Official BMW M3 M4 Specs: 430HP, 369+ LB-FT, Under 3306 Pounds, Bi-Turbo Inline 6 Cyl

[ES_TRADER]

at least now there isnt a gas guzzler tax

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by LOVEM

NOW which one i should let go for this new so called M4 .

I already reserved the M4 plates for the car as well . sorry Texans .

Oh man, tough decision. You've definitely got to keep the 1M in the stable.

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by Judah

So the "car" is essentially 3300 pounds with all fluids and 90% full tank of fuel. Impressive, the next iteration having a full carbon passenger cell will be ....

The whole, adding the weight of the driver and baggage(cargo) to come up with a curb/kerb weight is utterly ridiculous. As peoples weights vary,(some day to day) person to person and cargo is not always included in a trip to a place like Krispy Kreme. In my mind it would be less troublesome to give the weight of standard car, the weights of each option that can added to the vehicle and let the individual driver add his or her weight if they so choose.

Anything other than that causes confusion, debate and room for twisting the facts.

I see your point but the problem is that most people know BMW's North America weight standard which is all fluids, 90% fuel, 68 kg for driver and 7 kg for cargo. This has been hashed and rehashed here, which I guess is a good thing. This standard gives the somewhat porky 3704 lb figure for the current E92 M3. Obviously the 3300 lb fugure is entirely apples to oranges compared to 3700. The new car looks way less impressive at 3300 when the apples to apples reporting for the current car is 3538 lb (75 kg less than 3704 lb). Sticking with the reporting standards of the OEM in the region you are in seems like the best approach. Of course there can then also be OEM to OEM comparison difficulties... Either way the weight reduction is impressive and admirable. I've probably not said that yet amongst my criticisms but I do need to provide praise where praise is due!

Originally Posted by ChrisK

I have a feeling the repair costs of this beast are going to be $$ with all of the Carbon Fiber.

Maintenance, repair or replacement?

The maintenance costs will not increase due to carbon fiber. The difficulty with truly integrated composites (is in the unibody) is the in situ repair required. Everything except the roof and roof brace are simply bolts ons here. This is a non issue. Of course should said bolt on parts ever need to be replaced they will be $$$.

Originally Posted by W///

I secretly hope that it's the same length (doubtful, but one can wish) so that we could throw that on the E9x M3

They are a totally different design. The current one is a split, kind of 2 piece design with an extra support bearing. The new one is stiff and strong enough that this middle support isn't needed saving further weight. Even if you might consider removing the center support the length of the units will be different.

[ASAP]

So what is a comparable weight to that 3306 for an automatic tranny 135i?

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by ASAP

So what is a comparable weight to that 3306 for an automatic tranny 135i?

3439 lb - 75 kg = 3274 lb

The CSiC brakes are always a pretty big variable in all of these calculations because they are about a 20 kg (44 lb) difference and we don't know which numbers do or not not include this. My strong suspicion is that the "less than 3306" lb statement is for a car with the CSiC brakes.

[BRAISKI]

Finally done browsing through the pages!

Very impressive specs! I just hope that the price will be "reasonable" esp for Canadians. I would hate to see the car be in the six figure range.

I like the CF trunk but I hope it would be an option. I'm not a hardcore track racer so CF doesnt matter much for me except for bragging rights of course, prob like most ppl here.

430HP seems to be good + some mods maybe = 450HP will fill the thirst
~369TQ so maybe when the final #s are out it might be 380-400 then that would be something! I always thought they would have similar ratio as the N54/55 (300/300).

I would not want the Extended Leather since I don't like it, hope its an "option" don't want to pay premium for that.

[FLOSS M]

Originally Posted by Carlos@MORR

It seems the OEM downpipes are actually catless (although they appear to be resonated to reduce cabin noise) and the OEM cats have been moved to the mid pipes. This is very good as it`ll allow to go catless or HFC from a simple exhaust upgrade. Exhaust also looks very heavy (Catalytics, Resonators and single muffler design). We should be able to drop another 20-30lbs from a titanium exhaust upgrade.

Wouldn't the cats be located between the 2 O2 sensors?

[nesrevival]

so.. what's the difference between twin and bi turbo?

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by swamp2

3439 lb - 75 kg = 3274 lb

The CSiC brakes are always a pretty big variable in all of these calculations because they are about a 20 kg (44 lb) difference and we don't know which numbers do or not not include this. My strong suspicion is that the "less than 3306" lb statement is for a car with the CSiC brakes.

that is still impressive, that this car is about 40 lbs of a 1 series

[Ezio]

Originally Posted by ES_TRADER

at least now there isnt a gas guzzler tax

thank god right?

my m3 was stickered over 70k. that gas tax with its extra 1 grand or so was putting the car out of my budget.

[Race 1]

Wow, looks like the exhaust is going to be extremely easy to swap! also looks like the downpipes on the M3/M4 ARE catless. This will free up power immediately!

[M00kie]

I know they said this is an all new motor but it still shares the N55 block?

[Malek@MRF]

Great job to BMW on the specifications of this car. I will admit my skepticism about this car for quite a while now, but they have implemented a lot of things I wish they would have done a long time ago.

1) Rear Axle. The solid mounted rear sub-frame should have been done nearly 13 year ago starting with the E46 M3 when power levels started to rise substantially and cars began to break the 3000 lb weight barrier. I can't believe it has taken them this long to do so.

2) Power Level. I personally am a big fan that the car doesn't boast tons of HP, the E92 M3 can sometimes be a bit much to handle and has the right amount of power to feel balanced and controlled while having precisely the right amount of power and torque to get you around the track. Long live the S65B40, as we will never see anything like that ever again. Drive some of these high HP high TQ cars (F13 M6, F10 M5, C63, etc) and any driver will come to appreciate the tame and controllable power delivery.

3) Improvement. It is with no doubt that M cars always get better with each new iteration. Agree with BMW's direction and newer ///M philosophy or not, the cars simply get better. Better is not measured in seat of the pants feel, or how it makes us feel emotionally. Again, we are talking about BMW M, everything is based on data, fact, mathematics and engineering and finalized with empirical data (technical observation, track testing). On paper, the cars will get better, always. The same way the E92 is better than the E46, the E46 better than the E36 and so on. Yes, the F10/F13 M5 & M6 are better than their predecessors. Unfortunately the E60/E63 cars were plagued with an abysmal SMG. I always wished the DCT technology could have existed at that time to be paired with that gem of an engine we all know as the S85.

4) Engine. BMW is doing the best they can to provide all of us the the best car they can. We all must understand, times are changing, government regulations on emissions are getting tough, and the engineers don't have free reign to make engines like the S65 any more. If they could, they would. Time to embrace the changes. Before we know it, the M3/M4 could become a 3 cylinder hybrid car, although I hope not . FOr those of us fortunate enough to have had the pleasure of owning S65, S54's, S85's and so fourth, enjoy it. If fortunate enough, don't sell your cars and put them away. Nothing wrong with having an E9x M3 and an F8x M. The competition within the brand needs to stop. A lot of comparing the E9x and F8x going on here. Let's not forget, this car is an evolution of the E9x, after all. Let's also not forget how long the E9x reigned king and remained on top despite aging.

I do have my concerns with this S55 powerplant and heat soak issues, especially as its employing and air-water intercooler. All N54 and N55 cars (yes including the N54 powered 1M) has major heat issues and power inconsistency during track sessions. Turbo engines generally run hot in comparison to NA variants.

5) Lag free operation. I still am on the fence in regards to this. BMW has made this claim time and time again and has not delivered repeatedly. The initial N54 cars was BMW's best bet at power response. As soon as cars began getting hit with PROGMAN 29.2 update and the new MSD81 DME, throttle lag and power delivery was greatly affected in a negative way. The 2007 and early 2008 cars were the best iteration of minimal lag. The new turbo M cars are plagued with lag in regards to full power delivery. Throttle response is not the problem and the electronic throttles are spectacular in BMW's. The problem is not in how soon the car response to our right foot, what people will miss is holding the car at 5000 RPM, mashing their foot to the floor and full power is on tap without a hitch. These days are over.

6) It's competition. BMW will once again be the winner. This is what BMW does with the M3M4, it wins. The M3 (now M4) is BMW's M baby, not the M5 or M6. This car will be no different. BMW will beat MB AMG, Audi RS, Lexus. They are after Porsche and that gap is getting closer and closer as the years go by. While many didn't like the M3 GTS and called it a poor attempt at recreating the CSL, it was faster than the CSL around the Nordschleife, it was and still is a spectacular car. The GTS gave Porsche a run for their money with their greatest car, the GT3RS with the 3.8. Porsche followed up with an encore presentation of the GT3 with the 4.0 to open up the gap with any possible competition.

BMW knows they can beat Audi and MB AMG with the M3/M4, they are after the ultimate road car king, and that is Porsche.

7) Tuning/Modification. This talk is very speculative. Fact of the matter is, BMW has made it extremely difficult to modify and tune the newer turbo platforms. The days of tuning the factory turbo car with some bolt on modifications and a tune to yield 150 RWHP gain like the N54 days are over. This is already evident on the N55, N20, S63 and S63Tu. If we are talking about modifications, there is no doubt a blown S65 will annihilate this I6 turbo car while modded. Let's not bring the 2JZ-GTE and R35 GT-R and how they are 6 cylinders talk into this. Modding the GT-R to make monster power is not cheap even though its much easier to tune the car in comparison to BMW's newer turbo cars. Even fully modded single turbo N54 can't hold much of a candle to blown S65's.

8) Weight Reduction. This is still very speculative as BMW has not claimed how the car is being measured with weight. We have consistently seen E92 M3's weighing in the 35xx range and even the 34xx range. 1xx pounds of weight loss is going to be very hard pressed to notice, even for the better drivers out there. On the street, as far as handling dynamics goes, we aren't going to notice it much, if at all. Naturally some of the weight loss comes from a lighter smaller engine, the CF propeller shaft, the lighter boot lid. Unfortunately, for those of us who have owned E9x and F30 cars, know that some of the weight loss is also contributed to the borderline cheap feeling of the F3x interior. It simply has a less premium feel to it and utilizes more plastics.

9) Electric Power Steering. Let's see what happens. The F30's steering is a joke. I hate driving my F30 because of this reason alone. They need to make some serious changes here. If Porsche could do it, then BMW should be able to as well.

10) Aesthetics. As always, this is subjective. All BMW M3's have special place in time and have their own beauty and charm and age gracefully. The E92 M3 is undeniably STILL one of the most beautiful cars on the road shy of exotics. It has intense road presence. A beautiful E46 M3, E36 and M3 are no different and they will still turn heads, especially amongst us any car enthusiast. You don't have to be a BMW lover to admit this.

At the end of the day, I am personally more excited about this car compared to before, and very excited to get my hands on it and further improve it. I also can't wait to see what the M2 will be. If money were no object, I would love to own all variants of the M3 cars. They all have a special place in my heart.

-Malek

[rje]

Since I already have an all wheel drive 335xi with the N54 twin turbo, DP, CA, Catback exhaust, it made more wanting the last M3, 2013 MY with the V8 engine. I think it just made the E92/E90 M3 naturally aspirated engine more classic and cheaper to fix when it's broken. A more natural car.

[KenH]

I shall probably buy one, just as I have bought at least one M3 of every series since the E30.
But I can't help asking, "what is it for?".

[Titan9]

This-
"9) Electric Power Steering. Let's see what happens. The F30's steering is a joke. I hate driving my F30 because of this reason alone. They need to make some serious changes here. If Porsche could do it, then BMW should be able to as well."

BMW has always geared their vehicles to the driving enthusiast. The guy or gal who wants to be one with the car. So far EPS has fallen well short of the mark. Many M5 guys have been disappointed by the EPS. Let's all hope this is not the case for the M3/M4.

[Malek@MRF]

Originally Posted by Titan9

This-
"9) Electric Power Steering. Let's see what happens. The F30's steering is a joke. I hate driving my F30 because of this reason alone. They need to make some serious changes here. If Porsche could do it, then BMW should be able to as well."

BMW has always geared their vehicles to the driving enthusiast. The guy or gal who wants to be one with the car. So far EPS has fallen well short of the mark. Many M5 guys have been disappointed by the EPS. Let's all hope this is not the case for the M3/M4.

The F10 M5 and F13 M6 do not have EPS. They are hydraulic. The steered away (pun intended ) from EPS on the base F10 for the M variant. The F30 and standard F10 steering though is absolutely terrible. Sadly, steering is something BMW was always known for.

The days of feeling one with a car and having that cerebral type of feeling while driving are diminishing. It's just the direction all cars are going and its also taking place in the exotic car world as well. Brief example... McLaren MP4-12C vs. McLaren F1. Porsche Carrera GT vs. Porsche 918.

[NM_BMW]

I hate the placement of the intercooler. Wonder why they didn't go with a FMIC design?

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by m3dragon

I like how the 1M is 10lb lighter and 160 HP less. I guess that is what I get for owning a Frankenstein car.

I would never buy first gen though. They work out all the bugs in the first year.

the fact that the 1M has more torque than the E90 M3 and what appears to be the same torque as the new M4.....

Agree on avoiding first generation models in general, however.. that's why M cars come out a year later than the underlying models... so that any issues are worked out before the M car comes out. Other than part supply/quality control issues... (fuel pumps and oil pumps come to mind) there usually are not too many bugs to be worked out in an M car... well.. perhaps a charge pipe here and there.. My charge pipe has been fine however.

[Jason]

Specs and technical details in the Tech Guide (first post) have been updated/revised.

[Carl L]

Originally Posted by Malek@MRF

Great job to BMW on the specifications of this car. I will admit my skepticism about this car for quite a while now, but they have implemented a lot of things I wish they would have done a long time ago.

1) Rear Axle. The solid mounted rear sub-frame should have been done nearly 13 year ago starting with the E46 M3 when power levels started to rise substantially and cars began to break the 3000 lb weight barrier. I can't believe it has taken them this long to do so.

2) Power Level. I personally am a big fan that the car doesn't boast tons of HP, the E92 M3 can sometimes be a bit much to handle and has the right amount of power to feel balanced and controlled while having precisely the right amount of power and torque to get you around the track. Long live the S65B40, as we will never see anything like that ever again. Drive some of these high HP high TQ cars (F13 M6, F10 M5, C63, etc) and any driver will come to appreciate the tame and controllable power delivery.

3) Improvement. It is with no doubt that M cars always get better with each new iteration. Agree with BMW's direction and newer ///M philosophy or not, the cars simply get better. Better is not measured in seat of the pants feel, or how it makes us feel emotionally. Again, we are talking about BMW M, everything is based on data, fact, mathematics and engineering and finalized with empirical data (technical observation, track testing). On paper, the cars will get better, always. The same way the E92 is better than the E46, the E46 better than the E36 and so on. Yes, the F10/F13 M5 & M6 are better than their predecessors. Unfortunately the E60/E63 cars were plagued with an abysmal SMG. I always wished the DCT technology could have existed at that time to be paired with that gem of an engine we all know as the S85.

4) Engine. BMW is doing the best they can to provide all of us the the best car they can. We all must understand, times are changing, government regulations on emissions are getting tough, and the engineers don't have free reign to make engines like the S65 any more. If they could, they would. Time to embrace the changes. Before we know it, the M3/M4 could become a 3 cylinder hybrid car, although I hope not . FOr those of us fortunate enough to have had the pleasure of owning S65, S54's, S85's and so fourth, enjoy it. If fortunate enough, don't sell your cars and put them away. Nothing wrong with having an E9x M3 and an F8x M. The competition within the brand needs to stop. A lot of comparing the E9x and F8x going on here. Let's not forget, this car is an evolution of the E9x, after all. Let's also not forget how long the E9x reigned king and remained on top despite aging.

I do have my concerns with this S55 powerplant and heat soak issues, especially as its employing and air-water intercooler. All N54 and N55 cars (yes including the N54 powered 1M) has major heat issues and power inconsistency during track sessions. Turbo engines generally run hot in comparison to NA variants.

5) Lag free operation. I still am on the fence in regards to this. BMW has made this claim time and time again and has not delivered repeatedly. The initial N54 cars was BMW's best bet at power response. As soon as cars began getting hit with PROGMAN 29.2 update and the new MSD81 DME, throttle lag and power delivery was greatly affected in a negative way. The 2007 and early 2008 cars were the best iteration of minimal lag. The new turbo M cars are plagued with lag in regards to full power delivery. Throttle response is not the problem and the electronic throttles are spectacular in BMW's. The problem is not in how soon the car response to our right foot, what people will miss is holding the car at 5000 RPM, mashing their foot to the floor and full power is on tap without a hitch. These days are over.

6) It's competition. BMW will once again be the winner. This is what BMW does with the M3M4, it wins. The M3 (now M4) is BMW's M baby, not the M5 or M6. This car will be no different. BMW will beat MB AMG, Audi RS, Lexus. They are after Porsche and that gap is getting closer and closer as the years go by. While many didn't like the M3 GTS and called it a poor attempt at recreating the CSL, it was faster than the CSL around the Nordschleife, it was and still is a spectacular car. The GTS gave Porsche a run for their money with their greatest car, the GT3RS with the 3.8. Porsche followed up with an encore presentation of the GT3 with the 4.0 to open up the gap with any possible competition.

BMW knows they can beat Audi and MB AMG with the M3/M4, they are after the ultimate road car king, and that is Porsche.

7) Tuning/Modification. This talk is very speculative. Fact of the matter is, BMW has made it extremely difficult to modify and tune the newer turbo platforms. The days of tuning the factory turbo car with some bolt on modifications and a tune to yield 150 RWHP gain like the N54 days are over. This is already evident on the N55, N20, S63 and S63Tu. If we are talking about modifications, there is no doubt a blown S65 will annihilate this I6 turbo car while modded. Let's not bring the 2JZ-GTE and R35 GT-R and how they are 6 cylinders talk into this. Modding the GT-R to make monster power is not cheap even though its much easier to tune the car in comparison to BMW's newer turbo cars. Even fully modded single turbo N54 can't hold much of a candle to blown S65's.

8) Weight Reduction. This is still very speculative as BMW has not claimed how the car is being measured with weight. We have consistently seen E92 M3's weighing in the 35xx range and even the 34xx range. 1xx pounds of weight loss is going to be very hard pressed to notice, even for the better drivers out there. On the street, as far as handling dynamics goes, we aren't going to notice it much, if at all. Naturally some of the weight loss comes from a lighter smaller engine, the CF propeller shaft, the lighter boot lid. Unfortunately, for those of us who have owned E9x and F30 cars, know that some of the weight loss is also contributed to the borderline cheap feeling of the F3x interior. It simply has a less premium feel to it and utilizes more plastics.

9) Electric Power Steering. Let's see what happens. The F30's steering is a joke. I hate driving my F30 because of this reason alone. They need to make some serious changes here. If Porsche could do it, then BMW should be able to as well.

10) Aesthetics. As always, this is subjective. All BMW M3's have special place in time and have their own beauty and charm and age gracefully. The E92 M3 is undeniably STILL one of the most beautiful cars on the road shy of exotics. It has intense road presence. A beautiful E46 M3, E36 and M3 are no different and they will still turn heads, especially amongst us any car enthusiast. You don't have to be a BMW lover to admit this.

At the end of the day, I am personally more excited about this car compared to before, and very excited to get my hands on it and further improve it. I also can't wait to see what the M2 will be. If money were no object, I would love to own all variants of the M3 cars. They all have a special place in my heart.

-Malek

Great post. Thanks for sharing.

[Suds]

•430 HP (approximately) from around 5000-7300 RPM

If this is true, that's over 450 ft-lbf torque at 5000 RPM.
Holy Crap, I'm all in for it!!