BMW M3: Difference between revisions

| image = 2021 BMW M3 Competition (G80)Automatic IMG3.0 4041Front.jpg

| caption = 2021 BMW M3 Competition (G80)

In 1987 an "Evolution" model (also called "EVO1") was released. Although not designated by BMW as an Evolution model, these had a revised cylinder head (designated by an "E" stamp) to improve performance. Power was unchanged from the standard M3. Visually, these were unchanged from the standard E30 M3. In total, 505 were built between March and May 1987. To celebrate the M3’s victory at the 1987 Tour de Corse (round five of that year’syear's World Rally Championship), BMW France commissioned a batch of 50 Evolution 1 special editions.

In 1986, BMW produced an "M3 Pickup" prototype [[pickup truck]], based on the convertible model. The M3 Pickup used the narrower body of regular E30 models and was originally powered by the 2.0-litre version of the S14 engine from the Italian-specification M3. It was used by BMW M as a transporter for roughly 26 years before it was officially retired in 2012.<ref name="press.bmwgroup.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/usa/article/detail/T0264196EN_US/30-years-of-the-bmw-m3-%E2%80%93-the-story-behind-the-legend|title=30 years of the BMW M3 – the story behind the legend.|website=www.press.bmwgroup.com|access-date=25 June 2017}}</ref><ref name="autoblog.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.autoblog.com/2016/09/27/bmw-m3-prototypes-pickups/|title=BMW actually built two M3-based pickup trucks|first=Joel|last=Patel|website=Autoblog|date=27 September 2016 |access-date=25 June 2017}}</ref>

Powertrain changes included the removal of the top speed limiter and a shorter differential ratio (3.23 compared to 3.15). Suspension upgrades consisted of shorter springs from the European-specification M3. Before being sold, the M3 Lightweights were sent to Prototype Technology Group Racing in Virginia for final preparation, which included the front and rear Motorsport flag decals, and "trunk kit".<ref>{{cite web|title=1995 BMW M3 Lightweight|url=https://www.sportscarmarket.com/profile/1995-bmw-m3-lightweight|website=www.sportscarmarket.com|date=24 April 2017 |access-date=26 April 2019}}</ref> In the boot there was a dual-pickup oil pump (from the European-specification M3), front strut bar, lower cross-brace, spacer blocks to raise the rear wing, and an adjustable front splitter.<ref name="forums.bimmerforums.com"/> Each owner was given a 1-page legal document to sign acknowledging that any installation of boot items voided the new car warranty.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}

Prior to the release of the North American specification M3, BMW Canada sold 45 of the European specification M3s. At the time, BMW North America was opposed to importing the E36 M3 (due to its high price and the poor sales of the previous M3). The Canadian Edition M3 was imported using a loophole that allows low volumes of Norwegian-certified cars to be sold in Canada.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Canadian M3|url=https://www.hagerty.com/articles-videos/articles/2017/10/17/canadian-m3|website=www.hagerty.com|date=17 October 2017|access-date=26 April 2019}}</ref> Despite a high price of nearly $60,000 CAD,<ref>{{cite web|title=How Canada Got the Euro-Spec E36 M3 America Didn't|url=https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a13050927/canadian-spec-bmw-e36-m3-1994/|website=Road & Track|access-date=26 April 2019|date=19 October 2017}}</ref> all 45 cars were sold in 3 days. 42 of the M3s arrived in Canada via boat in January 1994, with the final 3 cars shipping sometime in the following few months. As with other European specification M3s, these 45 cars had the {{convert|213|kW|hp|0|abbr=on}} version of the S50 engine, oil temperature gauge and glass headlights, as well as Canadian-required equipment such as a third brake light and daytime running lights. Each of the Canadian Edition cars has an individually-numbered plaque on the inside of the glovebox which reads "S50 B30 Limited Production Canadian Edition" <ref>{{cite web|title=1 of 45: 1994 BMW M3 Canadian Edition|url=https://germancarsforsaleblog.com/1-of-45-1994-bmw-m3-canadian-edition/|website=www.germancarsforsaleblog.com|access-date=26 April 2019|date=18 August 2016}}</ref> as well as a special owners manual pouch with a similar plaque. The cars were numbered at random, with no correlation to VIN numbers, options or production date.

Production of the E36 M3 began in September 1992<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/september-1991/42/road-test-bmw-325-i|title = Road Test – BMW 325i| date=7 July 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=14|title=BMW M Registry – FAQ E36 M3 3.0}}</ref> and was discontinued in August 1999.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=15|title = BMW M Registry – FAQ E36 M3 3.2}}</ref>

The wheels were increased in size to 19 inches. BMW took the unusual approach of supplying the CSL with [[Racing slick|semi-slick tyres]] (Michelin Pilot Sport Cup).<ref name="usautoparts" /><ref name="tirecite">{{cite web|url=http://www.caranddriver.com/buying_guide/bmw/m3/bmw_m3_csl_auto_shows__1+type-news_by_make+mode-collection+id-259.html|title=BMW M3 CSL – Auto Shows|date=March 2003|publisher=Car and Driver|access-date=10 July 2009}}</ref> These tyres provided high grip levels once warmed up on a racetrack, but poor performance on wet roads and when below their operating temperature.<ref>{{cite web|title=The BMW M3 CSL Is Still a Dream Machine|url=https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a27310847/bmw-e46-m3-csl-review/|website=Road & Track|access-date=5 May 2019|date=29 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=BMW E46 M3 CSL Review|url=https://www.tradeuniquecars.com.au/feature-cars/1608/bmw-e46-m3-cls-review|website=www.tradeuniquecars.com.au|date=29 August 2016 |access-date=5 May 2019}}</ref> A warning label was included in the CSL to inform drivers about driving in cold or wet conditions. The brakes were upgraded with larger floating discs at the front and larger pistons at the rear.

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The M3 CRT (Carbon Racing Technology) was a special edition of the M3 saloon that was produced in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car/11q2/2012_bmw_m3_crt_lightweight_sedan-official_photos_and_info|title=2012 BMW M3 CRT Lightweight Sedan – Official Photos and Info|website=Car and Driver|date=23 June 2011}}</ref> The CRT was powered by the same 4.4 litre version of the S65 engine as the GTS, however it retained a higher level of luxury features compared to the track-focussedfocused GTS. The CRT used a carbon fibre bonnet and front seats to reduce weight, resulting in a kerb weight approximately {{convert|150|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} lower than an equivalently specified version of the regular M3 saloon.

{{cite web|url=https://www.bmw-m.com/en/topics/magazine-article-pool/bmw-m3-individual-the-last-of-its-kind.html|title=BMW M3 by Björn Schmidt|author=<!--Not stated-->|date=2018-10-30|website=bmw-m.com|publisher=M GmbH|access-date=2019-08-10|quote=production of the current generation BMW M3 (F80) will be coming to an end. Someone else who finds it just as difficult to say goodbye is self-confessed BMW M enthusiast Björn Schmidt. But he’she's found a way to deal with it: as a birthday treat, the businessman has secured himself the last model in Europe.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Production Data Shows Only 15% of BMW F80 M3 Models Were Manual|url=https://www.bmwblog.com/2019/01/14/production-data-shows-only-15-of-bmw-f80-m3-models-were-manual/|website=BMW BLOG|access-date=29 April 2019|language=en|date=14 January 2019}}</ref> However, the M4 model remained in production.

| image = 20212023 BMW M3 Competition AutomaticxDrive 3.0Auto Front2.jpg

[[File:20212023 BMW M3 Competition AutomaticxDrive 3.0Auto Rear1.jpg|left|thumb|G80 Rear]]