fake M3 v.s real?

Question

how can i tell the difference?

Answer 1

If your talking about the newer ones(e46), then some big things that stand out are:

Real m3's have a grille on the front side panels
Real M3's have a quad exhaust in the back
Real M3's sound diffrent than normal bmw's(more racier)
Real M3's can haul A$$
Real M'3s have m3 insturment clusters
Real M'3s only come in a few colors(i think black,yelllow,red, and turquiose)

Answer 2

Real M3's are plastered with M or M3 logo's all over the place. I keep finding them whenever I do different jobs.

Here is what I know... (this is regaurding the e36 M3 by the way).

1. Side moldings on M3 are flat and wide, non-M have smaller ones that stand out more.

Refer to these auctions for image examples....
M: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1999-BMW-M3-DINAN-NO-RESERVE-BUY-IT-NOW_W0QQitemZ250139008745QQihZ015QQcategoryZ6131QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
NON-M: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1997-BMW-328is-Auto-sunroof-Ext-Warranty-Available_W0QQitemZ280125880640QQihZ018QQcategoryZ6007QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

2. M3's have side skirts that have a twist in them compared to the normal.
3. Side mirrors are rounder/sportier on the M which more square on the reg.
4. Front air dam is different.
5. Rear defuser is different.
6. Exhaust tips are different.
7. Wheels are different.
8. Steering wheel is all black on the M which reg has the colored logo. (1999 is the exception with the 3 spoke wheel).
9. M3's have the M logo in the gauge console, side moldings, brake calipers, wheels, inside door seals, and many many more locations.
10. Coupes have the vader style seats most of the time, not always.
11. Seats (front and back) have the motorsport flag on them.
12. M's engine will say BMW M POWER

There are more... but those are the major ones.

EDIT/ADDITION: Geez... I am an idiot... I forgot THE EASIEST test of all... look at the VIN number on the winsheild... if it starts with WBS, it's an M3, if it doesn't... it's not an M3, even if there is an M3 badge on the boot and everything else to match. If it looks like an M3 but doesn't say WBS, it wasn't produced as an M3.

Answer 3

Depends entirely on which style 3 series you are reffering to.

The E30 M3 has the rear over hanging trunk lid.

The E36 M3 can be almost exactly replicated on any 3 series. For the E36 check the guage cluster for an M in the middle also check the door sticker.

The E46 M3 has the front quarter panel vents and a quad tip exaust.

Checking the VIN is always an option.

Answer 4

Go to www.bmwusa.com and check out the galery photos.

M3 has wider body panels at the back, which are hard to fake using a regular 3 series.

The M3 fender also has an M3 slit.

The M3 interior is also different.

Answer 5

check out the engine..if u see m slogans then ur good...check out interior m slogans?? chek out the front seats if they r aggresive racing style seats then its probably an m3..also on the front side kinda next to the wheel wells theres some designs..basically there slitts and in the middle it'll say m3..wheels..m slogan on them that should help u out..oh ya the most important thing...DRIVE an m3 u can definantly FEEL the difference compared to a 3 series

Answer 6

Run the VIN through Carfax or get a dealer to do it for you.

Answer 7

i would say even easier then that if you can take it for a drive. you will know right away. there is a complete diffrence in how it drives. how it handles etc. how quick it is