It’s a day that many hardcore track and racing junkies have been waiting for. BMW NA is launching official BMW Motorsports parts for the E36 M3, E46 M3, E86 Z4 M Coupe and E92 M3. These parts are the real deal and also really pricey. Don’t expect to be able to drop a couple hundred on a front splitter. We’re talking 10k on full racing suspensions and 20K non-street legal P54B32 engines. That’s right, if you ever wanted a build out that $5,000 Craigslist E36 M3 into the ultimate OEM track car, you’ve got your parts. Just make sure you have some deep pockets.

We’ve obtained a full list of parts available for the E36, E46, E92 M3s as well as the E86 Z4 M Coupe from BMW NA (via bimmerboost) below. We do not have prices yet but we expect those shortly.

+ E92 M3 GT4 (US) / PDF

+ E86 2008 Z4 / PDF

+ E46 M3 / PDF

+ E36 M3 Group A / PDF

BMW NA has also identified several dealers (now known as Motorsports Centers) that will launch the program later this year:


Laurel BMW

Phone: 877-454-9352

Contact: Kevin Hale



Global Imports

Phone: 770-951-1119 x227

Contact: Jon Allen 
 BMW of Stratham

Phone: 800-989-5200

Contact: Mark Wilkins



BMW of Cleveland

Phone: 440-542-0600< br> 
Contact: Bill Kenney


Now for the fine print via BMW NA:

These BMW Motorsport/racing/off-road Parts Catalog gives you an overview of the specially developed BMW Motorsport parts. Some parts may not be available in the US and may not be approved for all racing series or class. All parts listed are intended for use on approved motorsport/racing/off-road series BMW vehicles ONLY. The parts are Not DOT-approved, homologated or street legal and may adversely affect the original manufacturer’s limited warranty on the vehicle. Installation of motorsport/racing/off-road parts on a vehicle may render it nonstreet legal. Suspension parts (including but not limited to struts, shock absorbers and springs) must be used together as a system and should not be partially installed or combined with any other components from BMW or other manufacturers. Purchasers of motorsport/racing/off-road parts will be required to sign a disclaimer, waiver and release.

So there you have it. We have BMW M Parts, BMW Performance parts and now BMW Motorsports parts. Clearly BMW has grasping the power of the aftermarket.

It’s been reported previously here and elsewhere on the web but last week the M Division once again stated that they had no plans to develop the current Z4 into an M product. And it makes sense with the amount of work ahead of themselves (X5 M, X6 M, M5, M6, 1 Series Supersport and the next M3) they have no shortage of products to fill the gap.

So for those waiting and hoping for the return of the M Coupe or Roadster, you may want to start looking in the classified section for low mileage used examples.

A while back we had reported BMWNA was working on publishing a list of recommended oils to be used in gasoline engines.

This was a welcomed move as oil specifics have not been listed in the owner’s manual and some people like to have an independent garage (or alone) complete a mid recommended interval oil change. Then there is the occasional need to top the engine off; it has always been a question as to whether that quart of oil, the life blood of the motor, was up to spec.

The oils listed below meet BMW’s Long-life rating and are acceptable for use in BMW Passenger vehicles and SAVs in the US market with gasoline engines. (Excludes ///M and Alpina models).

BMW Long-life rating LL-01 Approved Synthetic Oils for the US Market

• Castrol Syntec European Formula SAE 0W-30
• Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40
• Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra SAE 5W-30

• Valvoline SynPower SAE 5W-30

  Use only oils with an API rating of SM or higher.

For ///M or Alpina models as well as the view the BMW document here

Recently Car magazine had a brief post about the discontinuation of the inline six that powered everything from the E36 through the E46 and E86. And that got us thinking about that engine, the cars it powered and how they stacked up against all the other M offerings through the years.

There are countless opinions about what an M car should be and what truly is the best yet. In my mind there are a handful of cars that exemplify the qualities of the Motorsports division. First and foremost there’s the original E30 M3. Created with incredible pedigree and highly successful motorsport history the E30 M3 in some ways is the pinnacle of the brand. That would probably be out pick for the ultimate ///M car across the entire range.

But what modern M car deserves this title? While we love the last two generations of the M3 they’re simply too heavy a car in our minds. And as much as we love the E39 and E60 M5s, it’s hard to argue that they haven’t become bloated as compared to the original E34 example. The modern M6 also exemplifies this all too well.

With that rational the Z3 M and Z4 M seem start to seem like obvious choices. But the convertible tops do way too much in limiting ultimate performance. Decreased torsional rigidity make these less than ideal choices for attacking mountain roads let alone track days. They are inherently flawed as any gorgeous classically proportioned roadster is.

The coupes are the natural answer then. The Z3 coupe was brutal and (in my mind at least) a gorgeous yet almost vulgar looking car. But it’s the Z4 M Coupe that is both looks and performs the part of the ultimate modern M car. It’s mechanical sounding inline 6 will never be equalled in it’s character or purity now that we’re in the V8 and forced induction era at the M Division.

The first generation of flame surfacing seems as if it was meant for the Z4 M Coupe. The long hood and the elegant yet aggressive looking rear quarter is full of the kind of design tension that make the car look fresh for decades.

Inside the interior is the last of the pre-iDrive BMW’s. It’s worth noting that I’m a long-time iDrive supporter, but the lack of it just goes along with the car’s simplistic nature. This car was BMW and even the M engineers getting back to their basics. It only ever came with a manual and good luck getting anything remotely resembling a golf bag in the hatch. This car was designed and engineered to be driven in anger.

And the engineering of the E86 M Coupe wasn’t an afterthought. The car took the best of the then current generation M3 (including the CSL braking system) and shoe-horned it into a smaller lighter package. Based on a conversations I’ve had with those who work within the ///M division, engineers took over a week at the Nürburgring tuning the suspension alone.

While the new E89 Z4 is impressive and undoubtedly more refined and sophisticated, it can never be the car that the E86 was. Due to it’s larger body, aluminum hardtop and subsequent bump in weight, there’s a loss in purity to the overall package that cannot be overcome with even the wonderful twin turbo 3.0L petrol engine.

And as much as we here at BF love the new 3.0L twin turbo, it cannot touch the 3.2L in character. There is no engine in BMW’s current line-up that can match the power, sound and even efficiency of this now seemingly ancient powerplant.

And it’s because of all of this that the Z4 M Coupe is my ultimate modern ///M car.

Related:

+ BimmerFile Review: 2007 Z4 M Coupe

We have just received some breaking news courtesy from an internal BMW memo that confirms our original speculation. The names of the models in the X6 lineup were not created because of some marketing plan. The xDrive50i and xDrive35i may have some competition in the amount of (nomenclature related) weight added to the rear of BMW models in the not so distant future.

Here’s an excerpt from the internal BMW memo:

Due to upcoming U.S. regulations in effect for Model Year 2009, we are changing some of our naming protocol. The new naming protocol will affect all products that currently have an engine displacement designation within the name—X3, X5, X6, Z4 and Z4 Coupe.

With that quote one can only imagine what other names we will see! What do you think they will name the Z?

For those that don’t know much about the car, the Z4 M Coupe is the relatively rare M Brand version of the Z4 Coupe. The Z4 Coupe (the basis of the Z4M Coupe) is the newly released coupe version of the Z4. The Z4 Coupe features a huge increase in rigidity, the addition of a hatchback, and gorgeous looks that (in these eyes) transforms the already good looking Z4 into something of an instant classic. The M version tested here features, in a word, more.

On paper the M Coupe (as it’s referred to by many) has it all. The E46 M3′s sensuous inline six churning out 330 high-revving horsepower. M3 CSL brakes – a healthy improvement over the stock M3 stoppers. Less weight (3230lbs) and more nimble than the M3. And finally a driver focused cabin and steering wheel that puts the M3′s to shame.

But how does this translate into the real world? Last week one evening, I had a chance to spend some time with the M Coupe and found out for myself.

The M Coupe is the most testosterone laced, (dare I say it) manly modern car I’ve ever driven. Upon entering the cabin you realize that this car is focused on one thing – driving and driver enjoyment. You sit relative low in the seats with the center tunnel higher than what is found in cars like the M3. The cabin fit my 6’2″ frame like a well formed glove, my hands falling at the controls as if the car silently confirgured itself around me. The shifters’ throws (no auto or semi-auto is available) reinforce the driver’s car feel and the hot-knife through butter actuation is what you’d expect from an M car. But it’s the steering wheel that steals the show. Thick, soft and perfect in every curve and stitch, it says driver’s car like few things can.

But the highlight of the interior for me are the sport seats. Incredible lateral support, extendable thigh support and quite comfortable, this is the type of seat BMW is known for.

Turning the key you get the familiar orange glow on the dash (except the speedo and tach which are strangely white) that is found in all BMWs and MINIs. The Z4 uses the E46′s electronics system and thus vaguely similar to the R50/R53 MINI’s as well. So that means simpler radio controls and no iDrive available.

The M Coupe (like all Z4s) features a sport button that quickens response times from the accelerator. Unlike other Z4s the sport button does nothing to the steering. With the electronic steering being dumped by the M Division in favor of the M3′s hydraulically assisted set-up, there’s no alteration possible. Luckily the steering is just about perfect as is and a marked improvement over the standard Z4. Well weighted while offering exceptional feel and feedback, it’s hard to find fault on public roads. The accelerator w/sport button on however, borders on almost too aggressive. Driving the car smoothly with it on takes practice that will probably elude many owners. Luckily the off position leaves little to be desired in terms of performance.

As you release the clutch and give it gas, you realize (with the sport button on) that this car doesn’t do subtle. It is simply a beast. And while the acceleration fantastic, it’s the sound the engine makes at high revs that is truly addicting. I’ve always loved the sound of this engine in the M3 but it still seemed a bit muted in the cabin. The M Coupe doesn’t do muted. You can hear the double Vanos in all it’s glory as it sings through the rev range all the way up to 8000 rpms.

Braking is equally impressive. The CSL sourced set-up scrubs off speed without drama. And the DSC (yes I did have it on once or twice) is calibrated to intercede only at the last possible moment. And then only subtle enough to make you believe, just maybe, you’re that good.

Of course with the DSC off, creating oversteer is as easy as twitching your right foot around a corner. And (like all BMWs) the M Coupe is set-up to allow for easy control of power oversteer with it’s near perfect (50.2/49.8) weight distribution.

The BMW M Coupe is a rare car that appeals to only a small segment of the population. It’s a singular focused car that trades off space and usability for ultimate performance. Yet it’s these visceral thrills and the packaging trade-offs that give this car a personality that is hard to find in modern automobiles. It’s a throw back in all the right ways. The M Coupe is civil enough to be used a daily driver yet it has a soul that belies the hard and cold numbers we so often use to measure cars.

I’ve had the chance to drive a number of rather interesting cars over the years. Yet few have had such profound impact on me in such a short amount of time. It flatters, scares and inspires within the space of a single corner. And like few cars sold today, it has a soul that is thoroughly endearing.