The 2008 BMW Motorsport M3 E92
Why It's Special:
For the last 20 years, the automotive world has been in love the BMW M3. Whether it’s an E30, E36 or an E46, all generations offer world class handling, performance and styling, with a fit and finish that’s second to none. The current-year offering from BMW retains all the inherent characteristics of the breed and raises the performance bar with one important change, a V8 engine. While die-hard M3 fans may consider the switch to a V8 sacrilege in light of the M3’s lineage, it’s awfully hard not to get excited about what lies beneath the hood of the E92 M3.
Under the Hood:
The vital specs are as follows: 4.0-liter DOHC V8, 420hp @ 8,300rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque @ 3,900rpm. However when you look into the details, it becomes clear that this engine is heavily based on BMW’s various racing V8’s (Formula 1 and the M3 GTR). The aluminum engine block is cast at the same foundry as the V8 found in the BMW F1 car. Eight individual throttle bodies feed air to the cylinders for instantaneous response. To cut down on rotational inertia while increasing structural integrity, each crankshaft is forged with enormous main bearings. Connecting rods and pistons made from a steel-magnesium alloy provide a racecar-like compression ratio of 12.0:1. Thin wall stainless-steel exhaust headers efficiently pull exhaust out of the combustion chambers and look more like a work of art than a car part.
All of this amounts to an engine so advanced that it pushes 8,400rpm, develops well over the magical 100hp/liter, and delivers 85% of its maximum torque over a 6,400rpm range. Just to put a cherry on top, the engine actually weighs 33 pounds less than its 3.3 liter inline-6 predecessor. Transmitting all this technical wizardry to the rear wheels is a 6-speed manual transmission, complete with a dual-plate clutch and an external oil cooler. Since 420 horses can present the rear tires with a bit of a traction issue, the new M-differential provides amazing levels of grip by continuously varying the torque split between the rear wheels and can send 100% of the torque to either wheel if necessary. When you put your foot down, the M3 rockets forward, no questions asked.
It’s a common fact that un-sprung weight kills handling, which is why the M3 engineers went to great lengths to reduce it. All suspension arms and dampers are made from aluminum, while the wheels are light-alloy forged and the brake discs are compound. The result is slalom speeds approaching 72mph, an incredible figure for a car with a curb weight of 3,600 pounds. Exterior design follows the classic BMW philosophy of “form follows function”. Two perfect examples of this are the massive front air intakes and the wind tunnel developed side mirrors. This ensures ample air for combustion and cooling of the high performance V8 and the mirrors reduce drag while giving a sport appearance.
The Verdict:
The roof is constructed from carbon fiber to illustrate the car’s link with motorsports and to lower both its weight and its center of gravity. Not surprisingly the E92 M3 has everyone asking, is it the best M3 ever? We’ll leave that question for you to decide when you slip behind the wheel with the latest Forza Motorsport 2 car pack.
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