M3 Chassis Vs. E46 3 series Chassis
 

A friend and I are having an argument on the M3. He says the M3 is based on a completely different chassis than the previous generation 3 series(E46, the new one isn't out yet.) I believe the M3 is based on the respective chassis's of the standard 3 series. Any of you have specific information to prove me or my friend wrong? Please post websites or specific facts to back up the argument. Thanks.

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You are right, he is wrong.

Next generation M3 it will be the other way around.

I don't have specific info on this, but I'm inclined to believe that you're right and your friend is wrong.

Put it this way, the chassi is probably the most expensive thing to develop for a car and it should have an economic live cycle of several models. Even with the premium price an M3 commends, I still don't think it'd be economically viable for BMW to develop a totally separate chassi for it. I could be wrong though.

M3's are awesome! I'd hit it.

Someone had to remind us that we're still on GFY. :)

Remember before M became part of BMW...all they were were fanatic tuners. No need to change the formula.

Add another bolt to the M3 and it falls apart. The thing is a 3 series tuned to the max.

Any links to back this up?!

same chassis, but different everything else

i believe the chasis are a little different than a standard 3 series

i'm not a racing fanatic or into cars very much but i do own an m3 and if i remember correctly the dealer mentioned there were several things different about the chasis from the regular 3 series

http://www.omegamotors.com/enjoy/m3/m3_chassis.html

Mostly the same, but the car is wider so I think there is a slight difference in between the regular 3-series coupe. Not 100% on this though.