BMW‘s latest video series on the M3 presents the third iteration of the performance model based on the E46 platform.
If the E30 M3 was the one that started it all, the E46 M3 was the one that solidified the series as the performance juggernaut it is today, especially in the limited production CSL trim (despite being offered only with the finicky SMG).
The E46 generation of the BMW M3 came to life in Regensburg, Germany, and was produced between 2000 and 2006, in just under 86,000 units.
It was offered as a coupe or a convertible and it came with a 3.2-liter naturally aspirated inline-six engine, producing 343PS (338hp) and 365Nm (269lb-ft) of torque in the European version, and 338PS (333hp) and 355Nm (262lb-ft) of torque in the U.S. variants. The car succeeded the E36 and it was replaced by the E90/92/93.