First F80 M3 Spied with Camouflaged (Carbon Fiber?) Roof - in Las Vegas

[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

First F80 M3 Spied with Camouflaged (Carbon Fiber?) Roof - in Las Vegas

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The F80 M3 has been spotted with a camouflaged roof. How is this significant? Well, its brother, the F82 M4 Coupe has often been spotted with a camouflaged roof (as well as an optional top with moonroof), which typically indicates the presence of a carbon fiber roof, but the F80 M3 Sedan has never been seen with a camouflaged top, until now.

This F80 M3 prototype was spotted by a BIMMERPOST member while it undergoes hot weather testing in Las Vegas (where it recently hit 117F degrees) and is accompanied by the F82 M4 and some F15 X5 M prototypes. Like the M4, this likely indicates a carbon fiber roof for the upcoming M3 - the first time any M3 Sedan will feature such a lightweight roof (the E92 M3 Coupe boasts a carbon roof). A lightweight CF roof will help to lower the F80 M3's center of gravity as well as shaving critical pounds off its weight.

Expect the F80 M3 to be available in the first half of next year.

Also see: F80 M3 / F82 M4 Spy Photos, Videos, and Facts/Rumors Compilation

Follow our F80 M3 coverage at: http://www.bimmerpost.com/m3/f80m3/

Thanks to Ray (and his girlfriend) for the photos.













More photos (by alexanderlt)

[avol3xo]

I like that side profile shot, this may give the aggression lacking in the current 4.

[JSCO]

if the M4 looks anything like the F12..we have a WINNER!! side shot looks promising..

[Palle]

That would be a good thing!!!!

[Jblack4083]

Interesting. F80 with double bubble CF roof would be nice. Isn't this sort of late in the testing phase to throw one in though...

[rjd598]

that's funny last night on instagram i saw a picture of the camo 3 with some guy shaking his ass in front of it he was in vegas too

[MaX PL]

that CF roof will be standard, right?

is it standard on the E92 M3?

[gahbouch]

I'm pretty sure the 3rd photo (the profile shot) was an M4

[BMW269]

Originally Posted by i001947

Hate to be a hater, but I hate it and I'm glad I didn't wait to buy my 2013 M3.

What's to hate? The front really does do it like all of the past M3 fronts. It still look like a plain 328 bumper (because it is). Then there's the stance (or should I say lack of) which is not aggressive at all. Sure bigger tires but no flaring out of the wheel wells.

I expected more.

Of which car, F80 or F84? Becuase in current generation, E90 M had better looking stance than E92 M. Rear Wheel arch were very little flared compared to E46 or E90.

Now with the F80, the rear Wheel archs are even more flared than E90 M, they are like E82 M. And F82 will also get much better stance than E92 M, with very wide rear Wheel archs, but not like F80 but in E30 M style.

[B///MWGuy]

I don't understand why people in the forum are so hyped over the look of "M" (i do mean real "M" not m-sports) compared to regular version. There's such a little difference exterior-wise that no normal people can see difference (unless they're enthusiast whom compromise of >1% of the total population).
I don't see too much difference with the above pic with regular ones (of course we'll have to wait till reveal)nor i'd expect non-dramatic difference like the diff b/w E9x M & regular.
I only care about the performance, as it is still a 3/4 series.

[PSTM3]

very exciting

[Diver]

I guess BMW is testing the air conditioner and cooling system in the 120F heat. First half of next year is fine by me, I won't be ready for another ride before then, probably later.

[mdosu]

looks and sounds promising if true. It makes sense as BMW was aiming for a 3100-3300 lbs curb weight, so CF roof would lift a not-so-insignficant chunk of that weight. On the E92, it was about 45lbs of savings, though I'm not sure what that weight savings actually meant. B/c the alternative to a CF roof was a moonroof. You couldn't by a E92 with a non-CF and non-moonroof. (so was it 45lbs over a moonroof? or a comparable standard E92 non-M3 roof?)

[dreamspeed]

Originally Posted by fyun89

I don't understand why people in the forum are so hyped over the look of "M" (i do mean real "M" not m-sports) compared to regular version. There's such a little difference exterior-wise that no normal people can see difference (unless they're enthusiast whom compromise of >1% of the total population).
I don't see too much difference with the above pic with regular ones (of course we'll have to wait till reveal)nor i'd expect non-dramatic difference like the diff b/w E9x M & regular.
I only care about the performance, as it is still a 3/4 series.

I agree that most people can't differentiate between the regular 3 series and M models but to the trained eye the "differences" transforms a pretty good looking car into an amazing looking car.

Often at times it just takes a small tweak in the bumper styling, side profile, stance etc to make a car look WAY better.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Levi

...Now with the F80, the rear Wheel arches are even more flared than E90 M, they are like E82 M. And F82 will also get much better stance than E92 M, with very wide rear Wheel arches, but not like F80 but in E30 M style.

Levi that picture of yours really highlights how flared the rear fenders are on the new M4. Just look at the way the sun reflects off of the top of the flare near the gas filler!

When I saw(and touched) a M4 in Garching, I was really shocked how wide those rear fenders are flared. They are flared much MORE than on the 1M.


Btw... I saw a M4 on the autobahn today... It had most of the camo removed. Only the front and rear end clips had the camo with just a little stripe on the sides. It really looked good. I would have taken some shots but I did not have my camera with me.


These pics were take today by a friend of mine driving to Switzerland. Sorry for the low quality... but it gives you a feel for the car styling/design. Thanks for the pics Heinz!

[wassystyle]

The 2nd pic is a 4door M3?

[ATX78703]

looking good...

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by mdosu

looks and sounds promising if true. It makes sense as BMW was aiming for a 3100-3300 lbs curb weight, so CF roof would lift a not-so-insignficant chunk of that weight. On the E92, it was about 45lbs of savings, though I'm not sure what that weight savings actually meant. B/c the alternative to a CF roof was a moonroof. You couldn't by a E92 with a non-CF and non-moonroof. (so was it 45lbs over a moonroof? or a comparable standard E92 non-M3 roof?)

My understanding is that the 45lb weight saving of the CF roof is compared to a moonroof equiped car. Apparently the CF is worth about 15lb compared to no moonroof steel roof.

[MaX PL]

so when is this being revealed? frankfurt?

[abirmaher]

They look great. Can't wait for that M4.

[mdosu]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

My understanding is that the 45lb weight saving of the CF roof is compared to a moonroof equiped car. Apparently the CF is worth about 15lb compared to no moonroof steel roof.

thanks

[M3_WC]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

My understanding is that the 45lb weight saving of the CF roof is compared to a moonroof equiped car. Apparently the CF is worth about 15lb compared to no moonroof steel roof.

"Weighing around 11 lbs. less than a standard steel roof and approximately 44 lbs. less than a steel roof incorporating a moonroof."