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         Oct 1992

   

One of the most impressive tests was performed by German Magazine "sport auto" in March 1993. The March issue featured a large BMW special, where the magazine compared all new sportive cars that BMW offered at that time, with comparable cars from Audi and Porsche. The cars were in detail: BMW M3 vs. Porsche 968 CS, BMW 850 CSi vs. Porsche 928 GTS, BMW M5 Touring vs. Audi S4 4.2 Avant.

The M3 and M5 had no problem in defeating their competitors. Only the 850 CSi could hardly keep up with the Porsche 928 GTS. However, the fastest of all cars in the test was the BMW M3 3.0 !!

The following table demonstrates the impressive performance:

 
      
  BMW M3 Coupe Porsche 968 CS BMW 850 CSi Porsche 928 GTS BMW M5 Touring Audi S4 4.2 Avant
Horsepower DIN 286 240 380 350 340 280
Cylinder/Valves Inline-6 24V Inline-4 16V V-12 24V V-8 32V Inline-6 24V V-8 32V
Displacement ccm 2990 2990 5576 5397 3795 4172
Weight (Empty) 1460 kg 1320 kg 1865 kg 1620 kg 1720 kg 1730 kg
0-40 km/h 1.9 s 2.1 s 2.0 s 1.9 s 1.9 s 1.6 s
0-60 km/h 2.9 s 3.3 s 3.0 s 2.8 s 3.1 s 2.9 s
0-80 km/h 4.2 s 4.8 s 4.6 s 4.2 s 4.4 s 4.3 s
0-100 km/h 5.6 s 6.4 s 6.1 s 5.7 s 5.9 s 6.3 s
0-120 km/h 7.7 s 8.8 s 8.3 s 8.6 s 8.2 s 8.8 s
0-140 km/h 10.0 s 11.4 s 10.5 s 10.0 s 10.7 s 11.5 s
0-160 km/h 12.7 s 14.9 s 13.6 s 13.2 s 13.8 s 15.5 s
0-180 km/h 16.2 s 19.4 s 16.9 s 16.7 s 18.0 s 20.9 s
0-200 km/h 20.9 s 27.1 s 21.3 s 22.1 s 22.8 s 29.4 s

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"M3 - BMW redefines the term sports car. With 286 hp it is setting new standards and makes driving an addiction. [...] The M3 engine does not develop it's power - No - it is simply present in an overwhelming quantity at any time. Already at idle, the torque of 240 Nm is available, and instead of a maximum torque at a climax, it is constantly remaining at the peak of a band that is starting at 3600 rpm and goes up to 6000 rpm."

"Auto Zeitung" Magazine, Issue 26/1992, Page 4 and 28 (Article about the introduction of the BMW E36 M3 3.0, Euro Spec.)

 

"... The M3 engine offers ... an impressive max. torque of 320 Nm, which is virtually all the time present in the range from 3600 to 5900 rpm. With it's torque value, the M3 six-cylinder outperforms sports car motors like those of the Porsche Carrera or Honda NSX   [...] Keep in mind: The M3 has NO turbocharger."

"mot" Magazine, Issue 26/1992, Page 72 (Article about the introduction of the BMW E36 M3 3.0, Euro Spec.)

 

"... Not only does the BMW M3 develop a higher torque at idle than the maximum (!!!) torque of the also powerful 325i, but with it's 320 Nm max. torque at only 3600 rpm and 95,7hp per liter it puts everything else in the shadow."

"Auto Magazin" Magazine, Issue 4/1993, Page 31 (Road Test with the BMW E36 M3 3.0, Euro Spec.)

The M3 possesses uncanny roadgoing ability. This is the most-agile car here. The steering eagerly bites into corners and is alive with feel… Even at the hairy edge of traction, the M3 is accepting of further driver input, which builds tremendous confidence. Unlike the Acura NSX, the Dodge Viper, or even the Ferrari F355, you feel free to explore the M3's limits without fear that something awful awaits if you miscalculate.
Car and Driver September 1997: "The Best-Handling Car for More Than 30K"

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From a BMW Brochure...

BMW M cars have long been recognized as the epitome of high performance and refinement. Building on BMW Motorsport's racing heritage, the long-awaited M3 is born of a tradition of innovative technology, sophisticated engineering and the determination to create one of the most exciting automobiles ever offered to Canadian driving enthusiasts.

The M3 was originally developed by BMW's racing department. BMW M cars reflect the synergy between BMW's racing heritage and production models built for daily use. As a result, the M3's motorsport successes and the numerous European and World Championship titles can now be enjoyed as a production car, available as coupe or sedan.

BMW's four-valve technology provides one of the highest specific torque and power outputs of any production engine worldwide. Exceptionally low gas-flow restrictions of the cylinder head ports guarantee optimized gas exchange, resulting in excellent low speed torque and "free-breathing" at high revs Engine management is provided by Digital Motor Electronics (DME), individual ignition coils, cylinder-selective knock control and VANOS variable camshaft control.

Digital Motor Electronics (DME) analyzes and then actually fine-tunes the engine hundreds of times a second. Each cylinder is constantly adjusted to maximum operating efficiency under virtually all conditions. DME even has many fail-safe programs: in the unlikely event of an electrical fault, it can reconfigure itself to bypass the problem. The DME has the incredible ability to diagnose itself for quick and efficient trouble-shooting.

VANOS is a combined hydraulic and mechanical camshaft control device managed by the car's DME engine management system. It operates on the inlet camshaft in accordance with engine speed and accelerator pedal position. At the lower end of the engine-speed scale, the inlet valves are opened later, which improves idling quality and smoothness. At moderate engine speeds, the inlet valves open much earlier, which boosts torque and permits exhaust gas recirculation inside the combustion chambers, so that fuel consumption and exhaust emissions are both reduced. Finally, at high engine speeds, inlet valve opening is once again delayed, so that full power can be developed.

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Motor Trend April 1997
BMW M3 vs. Mercedes-Benz
Battle of the Two Quickest Compact Four Doors on Earth
by John Pearley Huffman

BMW's M3 is one of the least-expensive cars in this group. It's also the tallest and narrowest car and has the most-usable rear seat. Its first-place finish proves that superb handling does not require exotic-car packaging or exotic-car prices.

The M3's cockpit works naturally. The driver's seat offers a commanding view of the road and the hood's corners. Hands fall instinctively to the steering wheel and shifter, as do feet to the pedals. Heel-and-toeing is possible, and a dead pedal is included. An adjustable steering wheel would have been nice, as well as more lateral support, but these issues didn't get in the way of our adoration.

The M3 possesses uncanny roadgoing ability. This is the most-agile car here. The steering eagerly bites into corners and is alive with feel. "Constantly talking to my fingers," wrote Csere. It latches onto a line in corners as if on a mission from God. Webster: "Rolls gracefully into curves at a constant rate and goes right where you point it."

The M3 covers for you. The suspension shrugs off bumps, swells, and off-camber depressions without upsetting the line. Not once did any driver cross it up. Smith: "Overcooked a corner, and the BMW's forgiving nature made it interesting rather than scary." Even at the hairy edge of traction, the M3 is accepting of further driver input, which builds tremendous confidence. Unlike the Acura NSX, the Dodge Viper, or even the Ferrari F355, you feel free to explore the M3's limits without fear that something awful awaits if you miscalculate.

The M3 is like one of those mules that pull tour duty in the Grand Canyon, year after year: It isn't capable of a misstep. This car lets you seek out its limits quicker and more confidently than any of the other cars here. If that doesn't make for a winning handler, we don't know what does.
So, what's the best-handling car at any price? ...It's an eight-horn salute to the BMW M3 as "the best-handling car."

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