First pics of new BMW M3.

Alistairr

Alistairr

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I've been waiting on news of a new M3, well ever since my brother got a new X5 and my faither got a new 535d SE Sport( with every conceivable extra!!) 6 months ago, they and the salesman have been asking what my next car could be. Dunno i say, but they are pushing me to go for a BMW.

I don't want to change till next year, but with a Kid on the way, i may change sooner.

Anyway there are only 2 cars on my shopping list at the moment, Either another Subaru STi, or if BMW bring out a new M3, then i think it would need to take preference. So i've been waiting with baited breath for news on a M3, the dealer says there no sign of a new one yet, but look what i found this morning!!! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

First pics of the new E90 M3

M3%204Door%20Front.jpg


M3%204Door%20Rear.jpg


If you notice its in 4dr model, will also be available in coupe and convertible shapes, but best of all its got the new lightweight 400bhp V8 /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

Looks good don't you think? Subtle but nice!!
Any Views??
Also anyone seen pics of the Coupe version??

Cheers

Alistair.

jfm, did you get you're new car??
 
I test drove the existing M3 a few weeks ago 'coz I was looking for a weekend fun car but I ended up buying a used 911.
I know the M3 is spectacular value for money in terms of £ per hp but what I could'nt get my head around was paying so much money for a car that looks to the average Joe in the street (ie my SWMBO) like a cooking 318d. I also found the SMG gearbox unpleasant and the ride choppy (the test car was on ludicrous 19" wheels, maybe it rides better on 18" ones)
Maybe the new M3 will address these issues. The photos certainly suggest that BM are trying to differentiate the styling more and a 400hp V8 sounds real juicy. One thing is for sure. The old M3 depreciated v slowly so the new one is going to be the same or better. Its never going to be a bad car so you wont go wrong buying one
What does your Dad think of the 535d? I'm looking at one of those to replace my lousy daily driver E320Cdi early next year
 
I'm afraid that those are digitally manipulated pics. Probably the front valance is clearly from the new M5, and while its true to say that the two will share some key elements, BMW will not lump one bodykit from the 5 onto the 3. The type of shot is clearly not a spy shot and these pictures are only ever released by BMW, and the network get them about a week befor the press.

Good news is Munich have confirmed that the car will be a V8 with around 400hp, though the killer is they have not confirmed any models yet and a 4 door is probably the furthest from production. This is due to the release of a 335 petrol at the beginning of next year, which will offer 320hp in 4 door format.

The current M3 is expected to cease production this year, and if BMW follow their normal product cycle, it is unlikely we will see a new M3 until late 2007 at the earliest, with March 2008 much more likely.
 
You gotta be kiddin me!!

So is there any news of a M3??

Not too concerned about the 4dr model as Coupe would be my prefered option.

So how are you in the know? Are you a BMW dealer?? Surely to gawd they can't dis-continue this year and then not start production till 2007 or 2008!!! I'm looking for next year, but am thinking that i might need to put down a deposit this year and order well in advance.
 
I work for William Jacks in Sunningdale, and we are a BMW dealer. We are also very close to BMW UK in Bracknell, so we get alot of info fed down to us befor the rest of the network.

the new 3 series coupe in normal trim will not be in the showrooms until March 2006 (confirmed) so it is likely that the M3 coupe wont appear until a year or so after that, hence the 2007 estimate.

If you look at the M5, the E39 5.0 V8 model ceased production in August 2002, but its E60 replacement has only just arrived. In fact, deliveries of the new V10 car wont be until about May this year, which is a gap of almost 3 years.

The reason BMW do this is to maintain the strong residual performace the M cars enjoy, and to maintian customer satisfaction. If you bought a new M3 now, and the new model was released next year think about how much the car would plummett in terms of depriciation. As it is, when a car gets to about 3 years old a new model coming out would not really effect the value of the car as it has had 3 years of use. Hence the 2 - 3 year gap in production.

There is news of an M3, and I would expect confirmation some time this year, but probably not until the current E46 stops production.
 
I would guess you made the right choice going for a used 911.
The M3 would need to be my everyday car.
Is the SMG box not worth it then, as it seems to be a popular option??


My pops is very happy with his BM, he has had 4 Merc E class and changed to a new S320 CDI 3 yrs ago, it was my favorite car, he and I did a factory collection and when we were taken to the car, it wasn't ready, it was taken back into the factory because of a simple fault on the armrest. We were delayed 2 hrs, then they told us they couldn't fix it and would have to take it too the dealer when we returned to the UK for them to fix it. That was really the start of a catalogue of errors, including passangers in the rear passanger side seat always got wet if it was raining, electrics failed over a dozen times, it ended up with my father taking legal action, and getting nowhere, the dealer and Mercedes said it was not technically their problem that the car was continuingly failing as our contract was with the finance company and we had bought the car from then and not the dealer/mercedes. Up to the day he changed it Mercedes said they couldn't fix it under warranty as they didn't know how too!!!

He now has a new 535d, and loves it, they are away touring Aussie and New Zealand for 6weeks, so for the last 3 weeks i have been using it, and i am quite enjoying it, but if you can, get it with the 'Comfort Seat pack' as they are the best seats you'll ever use, the side lumber is electrically adjustable so as you can have them as tight as possible. Its basically a good all round car, but i am fed up with the auto box and the key. From it you can open the boot, just don't put it in your pocket with coins in it, I went into the vets the other night, sat in the waiting area, when i came out 15mins later the boot was lying wide open and it was full of computer stuff, fortunately it was all still there, but still annoying!!!
 
The 330s are very good. The new 335i Petrol will be even better though with over 320bhp promised should be quick. If you wait for the sport model due next spring you will get a much more aggressive looking car (see current 5 series sport vs M5) as the sports use M dirived body kits.

Speaking of the 535d, next year the same monster 535 engine will be available in 335d form - same power but less weigh = more fun!!!!

The seats you mentioned in the 535d Sport are not actually comfort seats, the adjustable back width is in fact a standard feature in all sport models from the 1 series, through the new 3 (though not released yet) to the 5 and 6 series.

Where are you based? If you want an extended demo in a 330i (or the 335i next year) let me know and I can arrange that for you.
 
Alistair I agree that's a photoshop picture.

The 400hp version will be fun. I have the e39M5 400hp and it feels quick, but the M3 will be 400kg ish lighter.

People love or hate SMG. I had the mark 1 SMG on an e36 M3 about 5 years ago and I loved it. I hated it for the first few weeks, takes some familiarisation, but when I got used to it I loved it and really struggled to get rid of that car and switch to the M5 manual gearbox. I always used the SMG in manual mode becuase in auto mode it didn't feel nice. I dont think any human could change gear in a manual gearbox faster or smoother than SMG in manual mode. Remeebr SMG is a manual gearbox with a dry clutch just like any other manual. The clever bit is that a bunch of hydraulics operate the gear select, instead of your arm.

I have the e60 with SMG version 3 arriving this summer, cant wait. You should try the M5 before deciding M3. M5 is supremely stable and cruisery at high speed. It is one of the few cars that will trundle sub 5000rpm at 140 indicated (at night, obviously) with plenty of movement still left in your right foot, and feel so stable that you can chat, change CD, whatever. The M3 demands more concentration than that, 2 hands on wheel, feels closer to limit

Um if anyone will be wanting later this year a one owner e39 M5 top spec but 4 yrs old for the trade-in price (about 19k, depending how the market moves) lemme know. Ideal for strapping in baby seats in the back Alistair?
 
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Not too concerned about the 4dr model as Coupe would be my prefered option.....

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Sorry Alistair ... kid on the way ??? kill your back to lift the young one in and out all the time ... Please make sure that you have at least one 4-door car in the family. Not too bad the first couple of months, but is a killer after 6...

Me ... just got my 20 year old XJ V12 Jag on the road again .. all MOT'd and done up inside and out...
 
I like the idea of the SMG box, but would probably have to try it first.

Your old M5 sounds very tempting, will need to concider that later this year then. Mind you, up and down to the SoF, bet its well thrashed and 80k+miles /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif.

What you say about stability of the M5, don't tell anyone but i had the 535d up at 130mph on a small stretch of road in the early hours of saturday morning and if felt like i was doing 70, very very stable, a lot better than when i had the S320 cdi at 140mph, its too soft and was all over the place.
 
The mrs wants a new Honda CRV, so that would be the #1 family car, which is good it means i can still get something sporty, I know 2 doors is not a great ides, but it would only be used as a family car at the weekend for say going to the boat (1.5hrs drive).
 
Live on the West coast of Scotland, and work in Glasgow, so not very handy for a test drive i don't think. The salesman that sold the last 2 cars, is keen to give me a test in anything i want, cause he know that its likely he'll get another order from us.

But i will bear you in mind. thanks.
 
Agree, wife had CLK when first one arrived (baby) what a bugger, lasted about six weeks then traded for XC90 which by the way is a fab car. Ours gets used for everything, hauling pack of kids around (seven seats) trips to France, shifting furniture, hauling tons of boat stuff up and down the marina, towing the RIB all in great comfort and one of the best all round cars we've ever had.

It only struck me having had the XC90 for a while now how we get conned into thinking we need a car that will go ballistic with a dab of the right foot, handle like a Go Kart and look like it came off a race track. In the real world its all hype. You burn a ton of fuel, pay a fortune in insurance, rattle your fillings out, never get out of third gear, worry yourself sick its gonna get nicked for mostly a few seconds of blatting past a couple of slow coaches. 90% of people with these cars never ever get near the limits of the car (if you did you would probably kill yourself), yet we buy model 'X' cus Autocar said is goes 1.2 secs faster to 60 than 'Y' so 'Y' is junk, give me a break, get real is my life that sad that I feel 'done' if I can't scream to the next lights faster than you by a second.

I am no different though, spent / lost a fortune having the lastest and greatest wizz bang machine, I guess I am just a sucker for those slick PR men in sharp suits.
 
ah but

good info, but these are a bit locked in the 80's wannabee bracket, doncha think? M3's especially are for squeaky boy racers called justin or jamie and even jez, and secondhand the battered paintwork gives away the hammering they have suffered on the motorway and in a carwash.
 
M3.

I think you've put into words what I was trying to say, jfm. I could'nt imagine doing a long journey in a M3 because it seems to demand too much attention too often and its not a refined car either. Sometimes, I just want to get from A to B with minimum fuss and effort and I think the M5 does that kind of driving a lot better. Btw how come you can do 140mph 'at night'?
 
Yes please. I'll have an extended test drive in a M6 please. 3 years ought to do it
 
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