AUTO SPIES EXCLUSIVE: Details emerging on the new BMW 3-series coupes

Cool! But will they still be ugly?

Cool! But will they still be ugly?

So having 300hp means its copying the Lexus.

-The IS wasnt and isnt the first small sedan to offer 300hp.

All engines are inching upwards in horses.

The Lexus HAD to have over 300hp to even compete with the standard 330i.

Now, BMW ups the game, and youre left with what?

A 300hp Lexus getting anihilated by yet another BMW.

Whats to rationalize? Engines get bigger and better.

How is BMW guilty for upping the performance on their ORIGINAL sport sedan?

You're just trying to start an argument based on a ridiculous assumption you made.

I'm sure engineering work on the BMW engine started way before the IS was even introduced.

It would then have to have gone through months of intense development and durability testing.

BMW engineers would have had a set of guidelines and set goals for horsepower and torque outputs long before anyone even knew what the new IS looked like.

Get clued up!

What your dealer told you is essentially correct with one exception. The 330 will be badged as a 335.

Those engine changes will be the same in the rear drive sedans but at this point I haven't been able to get the scoop on the all wheel drive sedans. My dealer's best guess is that the AWD sedans will be the 325 and 330 with current engines carrying forward. I may be able to find out more in the next couple of weeks.

"The 330 will be badged as a 335."

heh they are now the AMD of cars.


whats next the 335+?

Unless bmw radically changes the design of the engine I would predict massive failures trying to get 306 hp out of the 3.0 hp power plant.

I could care less about who copies who, I just want to buy the car of the manufacturer that does it right.

Just thinking aloud - wouldn't it make more sense for BMW to detune their 3.2 litre M3 engine rather than twin turbo charge their 3.0 engine?

Actually Lexus and BMW are trying to get in under the penalty restrictions for bhp in Germany. If it goes over the magic number, Germans have to pay a hefty tax.

When will these "new" BMW engines be avilable - June???

Twin Turbo and only 306hp?????? Is anyone else really all that excited??? Bmw increased the likelyness of failure and are not really getting anymore hp.

-There will be a 330i and 335i at launch. No Ci badging anymore.
-The cars date has been pushed a few weeks after Geneva.
-All wheel drive is being considered.
-325 wont hit market till months after launch.
-335i has 306hp, 300lbs torque.
-Manual Trannys offered on Turbo at launch.
-The price will hit $50,000 for a fully loaded M-package equipped 335i.
-My dealer assures me the car will be here this summer.

My source for some of this info is the new Autoweek out today.

The 335i is rumored to hit 60 mph in 5 seconds flat.

Good Car
Good Design
Good Engine
BUT
IS THE PRICE GOOD?

My dealer told me that a fully loaded 335ci will be in the range of $54-58K.
And also added a sentance that a fully loaded 335i Coupe will cost almost as much as a base 630i.

Now this is really going to be very very overpriced machine.

NOW,What's the use/advantage/benifit of having a 3 in the garage,when u could easily have a 6 for the same money,no matter how good the 3's design is.

I for sure will not buy the 3 Coupe if it's price is going to be nearer to the 6.
I can't understand BMW's policy behind fixing 3 Coupe's price.

JUGNU

Good Car
Good Design
Good Engine
BUT
IS THE PRICE GOOD?

My dealer told me that a fully loaded 335ci will be in the range of $54-58K.
And also added a sentance that a fully loaded 335i Coupe will cost almost as much as a base 630i.

Now this is really going to be very very overpriced machine.

NOW,What's the use/advantage/benifit of having a 3 in the garage,when u could easily have a 6 for the same money,no matter how good the 3's design is.

I for sure will not buy the 3 Coupe if it's price is going to be nearer to the 6.
I can't understand BMW's policy behind fixing 3 Coupe's price.

JUGNU

-The current M3 starts at $48,000.
-The new V8 M3 will start around $55,000.
-The BMW 650i starts at $71,000.
-The new 3-series coupes respresent a step up for BMW as the are positioning the car to be more upscale (CLK) than before.
-The new 1-series, 2-series (If they make it) would be the cheaper alternative to the now pricier 3-series.

As a whole, all cars are getting expensive. New technology costs more bucks. If you want it, you pay for it.

But saying the 335i (which wont start north of $44,000) will eat 6-series sales is a joke.

With the current 330i clocking in at 36 grand stripped to the bones, theres no way BMW would charge more than 10 grand just for an engine upgrade. Its usually more around $6,000-$8,000 to jump up to a better engine.

And the 6-series is an Ultra Coupe that isnt priced to make big dents in the market. Its $80,000 fully loaded.

And I think theres a BIG difference between 50 and 80 grand.

My dealer TOLD ME THAT THE FULLY LOADED 335CI WILL COST NEAR TO THE BASE 630I.

THERE IS ONLY GOING TO BE BE $3-5 GRAND DIFFERNECE IN THEIR PRICES.

COMPARING FULLY LOADED 335CI TO BASE 630CI.

And u r right that "As a whole, all cars are getting expensive. New technology costs more bucks"

I even heared the rumours about the new MB C to be very expensive and big/heavy looking.

My dealer TOLD ME THAT THE FULLY LOADED 335CI WILL COST NEAR TO THE BASE 630I.

THERE IS ONLY GOING TO BE BE $3-5 GRAND DIFFERNECE IN THEIR PRICES.

COMPARING FULLY LOADED 335CI TO BASE 630CI.

And u r right that "As a whole, all cars are getting expensive. New technology costs more bucks"

I even heared the rumours about the new MB C to be very expensive and big/heavy looking.