Next Gen M3

bmw046series · Feb 28, 2005

In 2006 BMW will kick it up a notch in the sports coupe market with the much anticipated next generation E90 M3. Both Coupe and Cabriolet models are planned with a new addition of a 4 door sedan not seen since the E36 platform.
The initial idea considered was a 4 door M3 saloon and a 2 door M4 coupe. But recently BMW has changed their minds and keep the legendary M3 coupe alive. Internal pressure from the BMW board was too great to kill it off. Therefore, the M3 coupe, M3 saloon and an M3 cabriolet in addition to an M4 coupe and a M4 cabriolet will be developed. Did you get all that?

The M3 coupe will feature a 6 Series like glasshouse with the possibility of a new distinct interior. The front will sport a new aggressive yet subtle bumper while the rear will display quad exhausts like the new M5. Power will come from a new lightweight V8 producing around 400hp and uses the latest dual-VANOS variable valve timing system. New engine building technology and lightweight materials mean the engine should amazingly weigh the same as the outgoing 3.2 liter in-line 6 cylinder from the current E46 M3 but with considerably more power.

The new M3 is slated to arrive in early 2006 with a 2005 Frankfurt debut and the cabriolet will have a Geneva 2006 debut with sales beginning in summer 2006. The SMG transmission will come standard and a CSL version of the coupe with excess of 420hp is being planned as well.

During early testing of the cabriolet version of the 4 series BMW experimented with both a normal canvas roof and a hard folding top but decided on the canvas due to weight savings and maintenance. The M4 Coupe and M4 Cabriolet will also feature the M3 V8 engine and should go on sale later. No further details are known. A concept for the regular 4 Series is slated for Frankfurt in September.

Not sure...

frolf · Feb 28, 2005

oh man, that is hot

poboyis · Feb 28, 2005

i like the power, but im not sure if i like the car overall. definatly have mixed emotions about a v8 in it. and... that sure does look like a good amount of body roll in those pics. Im not gonna call it in or out until i see one on this side of the sea.

Tom · Feb 28, 2005

Sort of looks like a scaled down M5 and where are the foglights?

If BMW does indeed release a 4-door M3, I may have to reconsider my next car.

jszar · Feb 28, 2005

i'm with frolf on this one, that bitch is smokin!

jszar · Feb 28, 2005

...the side mirrors are the only annoying thing...too pointy

gpoints · Feb 28, 2005

Tom said:

I think they forgot to photo-chop those in... [:D]

JGM3E3632 · Feb 28, 2005

poboyis said:

Body roll! Just by looking at the pics yeah I see it too, but there is no telling how fast the driver drove into that corner. [slap]

frolf · Feb 28, 2005

his tires are tucking under pretty good, but not toooo bad

codex57 · Feb 28, 2005

I'm still a little unsettled over the whole ditching the inline-6 decision. M3 means inline 6 to me. I hope they bring back an M powered inline 6 for something. Maybe the new 1 or 2 series.

Militant-Grunt · Feb 28, 2005

Wow would you look on the rear end on this puppy.. Looks great... i think more should be done on the front..

bmw555 · Feb 28, 2005

I don't get it, what's the difference between new M3 coupe and M4 coupe? The rear is ugly btw and I do no like V8 idea - I6 is sooo sweet and balanced perfectly.

tool fan · Feb 28, 2005

I still like the E46 much better....what is with the rear end and all of those weird ass angles. It just doesn't look streamline and smooth anymore. How ever a 4 door version does make the car more appealing to me.......I could actually buy one and not have to feel bad about sacrificing space for the kids.

jaime-330 · Mar 1, 2005

Don't like it at all. It has a japanese mitsubishi galant kind of look from behind [thumbd] definately not better looking that the E46

BMWdude · Mar 1, 2005

And apart from minor changes like the exhaust and rims, the New M3 doesn't look all that different from the regular 3 series.

http://www.bmwworld.com/pics/3er/e90/4275_rear.jpg

http://www.germancarfans.com/photos/3040807.001/1011big.jpg

The E46 M3 stood out way more as an M3 compared to regular E46.

IMO

epj3 · Mar 1, 2005

BMWdude said:

I agree, and had the same thoughts. When you saw an m3 coming down the road, you KNEW It was an m3. Much wider fenders, and multiple other noticeable differenes. It looked so much more muscular than the regular 3 series.

BTW it's definitely photoshopped, since bmw wouldnt use narrow rear tires like those [:D]

Montana · Mar 1, 2005

Says the V8 will weigh the same as the old 6 so balance would be the same, ...also why have a 5 series then at all? Just eliminate one or the other.

Looks like they stole a design guy from Pontiac with that Battlestar Galactica rear end. I hope they don't "redo" the interior with those round twisty air vents too.

///M SPEED · Mar 1, 2005

For a sports coupe the E46 M3 did OK with gas mileage. I wonder what the new V8 will do in this regard. Will the new model be a gas pig? A 400 HP V8…. I wonder……

That being said I still think the E46 M3 looks way better. It is timeless. Of course, the same was said when the E46 M3 took over the E36. Some to this day still prefer the E36 over the E46 and of course many only like the E30....

To me the E46 is the best-looking M3 BMW has built to date....

Big Daddy · Mar 1, 2005

You said it M SPEED, a 400 hp V8 is not likely to get 25+ mpg is it? I have mixed emotions on the design, it looks good, but I am still not a fan of the "B-1" angles. I think we should take it for a ride and decide!

gpoints · Mar 1, 2005

///M SPEED said:

Well, the C6 is a 400 HP 6 liter V8 and gets 18/28. So if GM can do it, BMW should be able to come close.

I still think the #'s will be similar to the v8 used in the last gen M5.

Next Gen M3

1000 Post Club

2

2

1

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

Member

Member

Senior Member

2

2

Senior Member

2