2014 M3 (F80) Strips in Death Valley Heat

[SamS]

Originally Posted by mapezzul

I agree with you, love the overall look of the F30/F80. It is much more modern and less fussy to me, even the new headlights and kidneys look good but they are a departure from the norm so they may not be for everyone. I do think if the F80 carries the chrome kidneys over it will be a shame, I think gun metal or something like that Ferric Grey they have been throwing around would look sportier/meaner.

The F80 will have some serious haunches it appears and will be more aggressive than the previous E90M3 in that regard. Love the whole thing and glad M is sticking with the four door 3er.

If the worst thing that happens is we get chrome kidneys on the F80 as stock equipment, I think we'll be OK

The F30 almost seems like it was designed with the F80 in mind, i.e. the F80 will be the most perfect proportions for the chassis itself. Sometimes I think the E90 M3 (and a slight bit of the E92 M3) just look a bit too much like swollen/overweight versions of the base series.

And I can't get the interior of the F3x series out of my head! The "openness" of the dash compared to my E92 w/Nav is fantastic. The cameras all around are a pure win, not to mention the HUD....the tech on these cars is a geek's dream. Go ahead and bash me for not pushing back on just how far BMWs have come from their "pureness". I am in the car running errands or hauling my family around 90%+ of the time, I enjoy the comfort. These are $70K cars after all, not track-spec Miatas.

[Lorde]

Originally Posted by DiavelM3

It looks like there are two gaps where the top of the headlights and the corners of the front hood meet?
Could that be a functional air inlet vent?
That would be cool if it was

This isn't M3 specific, the 335i M-Sports are already rocking this feature. Would love to know if this is functional or not as well.

[Rich@GTBPerformance]

Best shots yet!

Love the design, its going to look gorgeous!

[F82_SID]

I think it just looks too plain and boring. Not nearly as aggressive as it should be! Looks about as sporty as I would expect to find on a 335i.

I also think it is kind of funny how the guy testing the car got caught without the bra on. He is probably gonna get some shit for that! lol.

[Alpin3_F30]

Originally Posted by SamS

The LCI E92s are a really nice shape in the front. But the F30 looks 2X better than the E90 sedan, IMO. Lines are sharper (no droopy bumper, better LED halos), and the F30 rear end doesn't look all "pinched". The rear lights are better too, whereas the E90 LCI tail lights look like they're trying to fit a round peg in a square hole.

With all that in mind, I think the F80 might end up being the best proportioned, best looking 4-door vehicle in BMWs line-up.

M5 takes the cake for best 4 door, and when the M6 grand coupe comes out it will top all the 4 door BMW's.

[SamS]

Originally Posted by E92Alpine328i

M5 takes the cake for best 4 door, and when the M6 grand coupe comes out it will top all the 4 door BMW's.

Certainly your opinion. The M5 is BIG! And of course the M6 GC will be on the large size as well. As much as I love the F10s, I personally feel they're just a hair too big to be a "perfect" 4 door sedan. I don't want to feel like I'm driving a land yacht.

[SamS]

Originally Posted by Snig

This isn't M3 specific, the 335i M-Sports are already rocking this feature. Would love to know if this is functional or not as well.

Huh? That area is the exact same on the M-sports as all of the F30s.

[Lorde]

Originally Posted by SamS

Huh? That area is the exact same on the M-sports as all of the F30s.

Yeah, never said they weren't, was only pointing it out on the car posted, a 335i M-Sport. Hence, not an M3 exclusive feature. Derp.

[Lorde]

Originally Posted by SamS

Certainly your opinion. The M5 is BIG! And of course the M6 GC will be on the large size as well. As much as I love the F10s, I personally feel they're just a hair too big to be a "perfect" 4 door sedan. I don't want to feel like I'm driving a land yacht.

Agreed!

[SamS]

Originally Posted by Snig

Yeah, never said they weren't, was only pointing it out on the car posted, a 335i M-Sport. Hence, not an M3 exclusive feature. Derp.

Yeah, but you made it seem like the M-sports have this gap, and other F30s do not. Which is not the case. Why point out the M-sport gap (?) and not just say "all F30s have this"? Derp, indeed.

[mdosu]

wow, those are the best pics so far, fully stripped down to what the car actually looks like. I like it alot!

[m630]

Originally Posted by SamS

Certainly your opinion. The M5 is BIG! And of course the M6 GC will be on the large size as well. As much as I love the F10s, I personally feel they're just a hair too big to be a "perfect" 4 door sedan. I don't want to feel like I'm driving a land yacht.

Agreed, I passed on the new M5 since the F10 is wayyy to big for a 5er and way too big for me, when u look at dimensions, the F30 is nearly identical to the E39, so it's the proper "size" for an optimal sports sedan. So I'll have the 335 to hold me over to either the new M3 or the M4 GC.

[SamS]

Originally Posted by m630

Agreed, I passed on the new M5 since the F10 is wayyy to big for a 5er and way too big for me, when u look at dimensions, the F30 is nearly identical to the E39, so it's the proper "size" for an optimal sports sedan. So I'll have the 335 to hold me over to either the new M3 or the M4 GC.

I've driven the F30, and the size just feel "right" to me. Not too big, yet doesn't feel at all cramped on the inside, which can be a problem with the E9x chassis. I guess it's a combo of the increased wheel base + cabin design. But it really feels the right size to me. At times, my E92 feels a bit small on the inside, but big on the outside. Hard to describe, but I didn't get this feeling at all with the F30.

[duk]

i think it'll look really good in person not in pics

[jon328i]

Thanks to death valley testing, i can almost imagine how the next M3 front end will look like. And a good shot of the right rear aluminum lower control arm/rear toe link. Nice!

[adamsclubs]

How did they manage to get the ATS 3.6? I don't think the ATSs had rolled off the assembly line at the time, unless it is a pre-production unit.

[mapezzul]

Originally Posted by adamsclubs

How did they manage to get the ATS 3.6? I don't think the ATSs had rolled off the assembly line at the time, unless it is a pre-production unit.

It has Michigan plates so it is more than likely GM heat testing it. BMW is also testing a few models there right now but it appears that none of the sites have purchased those images from the photographers and they shoot singular vehicles usually so buyers don't get a two for one

[adamsclubs]

Originally Posted by mapezzul

It has Michigan plates so it is more than likely GM heat testing it. BMW is also testing a few models there right now but it appears that none of the sites have purchased those images from the photographers and they shoot singular vehicles usually so buyers don't get a two for one

Makes sense that GM was likely testing one of its first ATS 3.6 production units.

[Alpin3_F30]

Little photoshop teaser of whats coming

[termigni]

Originally Posted by E92Alpine328i

Little photoshop teaser of whats coming

goddamn!

[richardg]

Originally Posted by E92Alpine328i

Little photoshop teaser of whats coming

Hurry the fuck up. lol please. I am dying to see your awesome work.

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by richardg

Hurry the fuck up. lol please. I am dying to see your awesome work.

Yes. But one important issue. The camouflage tape is applied before the bumper is applied so the amount of layers actually distort the overall shape especially on the lower bars surrounding the central intake.

But here is a daily treat... Courtesy of Autoevolution.com.