Tag Archives: BMW M3

The New BMW M3/M4 Drift Analyzer Is Fun, But Could It Be Dangerous?

The new BMW M3 and M4 have a lot going for them, including an all-new engine that helps to boost performance over the previous-generation models. One of the updates also made to the new cars is the fitment of a ‘Drift Analyzer.’

As the name implies, this system analyses the drifts a driver performs in the car. It can only be accessed by turning off all of the safety nannies so is best used on a racetrack, rather than on the road. Eager to test out the system, Evo Magazine’s Steve Sutcliffe headed onto a circuit and started powersliding the new M3.

Read Also: After The M4, The 2021 BMW M3 Competition Also Makes More Power Than Advertised

The Drift Analyzer measures a host of different parameters to provide drivers with a rating of their drift. It measures things including the distance covered by the rear wheels, the speed of the drift and most importantly, the angle of the car.

The best drift performed by Sutcliffe was awarded 4.5 stars out of 5 by the system. Interestingly, he suggests that the system is much more interested in the angle of the drift than the speed or distance. The bigger the angle, the higher the score.

While the system will no doubt be appreciated by some owners, Sutcliffe also suggests that it could lead to a number of crashes as M3/M4 owners try to get the highest drift rating possible on the street.

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Should You Really Want A BMW M3 E46 In Your Life?

When thinking about certain modern classics, nostalgia tends to hit like a train. And it’s even worse whenever you’re out driving, because it seems like there’s a BMW 3-Series E46 around every corner, and practically every petrolhead loves an M3 from that very same generation.

Depending on the model, miles and overall condition, the best E46 M3s can almost nudge the six-digit territory, and when we think about other cars that we could get for that kind of money, the nostalgia suddenly seems to vanish.

Watch Also: A BMW M3 CSL With A Manual Transmission Is The Greatest M Car In The World

But what if there is a perfect E46 M3 out there that’s on sale for a reasonable price by someone who does not care about the money and only wants to find a nice home for their prized jewel? Should you do everything possible to buy it? We would say ‘hell yeah’ again and again, because this is probably one of the best-looking M3s ever, not to mention that it goes like stink and handles wonderfully.

Let’s talk numbers. The E46 M3 does the 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in around 5 seconds and will sprint up to an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h). Its 333 HP and 262 lb-ft (355 Nm) of torque in the U.S.-spec model produced by the 3.2-liter naturally aspirated inline-six engine, was sent to the rear wheels through either a six-speed manual or the less-favored SMG. The latter provides horrible shifting in automatic mode, but becomes more decent in manual, a thing highlighted by the owner of this blue example sampled by RegularCars on video below, along with a whole bunch of stuff pointed out by the reviewer.

Note: The following video contains language that some viewers might find offensive

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