No Compromise. Next year, expect a faster, more expensive BMW M3

weaponX submitted on 01/27/2007 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 1:20 AM
from: www.autoweek.com

Tags: BMW M3

BMW M3

No Compromise. Next year, expect a faster, more expensive BMW M3

By GREG KABLE

AutoWeek | Published 01/19/07, 11:57 am et

There are whispers going around that BMW is planning to reveal its fourth-generation M3 in concept-car guise at the Geneva motor show in March before unwrapping the production version at the Frankfurt show in September. So we thought we’d get in early and offer this exclusive peek at the new go-fast version of the 3 Series, on sale in North America in early 2008 as both coupe and convertible.

Our computer-generated images are based on the latest photographs of near-production M3 prototypes spied in Munich in recent weeks, and on information from insiders. Better than ever before, the photos reveal the menacing look of BMW’s new performance hero, set to move up in standing—and price—in line with the competition. It’s not official, but dealer sources suggest the $48,900 sticker price on today’s car will swell to almost $55,000 when the new M3 lands on these shores about a year from now.

You don’t need us to tell you the new car looks mean. Changes over the recently introduced 3 Series include a shapely front bumper incorporating three huge cooling ducts feeding air into the engine bay and to the front brakes, the latter aided by tiny splitter units similar to those on the M5. The classic kidney grille has also been reworked to improve airflow over the hood, which receives a power dome to signal the high-grade artillery beneath it. Read Article

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sewingmachine - 1/27/2007 2:35:12 AM

+2 Boost

around 5 secs, oh oh flame war begins.

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Agent63 - 1/27/2007 3:28:17 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

There can't be a flame war =P. By that time the M3 would be at 100km/hr already. If is aid that an M3 will slaughter a Lexus, Audi, Mercedes, or BMW then flame on but i'm not starting anything here.

Anyways, M3 will always be an M3. It looks amazing and will for sure perform awesome. It will carry the pedigree that was used to build the outgoing model (which in my mind is going to be a classic, ESP: the CSL). The new one isn't as aggressive as the e46 IMO but still eyecandy

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IamEvilHomer - 1/27/2007 12:52:11 PM

+1 Boost

i worked in the computer world for years

tell me what is out today not what might come out one day

M53R - 1/27/2007 3:37:32 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I CANT WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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sewingmachine - 1/27/2007 5:32:12 AM

-4 Boost

please agent63, no more corny one liners.

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Agent63 - 1/27/2007 9:54:48 PMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

This is a comment board. Not your personal chat log. Get with the program. So unless I made you shed a tear please don't mention my name again. And as you can see 2 3 people have bumped you down to -2 once I read your little smart ass comment. Like I said this thread is about M3 not about me and you're the only stupid fool who replied to the sarcasm about the 0-100km/hr not what i actually wrote. Learn to distinguish what's important and what's not. Thank you and we'll all have a more pleasant time here.

AUTO_UNION - 1/27/2007 6:42:11 AM

+3 Boost

As usual M3 will be a great car.

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antibmwnj - 1/27/2007 8:58:17 AM

-7 Boost

Wow look another overpriced, ugly waste of money from BMW. When will they ever learn that the new designs are ugly and increasing the prices only makes them look stupid.

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AmazingBimmer - 1/27/2007 9:17:54 AM

0 Boost

class beater. as usual.

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IamEvilHomer - 1/28/2007 12:40:39 AM

+2 Boost

5 sec is not a class beater my friend

DavidRoss - 1/27/2007 9:57:10 AM

+3 Boost

The mac daddy of 'em all.

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AlexTx - 1/27/2007 9:59:19 AM

+3 Boost

With the 335i out now, I'm not sure the M3 makes that much sense especially for that price....
Looking at the spy pics so far, the body does not seem that much different than the 335 in terms of wider fender flares.
I say to keep your $$$ and get the 335.

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maikoazu - 1/27/2007 12:02:46 PM

+6 Boost

FYI RENLEX496

The 335i has a 3.0 liter engine vs the Lexus 3.5 liter.

The 2006 M3 naturally aspirated 3.2 liter engine is rated at 333 horsepower vs the Lexus 3.5 liter 306 horsepower. Hmmm... Go Figure!

SilverAero - 1/27/2007 3:14:42 PM

+3 Boost

See how retarded you are renlex you don't even check your facts befor mouthing off. What the hell does is350 mean anyway. Just accept it Lexus is not the benchmark in technology design and perfomance, germany still has all that.

bulldogz - 1/29/2007 3:02:11 PM

+1 Boost

"What the hell does is350 mean anyway"

Umm...IS is the series, 350 is for 3.5 liters. That's like asking what does 335 mean?

Does your mother consider you "special"?

huu76 - 1/27/2007 10:20:21 AM

-4 Boost

The current M3 looks much more aggressive than this.

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AdmiralT20 - 1/27/2007 10:47:01 AM

+1 Boost

I think the E9X M3 is more aggressive that it's predecessor.
The M3 is also benchmarked against the Porsche 911, and the Aston Martin V8.

maikoazu - 1/27/2007 12:11:23 PM

+2 Boost

"is-f will rule the world" Dream on little boy.

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GTR35 - 1/27/2007 3:04:27 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

IN UGLINESS FO-SHO

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IamEvilHomer - 1/28/2007 12:41:52 AM

+1 Boost

it will be a cheep fast car but a real fan will get the M3, RS4 C63

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S4cabriofoxone - 1/27/2007 12:55:17 PMView My AgentSpace

-2 Boost

I can't wait; I'm sure the car will be great, and there's also the added bonus of the posers who drive them that I can easily smoke, in a straight line or not.

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Alec - 1/27/2007 1:22:30 PM

0 Boost

What I really hope for is the M3 Sedan. Puts it in a much better comparison with the IS-F and RS4. I really do hope there is a sedan version of this current M3. This M3 does look more aggressive than the current one, it looks great on the outside.

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AdmiralT20 - 1/27/2007 1:35:00 PM

+1 Boost

There will be a E90(Sedan) M3, have no worries.

S4cabriofoxone - 1/27/2007 2:23:13 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

That would be cool. A little Evo-eater sedan from BMW, for only twice the price.

AdmiralT20 - 1/27/2007 4:47:13 PM

-2 Boost

It is also going to have between 420 and 430 HP

S4cabriofoxone - 1/28/2007 12:57:42 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I'm sure, unlike everybody else, you have factual information to back this up...

SARCASM.

As far as we know, it has 27,000hp and is currently the fastest production car in the world, costing $36 million, going from 0-60 in 0.2 seconds and on to 542mph.

AdmiralT20 - 1/29/2007 12:34:11 PM

+1 Boost

Just wait and see.

GTR35 - 1/27/2007 3:02:55 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Something about the exhausts that stick out too much that dont blend with the rest of the car. Other than that it's a great car. Still the king!!

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audirevolution - 1/27/2007 3:21:00 PM

+1 Boost

I love the M3.
I just wish they could make a sedan version.

Speaking of BMW, my lease is up on my 04'530i in about 3 weeks.
I want an Audi A6 3.2, but the lease offers on the 07'530i's are very attractive.
I don't know which one to choose.

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jeffy210 - 1/27/2007 3:52:25 PM

+1 Boost

Drive them both first. Personally I thought the A6 interior was the best one i had ever seen between BMW, Mercedes and Audi. It's MMI system is rather intuitive and it just has a nice clean fit to it.

S4cabriofoxone - 1/28/2007 12:58:47 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I drove the 530xi for my wife, and although it had a linear power delivery and sure-footedness akin to quattro, I was disappointed in its ugly interior and thought that the car just didn't seem right.

huu76 - 1/27/2007 10:27:33 PM

+1 Boost

Admiral,
Unless the new M3 can run 3.5sec, the only part of the Evo VIII MR FQ-400 that the new M3 will eat is its dust.

Not bad for a 2 litre fourbanger that has to power AWD. It's truly exclusive as well, only 100 were built for Mitsu's 30th UK Anniversary.

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huu76 - 1/27/2007 10:28:13 PM

-1 Boost

Sorry Admiral, that should be directed to Foxy.

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AdmiralT20 - 1/28/2007 12:18:41 AM

+1 Boost

That's okay. It will not run 3.5 sec, but I see 4.2-4.5 sec. Now, how it will fair against the Evo VII MR FQ, I don't know, but I know how it faired with the 911 and the AM V8.

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AdmiralT20 - 1/29/2007 12:35:52 PM

+1 Boost

Ronscooby,
Thanks for the compliment. Perhaps we should and see if I will be proved wrong.

IamEvilHomer - 1/28/2007 12:40:06 AM

+2 Boost

wait!!! for 1 1/2 years we have been hearing about this car. When the RS4 was anounced all BMW koolaid drinkers were talking about the new M3 that is about to come out. The car is sure taking a long time. By 2008 the new M3 comes out as a 2009 with 5 sec times?

Give me a break. I am going to love this car but I want one BMW nut to give Audi props on that RS4

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MObar - 1/28/2007 4:04:28 PM

+1 Boost

i don't know for sure, but I'm guessing 0-60 for new M3 around maybe 4.2? don't know. I can't wait!!!

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S4cabriofoxone - 1/28/2007 6:16:33 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

For sure the CSL would get that, but I don't know about the normal M3. M cars have always been kind of in-between Audi's S and RS in terms of straight-line speed. Expect BMW to quote about 4.9 seconds, and 4.6 should be attainable.

AmazingBimmer - 1/29/2007 6:47:04 AM

+1 Boost

iamevilhomo... it will be way under 5 secs.. as you know.. and props to the POS rs4?. which is a limited production (becasue they cant sell any) highly subsidized car?. and it hasnt been out for a year and a half.. First car came to the US last june/july. At least the idiot frontin as my local audi ealer (manhattan 47th and park) tells me so.

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IamEvilHomer - 1/30/2007 3:51:48 AM

+1 Boost

001 last time this guy called me gay you booted him under the name Logical. Let's see if you do it again

the car was out in Europe before it came to the USA there is no subsidation (is that a word) The money factor in the lease is in the .003+ range. We sell every one we get and we usualy put a markup on the window.

I am just commenting on the numbers in the article next time read it

Whattt - 2/1/2007 9:46:29 PM

+1 Boost

Audi should be embarassed that everyone compares thier NEW $66k v8 AWD RS4 to a 6 year old $48k I6 RWD M3. There is a $18k price difference between the two cars and even though the RS4 performs better, (for an additional $18k the price of another car it better) it's only marginally better. Wouldn't the direct competition for the BMW M3 be the AUDI S4, atleast price wise. Why not compare the RS4 to a Corvette ZO6, they are about the same price both have V8's. Sure the ZO6 has 2doors but so does the M3....hmmmm. I really don't think that Audi wants to compete. I say that because Mercedes, BMW and now even Lexus launch their upper sport series in around the same time frame and go head to head. Audi on the other hand launches their upper(S) upper(RS) sport series at the life cycle end of their competitors, compares old tech to new tech and then yells "look we won". come on !!
Wait for the new C63, M3 and IS-F then do a four way comparison and see who comes out the victor.

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EnnNorak - 2/2/2007 3:18:12 PM

+1 Boost

This reply is for "audirevolution". The Audi A6 3.2 should be cheaper than the BMW 530 so you might be able to get a deal on an A6 with a V8 instead of a V6 at a price fairly close to the BMW 530. in any event, I recommend you lease an Audi if you have never leased one before. Audi's interior refinement is hard to match. Even though the BMW in-line 6 is in better balance than Audi's 90-degree V6, I don't like BMW cars because BMW makes no effort to provide factory-installed protective rubber side strips to resist parking lot door dings.

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