SPIED + VIDEO: IF The Next-gen BMW M3 Looks AWFUL But Drives AWESOME, Would YOU Consider One?

In the latest spy footage, the next-gen BMW M3 is making a helluva impression. At least, for me it is.

Caught lapping the world famous Nürburgring, the G80 BMW M3 has been eagerly anticipated. Although, I've got to be honest, the latest reactions to the all-new M3's face have been pretty bad.

To put it simply, it looks AWFUL.

It's a brutal approach to BMW's legendary kidney front grille. And the front clip has some awfully confusing lines in it. It looks like an Alfa Romeo and BMW mated and something went horribly wrong.

That said, this extensive clip of spy footage shows the all-new M3 undergoing shakedown testing. And while I do not like the vehicle's front end from what I've seen, I am REALLY liking its performance on camera.

As it zips around the Green Hell, the M3 looks super composed and, frankly, its six-cylinder sounds fantastic.

So, I've got to wonder: IF the next-gen M3 looks AWFUL but drives AWESOME, would you consider one? Or, are its looks that bad that you're abandoning this sinking ship?



During the Industry Pool at the Nürburgring I have filmed the 2021 BMW M3 G80 testing on track.

The BMW M3 has been the pinnacle of sports cars for a generation. While the venerable German sports car has grown – don’t we all as we age? – the world takes notice when a new generation is about to debut. However, currently, BMW doesn’t offer the M3, discontinuing it after the 2018 model year, a victim of new WLTP emissions regulations. The M4 is still around, and both are set to get replacements soon. According to a new report from Car and Driver, the next-generation BMW M3 and M4 will debut next year as 2021 models.

PUGPROUD - 3/21/2020 7:06:43 PM

+4 Boost

You don't see it when you are behind the wheel, go for it!

MDarringer - 3/21/2020 8:04:24 PM

-1 Boost

The M3 will be good. Attractive styling would have made it great.

countguy - 3/22/2020 12:38:39 AM

+3 Boost

Front ends can be altered with body kits. So if the performance and handling are there I'd give it a go.

dlin - 3/22/2020 1:20:05 AM

+4 Boost

Look how 911 catches up M3 with ease at the same corner, due to superior grip from rear-biased weight distribution

To achieve that in FR, one solution is to use a a high output 4 cylinder with electric motor and battery in the back... wait, isn't that what next AMG C63 planning to do?

https://www.wardsauto.com/engines/next-mercedes-amg-c63-forgo-v-8-i-4-hybrid

MDarringer - 3/22/2020 11:21:49 AM

-3 Boost

God you're an idiot: "Look how 911 catches up M3 with ease at the same corner, due to superior grip from rear-biased weight distribution"

Clearly you failed physics. A rear weight bias REDUCES grip through a corner.

The reason the 911 corners better are as follows: (1) it has a much lower center of gravity versus the sedan and (2) the rear track is far wider than the front, and (3) it has active suspension design that mitigates the fact that the engine is in the wrong place. The 911 should out-handle an M3 given that the 911 is a SPORTS CAR and costs DOUBLE or more.

dlin - 3/24/2020 12:58:08 AM

+3 Boost

Wow... really enjoyed MD made a fool of himself

Last time I checked, 2020 911's track width are 62.5-62.7? front/61.2? rear, and 2018 M3's track width are 62.2? front/63.1? rear. So remind me what did you say?

Last time I checked, Lexus LFA's COG is 17.7", while 911 GT3's is 17.9", so per your theory LFA will outhandle GT3?

There's a reason why F1,Ferrari, Lamborghini, and the new C8 Corvette all put engines in the back, and I haven't mentioned polar moment of inertia yet. Why don't you check out some books from library and read hard?

MDarringer - 3/24/2020 10:11:10 AM

0 Boost

I shall repeat. The engine in the rear from a physics standpoint is moronic. Get back to me when you understand how track is measured.

valhallakey - 3/22/2020 1:43:01 AM

+4 Boost

Mid life cycle refresh should help with a nice nose job.

carloslassiter - 3/22/2020 9:22:48 AM

+4 Boost

I get them wanting to visually differentiate the 4 series from the 3 series, not sure how the M3 fits into that plan. Historically it followed the regular 3 update by a year or two and adopted that design, now it's leading?

Dexter1 - 3/22/2020 9:43:52 AM

0 Boost

It's a sad state of bad automotive design when we have to talk about adding body kits or waiting for a mid-cycle refresh to compensate for a hideous schnoz that should never have been approved in the first place. What the f*ck BMW! C'mon!

carloslassiter - 3/22/2020 6:37:46 PM

+2 Boost

I might be wrong, but I think the front end of the M3 in the video is more consistent with the 3 series than it is with the 4 prototypes we've seen,

MDarringer - 3/22/2020 8:09:07 PM

-1 Boost

The 3 is always the "Camry" of the two.

Besides with the 3 Series already in production, it could be challenging to alter the hard points of the nose any more than they have due to cost and federalization.

cidflekken - 3/23/2020 11:11:12 AM

+2 Boost

Not sure how it can look awful. The new 3 Series is about as inoffensive as all previous 3 Series. The spy shots of the M3 don't show much variation.