Differences between Euro and US E36 M3's?

[najnad]

I did a search and couldnt find this, so humor me please...

What are the differences between the Euro and US spec E36 M3's? here is what I know for sure:

- air box (no interior baffle and a snorkel to the brake cooling duct)
- MAF (larger than US)
- engine software

anything else? I am sure there has to be for the difference in hp.

I have a US 98 M3/4/5 and interested in getting it close to Euro spec (at least performance wise, dont care too much if there are cosmetic differences)

[morerevsm3]

completely different motor to start with...
http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=14

[webstar999]

In my opinion US version M3's are the saddest M cars ever. 240 HP? and it says bmw motorsport on the engine cover. Funny. most 6 cyl american sedans produce more power than that. Euro e36 M3's started with a 286 hp 3.0L engine then promoted to a 321 hp 3.2L engine in 97. 286 was fun but 321 is an "M3" baby, oh yeah.
The US versions VANOS works differently as far as I know, and the cylinder head architecture is a little different, and also compression ratio is lower than the Euro v. compression alone makes a huge difference anyway.
I wish all you guys one day have a chance to drive a Euro version M3 on a German Autobahn.

[daytona M3]

i did hehe

[M3 Euro LTW]

With respect to engines, the differences between M50/M52 and S50B30 and S50B32 are enormous.

Is easier to state what the engines have in common, rather than different.

In common..... hmmm.... both are 6cylinder. They share...um.... well, they both use gasoline, and electricity. I think the engine mounts are the same too. If you include ancillaries, well, you can say (I think) alternators are shared, as well as PS units. I think the oil pan gasket is the same part number as well as the plug for the oil pan.

Some of the oilpan bolts are the same as well.

Seriously, the engines are more different than they are the same, the cylinder head is just a completely different beast. The cranks, rods and pistons are different of course as well, with robust bearings.

In terms of car chassis differences, they are numerous, but much more similar. Many options never made it to the US shores that some euro cars had such as sprayers for headlights, headlight adjustment, rear window motorization, rear fogs, all sorts of different trim(s), spring rates, shock settings, 6 speeds, diff size on the 3.2's, floating rotors for the front.... I don't think its possible to easily come up with all the differences.

Alan Taur once built an incredible euro car, and did as much as anyone I've seen to add in all the cool features that were possible to order and get from the factory on a 3.2 car. There are a myriad of differences under the hood from bracketry, radiator, etc....

BTW, not all had the sport intake to the brake duct, but I believe most had the alternate alternator ducting that comes from below... vs the US that is built into the radiator/grill cover.

[GazM3]

the differences are not really that much.
just the engine, brakes, gearbox, and some chassis items.

the eurospec also get more problems with thier rear tires as they seem to wear out for some reason more often.

[MauiM3Mania]

Oil filters are the same.

[94is]

Oil filters are the same.
Yeah, isn't that sweet?! I was excited to know that at least something for my car didn't require an order from Germany. :rofl

Honestly tho, the S54 shares a lot of the same parts. For example, the oil pump is identical to that of the S54.

[idriveam3durrrr]

there both called a m3 with a bmw engine
a stg 1 supercharged US is only 39 more hp than a euro spec sad....

[MauiM3Mania]

a stg 1 supercharged US is only 39 more hp than a euro spec sad....

Sad for whom? :devillook

[mizer]

Is the german '93 325is different from the american?