2008 BMW M3: Now In ALMS for 2008 Season

  • Thread starter Thread starter YSSMAN
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Escalade_dude
Woops! Are you sure you didn't read another artical? If not, you are probably right. I read the artical in a store. It was a long time ago. :)
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Lets take a look at the very article then shall we (from the 2007 Audi S6 vs. 2007 BMW M5 vs. 2007 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG - Comparison Tests)....

C&D
At core, this M5 has the same virtues as its predecessors — fluid responses, superb brakes, abundant power, athletic good looks, and the grace of a gazelle. But this particular gazelle isn’t quite up to pacing the herd.
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Link to full on-line article - http://www.caranddriver.com/compari...007-bmw-m5-vs-2007-mercedes-benz-e63-amg.html

...and you said....

Escalade_dude
That's right. They didn't like that one bit. It was total rubbish!
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...which they quite clearly did not say, now they had issues with certain areas of the car (which a number of us have already covered), you also said...

Escalade_dude
In the Car And Driver magazine, it says it has terrible handeling!
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...which doesn't quite gel with C&D describing the car as having " fluid responses" and "the grace of a gazelle".


So, no I did not get the wrong article. I am however starting to get rather tired with the amount of misleading, inaccurate and totally fictional posts you have made since joining GT Planet, please be aware that continuing in this manner will make your membership rather short. Quite simply if you don't know something to be correct, then don't post it as such; and don't make stuff up.


Scaff
 
live4speed
It doesn't have the trademark vents on the sides that all M cars have. It could be an M3 sedan, but it could simply be a facelifted 3 series with an M spec kit. Theres a lot of possilities, but if that is the M3 sedan, the production car will probably have the vents.
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I see what you mean, but the vents would be a dead giveaway, so I'd doubt they would stick them on a test-mule/prototype.
 
live4speed
It doesn't have the trademark vents on the sides that all M cars have. It could be an M3 sedan, but it could simply be a facelifted 3 series with an M spec kit. Theres a lot of possilities, but if that is the M3 sedan, the production car will probably have the vents.
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If there is one company you should never base a final design on from a test mule, it's BMW.
 
I meant a M-version of the 1, maybe not based on the 1, but something small and quick.

As for that mule, is it just me or do the fenders look a little flared? Those are also more M-like wheels, but they could have just put those on for kicks.
 
*McLaren*
I suppose, though why would you want a sport version of the 1 Series?
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Weight.

The basic 1er has an almost 300 lb. weight advantage over the basic 3er.

Ponder that a N54 twin turbo charged 135i will have a similar power/weight ratio as a E46 M3 (remember the turbo is underrated and easily makes ~325hp), and a much beefier torque curve.

Using the name "M1" would be out of the question. The name is hallowed ground for BMW and would never be used for anything but a flagship supercar. I'm confident that I know BMW well enough to make this statement.

The real problem with a "135i M Sport" or "135si" or whatever you want to call it, will be a similar problem Porsche has with the 911 Carrera and Cayman S. Porsche has gone on record saying a Cayman S with an LSD fitted would lap the Ring faster than a Carrera. So they kept the car back. (Let's not forget the Carrera is ALSO lacking a slippy diff)

If BMW builds a range topping, full bore M model of the 1 series, it could very well be FASTER than even the E9x M3 in certain situations.

If they build it with the turbo, it would be a simple tune/exhaust and your 135si M Sport will be pushing 400+ hp, make STUPID amounts of torque and weigh somewhere between 200-300 pounds LESS than the M3. Give it an LSD and good suspension tuning and it may make the E92 M3 look redundant.

A possible solution to this could be to move the venerable S54 engine (from the E46 M3) to the 1 series range when the V8 debuts. The S54 is pretty close to maxxed out in NA tune, and would thus "protect" the more expensive M cars up the range, while giving BMW a model with which to replace the M Coupe when it bows out some time in 2008 or 2009. This will also let the M brand maintain philosophical consistency in it's product line; staying with the NA 'high rev concept' they have adopted.

It is also possible that BMW may do BOTH cars, depending on market demand. The turbo would have to be 'kept back' for sure, though; probably with NO LSD, narrower rubber and stock bodywork to make it harder to eclipse it's bigger stable mates. But I doubt it will happen.


M
 
Source: Blog.worldcarfans.com
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[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Only weeks after BMW revealed their M3 Concept car in Geneva, they have released detailed information about the new V8 engine that will go into the production model. We are currently waiting for an English translation of the entire kit, and as soon as we receive it, we will publish. However, in the mean time here are the main facts:[/FONT]
  • [FONT=Arial, sans-serif]22% more power [/FONT]
  • [FONT=Arial, sans-serif]8% less fuel consumption[/FONT]
  • [FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Displacement 3,999 cm<SUP>3 </SUP>[/FONT]
  • [FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Power 309 kW/420 HP[/FONT]
  • [FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Torque 400 Nm/295 ft-lb @ 8,300 rpm[/FONT]
  • [FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Double VANOS with 8 individual throttle butterflies for more spontaneous reaction time[/FONT]
  • [FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Fulfills EU4 and LEV 2 emission requirements in Europe and US respectively[/FONT]
  • [FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Brake Energy regeneration with intelligent regeneration[/FONT]
  • [FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Weight 202 Kg (15kg lighter than S54 Inline 6 cylinder)[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Despite an additional two cylinders, BMW has reduced the weight of the engine to be 15kg lighter than the cast steel S54 inline 6 cylinder in the previous generation E46 M3. Through advanced construction techniques and the use of aluminum block and composite materials the engine weighs a mere 202 Kg. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Although the torque figure is uninspiring, 85 percent of the maximum torque (340 Nm/250 ft-lb) is available from 2000 rpm up to 6,500 rpm creating an almost flat torque curve across this wide rev range. This translates into a whole lot of power readily available during most driving conditions. Now that inspires. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]The M3 Coupe is expected to go on sale in Germany September of this year, with the sedan, touring and convertible following later. This is the first time in BMW's history that the M3 will be made available in all 3 Series variants.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Stay tuned for more details and photos. Big hat tip to [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]M3post.com[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif] for the radical CGI's[/FONT]
 
Interesting. I had no idea that the S54 weighed that much more than the LS2, which clocks in around 430 lbs, which is still lighter than the 440-ish lbs in the new Bimmer V8.

...I'd love to see a size comparison, but I realize that is pretty hard to do...
 
Now I hated the current normal 3 series, but this M3 version is just STUNNING!
 
I'm torn. I truly hate the gaudiness that the M3 coupe has, especially the front end and its horrible, far-too-low airdam.
On that same end, I hate the entire 3-series sedan line, but prefer the sedan M3 quite a bit over the Coupe.




Screw it. Gimme a 335Ci with the M3 running gear (but the normal 335 engine), and I'll be fine.
 
The only thing is thoes front intakes, the more I look at them the less I like them. Everything else about the car I like, or rather I don't think is bad, I'm a bit indifferent about the bonnet bulge.
 
BMW318ciC
Source: Blog.worldcarfans.com<!--more-->
  • [FONT=Arial, sans-serif]22% more power [/FONT]
  • [FONT=Arial, sans-serif]8% less fuel consumption[/FONT]
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"more" than what? :odd: The coupe/sedan/cabrio should all be fine, proper M cars, but I just want to know what those numbers are in reference to.
 
343bhp * 1.22 = 418bhp... so yeah, that makes sense. Those percentages are compared to the S54.

Hmmm, that torque figure seems kinda low for a 4.0L V8, considering the 3.2 was just about 30lb-ft short of that. Oh well... nice to see all the models already, they all look great (but as usual, an M3 convertible seems so silly).
 
harrytuttle
"more" than what? :odd: The coupe/sedan/cabrio should all be fine, proper M cars, but I just want to know what those numbers are in reference to.
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The main point in the article is comparing the new M3 engine to the old one and why the new one is better.
 
live4speed
The only thing is thoes front intakes, the more I look at them the less I like them.
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I'm absolutely amazed that everyone is taking such a hatred towards the new M3 fascia, yet most people (even after Poverty is gone) find the faces of the entire line of new Audis not only acceptable, but good. To me the M3 intakes are neutral, but the Audis are horrible.
 
It's not so much the side intakes, it's the central one, the way it drops lower than the sides and the curved bottom, it just doesn't look right to me. That said, I'm not the greatest fan of the Audi corporate grille either.
 
SlipZtrEm
but as usual, an M3 convertible seems so silly).
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Until you see how many they sell. Wouldn't want one myself but there are loads round here. I'd like to know what percentage of M3s were soft tops. I'll take the new one in Touring form please.
 
SlipZtrEm
(but as usual, an M3 convertible seems so silly).
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Then does this not make every SL AMG, RS4 Conv., XKR Conv., and Porsche 911 Cabriolet silly as well?

There are people who like sports cars.

And then there are those of us who like sports cars with the ability to drive with the wind in our hair.
 
^ Thats what T-Tops are for...

1977PontiacFirebird_001-vi.jpg


Screamin' Chicken FTW!
 
A T-top M3 would be interesting. I'm not sure how the styling of the new car would agree with having parts of the roof cut out; a convertible could easily match the styling better. Porsche did it, if I am not mistaken. How did those do?

I think a convertible M3 would have a steel roof. That seems to be the current trend, and BMW is certainly the type to do something like that. The 335ci has one too.
 
There is probably a fan on the test bed that blows air at the engine to simulate real road conditions.

The motor sounds great. Very similar to the E46 GTR motor, but obviously gagged and refined with a street exhaust.


M
 
///M-Spec
There is probably a fan on the test bed that blows air at the engine to simulate real road conditions.

The motor sounds great. Very similar to the E46 GTR motor, but obviously gagged and refined with a street exhaust.


M
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Ah, that could be. It's kind of cool that they have it hooked up in such a way that its fan spins relative to throttle input. You can hear the fan spin up at the beginning, though. I doubted it before because dyno-fans are usually constant, right? The straw-sound only is really there when the car starts going into WOT and the revs are a bit higher in the power band.
 
Omnis
Awesome. It sounds like a german nascar. :lol:

edit:

A whole ~9 minutes of audio:



Does anyone know what that blowing-through-a-straw noise is? If that's the air going into the engine, that's pretty fierce.
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I was listening to a bunch of MP3s when I found this, stopped it to hear it out, and then just went through the rest of GTPlanet just listening to it play in the background. Totally not interested in the music anymore; this V8 is that good to listen to.
 
Omnis
Ah, that could be. It's kind of cool that they have it hooked up in such a way that its fan spins relative to throttle input. You can hear the fan spin up at the beginning, though. I doubted it before because dyno-fans are usually constant, right? The straw-sound only is really there when the car starts going into WOT and the revs are a bit higher in the power band.
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It depends on which fan a shop buys, but yes, I think many of them are constant speed fans.

But I'm sure the special engines group at BMW M has the fancy ones that are connected to the simulator :) I wonder what program they are running on it in the video clip? Spa? Hockenheim? The Nordschleife? The local roads outside Garching?


M
 
Here are a couple of photos of an Imola Red E92 M3. IMO, it looks much better in this color than Chrome Shadow on the concept car.





The Dumbo side mirrors are still looking ugly to me.

Photo credits: Autoweek. Full story and more pictures HERE

Story highlights:

  • Article states the car in the picture is the production version
  • US version to appear in mid-2008 as '09 model
  • V8 weighs 445 lbs (202 kg) fully dressed. This is 33 lbs (15 kg) lighter than the iron-block S54 straight six in the E46 M3 and Z4 M Roadster/Coupe
  • Engine redline incorrectly reported at 8400 RPM (it is actually 8300 RPM)
  • Final drive is 3.82
  • Article implies CF roof panel is a keeper for the standard car (ie, it is not reserved for the CSL version)
  • Electronically adjusted dampeners will be an option --for the first time on the M3


M
 
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