M3 Sedan Announced today

[Kirby]

The M3 Limousine (Sedan) was officially announced in Germany Sunday by BMW. The announcement in German is at the bottom, expect a US announcement soon.

Tom, I think you said you were buying if they released it??

My translation:

After 13 years since the announcement of the first M3 sedan, it returns in Spring of 2008.

Under the hood is the same motor as the coupe. The 8 cylinder engine has a displacement of 3999 cc (4.0 liter) and produces 420 hp. Acceleration to 100 km/hr (60 mph) in 4.9 seconds, the Coupe is 4.8 seconds.

München, 7. Oktober 2007 – Ganze 13 Jahre nach der Vorstellung der ersten BMW M3 Limousine steht dem Coupé im Frühjahr 2008 erneut ein Viertürer zur Seite.

In 4,9 Sekunden auf Tempo 100
Unter der Haube arbeitet derselbe Motor wie im Zweitürer. Das Achtzylinder-Triebwerk hat einen Hubraum von 3.999 Kubikzentimeter und leistet 420 PS. Den Sprint auf Tempo 100 absolviert der bayerische Ausnahme-Sportler in 4,9 Sekunden, das Coupé benötigt 4,8 Sekunden.

 

[Tom]

The M3 Limousine (Sedan) was officially announced in Germany Sunday by BMW. The announcement in German is at the bottom, expect a US announcement soon.

Tom, I think you said you were buying if they released it??

My translation:

After 13 years since the announcement of the first M3 sedan, it returns in Spring of 2008.

Under the hood is the same motor as the coupe. The 8 cylinder engine has a displacement of 3999 cc (4.0 liter) and produces 420 hp. Acceleration to 100 km/hr (60 mph) in 4.9 seconds, the Coupe is 4.8 seconds.

München, 7. Oktober 2007 – Ganze 13 Jahre nach der Vorstellung der ersten BMW M3 Limousine steht dem Coupé im Frühjahr 2008 erneut ein Viertürer zur Seite.

In 4,9 Sekunden auf Tempo 100
Unter der Haube arbeitet derselbe Motor wie im Zweitürer. Das Achtzylinder-Triebwerk hat einen Hubraum von 3.999 Kubikzentimeter und leistet 420 PS. Den Sprint auf Tempo 100 absolviert der bayerische Ausnahme-Sportler in 4,9 Sekunden, das Coupé benötigt 4,8 Sekunden.

That is great news, yeah no more coupes for me.

 

[Big Daddy]

Beautiful I love it!

 

[frolf]

that thing is wayyyyyyy sweet

 

[Section_8]

The car I've been waiting for, this may even replace my dream car next year (335 turbo diesel wagon!). Decisions, decisions!

 

[Detrich]

i'll save my breath for when they announce a $20k price drop... not :lol: <sigh>

 

[Big Daddy]

Here are some more beautiful photos of the new sedan:

 

[E30m42cab]

So, the number of cylinders in an M3 has doubled, the horsepower has doubled, (the size and weight of the 3 series has practically doubled!) but have the performance numbers improved that much over the last 20 years?
I'm not too sure I understand the point of the M3 anymore. There are going to be 4 door automatic transmission M3's, (won't say anything about traction control, or the fact that the hood still opens the wrong way). Now my grandpa and my Mom can drive one.
I think the car looks okay... but I really don't like how there is a body seam from the front bumper breaking the line of the front wheel arch...
On a side note, do the little vents in the hood do anything, or the ones on the quarter panels, and does the engine really not fit under the hood without making a bump in it? Do the front bumper scoops chanel air to the brakes? The trunk still looks like it's off a different car.
(one of these days, I'm just going to come out and say that all the new bmw's are ugly, but not today.)
Now here's an M3:

 

[frolf]

oh come on, this criticism of the new m3 sounds like it was copy and pasted from a 1996 entry. i think you are missing the idea that all cars have changed, and the point of the m3 is bmw's vision of the spirit of the car. it is their highest tech, most focused car in the lineup. light and quick just don't exist in today's market, so if anything criticize the consumer and the market they have created, not bmw for staying in business. furthermore, do a little research, read that aftersales pdf posted about the new m3. your questions will be answered about the air ducts, etc... then your gripes might have some traction. i'm really not trying to rip on you, but your post seems like you were just standing up to receive applause for something almost every one of us knows. for the record, i absolutely love the e30 m3, and i absolutely love the e36 m3, and i love the e46 m3, and i'm certain once i am behind the wheel of an e90/2 m3 or see one fly by, i will love it as well.

 

[Kirby]

So, the number of cylinders in an M3 has doubled, the horsepower has doubled, (the size and weight of the 3 series has practically doubled!) but have the performance numbers improved that much over the last 20 years?

Well, yeah, it's not the same M3 of 20 years ago, but the competition is not the same either. They all have changed, and many NEW competitors are biting at BMWs toes.

So BMW must evolve or die. Simple as that. And better to lead than to follow. If BMW fell behind, you (as well as all of us) would likely be the first to say "What happened? Why didn't they keep up with the competition??"

 

[E30m42cab]

Frolf, I've pretty much had a problem with every 3 series model since the E36 debuted, and I've pretty much gotten over them all and started liking them all (I see where you are coming from with the 1996 point) I'm not missing the idea that cars have changed, I just don't like how they have changed. I think Audi is taking leaps and bounds in their body design and engines(RS4), and I think that BMW is trying to keep up to them. Mercedes has better looking cars than BMW, and it's unfortunate, because BMWs have always looked better than those two competitors. It's mostly unfortunate that there is a need for 400bhp+ sedans that aren't Bentley's or RR's. You're telling me that the consumer has created this market, which is true, but what about the "light and agile" market that I'm sure you appreciate as much as I do? It got left behind! Don't worry though, Audi is in the game... A3. Now we see a 1 series BMW, finally something small and agile that won't lessen BMW's name in North America like I'm sure they thought it would. I respect BMW for staying in the game, but I just don't like they go about it. It seems like they're following instead of leading. I love the E30, E36, and E46 M3's but this one is just pushing it. I'm sure I'll like it when I start getting a little more used to seeing them around, but I'm not going to be quite as impressed.
My questions about the vents and hood bubble were genuine (send me a link, please), and my gripes about engine size (which isn't that important to me), and mostly the styling... inside and out, still stand. Whether it's the X3, X5, Z4, 3, 5, 6, or 7 I just think They're all ugly, that's all, no applause necessary. Their vision of "spirit" seems to be blurred.

 

[tool fan]

I like it.. ALOT and if a four door version makes it so I can convince my wife I should have one (got 3 kiddo's)...... then thank you BMW for keeping me in mind. I cannot afford an M5, so this might just be right up my alley. And the best part is.... all the E90/2 haters can hate me even more as I dust off their cars with the wind turbulance mine makes as it passes by them at 190mph. ;o)

 

[gpiron]

$$$

Aye, Aye, Aye,...
64,000 euros... X 1.4= $89,000...???

With an expected pricing around $60,000 in the US, europeans are getting creamed...[driving2]
http://www.carupdate.com.au/2244/2008-bmw-m3-sedan-unveiled/

 

[tool fan]

Aye, Aye, Aye,...
64,000 euros... X 1.4= $89,000...???

With an expected pricing around $60,000 in the US, europeans are getting creamed...[driving2]
http://www.carupdate.com.au/2244/2008-bmw-m3-sedan-unveiled/

Actually at todays exchange rate,,,, it is a mere $92,128.00

 

[Kirby]

But keep in mind that BMW does not solely price the cars at the exchange rate value. Depeing on the country, market, etc. the price could be as much as 20% higher or lower than the exchange rate would dictate.

Just ask the Canadians. A few years ago a BMW was something like 25% more in Canada than the exchange rate would have indicated.

 

[Section_8]

oh come on, this criticism of the new m3 sounds like it was copy and pasted from a 1996 entry. i think you are missing the idea that all cars have changed, and the point of the m3 is bmw's vision of the spirit of the car. it is their highest tech, most focused car in the lineup. light and quick just don't exist in today's market, so if anything criticize the consumer and the market they have created, not bmw for staying in business. furthermore, do a little research, read that aftersales pdf posted about the new m3. your questions will be answered about the air ducts, etc... then your gripes might have some traction. i'm really not trying to rip on you, but your post seems like you were just standing up to receive applause for something almost every one of us knows. for the record, i absolutely love the e30 m3, and i absolutely love the e36 m3, and i love the e46 m3, and i'm certain once i am behind the wheel of an e90/2 m3 or see one fly by, i will love it as well.

Ahh, the critisism comes every 7 years when some ego-stroked bimmer owner gets upset that their car isn't the 'new' model anymore.

There was a gripe when the e36 came out, a gripe when the e46 came out, and imagine that - a gripe about the new e90.

What is so hard to miss people, ALL cars have gotten bigger over the past 20 years, just like PEOPLE have gotten bigger. (Mostly from being healthier - and alot of big overweight folks too, but that wasn't the meat of the point..)

Just because you're old, and small like a raisin, doesn't mean BMWs shouldn't make bigger cars for (DUH) tall, bigger people, or for a GENERATION of taller, bigger people.

Myself being 6'4", am tired of squeezing into lunchboxes for you midgets!



Back to point - no one likes how new BMW's look until 1-2 years later, and then everyone goes (HOLY CRAP BMW'S LOOK HAWT AGAIN).


And.. You've got your small 1 series back now, so what's all the griping about car size about again? (Want a shoebox, get a 1!)

 

[E30m42cab]

My gripe is that it's UGLY.... and I too am 6'4" and fit in a E30 just fine. I look like a dork getting out of a lowered E30, but I'm good inside it. I'll probably end up liking it when I see a E90 up close, but until then, it looks like it's the size of a 5er.

 

[MrElussive]

It's like a baby M5.