No More E90 M3 Saloon Orders in UK

[snawaz]

I noticed on the BMW UK configuration site today that the M3 saloon has been taken off the configuration list. You are still able to configure an M3 coupe. Is there any significance to this? Does this indicate any length of time before we see the new F80 M3 or when we will be able to configure the F80?

[SCOTT26]

No more E90 M3's period.
Unless you are one of the lucky customers who has ordered the M3 CRT? That is taking priority as we speak.

[bmwF10]

Hey Scott, will the 3-door 1 Series be much different from the 5-door version? Will it be more sportier or more conservative, like the Audi A3 (5-door more sportier than 3-door)?

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by snawaz

I noticed on the BMW UK configuration site today that the M3 saloon has been taken off the configuration list. You are still able to configure an M3 coupe. Is there any significance to this?

Yes, the E90 M3 is not out of production. The coupe and convertible remain in production until at least June 2012, and quite likely somewhat longer than that. This situation was known in advance, and reported here:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=542482

Does this indicate any length of time before we see the new F80 M3 or when we will be able to configure the F80?

No. But estimates are still for the car will go on sale sometime in 2013 in Europe.

[Uli_HH]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

No. But estimates are still for the car will go on sale sometime in 2013 in Europe.

There are strong rumors, that the F80 M3 comes much much earlier ... as early as late summer/autuum 2012 - only short time after the E9x M3 leaves production ... with an first "M3 concept" shown in Genf March 2012 .

Reason should be to hold 2013 free for the complete new 4er series!

Greets Uli_HH

[snawaz]

Originally Posted by Uli_HH

There are strong rumors, that the F80 M3 comes much much earlier ... as early as late summer/autuum 2012 - only short time after the E9x M3 leaves production ... with an first "M3 concept" shown in Genf March 2012 .

Reason should be to hold 2013 free for the complete new 4er series!

Greets Uli_HH

Hi Uli,

I hope you are right. Where have you heard these strong rumours?

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Uli_HH

There are strong rumors, that the F80 M3 comes much much earlier ... as early as late summer/autuum 2012 - only short time after the E9x M3 leaves production ... with an first "M3 concept" shown in Genf March 2012 .

Reason should be to hold 2013 free for the complete new 4er series!

That sounds extremely aggressive to me, Uli. I'm not saying it can't happen, but with the F12/F13 M6 known to be coming next year, I have to be a little skeptical about an F80 M3 coming too. I know, I know, the 1M and M5 both came this year, but the 1M used an existing engine, not to mention plenty of E9x M3 parts. M3 is known to be using a brand new engine.

I just don't see them packing all of that into one year. But we'll see.

[Uli_HH]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

That sounds extremely aggressive to me, Uli. I'm not saying it can't happen, but with the F12/F13 M6 known to be coming next year, I have to be a little skeptical about an F80 M3 coming too. I know, I know, the 1M and M5 both came this year, but the 1M used an existing engine, not to mention plenty of E9x M3 parts. M3 is known to be using a brand new engine.

I just don't see them packing all of that into one year. But we'll see.

I think the F12/F13 M6 would come on an US Motor Show late 2011 or very early 2012 so that there is plenty time to bring the F80 M3 in the market in 2012. The "brand new engine" would be an development of an existing engine so that developing time could be shortend.

snawaz
This rumors come from german car magazines and german forums and also from people who have insider infos ... all quotes that the latest market entry for the F80 was end 2012, with an possibility that it debuts together with the F31 wagon.

Greets Uli_HH

[snawaz]

Originally Posted by Uli_HH

I think the F12/F13 M6 would come on an US Motor Show late 2011 or very early 2012 so that there is plenty time to bring the F80 M3 in the market in 2012. The "brand new engine" would be an development of an existing engine so that developing time could be shortend.

snawaz
This rumors come from german car magazines and german forums and also from people who have insider infos ... all quotes that the latest market entry for the F80 was end 2012, with an possibility that it debuts together with the F31 wagon.

Greets Uli_HH

Thank you Uli,

You have given me hope. Sounds like your information source is good. insider info sounds really promising!!!

[SCOTT26]

Not in 2012.

[Uli_HH]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Not in 2012.

Sorry ... but my infos says debut as "M3 Concept" in Geneva 2012 and at the dealership not later than End 2012. Also SPORTAUTO, who very seldom makes insider infos public, quotes in their M3 CRT test, that the new M3 were shown in Geneva 2012. And all people from wich know, that they have "insider infos", claims 2012 as the year of the F80 M3 debut.

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by Uli_HH

Sorry ... but my infos says debut as "M3 Concept" in Geneva 2012 and at the dealership not later than End 2012. Also SPORTAUTO, who very seldom makes insider infos public, quotes in their M3 CRT test, that the new M3 were shown in Geneva 2012. And all people from wich know, that they have "insider infos", claims 2012 as the year of the F80 M3 debut.

Think about it. Does it look ready? Given what we know already regarding launching an M car. Besides there are other M cars to consider- The BMW M6 Coupe and Cabrio and of course the M550d which will be shown @ Genf for European and World-wide premieres respectively.
Then we will have announcement of the final M3 edition which will be a cracker finale but not for all markets - although they might see something as a final edition but not the big tamale.

Maybe they meant Genf 2013 because that is more possible or they could unwrap the car again in Shanghai like the M5. Which is fitting as alot of M3 production is heading to China than ever before.

[Uli_HH]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Think about it. Does it look ready? Given what we know already regarding launching an M car. Besides there are other M cars to consider- The BMW M6 Coupe and Cabrio and of course the M550d which will be shown @ Genf for European and World-wide premieres respectively.
Then we will have announcement of the final M3 edition which will be a cracker finale but not for all markets - although they might see something as a final edition but not the big tamale.

Maybe they meant Genf 2013 because that is more possible or they could unwrap the car again in Shanghai like the M5. Which is fitting as alot of M3 production is heading to China than ever before.

I am sure they meant Genf 2012 (Shanghai 2012 seems also possible!?) ... its interesing that you meant China is an big market for the M3 I would mean the rich chinese people love bigger cars with an driver like the F30li or F10li or even bigger and the M3 fan scene in china seems to be relativly small to time.

Greets Uli_HH

[SCOTT26]

In terms of younger demographic for M models including M3 - China and relative Asian regions are more youthful markets than either the US or Germany.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Not in 2012.

Thanks SCOTT - that makes a lot of sense to me.

I am looking forward to all of the upcoming M debuts. The M6 is going to be outrageous in both coupe and cab form, and the 550d will be an interesting twist on things to say the least (I do wish BMW or M would build a diesel V8 to succeed the M67 though).

The F80 M3 is going to be exciting too. How 'bout do something fun and build an F81 M3 concept along side the sedan?

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Thanks SCOTT - that makes a lot of sense to me.

I am looking forward to all of the upcoming M debuts. The M6 is going to be outrageous in both coupe and cab form, and the 550d will be an interesting twist on things to say the least (I do wish BMW or M would build a diesel V8 to succeed the M67 though).

The F80 M3 is going to be exciting too. How 'bout do something fun and build an F81 M3 concept along side the sedan?

Yes we are about a month or so - give or take a couple of days from the M6 reveal. Sales wont begin to late summer though.
The M550d will be revealed @ Geneva in March.

The issue regarding a V8 is you can do something similar with the six cylinder in terms of power and performance and be more efficient.

We are trying to convince BMW on the Tourings. There are on the table proposals for both an M3 and an M5. The M5 for example was never expected to be a huge seller it was purely conceived as a "weekend toy". It was a car that done all the stuff on the weekend but more rapid.

The 550d Touring will semi-replace the M5 but there will be people looking for that extra something. I think BMW are waiting to see how well the 550d Touring performs on the market and how the Audi RS6 Avant is received before giving a green light. The car has been developed as a prototype and given the thumbs-up in terms of the overall concept but no green-light for production.

[aajami]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

The issue regarding a V8 is you can do something similar with the six cylinder in terms of power and performance and be more efficient.

And much, much less exciting and involving. It's a shame about this... I will not buy a turbo engine.

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Then we will have announcement of the final M3 edition which will be a cracker finale but not for all markets - although they might see something as a final edition but not the big tamale.

This is a bit of good news, as that 2012 Competition Edition was a joke. Please, please make as many pieces off of this car as retrofit-able as possible.

[SCOTT26]

[quote=aajami;10766254]And much, much less exciting and involving. It's a shame about this... I will not buy a turbo engine.

I should have made it clearer that this was in respect to Diesel power.

[aajami]

[quote=SCOTT26;10766418]

Originally Posted by aajami

And much, much less exciting and involving. It's a shame about this... I will not buy a turbo engine.

I should have made it clearer that this was in respect to Diesel power.

Ah, sorry for jumping down your throat. I'm lamenting the fact that the F8X M3 is moving from NA to turbo.

[snawaz]

What about what southlight has to say. He seems to have a lot of insider info and also says that there are rumours the F80 M3 concept will be shown at Geneva and launch for Autumn 2012. He does point out that they are more included to believe launch in 2013. See linkhttp://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=608844

[JulieDriving]

Scott, regarding the M3 grande finale,

Is there any hint you could give as to whether "ordinary" M3 buyers (those who likely wouldn't be able to get their hands on a very limited production car) should wait for it or not?

Wondering whether or not I should until after Geneva, as it seems like you're hinting it will be revealed after Geneva, and run the risk of missing the end of the E92 M3 production... if it indeed ends June 2012.

Thanks for any help.

[aajami]

Originally Posted by JulieDriving

Scott, regarding the M3 grande finale,

Is there any hint you could give as to whether "ordinary" M3 buyers (those who likely wouldn't be able to get their hands on a very limited production car) should wait for it or not?

Wondering whether or not I should until after Geneva, as it seems like you're hinting it will be revealed after Geneva, and run the risk of missing the end of the E92 M3 production... if it indeed ends June 2012.

Thanks for any help.

I highly doubt this will come to North America -- we didn't get the CSL, we didn't get the GTS, and we didn't get the CRT. I just hope that we'll be able to source some parts off of this car in an easier fashion than has been possible (or impossible) on the GTS and CRT.