The M3 version of the E46 3 Series was produced in coupé and convertible body styles. The E46 M3 is powered by the S54 straight-six engine and has a 0–100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration time of 5.2 seconds for the coupé, with either the manual or SMG-II transmission. The skidpad cornering results are 0.89 g for the coupé and 0.81 g for the convertible.[63][64] The top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph). The kerb weight is 1,565 kg (3,450 lb). The available transmissions were a Getrag 420G 6-speed manual transmission or an SMG-II 6-speed automated manual transmission, which was based on the Getrag 420G. The SMG-II used an electrohydraulically actuated clutch, and gear shifts could be selected via the shift lever or paddles mounted on the steering wheel. The SMG-II was praised for its fast shift times and racetrack performance, but some people found its shifts to be delayed and lurching in stop-start traffic.
Total production of the E46 M3 was 56,133 coupés and 29,633 convertibles. The cars were assembled at the BMW Regensburg factory in Germany, and production was from September 2000 until August 2006, for a total of 85,766 cars.
| built at | Munich, Germany |
| engine | S51 Inline-6 |
| position | Front Longitudinal |
| displacement | 3246 cc / 198.1 in³ |
| bore | 87 mm / 3.43 in |
| stroke | 91 mm / 3.58 in |
| compression | 11.5:1 |
| power | 255.8 kw / 343.0 bhp @ 7900 rpm |
| specific output | 105.67 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 218.47 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 364.72 nm / 269.0 ft lbs @ 4900 rpm |
| front tires | 225/45ZR18 |
| rear tires | 225/40ZR18 |
| front brakes | Vented Discs w/Single Piston Caliper & ABS |
| rear brakes | Vented Discs w/Single Piston Caliper & ABS |
| front wheels | F 45.7 x 20.3 cm / 18.0 x 8.0 in |
| rear wheels | R 45.7 x 22.9 cm / 18.0 x 9.0 in |
| steering | Rack & Pinion w/Power Assist |
| curb weight | 1570 kg / 3461 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2731 mm / 107.5 in |
| front track | 1508 mm / 59.4 in |
| rear track | 1525 mm / 60.0 in |
| length | 4492 mm / 176.9 in |
| width | 1780 mm / 70.1 in |
| height | 1372 mm / 54.0 in |
| transmission | 6-Speed Manual |
| gear ratios | 4.227:1, 2.528:1, 1.669:1, 1.226:1, 1.000:1, 0.828:1 |
| final drive | 3.620:1 |
| top speed | ~249.4 kph / 155.0 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~5.1 second |
