38 Votes

Spy Shots of The New BMW M3

Agent009 submitted on 10/31/2006 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 11:46:01 AM

65 user comments | Category: Spy Shots | Source: www.autospies.com

Tag Link: BMW M3

BMW M3 prototypes have been spotted under test every now and then for several months, but these latest shots give the best view yet of the car with less disguise than normal.

Most notable styling feature is the huge under-bumper air scoop, bringing lots of air into the oversize radiator needed for the huge 400 hp engine. The M3 also sports flared fenders and of course the quad exhaust pipes used by all M models.

The powerful M-version of BMW’s 3-series is scheduled for launch next year only. The 3-series M will be available initially as coupe, and later as convertible and four-door. For the first time power will come from a V8 powerplant, deriving from the M5 and M6. It is a 4,0 litre engine delivering 415 HP. Transmission is a seven-speed SMG gearbox. A traditional six speed manual transmission will be offered as an option.

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User Comments

The camo looks like an old civic back.
— BMWRocks (View Profile)

Posted on 10/31/2006 12:43:23 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

I love the rear. The thing about the E46 is that the front looked so athletic. I pray this one is the same way. Hott! Lookes like a GTO in the lights. they did a good job camoing this one. I cant wait to see a shiny new one. Go bmw.
— AstonJT (View Profile)

Posted on 10/31/2006 12:56:21 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

I have two neighbors on either side of my house and the girl next door just bought a 2007 BMW 2 door and my other neighbor on the other side of my house just bought a 2006 BMW M5.

I am surrounded by BMW's!!!
— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/31/2006 12:59:03 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

I feel sorry for you..
— theman (View Profile)

Posted on 10/31/2006 1:26:45 PM | | Votes: -1

Your surrounded by junk car !!!!
— 2JZSoarer (View Profile)

Posted on 10/31/2006 3:23:14 PM | | Votes: -3

how about we exchange houses? :p
— M53R (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2006 9:30:36 AM | | Votes: 2

2JZSoarer, at least the BMW 3 Series is original in design unlike the Lexus IS that from behind looks like half a BMW 5 Series.
— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2006 12:28:47 PM | | Votes: 6

cant wait
— Sauceboy01 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/31/2006 1:01:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

Spare me the its just a Photoshop jargon...... but, I seriously hope the forthcoming M3 differentiates itself from the 3 series in regards to the styling. For instance, imo ,the M5 looks way too similar to the 5 (other than subtle variances) .
— BavarianMotorrad (View Profile)

Posted on 10/31/2006 1:25:59 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

isn't the whole point of an M5, that it doesn't scream "racecar"? They're supposed to be sleepers, identifiable by people who know what they are but stealthy enough to go unnoticed by people who don't.
— JRobUSC (View Profile)

Posted on 10/31/2006 1:41:20 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

I Agree to an extent, however if I drop that amount of money I would like it to be somewhat distinguishable. I have a 335 coupe on order and I don't think it needs more ques that seperate itself from the 328 ( keep in mind, I'm no poser and surely do not think of myself as something that I am not).
— BavarianMotorrad (View Profile)

Posted on 10/31/2006 1:49:27 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

from the pics, looks like bmw has reverted back to the m front bumper like last generations (e46, e39, e60).

god i hope so.
— minimalist (View Profile)

Posted on 10/31/2006 2:04:33 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

is this a bs m3 post to draw people to visit said promoter's site & shows?

grrrr.
— minimalist (View Profile)

Posted on 10/31/2006 2:07:05 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4

another tearful goodbye to the much touted but shortlived RS4 (limited edition VFW derivative). Long live the king~!!!
— AmazingBimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 10/31/2006 3:19:06 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4

this doesn't look very special. i know there's camo, but the last one looked meaner. maybe it will without the disguise.
— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 10/31/2006 3:22:31 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

That's what I'm thinking...

I was excited for it, but seeing these kind of bland pictures, maybe not...

335i is a better deal anyway.
— S4cabriofox (View Profile)

Posted on 10/31/2006 9:58:17 PM | | Votes: 0

this is the same proto thats been in a number of spy photos for the last 3 months...

it looks like a stripped down version and is obviously missing body work, wait until the unveiling...I have a feeling it will be just as mean as the E46, if not meaner
— NARunner (View Profile)

Posted on 10/31/2006 10:21:18 PM | | Votes: 2

I'm sure the production version will look a lot meaner.
The Return Of The King.
— weaponX (View Profile)

Posted on 10/31/2006 3:58:23 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

^ thats what i thought about the standard 335i tt coupe, but when i checked em out in person while getting service, the car does sort of look plain. love the lights, but the rest of the car is very simple (which is good) with hardly any distinctive lines. the front bumper looks like a bentley gt imitation.

hopefully the m3 will be a lot more aggresive and distinct.
— minimalist (View Profile)

Posted on 10/31/2006 4:01:21 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

I feel that the procution one will be fantastic! 415hp Mmmmm
— AUDBMLEXMRC (View Profile)

Posted on 10/31/2006 4:23:15 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

the thought of a 60k car hitting under 13 seconds is amazing. look out corvette! :D

m-azing!! hahaha! i made a funny!
— minimalist (View Profile)

Posted on 10/31/2006 4:28:17 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Audi RS4 already does that.

But on a more serious note, why would anyone buy a car with such horrible hood and front bumper.[from the junkyard?]
— chewy (View Profile)

Posted on 10/31/2006 7:00:17 PM | | Votes: -2

I wonder why BMW only put 415 hp, why not 450 hp? wonder how fast it goes from 0-60? guess we have to wait. Maybe they just down playing their hp for the new M3. I would not be suprise when the actual production M3 come out with more than 415 hp. Because the RS has 420 hp, C-class AMG has 400+ too and the IS500 is rumor to have 420+ plus hp.

Lexus
— Lexus (View Profile)

Posted on 10/31/2006 6:17:07 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

The M3 is a coupe and weighs less so it will probably only have 400hp.

The current M3 still almost runs with an RS4 because it weighs so much less. I wouldn't expect it to have more power than the competition, simply because it doesn't need it.
— S4cabriofox (View Profile)

Posted on 10/31/2006 10:01:27 PM | | Votes: 0

Horsepower is just a marketing gimmick. The real way to estimate a car's speed is by looking at the power to weight ratio. It will be close to the RS4 which weighs more because of AWD.
— kart1 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/31/2006 10:23:19 PM | | Votes: 0

"I think it will be faster (anything else would be stupid) but since the present RS4 is such a fantastic driving machine, the M3 will probably only me marginally better!"

It's just a big ol' game of leapfrog. Three years after the new M3 comes out, and one year after the teasing S5 coupe comes out, will be the RS5, and it will be better than the M3. And then, the 2013 M3 will be better than the RS5, and then the 2018 RS5 will be better than the M3... blah blah blah...
— S4cabriofox (View Profile)

Posted on 11/2/2006 12:16:25 AM | | Votes: 2

My gut feeling is on this that it is going to be more akin to the E36 M3 - fast, capable - but built to get headline figures - rather than built to be a drivers car. Yeah, I'm sure it will post better lap times than the E46 M3 - but I think the ride/drive will be less 'raw' than it should be (as the E36 was to the E30)

E30 M3 - true drivers car
E36 M3 - faster but less enjoyable
E46 M3 - faster and much much more of a drivers car
E92 M3 - faster but less enjoyable - less focused?

I REALLY hope I'm wrong... but the problem with horsepower wars and the escalating "luxury" of competing model series' can lead to a loss of perspective - BMW's engineers may have lost site of what the M3 should be.

Just my two cents...

Of course, the kids on this site that only look at figures ('ring times, C & D 0-60 times, top speed) probably won't understand what I'm on about.
— matt635 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/31/2006 6:29:22 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Kind of like what happened to the M5... it's fast, but less enjoyable and has lost out to both the S6 and E63 AMG in a comparison test. It's more luxurious, but not as luxurious as the other two, and it's fast, but not as fast as the E63, so it's a little incompetent.
— S4cabriofox (View Profile)

Posted on 10/31/2006 10:03:07 PM | | Votes: -2

Incompetant? an M5? The only incompetant thing about an M5 is the retarded, techno-phobic, moronic, half-witted idiot road testers that think it's too complicated, just because you can change the set-up of the car to suit your driving style.

And you wouldn't expect it to be as fast as the E63, it's a saloon, not a coupe!
— matt635 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2006 4:06:22 AM | | Votes: 4

What's this non-sense ?!

M5 never lost when it camed to performance and driving dynamics and feeling.

It's actually the most focused one in the bunch.

And don't worry Matt, the new M3 will be the best and most hardcore one yet.

For those who want fast but not so raw car there will be the 335 Si.
— DarkOneForce (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2006 5:21:02 PM | | Votes: 2

It's the transmission that ruined it, guys. I failed to mention that.

"I would choose the M5 over both the S6 and the E63 AMG anyday! Ohh... I allready have! And S4 you are completely right, it isn't as fast as the M6, but only a complete idiot would think otherwise!"

I would choose the M5 over the S6, too, because it's a higher class. But I would possibly have to pick the E63 over the M5.
— S4cabriofox (View Profile)

Posted on 11/2/2006 12:18:09 AM | | Votes: 0

already got my fingers crossed - hopefully they'll make a few more of 'em this time too!

— matt635 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/31/2006 6:51:56 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

the rs4 cost over 60k though. i meant under 60k. :D
— minimalist (View Profile)

Posted on 10/31/2006 7:59:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

I know, it's such a huge leap from $65K (this is most likely what the M3 will cost with the RS4's standard features- it has very little standard) to $66K.

(-;
— S4cabriofox (View Profile)

Posted on 10/31/2006 10:04:19 PM | | Votes: -1

Wow what a design leap! [sarcasm]
— aefsc430 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/31/2006 9:24:25 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

You know what Ive noticed? When I clicked to enlarge that 3rd pic I thought that rear looked little awkward, than after maybe 5 min I clicked that same pic again and looked half decent, and than last time I enlarged it, it won me over.

So in my opinion we'll just have to wait for it to come out and when it does we're gonna like it more and more everytime we see it.

G
— RefuG (View Profile)

Posted on 10/31/2006 11:32:45 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Im sure BMW wont dissapoint us. When they want to do something they do it! But this time, its gonna be a really hard fight with the RS4 but I cant wait to c them compete!
— M53R (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2006 9:38:19 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

The rear end is garbage...
— Aldairion (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2006 11:15:13 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

I work for BMW ... I would expect the BMW M3 to be fully equipped around the upper $60k range ... It will be less expensive than the Audi RS4. I can't wait
— BMW4me4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2006 12:28:17 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

"I would expect the BMW M3 to be fully equipped around the upper $60k range ... It will be less expensive than the Audi RS4. I can't wait"

That's the price of the current M3 loaded... I don't think so.
— S4cabriofox (View Profile)

Posted on 11/2/2006 12:19:01 AM | | Votes: 0

I would hope for more than 415hp in order for it to compete with the GT-R but its not likely. If the M3 got 450hp why would anybody buy an M6 when it would run around an M6 with ease for half the price. the M6 should have gotten about 600hp. The M5 id ok though. I saw a rumour somewhere about a M6 CSL in the works if that is true i cant wait.
— BMW_DRVR (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2006 1:58:18 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

the GT-R is going to be quite a car and a "bargain" for the arena in which it is competing. It has been spotted tested against the porsche 997 turbo! You can't expect that sort of performance from an M3, and like you said, no one would buy an M3 if the 500 hp M6/M5 was only a few thousand more.

Also, take into consideration that the GT-R will probably have a base price $10-15K higher than the M3.
— NARunner (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2006 2:28:54 PM | | Votes: 2

This is not an M or even a 3-series with Sport Package. BMW uses the black rubber trim not crome around the windows of all sport package cars especially M's.
— impartial (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2006 2:32:57 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

what part of CAMOFLAGE and TEST MULE don't you understand? Maybe in some crazy scheme to keep the new M3 somewhat under wraps, BMW decided to make some cosmetic modifications to their test cars...sounds crazy i know...

BMW usually doesn't run BBS wheels either, you gonna tell us its a subaru?

ps-look at the signature M quad exhausts, what about those?
— NARunner (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2006 2:42:32 PM | | Votes: 3

NARunner
I think that the M3 will beat the GT-R on the track when it comes out. The GT-R is expected to have 450hp compared to 415hp in the M3 but the M3 will be a lot lighter and more agile on the track. I'll take the M3 anyday over the skyline unless i was planning to modify the engine.
— BMW_DRVR (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2006 3:46:24 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

I too would take the M3 anyday over the GT-R, but do not underestimate the Nissan. Nissan would not be able to charge $70-80K if the car wasn't a true performer. As much as I hate to say it, the GT-R will be faster off the line and around the track compared to the M3.

The M3 will not be a lot lighter, if any lighter, due to the V8 engine (I know that BMW claims that the new V8 is no heavier than the former 6 cyl.) The GT-R's 3.6L TT V6 will be lighter than the M3's and combined with Nissan's ATTESA ET-S torque controller and four wheel steering will make for, dare I say, better handling.

The Skyline name is a lot to live up to and even though i guess it is a "tuner" car, it deserves respect. With an engine like that and an estimated curb weight under 3700lbs, this thing should rocket to 60 in 4 seconds or less.

They wouldn't be testing this car with a 997 turbo if it couldn't keep up. Similarly, Nissan would not price the GT-R as high it plans to if consumers in the US could get a faster car for less.

For the money, though, the M3 will be a great deal...but it just is not in the same league as the GT-R, nor should it be.

— NARunner (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2006 7:34:48 PM | | Votes: 2

from that 3rd pic, the rear looks very hyundai sonata-like.
— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2006 4:33:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

Hopefully the next generation will look prettier.
— Steve (View Profile)

Posted on 11/3/2006 9:37:51 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

This car keeps looking more and more like a radio control toy car.With a cramped rear seat harsh ride and a i want to be a muscle car motor i will gladly pass thank you. I would not buy even if it had the M5' V10.GTO WANNABE.
— score (View Profile)

Posted on 11/3/2006 6:16:23 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

now here we look at the most biased BS of all time. A BMW hater as it seems.
— M53R (View Profile)

Posted on 11/6/2006 12:55:18 PM | | Votes: 2

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Spy Shots of The New BMW M3

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