BMW M3 E46 in Forza Horizon: Cross-Game Profile (FH5 + FH6)
The BMW M3 E46 is the early-2000s benchmark for naturally aspirated, rear-wheel-drive sports coupes — and it has been in every Forza Horizon game since FH3. With Forza Horizon 6 launching on 2026-05-19, this page collects what we know for certain: the real-world specs of the S54-powered E46 (and its rarer CSL sibling) and the verified Forza Horizon 5 in-game numbers, which are the most reliable predictor of how the car will arrive in FH6.
Key Facts
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | BMW M3 (E46) Coupe |
| Production years | September 2000 – August 2006 |
| Engine | S54B32 3.2L naturally aspirated inline-six |
| Displacement | 3,246 cc |
| Power (European spec) | 252 kW / 343 PS / 338 hp @ 7,900 rpm |
| Torque | 365 N·m (269 lb-ft) @ 4,900 rpm |
| Redline | 8,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed Getrag manual or SMG-II automated manual |
| Drivetrain | RWD |
| 0–100 km/h | 5.2 s |
| Total coupé production | 56,133 |
| Total convertible production | 29,633 |
| In Forza Horizon 5? | Yes — 2005 BMW M3, PI 675, B class, Retro Saloons, 33,000 Cr |
| In Forza Horizon 6? | (unconfirmed) |
| FH5 top speed (stock) | 283.2 kph (176.0 mph) |
| FH6 launch date | 2026-05-19 |
Quick Take: the E46 M3 in Forza Horizon
The 2005 BMW M3 has been a fixture of the Forza Horizon roster since FH3, and it returns in Forza Horizon 5 under the Retro Saloons category — available from launch via the Autoshow for 33,000 Cr and as a Wheelspin reward. Its FH6 inclusion is (unconfirmed) until Playground Games publishes the official car list closer to the 2026-05-19 launch.
In FH5 the E46 sits at PI 675 (B class) with 248 kW (333 hp) at 1,549 kg, RWD, and posts a 0–97 kph time of 4.685 s, a 0–161 kph time of 11.60 s, and a stock top speed of 283.2 kph (176.0 mph). It is one of the quickest stock B-class RWD cars in the game, with a strong 5.0 launch rating and 0.92 lateral G at 97 kph. It tunes cleanly into S1 and S2 territory thanks to the chassis’s neutral balance, and is widely used in Road Racing and Drift Zone events.
The real-world reason it matters: the E46 M3 is the last naturally aspirated, rear-drive M3 with the S54 inline-six revving to an 8,000 rpm redline — the high-water mark for the M3 nameplate’s pre-turbo era.
Real-World Specs: S54 Inline-Six and the E46 Chassis
The E46 M3 was built in Regensburg from September 2000 to August 2006, and Wikipedia records combined production of 56,133 coupés and 29,633 convertibles over that run.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine | S54B32 3.2L NA inline-six |
| Displacement | 3,246 cc |
| Power (Europe) | 252 kW / 343 PS / 338 hp @ 7,900 rpm |
| Power (US) | ~333 hp (de-rated for emissions) |
| Torque | 365 N·m (269 lb-ft) @ 4,900 rpm |
| Redline | 8,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed Getrag manual or SMG-II |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
| 0–100 km/h | 5.2 s (manual or SMG-II) |
The S54 is the headline act. Individual throttle bodies, an 11.5:1 compression ratio, a finger-follower valvetrain, and a stratospheric redline made it the most over-built road-going BMW six of its era. The US-market version shed around 10 hp compared to the European figure — additional catalytic converters required by emissions regulations brought output to roughly 333 hp, which is also the number Forza Horizon 5 uses.
The E46 chassis itself is a stiffened version of the standard 3 Series Coupé, with wider tracks, aluminium front control arms, and the famously firm M-tuned suspension that defined the car’s reputation as a daily-driveable trackday tool. That structural rigidity is precisely why the car scales so well in Forza: the platform has headroom for significant power increases before it runs out of mechanical grip.
The CSL: the E46 You Will Wish Was in Forza
The 2003 M3 CSL (Coupé Sport Leichtbau) is the variant enthusiasts ask about most — a homage to the 1972 3.0 CSL. BMW’s S54B32HP engine upgrade brought output to 360 hp (265 kW), and weight was cut to 1,385 kg — 110 kg lighter than the regular M3 — through a carbon-fibre roof, carbon airbox, thinner glass, fibreglass bootlid, and a stripped-out interior.
Key CSL facts:
- Production: 1,383 cars total — all left-hand drive from the factory, all built in 2003.
- Transmission: SMG-II only; no factory manual option was offered.
- Carbon airbox: The defining acoustic signature of the CSL. Independent dyno tests conducted in 2021 confirmed the engine produced more power than BMW’s original 2003 advertised figure.
- 0–100 km/h: approximately 4.9 s (manufacturer claim).
Forza Horizon coverage of the CSL is (unconfirmed). As of Forza Horizon 5, the in-game 2005 BMW M3 represents the standard coupé, not the CSL. Whether a dedicated CSL variant appears in FH6 has not been confirmed by Playground Games.
Forza Horizon 5 In-Game Stats (Verified)
FH6 stats are not yet published. The numbers below are verified FH5 stock values from kudosprime.com’s car database, which mirrors in-game telemetry and is the most reliable predictor of how the E46 will arrive in FH6 on 2026-05-19.
| Stat | 2005 BMW M3 (E46) in FH5 |
|---|---|
| PI / Class | 675 / B |
| Power | 248 kW (333 hp) |
| Weight | 1,549 kg |
| Drivetrain | RWD |
| Top speed (stock) | 283.2 kph (176.0 mph) |
| 0–97 kph | 4.685 s |
| 0–161 kph | 11.600 s |
| Lateral G @ 97 kph | 0.92 |
| Speed rating | 6.4 |
| Handling rating | 4.7 |
| Acceleration rating | 5.0 |
| Launch rating | 5.0 |
| Braking rating | 3.8 |
| Offroad rating | 5.5 |
| Price | 33,000 Cr |
| Category | Retro Saloons |
| Availability | Autoshow + Wheelspin, available at launch |
At PI 675 the E46 is one of the most cost-effective stock B-class cars in FH5 — cheaper than the R34 GT-R (63,000 Cr) and faster off the line than the Supra RZ (5.30 s). It is a popular tuning donor: with full aero, drivetrain swap options, and tyre compound upgrades, it scales cleanly through A and S1 classes. Its 4.7 handling rating understates the real-world chassis feel — community tunes have wrung consistent top-five times out of it in Road Racing events, and the RWD layout with the 5.0 launch and 5.0 acceleration ratings makes it a viable Drift Zone setup with minimal modification.
Real-World vs. FH5 Comparison
| Real-world E46 M3 (Euro) | FH5 in-game 2005 BMW M3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 252 kW (343 hp) @ 7,900 rpm | 248 kW (333 hp) |
| Weight | ~1,495 kg (curb) | 1,549 kg |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
| 0–100 km/h | 5.2 s | 4.685 s (0–97 kph) |
| Top speed (stock) | ~250 km/h (electronically limited) | 283.2 kph |
| PI / Class | n/a | 675 / B |
| Price | n/a | 33,000 Cr |
The FH5 model runs slightly heavier than the real car’s curb weight, likely reflecting Forza’s simulation weight including fuel and optional equipment. The unlimited top speed in-game (283.2 kph vs. the real car’s 250 kph electronic limiter) is standard Forza behaviour — the limiter is removed by default.
FH6 Outlook: What to Expect on 2026-05-19
Playground Games has not, as of 2026-05-14, published a complete FH6 launch car list. Based on the E46’s continuous presence in FH3, FH4, FH5, and Forza Motorsport (2023), the strong expectation is that the 2005 BMW M3 returns to FH6, almost certainly in the same Retro Saloons category and likely with a similar PI band.
What is currently confirmed and what is not:
- Returning to FH6? (unconfirmed) — not on any published FH6 launch list yet. Historical presence in every prior Horizon title makes inclusion highly likely.
- FH6 PI and price? (unconfirmed). FH5 baseline is PI 675, 33,000 Cr.
- CSL variant in FH6? (unconfirmed) — no CSL has shipped in any Forza Horizon title to date.
- M3-GTR Strassenversion in FH6? (unconfirmed). The 2002 M3-GTR has appeared in FH4 and FH5, making a return plausible but unconfirmed.
This page will be updated once the official FH6 car list is published on or around the 2026-05-19 launch date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the BMW M3 E46 in Forza Horizon 5?
Yes. The 2005 BMW M3 (E46) is in Forza Horizon 5 from launch, listed in the Retro Saloons category and available via the Autoshow for 33,000 Cr or as a Wheelspin reward.
Will the BMW M3 E46 be in Forza Horizon 6?
(Unconfirmed). Playground Games has not published the full FH6 launch car list as of 2026-05-14. The E46 has appeared in every Forza Horizon since FH3, so its return is highly likely but not officially confirmed.
How much horsepower does the real BMW M3 E46 have?
The European-spec E46 M3 with the S54B32 inline-six produces 252 kW (343 PS / 338 hp) at 7,900 rpm and 365 N·m (269 lb-ft) of torque at 4,900 rpm. US-spec cars were de-rated to around 333 hp because of additional catalytic converters required by emissions regulations.
What is the BMW M3 CSL and is it in Forza?
The M3 CSL is a 2003 lightweight homologation special — 360 hp from a tuned S54, 1,385 kg curb weight (110 kg lighter than the standard M3), and only 1,383 units produced. No Forza Horizon game to date includes the CSL variant; FH6 inclusion is (unconfirmed).
What is the E46 M3’s top speed in Forza Horizon 5?
Stock, the 2005 BMW M3 in FH5 reaches 283.2 kph (176.0 mph) with a 0–97 kph time of 4.685 seconds and a 0–161 kph time of 11.60 seconds — quick numbers for a stock B-class car.
Is the BMW M3 GTR in Forza Horizon 5?
Yes — the 2002 BMW M3-GTR Strassenversion, a separate V8-powered homologation car using the P60B40 4.0L V8 detuned to 285 kW (382 hp) at 7,000 rpm, appears in FH4, FH5, and Forza Motorsport (2023), in addition to the standard E46 M3 coupé. Its FH6 status is (unconfirmed).
Sources
- kudosprime.com — 2005 BMW M3 | Forza Horizon 5
- kudosprime.com — Stats Cars: speed over PI | Forza Horizon 5
- Wikipedia — BMW M3
- Spanner Rash — BMW E46 M3 Specs, BHP, Torque and Model Info
- BMW Blog — BMW M3 CSL dyno test: S54 engine makes more power than advertised in 2003
- Forza Community Forums (forza.net) — BMW 3-Series 1999-2006 (E46) — Car Voting — FH
- Forza.net (official) — Forza Horizon 5 Car List