M-Series (M1, M3, M5, M6)General M-Series Discussion - If it does not fit into a more specific M Category above, please place it in here. In addition, previously archived M-Series discussion is located in this section.
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Hello, first of my name is Derek, im 16, and currently own a 1991 honda CRX si (yeah, honda) I love cars no matter what they are.
I have been getting more and more into BMWs lately, and decided to get an e36 M3 (instead of a 2000+ 330i convertible). It will be a couple more years until i get the money from it, as i just got a decent paying job. I have been told that EDM m3s are a lot better (faster) than the USDM ones. Is this true? If so, how? How much does a US legal EDM M3 cost? Is there good aftermarket support for these cars? What are their weak points and strong points.(suspension, gearbox, etc...)?
Thank you for your help.
*edit* also, does anyone know where there are full spec sheets on the USDM and/or EDM E36 M3's? I searched google for at least an hour today with no luck. Thanks again.
*edit* does anyone know where people sell lightweight parts for E36 M3's? Like Carbon Fiber/Fiberglass Hoods, Trunk Lids, Doors, Fenders, etc... and, Who sells a good Screw-Type Superchargers for E36 M3's? Thanks again.
The differences between the US and Euro BMW M3 (M3 Info)
There is a quite significant difference between M3's in the USA/Canada and M3's elsewhere (Europe/Asia etc.).
The "authentic" M3 (often referred to as the "Euro Spec." M3) has the real M-engine:
S50 B30 in the 3.0 Liter Euro M3 (built from 1993 to 1995)
S50 B32 in the 3.2 Liter Euro M3 (built from 1995 to present)
The S50 B30 develops 286 hp at 7000 rpm with 320 NM, the S50 B32 develops 321 hp at 7400 rpm and with 350 NM.
The following are the engines of the US M3:
S50us B30 in the 3.0 Liter US M3 (built from 1995 to 1996)
S50us B32 in the 3.2 Liter US M3 (built from 1996 to present)
The S50us B30 and S50us B32 both develop 240 hp at 6000 rpm and
236 lb-ft/min.
The US M3 engine is - from a constructors viewpoint - a tuned standard 3-series 6-cylinder motor: The S50us engine is a bored and stroked M50/M52 engine which was/is used in the 325i(s)/328i(s).
The Euro Spec. M3 engine is a hand-built engine which has Double-VANOS, 6 single throttles (one individual throttle body per cylinder) and has the characteristics of a racing engine: High engine speed red line almost at 8000 rpm, High specific power output of over 100hp/liter. The single throttles are a typical feature of all M-engines from the late Seventies M1 to the allnew E39 M5 8-cylinder. They all had/have single throttles.
Beside this essential difference, the US M3 also has a softer suspension, other headlights, wheels of different materials and other more or less minor differences. Also the US M3 is available with an automatic transmission beside the 5-speed manual gear box. The Euro Spec. M3 is only available with a 6-speed manual or a sequential gearbox (called "SMG"), which either works like a manual gear box (but without a clutch) or automatically. In 1995 the 3.2 Liter Euro M3 also got the 1994 M5 3.8 high performance brakes with compound discs, which made it one of the best braking cars on the German market (even competitive to the Porsche 993 TT for example).
As for the ability to get one over to the U.S. it costs a large sum of money because there is strict emission requiriments for cars in the U.S. and you have to do quite a few mods before it is legal.
Originally posted by BlackMamba@Jun 19 2004, 04:04 PM As for the ability to get one over to the U.S. it costs a large sum of money because there is strict emission requiriments for cars in the U.S. and you have to do quite a few mods before it is legal.
what kind of large sums are we talking about? 5k? 10k? Thanks again, that was a nice comparison. btw, the SMG is automatic and manual, i've always wanted one of those.
Btw... Silver4evr that first link you gave is not working for me. I love the other two, thanks.
What kinds of tires do you guys run on? I want to get about a year out of them (10k miles, but kinda crazy driving, so mabye 20k mile rating) but will have a different set to do track stuff.
I'm not exactly sure how much it would cost to bring one over here but an article I read on a M3 website talked about it and they said it was really difficult to get a EURO spec. M3 over here and the costs were extrodinary. I would like to give you the web page but I can't find the paticular site it was on. ghead
However if you really want to have a fast M3 just get a turbo and do some mods. Here is a web site that can help you out with that:http://www.activeautowerke.com/main.cfm
Originally posted by no_bimmer@Jun 22 2004, 03:34 PM can i buy a SMG and put it in an E36 M3? will bolt right up? How will it fit inside? Anyone ever done this?
it would have to be wired. and the SMG I was only in e36, SMG II was in e46's. and the euro m3 is not havin in the US because of maintance. at your age, the m3 would be vrey high for insurance also.
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ghead 
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