BMW M3 (E46) Touring

BMW’s Secret E46 M3 Touring Revealed

 

Hidden for a decade in a BMW M-Division garage in Garching Germany is the most sought-after and forbidden fruit for BMW Touring enthusiasts: The M3 Sport Wagon. Built as an “M3 Concept” in the early 2000’s, the E46 M3 Touring was never put into production and was kept secret until very recently (like its big brother: the secret E39 M5 Touring). Built on the standard E46 chassis (wagons built from 1998 til 2005), the M3 Touring would have packed the same S34 M-Division engine as the M3 coupe and convertible: a 333 horsepower 3.2L straight-six. Furthermore, with a 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive, and a limited-slip differential, the M3 Sport Wagon would have been the best-handling wagon in the world (and near the fastest, competing directly with the B5 Audi RS4 Avant). Yet BMW decided axe the Touring version (and sedan) and thus relegated the E46 M3 Touring to the dreams of Bimmerphiles and the depths of M-Division HQ as a museum piece.

July 5th, 2011 

Specifications

Engine	3.2L Inline-6
Designation	S54B32
Horsepower	333/346 (US/Euro)
Torque	262 lb-ft
0-60	Est. 5.0 seconds
1/4	Est. 13.5 @ 105
Top Speed	155 (limited) 175 de-governed (est)
Weight	Est. 3,500 lbs
Weight Distribution	50/50
Transmission	6-speed Manual
Cargo Capacity	48 cu. ft. (seats down)
Drivetrain	Front-Engined, Rear-Wheel Drive