m3 e46 engine Page 597

The E46 M3 packs BMW’s S54 straight-six, a high-revving bit of mechanical opera that prefers redlines to small talk. Engine: 3.2L inline‑6 (S54) with individual throttle bodies and double VANOS; Power: 252 kW; Torque: 365 Nm; Redline: 8,000 rpm.

In Aussie trim it’s all bark and plenty of bite, with a top-end rush that’ll have you inventing excuses to downshift. Keep it serviced properly and it’ll sing; neglect it and it’ll sulk like a cat in a bath. If you’re eyeing the CSL, that variant nudges 265 kW with a sharper tune and fewer kilos. Consult official documentation for exact figures.