WATCH: BMW M3 engine detonates in apparent top speed attempt

NOTE: Video contains strong language

An apparent top speed run on a section of road appearing to be anything but a German autobahn, has left the owner of a E90/E92 generation BMW M3 with more than a simple repair bill for its high-revving 4.0-litre normally aspirated V8 engine.

Watch the blow-up below

In a compilation video posted by Instagram user, bestofschaefchen, the silver M3 is seen speeding down the dual carriage-way, before its engine erupts into a cloud of a smoke as it passes underneath a bridge.

While it wasn’t revealed how fast the M3 travelling, or indeed where in Europe the incident took place, comments on the video have attributed to the blow-up to poor maintenance or the fitting of non-standard parts such as a turbocharger or supercharger.

Reason unknown

In addition to the passenger capturing the moment the engine said its goodbye from inside, immediately identified by the infotainment system displaying a warning message and instruction to stop, the sight of the M3’s engine bay shows considerable amounts of oil on the various fluid reservoirs and bonnet.

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Despite the relaxed attitude of the driver, who casualty insists he might need a new engine, reactions to this and the oil-sprayed engine compartment have not been so accommodating, with reference being made as to why the air-conditioning had been on and why the run had even taken place.

Based on several theories, a thrown rod has been signalled out as the main reason for the S65 engine detonating itself, while others claim it to be as a result of a burst hose, head gasket or even the fitment of mentioned aftermarket performance parts.

End of an iconic engine

Either way, the damage is likely to be costly to an engine renowned at the time as being one of BMW’s finest normally aspirated mills, in addition to being the first and final free-breathing V8 to feature underneath the bonnet of an M3.

Due to the instrument cluster being blurred out as a means of disguising the M3’s speed, it can also be speculated that the engine had been revving well-past its 8 400 rpm redline.

Made mostly out of aluminium, the engine developed 309kW/400Nm in the M3 and could be mated to either a six-speed manual gearbox, or an optional seven-speed dual-clutch, the latter another M3 first.

Regardless of the reason for the blow-up, it remains a sight for sore petrolhead eyes as the likelihood of the M3 being declared a write-off won’t be unexpected.

Addition credit to carscoops.com for uncovering the clip first.