BMW M3

• 1995 BMW M3
• 2002 BMW M3
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• 2006 BMW M3
• 2008 BMW M3
• 2009 BMW M3

BMW M3

BMW M3 questions and answers

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Q: Can i put a new engine in a 1999 BMW M3?
I'm a 19 year old with no car at all, but my dad will soon give me his 1999 BMW M3. i love the looks of it so much and i just couldnt give up the chance to take it. Anways... is it possible to just put a new engine in it and see it work like new?

A: Where are these figures coming from guys? USED, an engine for a friggen non-M 3er is 2-3K! Then there's the labor rate, and I wouldn't just trust Joe Schmo with the magnitude/integrity of this particular job either. To give you a perspective, I recently had a new transmission thrown in a 2001 325Ci for $6,000. Well, really it was covered under warranty, BUT that's the going rate in that department. 4K for the part, another 2K for labor at approx. $100/hr (through a BMW dealership, that is). Beautiful car though, congrats! :) ............Oh, and in answer to your actual question, yes. It is more than possible.

Q: Whats the best performance chip for my bmw m3 2004?
Hi, I would like to know whats the best performance chip that i can buy for my bmw m3 2004, with in $500 to $1000 range. I want to increase my HP so if you suggest one, please note how many HP does it provide if you know.

A: Dinan. I would never, ever, consider anything less than the best for my car, a 2000 M5. People will tell you crazy things (Motec???), because they heard through the grapevine that they work magic. The truth is, the best tuning company for BMWs are either Dinan, the Shark Injector, or Jim Conforti. Those are three brands that actually give a realistic gain in power, and have the dyno sheets, and support, to back their claims. I used the Shark Injector on my M5 ($300), and I gained 7 hp and 8 ft lbs of torque to the wheels, plus it lets you customize your car a little bit (sport button, dsc...) I found it on Bavauto.com which is the best site to find stuff for your BMW, I recommend it to everyone looking to customize their BMW. If I hadn't bought the Shark, I would have definately got the Dinan Chip. Dinan is one of the most widely renowed aftermarket companies in the world, and their products will NEVER void a BMW warranty, even the superchargers, that says a lot about their relationship with BMW. Check out those chips, and look at Bavauto.com for ideas as to what else you can add! (I'd recommend the underdrive pulleys, I got 11 RWHP!!!)

Q: ANyone Know anything about the bolt pattern on a 2005 BMW m3?
What is the wheels bolt pattern on a 2005 bmw m3?

A: 5 x 120

Q: Will a 2005/6 BMW M3 motor bolt in to a 1999 BMW 318is chassis?
I am thinking of converting a BMW 318is into a M3.

A: This would be an expensive and hard changeover. It would require moving/welding the motor mounts and a whole computer and harness installation, and then it still probably will have problems.

Q: How much miles per gallon does a BMW M3 get?
How much miles per gallon does a 2002-2006 BMW M3 get.

A: 16/24 manual 16/23 automatic

Q: Who owns a BMW M3, M5 or M6? How old are you and what kind of job do you do?
Hey. I just wanted some motivation. I want a BMW M3 for my first car, or even a BMW 3 series. what is your age? How great are they, and do they burn wholes through our wallets?

A: I'm 23 and I have a 95 M3. I started with a 2000 Mazda Protege then had a 2003 Acura RSX then a 95 325is. I still have the Mazda. Do not start with the M. Please, do yourself and the car a favor and wait a little. Even if you have a starter car for only a year you will see great improvements in your driving. I hate to see people getting hurt in cars they may not be ready for. The M3 is definitely one you can get in big trouble with. Depending on the model M3 you get you get varying degrees of snap over-steer that can be the end of you and the car if not controlled properly. I also hate seeing a car that will go many, many, more miles getting damaged or destroyed by someone. These are performance tuned machines, you will have maintain them like one. Also, if you go with an older M like mine, if you hit anything, or anything hits you, you car is totalled. No questions. It's done. No insurance will pay to fix these cars because the value of the car is less than $10k. Repair costs tend to climb very quickly with body work.

Q: Can i buy a keyless remote for bmw m3 outside of dealership?
bought a new key for my bmw m3 for 192$ then saw on ebay for 134$ for 2 keys. Is this possible is it the same device? Keyless remote and key for bmw m3?

A: the only people that can program the code are the dealers.

Q: What do you think of the new next generation BMW M3?
Car and Driver magazine has pictures of the "concept" M3. It looks pretty cool, but it doesn't seem much better than the 335 coupe. I think their 335 with twin turbo is too good for its segment. BMW should make a larger gap between the 335 and M3. What do you think?

A: Agree with you! Time will certainly corroborate the view expressed!

Q: How long will it take to sell a BMW M3?
its a 2001 bmw m3, convertible, imola red, mid 50,000 miles... if anyone has had one similar, how long did it take you to sell yours?

A: i own a repair shop,in Tennessee,and one of my customers just sold his,,it took him about 3 months to sell his,,because of the holidays i think,,but their a good selling car,,you just have to hope the right person see,s the add for it,,good luck i hope this help,s.

Q: How come a BMW M3 e46 is better than a corvette c5?
Hi. I'm a BMW fan, so I don't know a lot about american cars and engines in general. But I find it funny that the m3 with the 3.2 Liter engine, beats the mighty Corvette c5 (exception Zo6) with a 5.7 liter engine. Thats weird if you ask me. 0-60 times are faster in a m3 and also top speed without the limiter. And the corvette has more HP, 345 vs. 333hp for the m3. The weight shouldn't really be an issue on this one, because the m3 isn't lightweight at all. Even at fuel economy and handling the m3 is superior, based on my research. Not to mention the interior. The m3 is amazing when it comes to the interior. I got a chance to drive one, and Its my favorite car. I wanna see what some corvette fans have to say about this. Thanks the only thing that I have to add to this, which was my main question actually is: How come a small engine (3.2 litre) can be compared to a 5.7 litre, and still be faster. I don't understand this. This shows that chevy engines are very unefficient if you can achieve better results with a much smaller engine. I know the corvette is the national pride of america, and I like it too, but can't compare it to the M3.

A: It is better? After about 10 minutes of research, I found the following information: BMW M3 e46: 0-60 in 4.8 seconds, 1/4 mile in 13.1 @ 105 mph Top Speed = 155 with limiter, 189 without Corvette C5: 0-60 in 4.55* seconds, 1/4 mile in 13.25 seconds @ 109 mph Top Speed = 175 without limiter (* Assuming 6-speed manual. Auto trans times range a bit higher. See source for details.) Looks like the BMW wins that argument. Lets look at more stuff, shall we? BMW M3 e46: Curb Weight: 1,570 kg Base Price: $47,407 (per Car and Driver, March 2003) Corvette C5: Curb Weight: 1,458 kg Base Price: $40,475 (per Wikipedia) Still pretty close. All in all, they are very comparable cars. The Vette beats the M3 in 0-60, weight, and pricing (the most important factor, in my opinion), and the M3 wins out in top speed and quarter mile time. Everything else that you mention, such as interior, is personal opinion and not open for debate (everyone has their own opinion). Both are excellent performers, and based on the stats, it looks like it would be a driver's race. Bottom line, German engineering is superior to American. Everyone knows that. So the German sports car is on the same plain as the mighty Vette. Happy now? In all honesty, with the $7,000 price difference, you could upgrade the Vette and embarass the BMW (that's what I'd do).

Q: How hard is it to find a 1987-1990 BMW M3?
How hard is it to find a 1987-1990 BMW M3? I have been looking online alot at used auto dealers and have never found one. Any ideas on where I can find one? Any tips or suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks.

A: These can be difficult. Your best bet is to try the California ads. Not sure where you are but that is where you will find most. Try LA or SF Craigslist and the online BuySell publications as well as the Times and other classified news papers. Then try the enthusiast board's/forum's for sale sections. Roadfly, Bimmerboard, etc. Expect to pay a premium as they are considered collectable now along with the Mercedes Benz 190E Evo I and Evo II.

Q: Is the SMG transmission on a BMW M3 2001-2006 models have a good reputation or bad?
Just wandering if the SMG transmission on a BMW M3 is good. And if it could reach 170k miles easy without any major service. The reason I was interested in it because it has a automatic option in which my mom could drive in case of emergency. Some people say that the regular manual transmission is better?

A: Frankly, the jury is still out on SMG's. But so far so good... Remember that they are manual transmissions basically with automated shifting, and that they had only been in widespread use for approximately 8 years. It has now progressed from SMG I to II to III ( the latest). To say that it is not durable is baloney. Same thing with being rough in normal city use and being fit only for the track. Rumor mongering from people who have never had much or any experience with SMG's. Or who do not know how to use an SMG. Normally, the defects would be the same as any manual transmission. Ocassionally (but rarely) you would see the hydraulic pump or the gear shift sensor taking a dive. More often (but still rare) is oil leaking from the SMG shifter mechanism (not the tranny). Theoretically, the SMG module could quit but I have yet to see one do it. But to guarantee that it would last 170K miles is asking too much. Even BMW would not go as far as that. What car manufacturer would guarantee their transmissions up to 170K ? EDIT: To compare the automatic transmission of a 335 or any car for that matter to an SMG simply misses the point. Any automatic transmission can never perform better than a manual or a manual with SMG in the hands of a good driver. SMG is not meant for boys. Ladies maybe.

Q: bmw m3????
I live in southwestern ontario and i need to know where to buy a 2005 bmw m3 and also how much it is, hp, etc.

A: If you are buying a m3 for hp and speed then look for a different car. I spend almost every weekend at the track and the m3's are very over rated as far as straight line speed goes. They have a 333hp V6 and are very expensive to modify. In stock form they run around a 13.5 at the track. Even with very expensive superchargers, exhaust, cai, tune, and tires, they dont break the 12.5's. Now if you are buying a car that does well at cornering speed, looks awsome, has a awsome interior, and is one of the overall coolest cars around in my opinion then the m3 is the car for you. I just know a lot of people at the track are extremely disapointed in there straight line speed and expected a 12 second car. Now, the 08's that are comming out will have a 400hp v8 engine that should be a high 12 second stock 1/4 mile car, look out!!

Q: How do I properly use the launch control feature in my 2002 BMW m3 with SMG?
I just purchased a bmw m3 with smg. I heard that this car has launch control, a bit limited in US, but its still there. Does anyone know how to use this? I have the sport button, smg control, and a dsc button. Also have the paddle shifters, and am driving pretty good with them now. Also, I understand that this may be bad for the tranny, but I still want to know how to do it. Thanks to all!

A: There are 2 drive programs for your particular car's SMG. 1) A-Mode, automated, from A1 (starts in 2nd gear for snowy roads) to A5 (sporty) 2) S-Mode, sequential shifting, from S1 (relaxed dynamic) to S5 (sporty), and as a special feature, S6 (super sporty). I think you are interested in knowing about S6 which is also called "acceleration boost". To use S6, DSC must be turned off, and the S6 program must be active. The shift lever must now be pushed forward and the accelerator pedal depressed. The acceleration boost is performed as soon as the shift lever is released. Further gear shifts are done manually. Furthermore, there are 2 types of S6 boost. The "racing start" and the "burnout" mode, both of which are extremely harmful to the clutch and to the whole drivetrain. Depressing the accelerator slowly to the floor activates racing start. This means fastest acceleration without wheelspin (due to the computer comparing front and rear wheel speeds). Depressing the pedal quickly to the floor activates burnout mode after the shift lever is released. This can be dangerous since the rear of the car can made unstable due to extreme wheelspin. Burnout mode can be bad not only for the car but also for the driver. Implement the same at your own risk (perhaps in a race track, or an empty rural airport?).

Q: How do I check the SMG fluid level on an E36 BMW M3?
I'm having problems with the SMG box on my E36 BMW M3 Evo. I have been advised to check the fluid level but I don't know how to do this. I know where the reservoir is but there no dipstick to check the level? How do I check it and how do I tell if it needs topping up? Thanks

A: There are 2 fluids that matter to an SMG transmission. First is the SMG fluid itself (the fluid used by the SMG pump) which can usually be checked by looking at the clear plastic reservoir on the right rear side of the transmission. The reservoir has a mark for the proper level. 2nd is the manual transmission itself (which of course like any manual transmission does not have any dipstick). The filler plug is at the left side of the transmission, and the fluid should flow out from the plug hole on level ground with the engine off. Always use original oil for these fluids and get them from a dealer. Never gamble on aftermarket oils when it comes to BMW's.