New M3 & M4 Make the E30 Feel Soft? 6 Things Learned about the New M3/M4

[ybbiz34]

BMW M has dished out some more high praise for the next-generation M3/M4.

Remember the BMW employee that was quoted as saying that the new M3 and M4 would take some talent to drive? Some were excited about the quote and others found it to be nothing more than run-of-the-mill marketing hype.

What do you think about these statements, including the following:

"Concept-wise, or if you talk in technological substance, the new M4 is much closer to a race car than the E30 M3 was ... If you drive the E30, even the Evo model, and then drive the new M4, it is a completely different story."

A few more quotes can be found here. Some convey information that has already been shared/confirmed here on Bimmerpost.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-show...=1459_40393776

[Black Gold]

Originally Posted by ybbiz34

BMW M has dished out some more high praise for the next-generation M3/M4.

Remember the BMW employee that was quoted as saying that the new M3 and M4 would take some talent to drive? Some were excited about the quote and others found it to be nothing more than run-of-the-mill marketing hype.

What do you think about these statements, including the following:

"Concept-wise, or if you talk in technological substance, the new M4 is much closer to a race car than the E30 M3 was ... If you drive the E30, even the Evo model, and then drive the new M4, it is a completely different story."

A few more quotes can be found here. Some convey information that has already been shared/confirmed here on Bimmerpost.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-show...=1459_40393776

thanks!

I am getting really excited about this car....hope to see it at the Houston auto show in a couple days!

EDIT : yes clearly hype. but I am hopeful that the lighter weight and stiffer suspension and chassis will help the car turn in and settle easier.

[paddy335]

The PR machine rolls on. What spurious garbage that quote is. The E30 was built to homologate the Group A M3 race car. The current car is a luxo GT that bears no resemblance to any race car or series.

[solstice]

I heard comments to the extent of the F8X being more of a race car several times now from different M representatives. I'll ignore the E30 reference but still keep optimistic that this car will have a bit more raw, athletic feel than what is the norm today for this segment.

[Sedan_Clan]

The PR machine is hooking us big time. Unlike many, I don't feel that there is some grand conspiracy to inflate this cars nature. I'm sure it will be very, very appealing (..and I'm sure some auto rag is going to track an E30 ///M against this car just to juxtapose the two).

[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by KennyPowers

thanks!

I am getting really excited about this car....hope to see it at the Houston auto show in a couple days!

EDIT : yes clearly hype. but I am hopeful that the lighter weight and stiffer suspension and chassis will help the car turn in and settle easier.

No problem! Hype or not, unfortunately chatter is all we have until it becomes available to drive.

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

The PR machine is hooking us big time. Unlike many, I don't feel that there is some grand conspiracy to inflate this cars nature. I'm sure it will be very, very appealing (..and I'm sure some auto rag is going to track an E30 ///M against this car just to juxtapose the two).

Agreed.

Irrespective of the fact that some of the recent comments made by BMW M have been purely subjective, the comments sure have my attention.

[LDSM]

The recording of the detroit roundtable is pretty good, you can hear Dr. Nitschke and Albert Biermann talk about exactly this starting around 17:09

[Real Deal]

Very encouraging, I know lot of people don't like turbo cars but it's the way of the future and the possibility of getting more power is endless. Now stating that the new M3/M4 as a race car? We will see sooner than later if it's hype or not but regardless the M3 will be in my god damn garage by end of June :-)

[mpower3330]

Originally Posted by Real Deal

Very encouraging, I know lot of people don't like turbo cars but it's the way of the future and the possibility of getting more power is endless. Now stating that the new M3/M4 as a race car? We will see sooner than later if it's hype or not but regardless the M3 will be in my god damn garage by end of June :-)

I 100% agree and can't wait for it to be in my garage in June.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by mpower3330

I 100% agree and can't wait for it to be in my garage in June.

Likely July for West coast US?

[Boss330]

Originally Posted by paddy335

The PR machine rolls on. What spurious garbage that quote is. The E30 was built to homologate the Group A M3 race car. The current car is a luxo GT that bears no resemblance to any race car or series.

Even thought that is correct (about the E30 M3 being a homologation special), that isn't really what they are talking about...

They mention things like the solid mounting of the rear suspension crossmember, just as they did on the race car versions of the E30, E36 and E46 M3, but NOT on the street versions.

That is one area where the F8x bears much more resemblance to a race car than the E30 did.

To put it differently; The E30 was manufactured as a street car in order to legalize a race car. The F8x is made with more features similar to a race car, but legal on the street.

I would personally rather have a car that has those features the F8x has, than a car that is a homologation special but without any race car derived features on the street car.

The E30 M3 had a homologation engine and bodywork. Suspension, steering, brakes etc are not that special and mounted in soft rubber bushings...

[stefan]

Originally Posted by paddy335

The PR machine rolls on. What spurious garbage that quote is. The E30 was built to homologate the Group A M3 race car. The current car is a luxo GT that bears no resemblance to any race car or series.

BMW M commenting objectively on the BMW M3/4. Right.

[jbockrd]

The hype keeps us excited about the wait and not cross-shop another car for instant gratification. It benefits us and BMW or else, what the hell else are we gonna chat about on this forum???

[paddy335]

Originally Posted by jbockrd

The hype keeps us excited about the wait and not cross-shop another car for instant gratification. It benefits us and BMW or else, what the hell else are we gonna chat about on this forum???

Haha yeh too right, definitely keeps us occupied. Some of the hype is laughable though.

[mpower3330]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

Likely July for West coast US?

Ordering from a dealer in Dallas. Any preliminary ideas on time frame for that region?