2013 BMW F80 M3 Goes Winter Testing Wearing Less

[Jason]

Originally Posted by aajami

I highly doubt that BMW would use anything but the same engine across the entire F8X platform. The only wrinkle that I would expect in the development of this engine would be to see it in the X3M before it made its way into the M3 or M4, but that doesn't seem to be happening either.

Originally Posted by aajami

I still find the whole idea of an X3M odd. I get placing a monster engine into an X5M in order to compete with the Cayenne Turbo and the ML63, but is there really a market for high performance mid-size SUVs? Stuffing the next-generation F8X engine into an X4M makes more sense, since that's a sportier form factor that will compete with the likes of the Macan and Q5RS (or whatever Audi decides to call the top performing version of the Q5). Of course, from a timing perspective, there's no way that the X4 (let alone the X4M) would beat the F80 to market.

No X3M coming this generation - direct from M President Dr. Nitschke - http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=658227

[aajami]

Originally Posted by Jason

No X3M coming this generation - direct from M President Dr. Nitschke - http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=658227

Yup, saw that. Figured they couldn't justify an X3M until the market for it develops further.

At any rate, that's good news -- I still believe that the M badge doesn't belong on any SUV.

[BMW269]

No X3 M and no Z4 M but it does not mean no X3 M35i and Z4 M35i. However I would expect a an X4 M. I would think there will be no X3 M because it is not ready for the new engine and BMW wants to make the premiere of the first V6 on the M3.

[Jblack4083]

Anyone else notice how the muffler is very similar to the one we saw on the 1M? It seems that have that same single pipe -> quad tip design.

I think this will be a Straight 6 derived from the N54 or maybe N55

[aajami]

Originally Posted by Levi

No X3 M and no Z4 M but it does not mean no X3 M35i and Z4 M35i. However I would expect a an X4 M. I would think there will be no X3 M because it is not ready for the new engine and BMW wants to make the premiere of the first V6 on the M3.

Z4 M35i already exists in the Z4 S-drive 35is. But yes, for the next generation Z4 (or even the LCI), I believe they'll change the branding from the "is" tag to the "MXXi" tag.

[BMW269]

Originally Posted by Jblack4083

Anyone else notice how the muffler is very similar to the one we saw on the 1M? It seems that have that same single pipe -> quad tip design.

I think this will be a Straight 6 derived from the N54 or maybe N55

Good point. An inline engine does not need need two pipes oposed to a V6 or V8 and so any V engine. However the actual M3 E9X with its V8 also has a single muffler with quad tips though two pipes join the muffler.

Originally Posted by aajami

Z4 M35i already exists in the Z4 S-drive 35is. But yes, for the next generation Z4 (or even the LCI), I believe they'll change the branding from the "is" tag to the "MXXi" tag.

That is what I meant. If the M135i does not get any N54 but a different N55 version, then with the 1M stopping production, I'd expect to see the the Z4 sDrive35is E89 with N54 get replaced by the Z4 M35i E89 LCI with N55, and the same for the X3 M35i F25 LCI.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Jason

No X3M coming this generation - direct from M President Dr. Nitschke - http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=658227

Very timely information. Though we've heard similar statements before only to have them later pull a 180. That said, it seems pretty clear to me at this point that they are saving the debut of the new M 6 cylinder engine for the M3, so as not to diminish the significance of that product in any way. Come 2014, we will quite likely see the engine make its way into another product besides the obvious M4, possibly an X4 M.

Originally Posted by aajami

I still find the whole idea of an X3M odd. I get placing a monster engine into an X5M in order to compete with the Cayenne Turbo and the ML63, but is there really a market for high performance mid-size SUVs? Stuffing the next-generation F8X engine into an X4M makes more sense, since that's a sportier form factor that will compete with the likes of the Macan and Q5RS (or whatever Audi decides to call the top performing version of the Q5). Of course, from a timing perspective, there's no way that the X4 (let alone the X4M) would beat the F80 to market.

Well, the Q5 is essentially a direct competitor to the X3, not the upcoming X4. So to the extent that Audi does decide to do a Q5 RS (and I'm not sure they plan to at all - no Q7 RS has come or is know to be in the works for example), an X3 M would make sense. Remember, Audi is also doing a Q4/Q6 and which would essentially be their answer to the X4 and any derivatives it might spawn.

Originally Posted by Levi

No X3 M and no Z4 M but it does not mean no X3 M35i and Z4 M35i. However I would expect a an X4 M.

Agree.

[SCOTT26]

Well, the Q5 is essentially a direct competitor to the X3, not the upcoming X4. So to the extent that Audi does decide to do a Q5 RS (and I'm not sure they plan to at all - no Q7 RS has come or is know to be in the works for example), an X3 M would make sense. Remember, Audi is also doing a Q4/Q6 and which would essentially be their answer to the X4 and any derivatives it might spawn.

I think Audi still try to do a Q5 S/RS I know they did try to do a Q7 RS but like the Audi R4 Sports car - Porsche killed it. It is true that Audi are in the midst of their interpretations of the highly successful BMW X6 Concept, in fact behind the scenes at Geneva they are showing something behind closed doors which if the rumours pan out it means that we will see this as a Concept Car in Beijing at the end of April. Appropriate , given that the BMW X6's key market is China.

Because the X6M is in some markets the best selling "M" model. BMW would not overlook the potential of a more compact X4M especially for customers who cannot stretch to the all-singing and all-dancing X6M.
But back in the early days of the X6 development , it was only the X6 was being conceived for M. But because of the issue that the X6 is based on the X5 the economies of scale proved too much to overlook.
X4 again is based upon the X3 and do not be surprised if the same thing happens again. Because in the Automotive industry - all of the above applies
today , it may be different tomorrow.

[DASHOCKER]

it sounds like a 335 in the vids.. the current v8 sounds like screaming nascar!

[FmaxTurboSi]

I kno all u guys are gonna miss the V8, but how can u justify only having 295 ft lbs of torque? Just like the old V10 M5...ALL noise NO torque!

Give me a 6 cylinder twin turbo with 450hp and 450ft lbs of torque. Then I'll stick on downpipes, exhaust, upgraded intercooler, fuel pump with a tune and see at least 550-600hp and 550-600 ft lbs of torque. Call it a day!

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by DASHOCKER

it sounds like a 335 in the vids.. the current v8 sounds like screaming nascar!

As of right now, I feel like the next generation isn't going to have that sound of the E9x M3 and it's sound will be much closer to the F10 M5. I hope I'm wrong and the Fxx M3's will sound amazing but I'm not going to expect anything even close to what the E9x M3's sound like.

[335iJWC]

Allot of speculation, nonetheless great looking car

[robotrenegade]

Originally Posted by southlight

Attachment 651233[Updated 3/12/12 with newest video] It's been a while since the last F80 M3 spy photos, but we've now spotted the next generation F80 BMW M3 Sedan undergoing winter testing in Sweden. Compared to the previous spyshots, the F80 prototype has lost a bit of camouflage - mostly at the rear which now shows the tail lights in their full glory. The car's appearance is low, wide, and impressive with massive fender flares. The M3's kidney grilles are also very obviously styled in a sleeker/sportier shape than the F30 3 series sedan. The production version will also get dedicated M3 exterior mirrors not yet shown on the prototypes.

We also spot 4 piston fixed caliper brakes at the front and 2 piston fixed piston calipers at the rear axle, mated to the M trademark slotted drilled brake discs. BMW M's newly developed active rear differential will likely make it to the new M3.

The engine is still a bit of a guessing game. Of the options sampled by BMW M earlier, both the 3L N55-based inline 6 and the 3.3L S63 based V6 still seem possible. Both engines would be aspirated by at least two turbochargers (three if you count the electric assist turbocharger we first broke news about here). Output is expected to be in the ballpark of 450hp which is plenty considering that BMW is set to reduce the weight compared to the E9x M3 models.

Expect the new F80 M3 to hit the market in the second half of 2013, with first teasers likely to begin late this year. BMW will also offer coupe and convertible versions again, but these models may be dubbed the "M4".

Stay tuned for more information, spyshots, and videos on the 2013 F80 M3 @ http://www.bimmerpost.com/m3/f30m3/

To bring some sounds and motions to these photos, we've also posted the best F80 M3 video so far, from its testing on the Nurburgring.

Updated with F80 M3 Video

Another new video as of 3/12/12:

Updated with video as of 3/2/12, from winter testing.

Past video from Nurburgring testing.

First video from public testing.

2013 BMW M3 (F80) Spied Winter Testing

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Not a fan

[bimmerjph]

Ok, so after cold weather testing whats next? Death Valley? Or back to Germany?

Hopefully somewhere were they can open up the throttle a little bit.

[THE-FN-MAN]

May be way to early but what type of numbers performance wise are we gonna be talking? The E9X cars (DCT) have hit 0-60 in 3.9. It's seems to me that if the new turbo models are gonna make 450lb feet of torque and are gonna weigh less than the current model, won't traction become an issue and more electronic gizmos will be needed? I know some say that the 295 torque that the current M have is week but maybe to me it's seems like a pretty fine balance. Just my 2 cents

[e92_m3]

Very aggressive looking indeed! Love the new video.

From head on, I am really distracted by the two silver bars behind the kidney grills. IMHO, it kind of ruins the whole front end of the car.

If I ever plan to get the F30 M3, the first mod I would do is to paint those two silver bars.

Originally Posted by bimmerjph

Ok, so after cold weather testing whats next? Death Valley? Or back to Germany?

Hopefully somewhere were they can open up the throttle a little bit.

Death Valley for sure. It has been to the Nurburgring and cold winter testing.

Death Valley is next for sure since I have not seen any videos of the F30 M3 in extremely hot weather.

[Potemkin]

Boring looking.

[Peteypab2133]

Originally Posted by THE-FN-MAN

May be way to early but what type of numbers performance wise are we gonna be talking? The E9X cars (DCT) have hit 0-60 in 3.9. It's seems to me that if the new turbo models are gonna make 450lb feet of torque and are gonna weigh less than the current model, won't traction become an issue and more electronic gizmos will be needed? I know some say that the 295 torque that the current M have is week but maybe to me it's seems like a pretty fine balance. Just my 2 cents

e9x from factory 0-60 in 3.9? dct? please post up more than one case.

they weight like 4000 pounds and have 400 flywheel and like 260 lb's tq. those numbers do not add up.


The new M3 looks interesting though, would love to see a turbo setup on it.

[positiveions]

the more videos and photos I see of this car, the more I want one.

[THE-FN-MAN]

Originally Posted by Peteypab2133

e9x from factory 0-60 in 3.9? dct? please post up more than one case.

they weight like 4000 pounds and have 400 flywheel and like 260 lb's tq. those numbers do not add up.


The new M3 looks interesting though, would love to see a turbo setup on it.

I believe it was a Major magazine (motortrend?) and also in the M3 forum there was a thread about members 0-60 times. Many stock guys are claiming v-box certified 4.0 flat time. Some quicker and some slower. And I thought the current M was like 3600-3700lbs? But I admit I'm no where near an expert

[GOLFFRR]

in the new video the rear looks huge even though the sound was a little washed out from what I could hear it sounded pretty good to me

[aajami]

Incandescent turn lamps in a $75,000 car.

1) I don't understand why BMW adds LED lights in the LCI of its 3-series, but then removes them when the next generation is introduced. This is third time it's pulled that stunt.

2) If the F80 LCI doesn't include a refreshed front end, that means there will be no chance for LED signals up front until the F80 successor.