- This E46 M3 looks stock but hides a turbocharged setup pushing up to 600 horsepower.
- A standard E46 M3 delivers 333 horsepower and 262 lb-ft from its 3.2-liter inline-six.
- With the exception of the engine, most parts of this Laguna Seca Blue M3 are original.
The E46 BMW M3 is rightfully regarded as one of the finest generations of M cars ever released. The demand and interest in these cars has been reflected in their surge in value on the used car market. There are plenty of amazing E46s out there, and this Laguna Seca Blue one is particularly intriguing. Unlike most other E46 M3s you’ll come across, this one is turbocharged.
Yes, some enthusiasts and purists will shout from the rooftops that the car has been ruined by adding forced induction to the fabled 3.2-liter S54 inline-six. They have a point, as this engine is superb in stock form, and loves nothing more than being revved out. Slapping on a turbocharger promises to drastically change the character of the inline-six. But, if you want power, sometimes forced induction is the only solution.
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As standard, the E46’s 3.2-liter delivers 333 hp and 262 lb-ft (355 Nm) of torque. Thanks to the Maximum PSI Stage 1 turbocharger kit, this M3 now delivers around 450 hp on 91-octane fuel and roughly 600 hp on 100-octane. Like the original car, this grunt is sent to the rear wheels courtesy of a six-speed manual transmission.
What we like about this modified M3 is that it doesn’t shout about the changes. In fact, the exterior is almost entirely stock, apart from the lowering springs that have been installed. It has the original 19-inch wheels finished in silver and wrapped in 265/30 Hankook Ventus V12 Evo2 tires.
The cabin is also in good condition. It rocks heated and power-adjustable front seats clad in Gray Nappa leather, and there are plenty of creature comforts, too. These include cruise control, a Harman Kardon sound system, and automatic climate control.
The listing doesn’t mention when the car was turbocharged, but does say the M3 has around 107,000 miles (~172,000 km) under its belt. It also mentions a Dinan short shifter and an aftermarket cat-back exhaust have been fitted. If you’d like to drive around in this very special BMW, head over to Bring a Trailer to place a bid before it’s too late.
