A question about all these blown E46 M3 engines

[m3urthy]

If there have been so many problems with the E46 M3's engine, why havent there been the same engine problems on the new M roadsters. I know they have different trannies and exhaust but do these two make all the difference? I think not.


So why only the M3?

[TC M3]

Originally posted by m3urthy
If there have been so many problems with the E46 M3's engine, why havent there been the same engine problems on the new M roadsters. I know they have different trannies and exhaust but do these two make all the difference? I think not.


So why only the M3?

The M Roadster engine is a detuned version of the E46 M3 ones.

[Emir Halilovic]

YEA and it has 315hp y

[BimmerSteven]

Wow, that's a great idea. I'm curious too.

[Alex Mc]

The S54 motor in the M Roadster is not "detuned", it is internally identical.. the software programming might be slightly different, but it's the exhaust that really chokes that power off.

The S54's problem is it's connecting rod design.. we just an S54 piston/rod in yesterday from a blown motor, and it's quite obvious the problem. The rod/stroke ratio is way too short, and the rod itself is very skinny with puny bearings.. we're not impressed.

So to fix the problem, we're doing custom rods and some 12:1 forged pistons.. I guess that'll make us one of the first to do internal mods on an E46 M3 motor

[tripleM]

Originally posted by Alex Mc
The S54 motor in the M Roadster is not "detuned", it is internally identical.. the software programming might be slightly different, but it's the exhaust that really chokes that power off.

The S54's problem is it's connecting rod design.. we just an S54 piston/rod in yesterday from a blown motor, and it's quite obvious the problem. The rod/stroke ratio is way too short, and the rod itself is very skinny with puny bearings.. we're not impressed.

So to fix the problem, we're doing custom rods and some 12:1 forged pistons.. I guess that'll make us one of the first to do internal mods on an E46 M3 motor

Detuned electronics & The Z3 M's are limited by a lower red line & lower gearing in addition to the exhaust choking.

The E46M3 evidence is below:
November 01 production?

See here for detailed synopsis on why the S54 is blowing up

[dallasbboy]

Originally posted by Alex Mc
The S54 motor in the M Roadster is not "detuned", it is internally identical.. the software programming might be slightly different, but it's the exhaust that really chokes that power off.

The S54's problem is it's connecting rod design.. we just an S54 piston/rod in yesterday from a blown motor, and it's quite obvious the problem. The rod/stroke ratio is way too short, and the rod itself is very skinny with puny bearings.. we're not impressed.

So to fix the problem, we're doing custom rods and some 12:1 forged pistons.. I guess that'll make us one of the first to do internal mods on an E46 M3 motor

Alex Mc is absolutely right, The M roadsters would have almost the same HP & torque if the exhaust was longer.

Brian

[M3PiNoYdRiVeR]

So are the M3s before and after Nov 2001 production safer???