[secretsquirrel]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

I would consider the M3 if it's under 3000 lbs.

I love light sports cars, but if it were under 3000, it would be hella expensive because it would probably have to be a unique chassis to make it 450lbs lighter than a 3 series. 3000lbs and 450hp would put it in z06/911TT territory. That means they would probably price it at 85-95k (near 911TT price). This would push the price of a M5 to a ridiculous price point (110 - 115k)

[Romanian nightmare]

Not crazy about the GT. Don't like it for the 5 series and i definetaly don't like it for the 3 series...

i do like the rest of the body styles and the M3

[Airnow]

Looking forward to the new M3.

[Devas]

Is it just me, or does the new 3 series sedan, look like a Mitsubishi Lancer Sedan?

[TheRox]

Originally Posted by Spool

going back to a 3.0L TT is just like having a 335i but with a chip...?


BMW M's line up gotta have more punch to it, the only reason why i never got the M3, is because it's really expensive and is slower than a chipped 335i...i was looking at a 911 Turbo but it's a tad expensive, although the performance i can justify spending the money on...so i settled for a 1000hp Supra... i know i know, M owners will preach me about the prestige and exclusivity of the ///M badge...i owned them before, i think people use that to justify their spending...you'll be in the exclusive insurance rates that's for sure

now if they throw the X6's M engine in there, game over...good bye GT-R, 911 Turbo, Z06, F430, Gallardo etc...

Who is going to buy a laggy 6MT turbo m3?

This is the death of the m3.

It needs to be NA.

[lopealle]

looks like i will be driving a E60 for a while

[thunderdeep]

Originally Posted by TheRox

Who is going to buy a laggy 6MT turbo m3?

This is the death of the m3.

It needs to be NA.

The new direct injection turbo engines do not lag at all, plus they offer way more torque at low rpm. And being smaller engines they can usually spin faster... I welcome the change

[delrosa81]

The F32 M3 would have a 3.4 liter In Line 6??? Or a 3.4 liter V8 with twin sequential turbos???

[Quasimodem]

Originally Posted by smellfish

M3 looks much better than the sedan IMO.

BMW puts a lot of effort into not making the 3 series look good unless you dish out for an m3: marketing.

[eisenb11]

Originally Posted by delrosa81

The F32 M3 would have a 3.4 liter In Line 6??? Or a 3.4 liter V8 with twin sequential turbos???

It's sounding like the M3 is going TT 6, while the M5/6 will be TT V8. Basically, throw on DI, TT, and drop the engine size a notch across the board.

[sleepa]

nice post!

[roninsoldier83]

Originally Posted by Spool

that would be the 4.4L V8 Twin Turbo from the X6 ///M that i was talking about...


toss that sucker in there...


a 3.0L TT would be stupid IMO, then people would question the need for an M3 when a 335i has pretty much the same thing but a lot cheaper...

that bump in horsepower would mean the M3 is tuned for higher PSi, thus making it difficult to extract more power out of it without harming the engine and or turbos...


4.4L V8 TT or bust, that's it

Honestly, they didn't reveal any specs about the new M3's turbo inline-6, so it's really tough to say how much of an upgrade it will be, but most OEM's typically overbuild specialty cars like the M3. IMO, there's quite a few possibilities for upgrading the N54/N55 platforms from the factory, to include:

-Increase in displacement
-Larger OEM turbos (possibly a pair of twin-scrolls)
-Higher capacity fuel system (no more running out of fuel around XXX hp and having to run meth to increase overhead)
-Increased cooling capacity (both coolant/water & oil from the factory)
-Semi-closed or fully closed deck (last I checked, I believe the N54 was open deck from the factory)
-Further strengthened internals (rods/pistons/crank/bearings/ect)
-Lowered compression (i.e. ability to run higher boost from the factory while decreasing the chances of detonation)
-Dry sump oil system (less worry of oil deprivation under hard cornering loads)
-Increased cylinder head flow/possible more aggressive camshaft lobes


I'm just speculating here, but typically when most OEM's build a specialty model vehicle, they build the hell out of the engine they're starting with. There could be a large number of upgrades to the new M3 that make it worth the extra cash to a person who plans on tracking the car, and of course not only upgrades that make the engine more durable under harsh conditions, but likely stiffened suspension, wider/stickier rubber from the factory, larger brakes, a real LSD (none of that e-LSD nonsense haha), more aggressive gearing, ect.

Look at the Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart vs. the EVO X for instance. Both have the same base 2.0L turbo motor, on the same chassis, both are AWD.... but when you look further at the spec sheet, you find there is no comparison. Beyond the initial power increase, the EVO has upgraded internals, a bigger twin-scroll turbo, more fuel capacity, LSD's, a smarter drivetrain in general (i.e. YAW control), bigger brakes, wheels, stiffer suspension ect. They may share the same base underpinnings, but no one in their right mind would put them in the same league together, and more serious tuners or avid track junkies wouldn't give the Ralliart a second look (barring price of course). I have a feeling the same will be true of the new M3, but again, I'm just speculating.

If they just slap the current N54 in the new M3 and tune the piss out of it, I would agree with you, but I have a strong feeling that will not be the case. If I'm right, the means great news for us N54/N55 owners: OEM part upgrades

Just my $.02

[Pseudo Nim]

Wtf. The new car, esp the M, looks like a man with an disproportionately huge deformed nose. Think "chinese man with huge nose" as Google search (I won't traumatize people with pics, but if you feel adventurous, go and search).

[tds1978]

I personally think the new front ends are horrible. The current 5's are awful, and now they are doing it to the 3's. And the GT....barf.

[Raine]

Originally Posted by tds1978

I personally think the new front ends are horrible. The current 5's are awful, and now they are doing it to the 3's. And the GT....barf.

Gonna happen to the 1 as well. In fact, BMW's entire line up is going to look the same, except different sizes. Kinda like Audi, but in a bad way.

[ALPINE6SPD]

its a rendering not a final picture. Wait until the real one comes and the lower bumper looks nothing like it does in these renderings.

[GodLy]

I think e90/e92 M3 FTW! F series cars looks terrible!

[paulkim510]

Can't decide if I like the old one better or the new one better

[aacdp]

Can't wait for the next M3

[SpaceGrayE90]

I know it's a rendering, which is basically a hodge-podge of design elements that have recently debuted on other BMW offerings. Note the stagger on the underside of the headlights from the new F10 BMW among many others.

But please GOD! Do NOT include the line that slopes downward behind the front wheel like the new 6 series has.

Worst body line on any current BMW...

[TotalPower]

Those cars look like they were born at the top of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down!

2 reasons I bought a 335is:

1. n54 VS n55
2. If i didn't buy a 2011, I'd be stuck w/ CARS THAT ARE HIDDIOUS!

[agentm]

I've been waiting for this M!