Next-Gen M3 Spotted in California: Caught Again (7/11/06)

  • Thread starter Thread starter YSSMAN
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But still, that's in case if you get to see the front. The back isn't too obvious. Maybe exhaust pipes and badging, thats it?
 
Muscle car years = another weak point of mine. I can usually peg the model, but have to ask my dad the year.

And I appreciate the visual aids. 👍 :)

Wolfe2x7
Actually, "Carrera" is just the name given to the base-model 911's, so if a 911 isn't a turbo, GT3, GT2, etc., it's a Carrera.

996's are distinctive from 993's and 997's because of their "egg-yolk" headlights. 993 and 997 headlights are simply ovals.
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Really? Back in the "Want a 911? Why?" thread it seemed like people were referring to them as if they were completely seperate models.

And again, thanks. 👍
 
GT4_Rule
But still, that's in case if you get to see the front. The back isn't too obvious. Maybe exhaust pipes and badging, thats it?
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Usually the bumper is a bit different, but the exhaust pipes and badging are the biggest clues, and they aren't very noticable.

Of course, an exception is the E30 M3, which advertises its M-ness at every angle :sly:

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GT4_Rule
But still, that's in case if you get to see the front. The back isn't too obvious. Maybe exhaust pipes and badging, thats it?
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The badging is a dead give-away, but the exhaust pipes make for an easy identification as well. Four pipes, two on each side, compared to the non-M models, which typically have two pipes, both on one side. Also, M-cars have subtle lip spoilers on the trunk-lid.

Some M-car traits that differ from regular BMW's:
-Front spoiler with larger intakes
-Rounded side mirrors
-Different wheels than regular 330i/545i
-Quad exhaust tips
-Subtle rear spoiler
-"M" badges have a fleck of color in them (easy to spot from far away)
-Usually kept clean and shiney by their owners :)

Wolfe2x7
I have no idea how my dad and uncle can differentiate between many musclecars and 50's cars, even down to the specific model year.
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Back then, cars changed more drastically from year to year. Today, a 2001 model might be completely indistinguishable from a 2004. This wasn't the case in the 50's and 60's.
 
kylehnat
Back then, cars changed more drastically from year to year. Today, a 2001 model might be completely indistinguishable from a 2004. This wasn't the case in the 50's and 60's.
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I should have been more clear -- I know how they do it, but can't imagine being able to do it myself. ;)
 
Elegy, if you're also having a hard time distinguishing models, check their wheels. Many of the 5 series have wheels the other don't.


Although, you'll probably already know which model is which by the time you figure out the wheels.

But if you ever see these wheels, Elegy, it means this 3 has a Performance PKG, and is a 330Ci.
 
Adding on to that, if the headlights are slanty-like like the last 3 series before the current E90, it is a 330. If they are more upright, it is a real M3.
 
I thought people paid the premium for an M3 to get the Engine/Driving Characteristics/Sound?

Easiest way to pick out a recent M car, look for the little brake vents behind the front wheels.

With older models, the lower fascia/side skirts are often pronounced compared to a normal model, though it can be tricky telling an old M6 from a regular 6, and the original M5 is the definition of Sleeper, the lip spoiler on the trunk, the badging, and the slightly lower ride are all that really gives it up.

Course, I'm one of those people that was mentioned earlier, who can scan a parking lot of cars and pick out all the models of interest, and even rattle off the other models/years most of the time with a quick glance.
 
Onikaze
Course, I'm one of those people that was mentioned earlier, who can scan a parking lot of cars and pick out all the models of interest, and even rattle off the other models/years most of the time with a quick glance.
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Don't you hate that? People stare at you like your insane, and get mad at you when they go toe-to-toe with you and lose...
 
Toronado
Don't you hate that? People stare at you like your insane, and get mad at you when they go toe-to-toe with you and lose...
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Im like that too, and I love it.
Annoy the hell out of people, naming every car I see on field trips.
They think its funny :dopey:
I have to make some up, though, cause Im not quick enough to do both sides of the road when there are that many cars.
But I CAN scan a parking lot and name anything good.
 
...Glad to be back after three days w/o internet...

What more can be said about this car that has not allready been said? It looks pretty damn good, IMO, dare I say one of the best looking 3-series coupes, ever... You get 400+ BHP from the "big-ish" V8, the purity that the BMW brand offers, and a not so horrible $50K-ish price.

...If I had money, tell ya what I do. I'd go downtown and buy an M3 or two...
 
The biggest challenge for BMW though, is whether if they can come close to the ideal 50/50 weight distribution with a V8 in the front. Also, let's see if the M3 can keep the legendary handling and the steering feedback with a much heavier car.
 
GT4_Rule
The biggest challenge for BMW though, is whether if they can come close to the ideal 50/50 weight distribution with a V8 in the front. Also, let's see if the M3 can keep the legendary handling and the steering feedback with a much heavier car.
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The distribution may be a challenge, but I think the M5 and M6, if not the "ordinary" 5-, 6-, and 7-series cars, have proven that handling and steering feedback are not a problem with heavier BMWs.

In fact, as Onikaze pointed out in another thread, this M3 should still be significantly lighter than its larger M cousins, despite the V8, and it will be interesting to see just how fast it goes.
 
As BMW's new advertising campaigns point out ever so often, they are comitted to engineering exelence, rear-wheel drive, and near 50/50 weight distrobutions as often as possible.

...I would bet they get it done by moving the engine backwards just a bit, and I'm sure that they will be using the magnesium/aluminum casting technology for the engine as they did with the new 3.0L I6.

Assuming they don't get outrageously close to 50/50, the most I would expect would be 52/48, which I belive is where the Corvette actually is (to give an example).
 
YSSMAN
As BMW's new advertising campaigns point out ever so often, they are comitted to engineering exelence, rear-wheel drive, and near 50/50 weight distrobutions as often as possible.

...I would bet they get it done by moving the engine backwards just a bit, and I'm sure that they will be using the magnesium/aluminum casting technology for the engine as they did with the new 3.0L I6.

Assuming they don't get outrageously close to 50/50, the most I would expect would be 52/48, which I belive is where the Corvette actually is (to give an example).
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If I'm not mistaken (just a fun fact), I think the Gallardo is also near 50/50.

But yes, BMW is doing very well on getting their cars to this. I also think the M Coupe and Roadster are very near to a 50/50.
 
For some reason, compared to the last one, this one looks...boring?

WAIT! I don't mean how it drives. It's a freakin' BMW M-Car...itt'l never be boring to drive...but the shape...It's just not all that exciting. it looks like a normal 3-series coupe.
 
My concern is where the M3 is going to go on the scale of electronic gizmoness, between only having the most basic (TC and DSC like in the Z4M Roadster/Coupe) or all that extra stuff like the M5/M6. But the fact that they did do away with all the extras in the new M Roadster/Coupe makes me feel confident that they'll keep the new M3 in line with the E46 in purity.
 
It looks like a more muscular and flared 3 Coupe, just like the other M3's all have.

I think it will look great in it's element...you know...sideways, smoking the tires.

The 4.0 V-8 is a good deal shorter than the I-6, so pushing it back to maintain 50/50 shouldn't be a problem, plus using more aluminum in the construction lets them pick the weight balance more or less.
 
I would be willing to bet that BMW listens to the fans this time and makes most of the gizmos an OPTION on the M3, not something that we are stuck with.

...I've always wondered though, is iDrive and all that active-X crap hated as much in Europe as it is here in the 'States? I know that it is F1 land over there, and technology is their best friend... But cummon, there have to be a few purists over there, right?
 
I'm pretty sure the Brits hate the iDrive, at least, judging from the articles that criticize the iDrive in UK Car mags.
 
I know that Top Gear doesn't care much for it, and from what I have read from CAR Magazine, they are in the same boat.

...But I'd be more interested to hear what the Germans think...
 
Rogue Ssv
Is it true it will have a V8? Any specs? Price range?
....
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Nothing official, but the V8 is nearly a forgone conclusion. The original M3 had a four cylinder engine that was basically an M1/M5/M6 straight six with two cylinders chopped off the end and the oil passages blocked off.

The next M3 will most likely have a M5/M6 motor, again with two cylinders chopped off. That would make it an oversquare high-rev 4.0 liter 32 valve V8 with individual throttlebodies per cylinder. Power should be in the 400 range, and I suspect BMW will try to "one up" the Audi RS4 with 420ish. Since the crank will be shorter than the V10, they may try to take advantage of the decreased mass and increase the redline, which will squeeze out some extra ponies. Or they may be happy with 408ish.

Based on the 335i Coupe's published weight of ~3500 lbs, I would guesstimate the M3 will weigh 3,640.... About 200 lbs. more than the current (E46)M3, which incidently is 200 lbs. more than the (E36)M3 it replaced.

I'm guessing the base price will be $55,000 USD. How did I get this number?

In the current M lineup, there is a roughly $10,0000 USD split between an M3 Coupe and 330Ci (25% premium). The same goes for the Z4 3.0si and M Coupe.

There is a $20,000 split between the 550i and M5 (38%); and a whopping $28,000 split between the 650i and M6 (42%).

Now, the best guess on the base price of the new 335i Coupe is $41,000 in the USA. But the difference between the new M3 and 335i is going to be greater than old M3 vs. 330Ci. Given BMW's recent trend towards moving up segment, I would guess the M3 will be 35% more expensive than the 335i. That gives you $55k.

If you're wondering why I'm dealing with US pricing instead of European pricing, I will point out that the USA is BMW M's largest market. The rest of the world will take a cue from US pricing.

0-60 in 4.4 seconds. 1320 in 12.7 @ 113-114 mph. Again, this is just me guessing. It should be a fairly quick car, but of course the real draw will not be just raw speed --12 second cars are a dime a dozen these days-- but a chassis that is gifted enough to make use of those 400 horses and refinement enough to make it a decent daily driver.


M
 
I'm hoping the M3 isn't that close to the M5's weight.

400 lbs would make me cry.

I'm hoping and praying that the M3 winds up at the same weight or lighter than the 335i, to give a CSL room to nudge down next to 3k lbs again.

8500 Rpm? Sounds sexy, 420 Hp, I'd bet on it, $55k, yeah, but it will have a option to get a real 6 speed instead of the 7 speed SMG, and no it won't have the Active steering, but I-Drive will be an option at least.
 
Chances are, the M3 will probably come pretty watered down, with all that techno crap as an option... Or, well, thats atleast what I'm wishing that they would do.
 

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