Respiration life into this tradition construct is the E46 M3’s 333 hp 3.2-liter straight-six linked to a 6-speed guide gearbox driving the rear wheels solely
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by Brad Anderson
8 hours in the past
Whereas BMW has been constructing the X3 since 2003, the debut of the very first X3 M variant didn’t happen till 2019. Luckily, the proprietor of a first-generation X3 from 2005 has undertaken the duty of crafting a real M-powered model of the favored SUV, and it’s now obtainable on the market with a really cheap price ticket of $19,840.
This BMW X3 has spent most of its life in the identical situation it was in when it left the manufacturing facility. Nevertheless, round 15,000 miles (roughly 24,000 km) in the past, the proprietor determined to half with the usual powertrain and changed it with the S54 engine. This 3.2-liter naturally-aspirated six-cylinder engine is famend for its use within the E46-generation M3 and the E86 Z4 M Coupe. Whereas it’s greater than 20 years outdated, remains to be regarded one of many best manufacturing engines ever constructed by BMW.
Learn: 2025 BMW X3 Rendered In Manufacturing Type Primarily based On Spy Pictures
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Found by The Drive on the market on M3List, the proprietor of this particular X3 notes that the engine at present has about 140,000 miles (~225,000 km) on the clock and consists of aftermarket headers. Moreover, the usual catalytic converters have been eliminated and the mufflers have been gutted. What’s extra, a six-speed guide transmission has additionally been put in and the SUV has been transformed to rear-wheel drive, promising to make it a real driver’s automotive and even perhaps extra exhilarating to drive than the present X3 M.
Complementing the engine upgrades is a set of BC coilover suspension to elevate the dealing with dynamics to new heights. The itemizing doesn’t make point out of whether or not any brake upgrades have been made however it does state the SUV retains all the identical unique performance and has been upgraded with a extra trendy infotainment system supporting Apple CarPlay.
The X3 chassis has lined 213,000 miles (~342,000 km) over the previous 18 years and whereas that’s rather a lot, we’re certain that reality fades into insignificance when you begin to drive the factor. As for the value, it’s undeniably fairly excessive, particularly for a first-generation X3, which is usually listed between $3,000 and $10,000. Nevertheless, this can be a distinctive creation with an unique E46 M3 powertrain, so, it’s not precisely an apples-to-apples comparability.
The query is, would you pay $19k for an M transformed first-gen X3 when you will get a similar-mileage M3 for a similar cash?
