BMW Releases Performance Exhaust System for Latest M3 Models [with Video]

Do you happen to own a fourth generation BMW M3 Coupe, Sedan or Convertible model, and if so, do you crave for a throatier sound from its exhaust? If you answered yes to both questions and can justify spending $4,374 plus labor for installation for a performance exhaust system, then you may want to take a look the Bavarian firm's new M Performance offering.

BMW said the new exhaust system is crafted from an extremely heat-resistant and lightweight chrome-nickel alloy called Inconel, which allowed the firm's engineers to reduce the thickness of the tubing from 1.5mm to 0.8mm. This resulted in a weight reduction of approximately 40%, or about 20 pounds when compared to the M3's stock exhaust system. So basically, you're getting a much lighter exhaust system with a more powerful sound

The M Performance Exhaust also comes with perforated inner pipes and polished titanium tips, which are laser engraved with the M logo.

The company said the new exhaust may be installed at any Authorized BMW Center at a price of $4,374 plus installation.

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BMW M Car Sales Increase by More than 14 Percent in 2010

Sales of BMW's M car series continue to sprout as the Bavarian company's performance division concluded the 2010 business year with a 14.2 percent increase to 16,967 units, despite the phase out of the V10-powered M5 and M6 models.

The M brand's most popular model remained the M3 with 5,729 units of the coupe, 2,544 units of the Convertible and 1,843 Saloons. Worldwide sales of the newly introduced all-wheel drive X5 M and X6 M totaled 2,778 and 3,082 respectively.

The USA was once again the most important single market in 2010 for the performance brand with overall BMW M car sales up by more than 6 percent to 6,821 units. As before, the number two sales region was the German domestic market with sales of 1,716 cars, followed by Britain and Northern Ireland with 1,264 units.

BMW M's division saw its most dynamic growth in China where sales rose by 355 percent to 1,088 units, making the country the fourth-strongest market for the brand. Significant gains were also registered in Brazil (+ 237 percent) and Russia (+ 104 percent).

The German company said that it also recorded a 1 percent increase in sales of the M Sport packages, with 138,800 units in 2010. The main market for M Sport packages was Britain and Northern Ireland, followed by Germany and the USA. The was also a significant jump in the demand for the firm's Individual program, with 24,155 options being ordered in 2010, an increase of 47 percent over 2009.

BMW M Car Sales Increase by More than 14 Percent in 2010

Sales of BMW's M car series continue to sprout as the Bavarian company's performance division concluded the 2010 business year with a 14.2 percent increase to 16,967 units, despite the phase out of the V10-powered M5 and M6 models.

The M brand's most popular model remained the M3 with 5,729 units of the coupe, 2,544 units of the Convertible and 1,843 Saloons. Worldwide sales of the newly introduced all-wheel drive X5 M and X6 M totaled 2,778 and 3,082 respectively.

The USA was once again the most important single market in 2010 for the performance brand with overall BMW M car sales up by more than 6 percent to 6,821 units. As before, the number two sales region was the German domestic market with sales of 1,716 cars, followed by Britain and Northern Ireland with 1,264 units.

BMW M's division saw its most dynamic growth in China where sales rose by 355 percent to 1,088 units, making the country the fourth-strongest market for the brand. Significant gains were also registered in Brazil (+ 237 percent) and Russia (+ 104 percent).

The German company said that it also recorded a 1 percent increase in sales of the M Sport packages, with 138,800 units in 2010. The main market for M Sport packages was Britain and Northern Ireland, followed by Germany and the USA. The was also a significant jump in the demand for the firm's Individual program, with 24,155 options being ordered in 2010, an increase of 47 percent over 2009.

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G-Power Supercharges the BMW M3 E46 and Z4M to 450HP

This time, BMW 'super tuner' G-Power has turned its attention on two previous generation 'M' sports cars, the M3 E46 and the Z4M with the presentation of a somewhat tamer performance package than what we're used to from the German company. At the heart of the tuning program is a new large ASA TM I 20 centrifugal supercharger that boosts the M3 and Z4M 3.2-liter straight-six engine's output from 343HP and 365Nm to 450HP and 450Nm or 331.9 lb-ft of torque.

The 107 horsepower boost helps improve acceleration from standstill to 200km/h or 124mph from the standard M3 E46 Coupe's 18,1 seconds to 14,7 seconds, making it even faster than the current 420HP-strong M3 V8 that needs 15.8 seconds for the same sprint.

To improve road handling, the performance package for both the M3 E46 and Z4M include a continuously height-adjustable G-Power coil-over suspension RS with nine selectable settings each for bound and rebound.

The M division sports cars ride on lightweight 20-inch alloy wheels shod in Michelin Pilot Sport tires (245/30 ZR 20 at the front and 285/25 ZR 20 at the back) that allow a top speed of more than 300km/h or 187mph.

Though not included in the basic package, G-Power also offers a sports rear muffler that produces a deeper and more sonorous tone.

Mature Tuning: IND's BMW M3 Coupe E92 Dakar Yellow Project

Not really fans of extreme mods here at Carscoop preferring a more mature approach when it comes to tuning. That's why we like IDN's latest take on the BMW M3 Coupe with the Dakar Yellow project. The subtly modded M3 comes with selected black accessories that includes 18-inch HRE alloy wheels shod in 275/35 R18 Nitto rubber all around and a Vorsteiner front lip spoiler and rear diffuser, which seem to work pretty well with the Dakar Yellow paint job.

Our only objection in terms of styling concerns the smoked tail lights but overall, the E92 looks the part and stands out without being obnoxious. IDN's M3 finished project car also features a KW suspension kit and custom made Brembo brakes.

PARTS

• Brembo 365×34mm / 345×28mm with custom Race Grey finish and Race Brembo font
  
• HRE 18″ HRE Monoblock Race Wheels
  
• Nitto NT05 275/35/18 all around
  
• BBS Stud conversion kit
  
• KW Clubsport Kit
  
• AA Software
  
• Vorsteiner Polyurethane front lip spoiler (Gloss black)
  
• Vorsteiner VRS Rear diffuser type II 1×1 weav
  
• Vorsteiner E92 VRS Boot Lid 1×1 weav
  
• OEM M3 E92 mirror caps (Gloss black)
  
• IND Painted reflectors
  
• IND Painted side markers with tinted LED (Gloss black)
  
• IND Painted front grilles (Gloss black)
  
• IND Tinted rear tail lights
  

Via: M3Post