BMW has released further information and photos about the 2011 M3 Competition Package. Available this spring, the Competition Package is offered on the M3 Coupe and the M3 Sedan. It features a lowered suspension (ride height is reduced 10mm), light alloy wheels, a specially developed 'sport' mode (part of the Electronic Damping Control), and a revised stability control program. Options include carbon fiber front apron flaps and a carbon fiber rear spoiler. Besides the Competition Package, BMW also announced all 2011 M3s (Sedan, Coupe, and Convertible) will feature an engine stop/start function. Thanks to this system, average fuel consumption will be reduced by 8% while C02 emissions are cut by 24 g/km. According to BMW, the M3 Coupe and M3 Sedan will achieve an average fuel consumption of 11.2 l/100km (21 mpg US) with the optional 7-speed M dual clutch transmission - manual models consume 12.4 l/100km (19 mpg US). On the other hand, the M3 Convertible has an average fuel consumption of 11.5 l/100km (20.4 mpg US), M dual clutch transmission with Drivelogic, and 12.7 l/100km (18.5 mpg US) with 6-speed manual transmission. Source: BMW
I like it, but honestly it's not as good as the E46 ZCP/competition package. I wish they would have put some alcantara or something at least in the interior. Also no upgraded brakes this time around or a more direct ratio steering rack. All of the stuff in this ZCP you can just add on afterward from the dealership. Except for the special traction control. The incentive to get a competition package from the dealership isn't as great this time around IMO. If they would have improved the performance in a real way like the last one I think it would have been better. Or at least make it a little lighter weight something..... anything besides just the cosmetics. Ahh I dunno well still saving up for one regardless lol.
I was thinking race seats, street legal slicks, roll cage, plexi glass windows, no a/c, no radio, no electric windows. Not just CF parts + wheels.
Love the GTS... too bad the USA never gets any of the good stuff. Cough cough.. no CSl cough no GTS. :doh: Why couldn't they take a page from Audi's book they brought the RS line over why can't we have the "uber" versions of these already great cars.
Brian im glad you realise the RS line is a competitor for the CSL line - only difference is BMW and Audi took a different approach to bettering their sports sedan Most journos kept putting the RS4 up against the standard E46 M3.....ummmm no, the E46 M3 competes with the S4 and even with its V8 still wasnt any quicker Re this CS version.....meh, who cares about some carbon stuck on parts and 7 year old CSL wheels Long live the greats...E30 M3, E39 M5, E34 M5
Totally agree with you. I was shocked when journals and magazines where comparing them as well. The E46 M3 was about $60,000 while the RS4 was around $80,000 I believe it was. That is a $20,000 difference. That is no small number, it puts the RS4 in a totally different class than the E46 M3. Though I am glad that the E46 M3 still held it's ground despite being 6 years older and $20k less than the RS4. Not knocking on the RS4 though it's a great car. I would love to have one and would no absolutely no problems driving one. It has more potential for putting down big power with it's AWD system if that's what your after. It's just that a CSL/RS4 comparison would have been much better/fair comparison. The "normal" E46 M3 achieved 60mph in 4.8 seconds while the E46 CSL did it in only 4.2 seconds (both quoted from the factory). So there is a pretty big performance difference to be had. Though in the future of ///M is FI so if they don't give you the extra power or lighter weight version of the next M3 as they did this one. It should be much easier to manipulate the software to recreate the same power figures as the next GTS/CSL or create even more power. But I suspect they will indeed offer the next "uber" M3 to the US since software isn't as big of a deal getting certified for the US market to share in. My neighbors E30 M3 this thing is prestine I drool every time I drive by.
oh wow!!! id love to own a mint E30 M3 one day yeh im not too keen on the FI direction, but i concede development and manufacturing costs are forcing them away from high powered NA engines in the pursuit to keep up with AMG and Audi
- I think of the e46 M3 as the last 'real' 3-series M. Really can't fault the car, and like every aspect of it. IMO it shows something that people are comparing the RS4 with the 'standard' e46 M3. Kind regards, Ebbe
yeah the E46's are nice . . . . . though i'm glad that they made a 4 door M3 as i have always been a 4 door type of guy. The new 2011 M3's still look the same. Not much has changed with them from the pictures that is.
