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General
Make :
BMW
Base price :
$40,000
Model :
1996 M3
Production :
N/A
Powertain layout :
front Longitudinal / RWD
Origin
German
Dimensions
Wheelbase :
2700 mm / 106.3 in
Width :
N/A
Length :
4432 mm / 174.5 in
Weight :
1440 kg / 3175 lbs
Height :
1336 mm / 52.6 in
Front Track :
1422 mm / 56 in
Ground clearance :
N/A
Rear Track :
1445 mm / 56.9 in
Engine
Configuration :
S50 B30 Inline-6
Bore :
86.4 mm / 3.4 in
Valvetrain :
DOHC, 4 Valves per Cyl w/VANOS Variable Timing
Stroke :
91 mm / 3.58 in
Displacement :
3201 cc / 195.3 cu in
Compression Ratio :
11.3:1
Power :
236 kw / 316.5 bhp @ 7400 rpm
BHP / Liter :
98.88 bhp per litre
Torque :
319.97 nm / 236 ft lbs @ 3600 rpm
Redline :
N/A
Transmission
Gear type :
Getrag 6-Speed Manual
5th gear ratio :
1.00:1
1st gear ratio :
4.23:1
6th gear ratio :
0.83:1
2nd gear ratio :
2.51:1
7th gear ratio :
-
3rd gear ratio :
1.67:1
Reverse ratio :
N/A
4th gear ratio :
1.23:1
Final drive ratio :
3.15:1
Chassis & body
Body / Frame :
Unit Steel
Brake types :
Inner Vented Discs w/ABS, Two Piece Floating Rotors
Steering :
M-Tuned Steerin Rack w/Variable Power Assist
Front brake size :
315 mm / 12.4 in
Front tires :
225/45ZR17
Rear brake size :
312 mm / 12.3 in
Rear tires :
245/40ZR17
Performance
Top speed :
250 kph / 155.3 mph
60-0 braking :
N/A
0-60 mph :
5.6 seconds
Lateral Acceleration :
N/A
0-100 mph :
N/A
EPA city / Hwy :
N/A
0-ΒΌ mile :
13.0 seconds
Article:
BMW M upgraded the engine in the M3 following the release of the '3.2' at the 1995 Frankfurt Motor Show. Many of the changes to the engine reflect the lessons learnt creating the V12 for the McLaren supercar which was essentially two S50 engines forming a V. The new engine, called S50 B32, was larger and featured the Double VANOS system. This system made both the intake and exhaust camshafts continuously variable. Small changes to the S50 included a second oil pump, larger inlet valves, graphite-coated conrods, lightweight pistons and a new BMW/Siemens MSS50 engine management system.
Attached to the new engine was a Getrag six-speed manual transmission. In 1997, BMW Europe added a Sequential M Gearbox (SMG) as a option which was quite a substantial technology for the period. The system used an electronic clutch and hydraulic cylinders to automatically engage each gear. Following a push or pull on the gear lever the SMG system could change gears in as little as 0.4 seconds.
retained the same ratios as the Getrag box.
American 3.2
Like the 3.0 M3, the American M3 was detuned compared to the rest of the world. The S50 B30 USA was replaced by the S52 which was an evolution of the M52 found in the 328i and 528i. This engine produced 240 horsepower which was the same as the USA spec car released in 1994. The American cars did not come with the six speed transmission and retained the ZF Type C five speed manual.
