Our Interview with BMW M3/M4 Project Manager and Product Manager at NYIAS 2014

[bob330i]

ewww, I'll pass on that brown.

I want to second the comment on wishing the CF roof can accept a rack or at least confirmation whether it can or can't.

Otherwise, nice to know there probably will be a comp package and more colors later when I'm ready to buy sometime in 2016.

[Boss330]

Originally Posted by Powaup

I remember a time when we were told the f8x will be almost 300 lbs lighter than the e9x =/

What time was that?

I can't remember any official statements or hints from BMW about 300lbs lighter....???

[Brosef]

I'd say this news is all quite positive. especially shift lights for the 6MT!

[LemonOne]

Great questions

[RocketBoots]

I kind of like those browns. Mature, understated, classy. I can seen why some would choose them. I just won't be one of people.

Overall, very informative Q & A. And it seems the confusion about curb weights comes from the inherent lack of standardization in the whole system. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.

[pkimM3r]

Originally Posted by StealYourFace

I'm sure coding will take care of that, plus the auto rev match (which I would personally want on the track sometimes, especially at a new track.

And it looks like the sedan lost about 50 pounds as compared to the official numbers of a manual e90 from 2007. Not awful considering the additional size, content and safety stuff. The car is gonna boogey! Plus with gear ratios closer to the new M5 and the more efficient engine, the car should use a good deal less fuel, and spin less rpm on the highway with the cruise set at 75. I still don't know why BMW refuses to put a taller 6th gear in their cars, a la GM and substantially increase mpg on the highway, as well as lower the engine sound in the cabin as a result of lower rpm (less motor wear as well).


I want one

The point was i dont want the auto blipping. At that point if rather use paddles then. Dont know about coding it. Perhaps. But it should be out of the box.

[RedGT3RS]

Originally Posted by jaehshim

LOL so where is the weight saving ???
E90 M3 curb weight was 3538, the F80 M3 is 3540?

Don't think e90 was ever 3500ish, every review I've seen it was always around 3600-3700

[r3dbimmer89]

Originally Posted by Strongbark

Good stuff. I may drop the adaptive suspension from my order now knowing that the passive setting is set between sport and sport+.

+1 I would have thought the passive suspension would've been between comfort and sport. No adaptive suspension for me...even though the comfort mode would might be better on these crazy LA streets.

[dhoggm3]

I'm confused. Must I get the Active M Suspension to be able to disable the auto-blip on downshifts, or will I have Sport and Sport + settings available to me without ordering the Active M Suspension? OR are we talking about the two "M" buttons here?

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by dhoggm3

I'm confused. Must I get the Active M Suspension to be able to disable the auto-blip on downshifts, or will I have Sport and Sport + settings available to me without ordering the Active M Suspension? OR are we talking about the two "M" buttons here?

Each individual parameter (engine, suspension and steering) can be independently adjusted between Comfort/Sport/Sport+. Those are the three buttons framed in silver to the left of the shift lever. The chosen settings are shown at the bottom of the tach. If you don't opt for the adaptive suspension option, you don't have the possibility to adjust the suspension (damper) stiffness, but still can adjust the other two parameters. The auto rev match is linked with the engine (throttle sensitivity) setting. No auto rev match when engine is set in Sport+.

Any combination of those settings (plus DSC and DCT settings) can be programmed in the two M buttons.

Hope this helps clarify

[Greenkirby21]

thanks jason for your great interviews as always!

If the performance parts are available in autumn of this year, when will they be revealed?

[Stevens21234]

Anyone else also notice the EPA MPG ratings might be a lot lower than expected? I thought they were going to be somewhat close to the 27/28 quoted on the European data. 20-25% more than the 16 MPG of the 2011 M3 is terrible at 20 mpg. what a dissapointment.

[solstice]

Originally Posted by Stevens21234

Anyone else also notice the EPA MPG ratings might be a lot lower than expected? I thought they were going to be somewhat close to the 27/28 quoted on the European data. 20-25% more than the 16 MPG of the 2011 M3 is terrible at 20 mpg. what a dissapointment.

I'd be very positively surprised if I get 20 mpg combined taken that I got 18 mpg from my N54 car. Very similar engine with 130 hp less, power doesn't come for free. I'm expecting similar mpg as my E90 M3 ( 15.5 mpg ), likely one to two mpg better anything above that is a bonus unless I'm cruising on the hwy where it should return around 30 mpg on cruise control.

[awhk]

Originally Posted by mdss6

I agree "bummer," that the customer for a 4dr hatchback (GC) is not likely the same as a 2dr coupe (i.e. what was traditionally meant by the descriptor "coupe"), and that this means an M4 GC is quite unlikely.

But while hatchbacks do trade away some structural strength efficiency for practicality, as a rational for why it isn't a good M candidate I don't see this as anything more than an expedient explanation for a marketing decision. Not when the M4 convertible exists, which is distinctly heavier and more flexible, as well as the myriad M-versions of the X vehicles (heavier, higher CG, and I doubt those taller boxers are stiffer). Those are better candidates for motorsports vehicles? I think not. But they sell. Which is quite sufficient rationale for a business decision to have them exist and not the M4GC.

But no M3 Touring or M4GC is a disappointment for enthusiasts who want the highest performance practical vehicle they can get. Obviously a marginal group.

Totally agree with you here. Currently driving a B8 RS4 and previously a S5 Sportback. Both are very good performers while having more practicalities over their conventional Coupe and Sedan siblings.

[southlight]

Originally Posted by Nicholas///M

BMW M3 North American release date?

June 21st.


Best regards,
south

[bradleyland]

Originally Posted by Law

Please define your definition of "published".

Take a look at the PDF file from this thread.
You will find that the unladen curb weight for the E90 M "published" by BMW is 1605kg (3538 lbs).

But IDK, maybe that's not "published" enough for you.

I agree that real world numbers are needed (and we are all waiting here), but "published" vs "published" where the hell are the weight losses

I should have been more specific. The published US curb weight. Your post just reaffirms our agreement. You can pick and choose published numbers from all over the place and get different results.

[bradleyland]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

Each individual parameter (engine, suspension and steering) can be independently adjusted between Comfort/Sport/Sport+. Those are the three buttons framed in silver to the left of the shift lever. The chosen settings are shown at the bottom of the tach. If you don't opt for the adaptive suspension option, you don't have the possibility to adjust the suspension (damper) stiffness, but still can adjust the other two parameters. The auto rev match is linked with the engine (throttle sensitivity) setting. No auto rev match when engine is set in Sport+.

Any combination of those settings (plus DSC and DCT settings) can be programmed in the two M buttons.

Hope this helps clarify

Fantastic breakdown. Thanks for posting.

[sal501]

He mentioned Azurite Blue as individual color. Did he mean Azurite Black or Tanzanite Blue instead?

[RPiM5]

Originally Posted by sal501

He mentioned Azurite Blue as individual color. Did he mean Azurite Black or Tanzanite Blue instead?

I know. Confusing right?

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by sal501

He mentioned Azurite Blue as individual color. Did he mean Azurite Black or Tanzanite Blue instead?

I am guessing both will be offered as they are both already mentioned in the Canadian ordering guide. The interviewee might have made a slip of the tongue.

[stressdoc]

I am hoping that pressure on BMW to find a solution to the roof rack problem w/ the CF will resolve that shortcoming.

[19x]

So basically a CSL is a given.

I'll wait.