AutoExpress F80 M3 Article

[JoM3z]

This is quite interesting as far as price points. It looks to be on par with the current price point for a well optioned brand new M3. Design wise is right on target with the renders we've seen posted on here.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/3-s...w-m3-uncovered

[Majin Buu]

Already seeing a few things I like. Manual still offered. RWD. Weight reduction. Hydraulic steering. I just really really hope it doesn't pump out some stupid fake engine noise from the entertainment system's speakers.

[Needsdecaf]

I love how they say "exclusive images" like that's supposed to mean they're official. LOL. It just means they paid someone to make those renderings and no one else has them.

ROFLMAO.

[mkoesel]

Thanks for posting. Always interesting to hear rumors from different corners of the automotive press.

This comment caught my eye:

"Unlike the M5’s reworked version of BMW’s 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, the new engine will be used exclusively in M models, not appearing in any lesser cars."

As we bimmer-geeks already know, this is misleading. The M5's "reworked version" of the standard N63 V8 is called the S63Tu and indeed does not appear in any lesser cars either. Similarly, the M3's S55 I6 will be based on the N55 and it too will be used only in M vehicles. So the situation is essentially the same.

The claim of hydraulic steering also seems dubious at this point given all the rumors to the contrary. Possible though, I suppose.

[OneMmmm]

I'm not as impressed with these renderings as some of the previous images we've seen. This really doesn't look significantly different from a well optioned and OEM modified F30 335i.

I'm sure the real deal will be a stunner, but this can't be it.

[solstice]

Hydraulic steering just makes so much sense in the M cars at this point in time. They are very low volume in the overall production so a small mpg hit should not make much of a dent in BMWs average. I guess HPS is now a strong sales advantage for a car in this segment and the M3 pretty much have to be the pinnacle of the ultimate driving machine. I really hope this rumour is true. I'd order the car untested with confidence if it has HPS, I might do that anyway but I will be worried if it has EPS. Not to say that EPS has to be bad but the likelihood of it being on par with HPS today is slim.

[fuddman]

Originally Posted by JoM3z

It looks to be on par with the current price point for a well optioned brand new M3.

May not be on a par with current price point.

Well optioned E92 = $75,575
Estimated 2014 M3 UK cost=55,000 British Pounds = $83,307

[RMB]

If the M3 will be in the 80K's, where will that leave the M4. I thought everyone speculated that the M4 would be more expensive just like the M6 to M5 comparison. But how much more expensive is the question.

[turbolag]

Originally Posted by fuddman

May not be on a par with current price point.

Well optioned E92 = $75,575
Estimated 2014 M3 UK cost=55,000 British Pounds = $83,307

Cars are also generally more expensive in Europe...

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by RMB

If the M3 will be in the 80K's, where will that leave the M4. I thought everyone speculated that the M4 would be more expensive just like the M6 to M5 comparison. But how much more expensive is the question.

There was speculation that the new 4 Series would markedly widen the gap in pricing that existed between the previous generation 3 Series coupe and sedan. It only made sense given the new branding strategy.

However, current rumors are that this won't necessarily be the case. See this thread:

http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=778461

If things play out this way, then we can be pretty well assured that the price differential between the M3 and M4 will follow a similar pattern (< 10%, let's call it).

That having been said, I would expect the new M3 to increase the price vs. the outgoing M3 significantly, just as has been the case for past generations. I am expecting the base US price for the M3 to be very close to, but still less than, $70k USD. The M4 price, then, would be somewhere in the mid to high $70k range.

[RMB]

Thank you for the link and the information. Much appreciated.

[Jblack4083]

I still have a feeling they will use EPS and not hydraulic steering. BMW has a trend of declaring that they have perfected a technology that we would have otherwise thought would take away from the dynamics of the vehicle. I forsee a sport tuned and updated EPS system. Porsche is doing it too. BMW will be like "why not" !

[Rambler]

Originally Posted by OneMmmm

I'm not as impressed with these renderings as some of the previous images we've seen. This really doesn't look significantly different from a well optioned and OEM modified F30 335i.

I'm sure the real deal will be a stunner, but this can't be it.

+1, not impressed at all with those renderings as they exhibit nothing special about the car.

[Hujan]

Not feeling those renders.

[gblansten]

Originally Posted by Jblack4083

I still have a feeling they will use EPS and not hydraulic steering. BMW has a trend of declaring that they have perfected a technology that we would have otherwise thought would take away from the dynamics of the vehicle. I forsee a sport tuned and updated EPS system. Porsche is doing it too. BMW will be like "why not" !

I agree. I will be shocked if they stay with hydraulic steering for the M3/4.

[Hoosiers]

Originally Posted by solstice

Hydraulic steering just makes so much sense in the M cars at this point in time. They are very low volume in the overall production so a small mpg hit should not make much of a dent in BMWs average. I guess HPS is now a strong sales advantage for a car in this segment and the M3 pretty much have to be the pinnacle of the ultimate driving machine. I really hope this rumour is true. I'd order the car untested with confidence if it has HPS, I might do that anyway but I will be worried if it has EPS. Not to say that EPS has to be bad but the likelihood of it being on par with HPS today is slim.

Agree 100%. If confirmed, the hydraulic steering ALONE would justify my order payment not just because it will provide better steering feel, but because it would symbolize correcting the "M" and even "BMW" mindset that the company has lost with recent models (see M5/M6, F30)

But I'm not keeping my fingers crossed. Let's see how many times the "M"arketing department can mention "efficient".

[BMW269]

Originally Posted by Hoosiers

Agree 100%. If confirmed, the hydraulic steering ALONE would justify my order payment not just because it will provide better steering feel, but because it would symbolize correcting the "M" and even "BMW" mindset that the company has lost with recent models (see M5/M6, F30)

But I'm not keeping my fingers crossed. Let's see how many times the "M"arketing department can mention "efficient".

That is not the info I have. I'm told EPS.

[Hoosiers]

Originally Posted by Levi

That is not the info I have. I'm told EPS.

Information you're told by an anonymous BMW insider vs a reputable auto magazine. Maybe you're right, but "I have information the M3 has been developed with the U.S. Air Force and it's radar signature is smaller than a hummingbird to avoid costly speeding tickets."

[V8FunNaturally]

If it cannot beat the GT-R then it will be just another car who is not worth owning. The E92 has the benefit of NA engines. But a TC M3 that cannot beat the GT-R also TC what's the point ? Yes it will be cheaper than a GT-R but still premium money to get beaten by a Nissan. I am almost sure the M4 will feature a launch like on the GT-R. But I can already see the magazines showing Godzilla destroying the M3 (again!).

[LarThaL]

Originally Posted by sunsweet

If it cannot beat the GT-R then it will be just another car who is not worth owning. The E92 has the benefit of NA engines. But a TC M3 that cannot beat the GT-R also TC what's the point ? Yes it will be cheaper than a GT-R but still premium money to get beaten by a Nissan. I am almost sure the M4 will feature a launch like on the GT-R. But I can already see the magazines showing Godzilla destroying the M3 (again!).

If you want a car that will beat the GTR off the line, it is going to have to be AWD. The M3/M4 is not just about straight line performance. Never has been. FWIW, from a roll, an M6 will pull on a GTR.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by sunsweet

But a TC M3 that cannot beat the GT-R also TC what's the point ?

There are lots of turbocharged AMGs that can't touch a GTR (and you can soon add W205 AMG C Class to that list). In fact, there are really only a handful of cars in existence that can.

[solstice]

Power figures and drag strip numbers is of very limited interest to me when you go FI. Heck BMW pulled 1300 hp out of a 1.5l TC 4 banger already in the 1980s. We all know that a TC M car will be very powerful stock and a total beast with a tune. Focus changes to how the power is delivered with FI, I.e how lag free and responsive it is and how well it holds power towards an elevated redline. That is IMO what will determine how great of an FI M engine it is, not if it can hang with a GTR on the strip.