Free Car for Wallpaper

Nothing exudes as much excitement and ecstasy as the BMW M3.

Just by mere mentioning of the word M3 is enough to send shrills, "terror" and exhilaration into the hearts of many car enthusiasts worldwide.

So just what is it that makes the M3 so special?

Is it the Beemer badge, the looks, or is it just the name itself?

Frankly speaking, for the majority of us here, it's just the three items above that make us fall in love with the M3, really.

But the trump card of the M3 is not just its menacing looks and the blue-and-white propeller badge, so to speak. It's the pure performance and sheer driving pleasure that you derive everytime you turn the ignition key to this wonderful machine.

The first M3 was introduced in 1986 under the E30 platform. Engine specifications were somewhat tame as the car only came with a 2.4L inline-4 powerplant, and mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.

The second generation M3, the E36, on the other hand was much more refined - and it was the model that started winning the hearts of many as well. Debuted in 1992, it was also the first M3 to be fitted with a six-cylinder engine. The car was much meaner looking than the E30, and performance figures also overshadowed its much tamer-looking predecessor.

Then came the E46 M3 - and this was the model that really took the world by storm. Armed with a more muscular and beefy looking body, the car was not only larger and aggressive-looking, but it also had a more potent powerplant under its hood. Power delivery came in the form of a new 3.2L inline-6 naturally-aspirated S54B32 engine. With 338hp residing under the bonnet, it took the M3 just 4.8 seconds to achieve the century mark.

The E46 M3 also came with BMW's SMG (Sequential Manual Gearbox) Drivelogic transmission, which is somewhat similar to a Formula 1-style clutchless manual gearbox. Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters were also fitted to provide a sportier driving experience for the driver.

Perhaps the best and most focused M3 would be none other than the M3 CSL - which stands for Coupe Sports Lightweight. Though the CSL version started way back in the E36 era, but it was the E46 M3 CSL that stole all the limelight. As the name suggests, BMW had only one focus in mind - and that is to make the car as light as possible. Plenty of light weight materials were used to construct the car and one of the few distinctive features were the use of a carbon-fibre roof, lighter exhaust manifold, thinner rear glass, and lightweight racing seats. BMW even removed the air-conditioning system and radio unit - although they could be ordered based on customer's preferences.

Its engine was also re-tuned and additional performance parts were added to the powerplant as well.

The end product was a car that not only could outclass the standard M3 but it could even match the performance of a Ferrari 360.

It really made the CSL stand tall in the eyes of the world.

So what more can be said with regards to the M3?

Well, let's face it. When it comes to the M3, it's all about figures.

And this can be clearly seen in the fourth generation model.

Numbers and performance figures are everything for this current M3. Codenamed E90, E92 and E93, the car came with an awesome 4-litre V8 engine, capable of delivering a healthy dose of 414hp at an incredible 8,300rpm, and a peak torque of 400Nm at 3,900rpm.

The fourth generation M3 also came with a sedan version. Though the car is based on the E90 3-series platform, but BMW designers decided to include some styling cues from its coupe sibling, such as the same front end design of the coupe.

Honestly speaking, I wouldn't mind having one of these babies in my garage, really. Who wouldn't?

It's not just the Beemer badge that make heads turn everytime one sees an M3 blazing through the highway or cruising around town, but then, an M3 will always be an M3.

It's a car that is made for the driver and the open road. It's made to pump up your adrenalin everytime you look at it. And it's made to seduce every part of your body, mind and soul.

Simply put, the M3 is truly a machine of motoring perfection.

Jesper Chang is an expert on The BMW 3 Series model and all information related to cars.

For more information, check out the BMW 3 Series Review here.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jesper_Chang