is this the real deal, or are "car" magazine being cheeky?

[Poverty]

The new M3? If it is I think it looks bloody crap, and BMW have dropped the ball big time.

 

[the Interceptor]

Well, there are no "normal" shots of the car, where you can actually judge the looks neutrally. However, this still is a current 3 series designed by Chris Bangle, so what'd you expect?

 

[Dave A]

Chris Bangle didn't design the current 3 series. As for this being the next M3, probably yes, other than the rear end which I'm not sure about I think it looks alright. I'd prefer the next M3 to be understated rather than over the top.

 

[Poverty]

I wouldnt say this car is understated, just rather ugly IMO. The back bumper makes it look like a boy racers car, and the rear lights just reminds me of japanese vehicles. Frankly I think this new M3 has lost its special essence.

Roll on the C63 and RS5.

Edited to add - I have just found out that these are not real by a BMW press photographer. The real thing wont be photographed till thursday and it will have a german license plate.

 

[Midnight Runner]

Wooo!
The first BMW I like,and I am a known BMW hater.Weird,huh?

I like the rear especially..

 

[Keichi Tsuchiya]

It doesn't look that bad...I'd drive it, and I wouldn't even have to pay extra to have a pussy magnet installed.

 

[the Interceptor]

Chris Bangle didn't design the current 3 series.

He didn't?

 

[Scaff]

I wouldnt say this car is understated, just rather ugly IMO. The back bumper makes it look like a boy racers car, and the rear lights just reminds me of japanese vehicles. Frankly I think this new M3 has lost its special essence.

Roll on the C63 and RS5.

Edited to add - I have just found out that these are not real by a BMW press photographer. The real thing wont be photographed till thursday and it will have a german license plate.

So you are judging the new M3 on looks alone?

Personally I would want to know what it drives like before dismissing it, the M3 has always been a drivers car first and foremost, looks were just a fringe benefit.

On a personal note I never judge a car on photos alone, I've seen to many that look bloody great in pictures only to look a mess in the metal (Alfa Brera you know I'm talking about you) and just as many that looked plain and dull in the pics only to look great in the metal (new Jag XK is a good example here).

Regards

Scaff

BTW - Poverty - you know far better by now than to double post like that, only 5 minutes had elapsed, please edit in future.

 

[the Interceptor]

I'm sure that only very few people think that it will drive badly. I actually think that it will be one of the best, if not the best car in its class. I wouldn't buy one anyway, cause I don't like the looks of one single BMW that came after the CSL. I'd sacrifice a lot for a good drive, but I won't pay quite a lot of money for a car I don't like the looks of, where I have to say to myself every day:"Yeah I know, but it drives so well!".

 

[Scaff]

He didn't?

Not specifically, rather he oversaw and signed off the design, which makes its 'his' even if he's not directly responsible for it.

I'm sure that only very few people think that it will drive badly. I actually think that it will be one of the best, if not the best car in its class. I wouldn't buy one anyway, cause I don't like the looks of one single BMW that came after the CSL. I'd sacrifice a lot for a good drive, but I won't pay quite a lot of money for a car I don't like the looks of, where I have to say to myself every day:"Yeah I know, but it drives so well!".

I don't have quite the same dislike for the current generation of BMW's and the buying public seem to have got used to the looks, as its certainly not hurting sales.

Current BMW design cues are now starting to appear on other manufacturers models, so something's working.

Design is always going to be a personal thing and I guess its a good job I don't mind the latest BMW looks, after all my 320 arives mid-Feb.

Regards

Scaff

 

[the Interceptor]

Not specifically, rather he oversaw and signed off the design, which makes its 'his' even if he's not directly responsible for it.

Thanks (also to live4speed), I didn't know that.

I don't have quite the same dislike for the current generation of BMW's and the buying public seem to have got used to the looks, as its certainly not hurting sales.

Current BMW design cues are now starting to appear on other manufacturers models, so something's working.

Design is always going to be a personal thing and I guess its a good job I don't mind the latest BMW looks, after all my 320 arives mid-Feb.

Design is a personal thing, and I'm not going to say that they look wrong. I can not tell BMW how to design a car, I can only tell them if I like the design or not. And I got used to the looks their later models as well (to a certain degree at least), but not enough to buy one of their current models. The buying public doesn't do it for me either, as most BMWs are sold by the way they drive, and not the way they look. I don't want to offend anyone (I'm not referring to forums members anyway), but I think the majority of car buyers doesn't make clever choices.

BMW is going to keep selling cars, and the new M3 will sell as well. As long as they will design them the way they do, I won't buy any. It's a kind of a relation, if a special one.

This sign is there for a reason btw...



Regards
the Interceptor

 

[McLaren]

I wouldnt say this car is understated, just rather ugly IMO. The back bumper makes it look like a boy racers car, and the rear lights just reminds me of japanese vehicles. Frankly I think this new M3 has lost its special essence.

Roll on the C63 and RS5.

Edited to add - I have just found out that these are not real by a BMW press photographer. The real thing wont be photographed till thursday and it will have a german license plate.

Ai, you already found out, but this was a 335i with M3 parts. Not the real deal, but enough things to make it look like the new M3.

 

[Scaff]

Thanks (also to live4speed), I didn't know that.
Design is a personal thing, and I'm not going to say that they look wrong. I can not tell BMW how to design a car, I can only tell them if I like the design or not. And I got used to the looks their later models as well (to a certain degree at least), but not enough to buy one of their current models. The buying public doesn't do it for me either, as most BMWs are sold by the way they drive, and not the way they look. I don't want to offend anyone (I'm not referring to forums members anyway), but I think the majority of car buyers doesn't make clever choices.

Sorry but I would have to disagree that the vast majority of BMW drivers base the decision on how the cars drive. The vast majority of BMW's are sold on the brand image, its seen as a prestige marque and the badge carries a lot of weight with the buying public.

I did personally go for a 3-series based principally on it being rear-wheel drive and being great to drive (if a little dead in terms of steering feel), and teh right size within my budget (or more specifically my company car budget), but
I'm certainly not representative of the majority of the buying public.

BMW is going to keep selling cars, and the new M3 will sell as well. As long as they will design them the way they do, I won't buy any. It's a kind of a relation, if a special one.

This sign is there for a reason btw...



Regards
the Interceptor

If I recall correctly that was used by Sniff Petrol originally for the 1-series.

Regards

Scaff

 

[YSSMAN]

I wouldnt say this car is understated, just rather ugly IMO. The back bumper makes it look like a boy racers car, and the rear lights just reminds me of japanese vehicles. Frankly I think this new M3 has lost its special essence.

Roll on the C63 and RS5.

I don't see what the hubbub is all about on the car. I personally think the car looks fine, my only quibble maybe being the tail lights, which should have been that of the sedan's. Otherwise, the car looks great. Understated is a huge plus these days (Audi and Mercedes do it quite well), so why is it so bad now that BMW had decided to do it too?

As I read through Clarkson's review of the 335i on Sunday, I became a bit concerned for his state of mind. Certainly the car impresses in performance, but why is there such a huge problem with the design of the car? Has nobody realized that BMW has never changed the coupe drastically by comparison to the sedan it is based upon?

I'll wait for official BMW photos for the final judgment, but if this is any sign of what we can expect, it is a glorious assortment of understated pieces that hide the sporting beast within.

 

[GT4_Rule]

The M3 has always been a driver's car, and I'm sure this one will drive nice as well. But the styling is average. Especially the rear bumpers, I don't like it at all. Should've at least ran the tailpipes through the two opening at the side.

 

[Poverty]

Im glad this isnt the real M3, Im sure the new one will be a great drive, but many love it also for its looks alone. Im sure even if it didnt look great thousands would be ordered or vice versa just for the fact that its a BMW, and a M3 at that.

 

[the Interceptor]

Sorry but I would have to disagree that the vast majority of BMW drivers base the decision on how the cars drive. The vast majority of BMW's are sold on the brand image, its seen as a prestige marque and the badge carries a lot of weight with the buying public.

... which is even worse. One of the worst things one can do in my eyes is showing off with things not everyone can afford. If you buy things just for that ... you get the picture, don't even get me started.

I did personally go for a 3-series based principally on it being rear-wheel drive and being great to drive (if a little dead in terms of steering feel), and teh right size within my budget (or more specifically my company car budget), but
I'm certainly not representative of the majority of the buying public.

To be honest, as a company car, I'd probably make the same choice.

Still, I don't like the way that car looks, nor do I like the other current BMWs. They are all great cars, and I like the classic dials and a lot of other details they've kept. That "You suckers will buy anything"-badge however, even if it was made for the 1 series, is a good generalisation of what you said before: people buy BMWs, because they are BMWs. It only has little to do with design, but still, BMWs of the past mostly had their own styling. Probably not the prettiest cars in the world, but unique.
Take an E36 3-series for example. Not really a beautiful car, but instantly recognisable by almost anyone. Now, that E90 ... I know the Top gear boys do talk a lot of rubbish, but they are right on this one: "It's 15 feet of car!". It is totally replacable, could wear almost any badge.

BMW has given up something they had. They'll probably sell even more cars through having less of a personality, making it a profitable and therefor working way, business-wise. Still, I don't like the way the cars look anymore, and as good as they may technically be, that's not for me. I don't care at all what the others think of me or my property, I don't try to look good in anything for anyone. But if I don't like the looks, why should I buy it, even if the product underneath is good?

Regards
the Interceptor

 

[Jordan]

A photoshopped 335i was used for this photo shoot, and come on guys - that's nothing what the rear of any of the 3 series coupes look like. Here's a non-distroted rear image of a M3 mule.

 

[harrytuttle]

Edited to add - I have just found out that these are not real by a BMW press photographer. The real thing wont be photographed till thursday and it will have a german license plate.

If that's the case, I will hold silent until Thursday.


Because those photos stink.

Roll on the C63 and RS5.

Most definitely. 👍 A roundup of those three is going to be uber-fun.

but I won't pay quite a lot of money for a car I don't like the looks of, where I have to say to myself every day:"Yeah I know, but it drives so well!".

What do you think we WRX STi drivers say every day.

 

[Philly]

Can't wait for Thursday. No doubt, this car will perform. BMW has to hit the bar set by the RS4 and C63. Those are good cars.

The M3 performed very well with a a V6. A V8 should make it so much more potent. How BMW will deal with extra weight is yet to be seen.

 

[niky]

...Alfa Brera...

So I'm not the only one put off by the God-awful overhangs on the car.. thank you!

...(if a little dead in terms of steering feel)...

Even without the active-steering? Sad...

320i? Hopefully in manual trim? I think that'd be the sweetest spot in the 3-series line-up, decent power, less weight. I'd have made the same choice myself if I were given the decision... Congrats!

 

[Scaff]

So I'm not the only one put off by the God-awful overhangs on the car.. thank you!

I was so disappointed when I first saw one in the metal for the exact reason you mention. It looked so good in the press shots, but the final version was just 'wrong'.

Even without the active-steering? Sad...

320i? Hopefully in manual trim? I think that'd be the sweetest spot in the 3-series line-up, decent power, less weight. I'd have made the same choice myself if I were given the decision... Congrats!

320i in M-Sport trim with a manual 'box. Only way to go, and most certainly without the active steering (which I did try and did not like at all). The steering is a little numb, but still better that the vast majority of cars on the road today. My Celica has spoilt me a little in this regard because it has excellent steering feel.

Regards

Scaff

 

[Omnis]

The v8 sounds incredible. It would be awesome if they gave the rear quarter some buldge like the skyline. It would mould a more aggressive shape. I can't wait to see the final product. That Car magazine rendition is teh barf.

 

[niky]

I was so disappointed when I first saw one in the metal for the exact reason you mention. It looked so good in the press shots, but the final version was just 'wrong'.

320i in M-Sport trim with a manual 'box. Only way to go, and most certainly without the active steering (which I did try and did not like at all). The steering is a little numb, but still better that the vast majority of cars on the road today. My Celica has spoilt me a little in this regard because it has excellent steering feel.

Regards

Scaff

Good buy. RE: spoilt, Know how you feel, seeing as I haven't driven a new car in the last two years that has impressed me in this regard.

/OT off...

-----

As long as they can make the V8 sound as raw as the I6 was, it should be sensational.

 

[Bram Turismo]

I'm not saying my opinions on this car yet. I thought the current M3 looked a little untill I saw one in real 14 days ago, a beauty it was 👍

Those lights however, look like those of the latest 7-series which I like so I'll probably like the M3 as well since I really like the current 3-series 👍

 

[Poverty]

I know that the new M3 will sound phenomenal (they are trying to replicate the V8 vantage afterall).

 

[Jim Prower]

The M3 performed very well with a a V6. A V8 should make it so much more potent. How BMW will deal with extra weight is yet to be seen.

Inline six. Not Vee-six, Inline six.

But, yeah, I'm waiting to see how it comes out.

 

[McLaren]

Can't wait for Thursday. No doubt, this car will perform. BMW has to hit the bar set by the RS4 and C63. Those are good cars.

The M3 performed very well with a a V6. A V8 should make it so much more potent. How BMW will deal with extra weight is yet to be seen.

The RS4 and C63 are compared more with the M5 as shown in the latest test.

 

[the Interceptor]

The RS4 and C63 are compared more with the M5 as shown in the latest test.

But they are in the same class as the M3. The rivals of the M5 should be the RS6 and the E55, shouldn't they?

 

[YSSMAN]

It looks more like this:

M3 goes against:

- Audi S4/RS4
- Cadillac CTS-V
- Lexus IS-F
- Mercedes-Benz C55 AMG

M5 goes against:

- Audi S6/RS6
- Cadillac STS-V
- Lexus GS-F (if they make one)
- Mercedes-Benz CLS63 or E63 AMG