BMW M3 E46 - American version.
 

My question is very simple. How many bhp has it got? Here in Europe it has 343 bhp and the light weight version 360 (the csl).

333bhp from what I've just read. We never got the CSL. My guess is it won't meet crash regs or something.

I say CSL failed in marketing focus groups. Since there is no "track day" culture here (well, not as much) and CSL lacks luxury, Americans would not be excited by it.

I think 333 is about right as well...but my guess has more to do with emissions regs than with marketing or crash regs.

Isn't it so that amercan horsepower differs from europeans? Think americans measure in SAE and we measure in BHP.

10 horses lost due to meeting strict import emission regulations....

but it can be returned with a exhaust and air filter ect. been installed, so only a temp loss.

that isnt true at all. The Shelby Cobra, the Ford GT-40, the Z06 Vette, the ZR1 vette, Z51 Handling suspension package, The Superbee, the Road runner, the 2000 Mustang Cobra R, limited edition Camaros with race suspensions, there are just so many cars that i didnt even name right there, and not one of the cars i listed is a luxury car. I just dont think the germans wanted to waste time with emissions, and testing to bring the CSL here.

343 in europe. 333 in US - due to california emission restrictions.

good here we carry the european version

The hp should prolly be lost at the catalytic converters........

Unlike the E36 where european vs. american versions of the M3 were a huge difference, (tons of hp and goodies like SMG), i dont think the E46 american and european are too different beside any regular emission stuff.

Doubt it.

Aren't the Auto-X and Solo events kinda big in the US ?

yea there are tons of Solo 1 events, not to mention open track events, SCCA events, BMW Sports Car Club of America Events. the list goes on.

you can get the e 46 M3 in MI w/out the california emmsions reqs... just like most sports cars...

Yeah California cars are different from most of the other states, I know there are a few in the East that have their own standards aswell now and they are options when you buy the car as to which Emissions version you need even on the M3.

We measure in HP aswell.

i thought NY had some strict regulations too.