Drag Racing: Generations of BMW M3 Drivers Face Off

Which M3 do you believe is the fastest?

The HTML3 is the most enjoyable to drive of all the BMWM cars. This trait has been shared by all five generations. They are agile and handle like a small, powerful car should. Which of the five BMW M3 generations is faster in a quarter-mile drag race?

CarWow‘s Mat Watson had the same idea. He pitted four generations of the BMW M3 on a drag track. They were unable to obtain the E36 M3, which was the first vehicle of its type to have a six-cylinder engine, for some reason.

All four cars race on the in standing quarter mile races and rolling start races. We won’t reveal who won, but we will go into detail about each car to give you an idea of which one is the best.

Drag Racing: Generations of BMW M3 Drivers Face Off

The E30 M3, the first of the group, debuted in 1986. CarWow does have a slightly more recent and limited edition version: one of the 25 Roberto Ravaglia model in the U.K. It is powered by a 2.3L four cylinder engine that produces 215 horsepower.

The 2003 E46M3CSL is the next-in line, skipping the E36. This limited edition model is one of 500 worldwide. It is more powerful than the standard M3s and weighs 110 kg (243 pounds). Its 3.2L inline-six engine produces 365-hp.

The E92 GTS has the largest engine displacement of all four cars. It boasts a 4.4L naturally aspirated V8 under its bonnet that can produce up to 450 horsepower. The GTS version was only 50 examples available in the U.K.

The current F80 M3CS is the most powerful model. Would it be able to outperform the M3’s older models with its 3.0L straight-six twin turbo 460 horsepower?