique to the M3 model. The only exterior body panels the regular 3 Series and the M3 shared were the bonnet, roof panel, sunroof and inner door panels. As a result, the M3 achieved a relatively low drag coefficient of C d=0.33 instead of C d=0.38 as in the standard 3 Series. In addition, the windscreen was glued in – not, as with the other E30 models, framed with a window rubber and piping. The changes over the rear of the car resulted in lower lift forces and better straight-line stability. For aerodynamic reasons, the rear window was flattened and the tailgate was made of light, glass-reinforced plastic raised by approximately 40 mm for better air flow. The front splitter, the rear apron, sill panels, as well as changes to the body in the area of the rear window ( C-pillar) and the bootlid improved the aerodynamics. The E30 M3 was mainly produced in the coupé body style, but limited volumes of convertibles were also produced. It was presented to the public at the 1985 Frankfurt Motor Show, and began production from March 1986 to June 1991. The first BMW M3 was based on the E30 3 Series and was intended to be a homologation special to satisfy the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft and Group A Touring rules, which required a total of 5,000 cars to be built. 4.4.7 Competition Edition Frozen Silver.

A carbon fiber air box was developed for the E46 M3 CSL, and it worked by creating a vortex of air that could constantly maintain maximum air induction pressure to maximize throttle response. When they fitted the E46 M3 with the SMG-III gearbox, it officially took the title as the fastest shifting gear box in the world. The M3’s most notable implementation of technology came in 1992 when the E36 M3 was outfitted with the SMG-I gearbox and became the first car sold in the United States to have a sequential manual transmission. The M3’s biggest contribution to both driver safety and the performance industry is BMW’s continual development of their limited-slip differential, which mathematically maximizes torque and grip without compromising handling.

Upgrades over the regular 3 Series models include engines, handling, brakes, aerodynamics, lightweight materials and various interior upgrades. Since 2014, the M3 has been solely produced in the sedan body style, due to the coupé and convertible models being rebranded as the 4 Series range, making the high-performance variant the M4. The initial model was available in a coupé body style, with a convertible body style added soon after.

M3 models have been produced for every generation of 3 Series since the E30 M3 was introduced in 1986. The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, BMW M GmbH.

2002 bmw e46 m3 specs