The Ultimate BMW E9X M3 Upgrades
Continuing our theme of ‘Ultimate BMW’ builds, this week we’re taking a look at a crowd favorite and making our recommendations on the upgrades we would choose if we had an unlimited budget. We’re taking you through our ideal build list for the E9X M3 in 6-speed manual (sorry DCT guys) and helping you put a wishlist together for your BMW to become the best it possibly can be without compromise. This is our take on the Ultimate BMW E9X M3.
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Engine
The S65 V8 BMW developed for the E9X was the first and only V8 ever stuffed into an M3 (excluding the E46 M3 GTR) and was only used in an effort to keep the M3 naturally aspirated. After the S54, BMW decided there was no farther they could go with the straight six platform in the M3 without either adding turbos or cylinders. They felt, at the time, that turbocharging the M3 wasn’t the right move, but a V8 would lack the responsiveness and balance the inline predecessors had popularized in the namesake. With that in mind, the S65 was built to be a rev-happy, low-displacement, high-strung engine that produced an astonishing 414hp. It met their goals of performance and weight balance, but also exceeded expectations as a fantastic tuning platform.
Naturally aspirated, the S65 is a fantastic engine. There are turbocharger and supercharger options that take it into a new realm of power, but we like BMW’s original design and intention enough that we would leave our Ultimate E9X M3 naturally aspirated. To improve power, we would upgrade the accessory pulleys to the Turner Motorsport Power Pulleys for less parasitic loss to the driven parts of the engine, as well as a gorgeous Eventuri Carbon Fiber Intake System to improve airflow to the S65. Turner Motorsport catalytic converter deletes paired with the Turner Motorsport Stage 2 Race Software upgrade would help round things off for an impressive 50hp increase. Of course, this is for off-road purposes only, but hey. We’re building the Ultimate M3 here. If it only lives on the track, so be it. All of these upgrades are available together in the Turner Motorsport S65 Performance Package Stage 2, so that makes things easy for a one-click solution.
Since the S65 is such a wonderful engine, it only needs the intake, cat deletes, power pulleys, and tune that offers up to an 8,600 RPM red line, launch control, and a few other software improvements to be perfect in our eyes.
Of course, it will need some preventative maintenance items as well to retain its reliability, especially in a track setting. Since the rod bearings were not exactly the best from the factory, WPC-treated rod bearings would replace the originals. We would also add the Turner Motorsport baffled oil catch can to help prevent crankcase ventilation particles from re-entering the intake system, ensuring our combustion mixture is as clean as possible and gunk doesn’t build up on the intake valves, robbing precious performance.
Topping all that off, we would start fresh with a LIQUI MOLY oil service including CERATEC treatment to keep everything inside the engine well-lubricated so those new rod bearings stay happy.
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Cooling
While BMW’s are known for cooling system woes, the S65 is fairly unaffected. Still, given that this E9X M3 would be driven to the ragged edge, we think a CSF performance radiator and fresh OEM BMW coolant is the best way to prevent any unwanted temperature spikes in track settings. Other than OEM hoses that may need replacement, this is all we would change about the otherwise exceptional cooling system in the M3.
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Brakes
To help decrease braking distance and temperatures, the Turner Motorsport F8X M3/M4 Big Brake Upgrade that includes two-piece drilled and slotted rotors, stainless steel exact-fit brake lines, RedLine RL-600 track brake fluid, and your choice of performance pads is the perfect way to grab everything you need at once. The M3’s brakes from the factory are perfectly fine for moderate daily driving, but in our experience, are woefully ill-equipped for even one or two track days a year. If we want this M3 to be a serious weapon on the track, the F8X big brake upgrade kit is a must.
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Suspension
Some E9X M3s were equipped with dynamic suspension, which is excellent for performance and comfort, but only to a degree. If we want to dial in our suspension settings to a precise degree, we need to ditch it all. OHLINS coilovers are perhaps the most competitive and capable option on the market, which is what we would choose for the Ultimate E9X M3.
For the upper control arm, our Monoball upgrade spherical bearings with the stock arms eliminate suspension deflection and allow for full articulation of that arm and better turn-in response as well as feel from the steering. On the lower application, to allow for adjustability and increased durability, we have our Turner Motorsport performance adjustable lower control arms, which include hime joints for zero deflection as well as added rigidity. In the rear, our adjustable toe arms provide greater stability through the corners as well as the necessary range of adjustment to bring alignment settings back within ideal specs, even with our lowered ride height from the coilovers. Not only that, but they also will almost eliminate deflection in that area as well for better handling and power delivery.
Finally, DINAN sway bars paired with Turner Motorsport adjustable front and rear end links would round off the suspension upgrades for the ultimate handling package. For added peace of mind, the Turner Motorsport racing subframe modified for extra reinforcement and use with a dry-sump oil system would prevent the sway bar end link mounts from posing the risk of shearing or warping under high-stress conditions. | | 
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Drivetrain
To ensure all the M3’s power makes it to the wheels, as well as our driving experience is as snappy and engaging as possible, we would upgrade several key drivetrain components for our purposes. Namely, bushings, mounts, the differential, clutch setup, shifter, and clutch pedal.
For the clutch, we need something that can hold up under high stress. The SPEC Twin-Disc clutch kit and lightweight flywheel are rated to more than we would need and will provide snappy, grabby, and strong engagement between the engine and transmission, even under high-stress conditions. Of course, the lightweight flywheel will help reduce rotational mass and offer faster revs and more precise rev-matching on downshifts.
For the shifter setup, the Turner Motorsport Adjustable Short Shift Kit will allow us to set the throw and height of our shifter to our liking and accepts the ‘rally style’ shift knob so we won’t have to move our hand as far from the wheel to the shift knob and back again, meaning less time shifting and more time with our hands on the wheel for greater control. The ultimate clutch pedal upgrade would make an excellent final addition by reducing the travel of the clutch pedal for more precise shifts and better feel.
Moving rearward, the differential needs to be upgraded for a more track-friendly gear ratio and greater lockup of the rear wheels for better traction and handling. Our Turner Motorsport custom differential program is perfect for that. Depending on where we would be driving the M3, we could choose an appropriate set of gears to maximize our power and ensure we aren’t losing any of it to wheel spin.
For the bushings and mounts, ECS performance differential mounts, Turner Motorsport solid rear subframe mounts, solid aluminum transmission mounts, and solid aluminum engine mounts would completely eliminate drivetrain deflection. This will maximize our power transmission from the engine to the wheels, ensuring none of it is lost to deflection in any of those locations.
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Interior
Recaro Pole Position seats would keep us planted during corners while SCHROTH harnesses mated to a full roll cage keep us safely in place and contained should the worst ever happen. The rest of the M3’s interior would be stripped out, because, why not? Reduce weight!
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Exterior
All the exterior needs is a Turner Motorsport skid plate, European front bumper and a GT4 Style Front Lip, and a Turner High Kick Trunk Spoiler. If you want a little more of a statement on the rear you could always go for an APR Performance Wing. That’s it!
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Exhaust
Full American Racing Headers exhaust would make the M3 sound vicious as well as round out our performance upgrades. ARH makes some of the most beautiful sounding and striking exhausts out there, so, naturally, that’s what we would put on the Ultimate E9X M3 for the perfect exhaust tone.
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Wheels
HRE FF01 20x9/20x10.5 ET25/26 wheels in liquid silver would provide an OEM-Plus look while increasing the contact patch of the tires and improving the stance of our E9X M3. At 25.8 and 28 pounds (front and rear,) these wheels are also a significant reduction in unsprung rotational mass.
With that, we think this would be the Ultimate E9X M3 built for precision handling in a track setting. It doesn’t undo BMW’s work to make the S65 an incredibly balanced and rewarding engine. Rather, it takes the E9X M3’s strengths and accentuates them by allowing the car to be driven as hard as possible with the best braking, suspension, and drivetrain upgrades that maximize the effectiveness of our M3. With a few other additions for safety and performance, this M3 is well rounded and not too far off from BMW’s original design. How would you outfit your Ultimate BMW E9X M3?
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