Shinkaze

Maye I'm the only one getting excited about this car...hmmm wonder why... anyhow....





These are the first photos of the upcoming M version of the BMW 3-Series Coupe. It can be recognized from the two big exhaust pipes at the rear and the large air intakes below the front license plate. Power for the Coupe and the upcoming Convertible comes from a variety of six-cylinder engines ranging from a 180-hp, 2.2-liter in-line six to a 258-hp, 3.0-liter six. The M3 will get a 4.0-liter V-8 delivering around 400 hp.

Source:TCC

http://www.thecarconnection.com/ind...3&sid=178&n=158

maddboost

iTrader: (11)

I still like the styling of the E46 M3 more.

Shinkaze

I doubt an e46 would look any better with all that spy-cladding either.

maddboost

iTrader: (11)

If it looks anything like the new 3 series BMWs do I doubt I will like it. Honestly I havent liked any of the new styling BMW has been coming out with in the past few years but hey just my opinion. I prefered the last generation 3 and 5 series.

Shinkaze

I think they're gettign better. The new 3 is growing on me and the fact it's larger addresses my one complaint about the E46. That said I hope they do something about the weight. My M3 is half the size of my Trans Am yet weighs the same...WTF??? Now because it is shorter that extra weight affects handling less, but still no car this size needs to way more than 3400 pounds.

Anyhow here is a PhotoChop of what the 4-door M3 may look like.

Gloveperson

iTrader: (9)

I like those pictures that are not the spy photos, although the real spy photos don't look all that good, too much rear-overhang for a BMW.

A V-8 in the M3? That sounds like poo, I want it to be another high revver.

technical

Probably not the only one, just the only one here.

If BMW puts a V8 into the M3 then what car are they trying to compete with? Technically speaking the 3 series is a compact.

DietCoke

iTrader: (18)

So because it has eight, it cant rev high?

Gloveperson

iTrader: (9)

Yes, that's my point exactly

BAD ASS TA WS6

iTrader: (5)

That's my next car.

M3 with an 8 cylinder under the hood....doesn't get much better than that.

Bill00Formula

iTrader: (4)

I personally think a V8 in the M3 is way better. The straight 6 just doesn't cut it. By the way I thought the base 6 was now rated at 215 hp, both versions being 3.0 liters. Are they adding another engine?

Gloveperson

iTrader: (9)

I don't think so. I was under the impression that the "upper" 3.0 was making like 250 HP so it seems that they are doing that. I could be wrong though

Bill00Formula

iTrader: (4)

I was responding to the post by Shinkaze. He mentioned a 2.2 liter version. Based on what I remember reading, the 325 gets a 3.0 rated at 215hp and the 330 gets a more sophisticated 3.0 rated at either 255hp or 258 hp (don't remember). I know in Europe BMW offers a lot more motor options.

Shinkaze

Well yes and no, BMW has made the 3-series a little larger this generation and is making the 1-series to fill the compact segment. The new e90 4-door is about the same size as a Caddy CTS or a Lincoln LS. So I imagine the new 3-series coupe will probably be about the same size as a GTO.

On revving the new 4.0 Liter V8 is supposed to rev to 8000 RPM. Persoanlly I'm pretty excited about it. What I love about my M3 is it's pretty much a "German Camaro". It's a nimble 2+2 with great power and wonderful handling. I have to admit though the one thing I miss from my Trans Am is the torque that a V8 affords and hopefully this new platform will rise to the occaison on that front.

On my car the performance is more or less equal to the C5 Corvette, with a price more or less equal to a C5 Z06. (For me it's still a bargain to have Corvette level performance in a 4-seater with a nice luxury interior). I have to wonder if the new e90 M3 with it's 400hp V8 will have the performance of a C6 Vette at the price of a C6-Z06...$argh$...

Gloveperson

iTrader: (9)

^^Do you know if they are going to let if have a true manual tranny? My Uncle who has had multiple M3s and one M5 in the past was really angry at the lack of a manual for the M5 which is why he won't get it

Shinkaze

Technically speaking the SMG *is* a manual but the lack of a clutch pedal puts off drivers like myself. Personally I find the SMG to be the fun of an automatic and the hassel of a manual so IMOHO it's the worse of both worlds. There is a rumor that the M5 and M3 will have an optional "traditional" 6-speed along side the 7-speed SMG. That said, BMW does a lot of "technology for technology's sake" so they may go 7-speed SMG only...dunno. The 7-speed isn't configured properly to allow for a traditional shift pattern, so there is little to no chance of a 7-speed clutched/manual.