EXCLUSIVE: Has the Detroit news made an error or have they pre-announced this new BMW?

That is absolutely a typo.

First....The BMW 5.0 liter engine is actually 4.8 liters and has never been coupled to all wheel drive as the xi indicates.

Second...as huu76 stated above, the next M3 will have over 400 horsepower from a 4.0 liter V8 engine derived from the current V10 M5. 360hp is pretty close to 400hp. Too close.

Also....The 550i and 750i using that exact engine are very expensive automobiles. A 3-series using that engine would have to base somewhere close to $50,000 and with options that car would eat 5-series sales and totally undercut the new $54,000 BMW M3.

This was a typo. The new engine for the 3-series is a 306 hp 300 lbs torque 3.5 liter turbocharged inline-6. That was confirmed a long long time ago. It is debuting in the new 3-series coupe, then trickling to the sedan, 5-series, plus the upcoming 2007 X5.

Why would Autospies publish such BS? Notice them bringing up the Lexus IS in a lame attempt to instigate a war. Why would BMW care at all what is going on at Lexus? Why would BMW change an engine name or engine because of some other car that has no ties to them in the slighest. Yes, they compete, but on totally different playing fields. I am so sick of people acting like these cars are so similar. Go drive em both.....Theyre not. You wont walk away undecided about which to choose. One style will appeal to you and the other wont. Lexus and BMW shouldnt be mentioned in the same sentence. They are completely different in the way they build their automobiles.

Nice try Autospies.

"totally undercut the new $54,000 BMW M3."

Huh? Where'd you see that? I figured the new M3 would be blowing past $70k the way the rest of the company's prices have been for the past 3 years.

"The new engine for the 3-series is a 306 hp 300 lbs torque 3.5 liter turbocharged inline-6."

Actually, it is a 3.0 liter. Look around for the press release for confirmation.

It's not the first time BMW has used a different moniker for marketing reasons, so I wouldn't be too shocked. The 323i had a 2.5L engine and the 328i had a 2.8L. Calling it a 325i would have made it "seem" closer to the 328i. "Why am I spending thousands more for such a small engine size increase?" Then they release the 330i with a 3.0L and magically the 2.5L in the lower model becomes the 325i. It's silly, but very calculated.

Much of the buying public is not too bright when it comes to cars, and would think "higher is better" and not even consider the actual power rating.

Yeah that was a typo. Its a 3.0 liter engine.

But the current M3 starts at $48,000 and is fully loaded at $60,000.

The way BMW ups their prices is subtle sometimes and drastic the others. Moving from a inline-6 to a V8 should command at least a $7,000 premium over the current car. The M5 increased its base by almost $9,000 so that seems right. So if the M3 starts at $55,000, then it will be fully loaded at around 65-70 grand. Night View Assist, Head Up Display and 19 inch rims will be expensive options on the car that will drastically increase the price.

BMW in fact just increased prices across the board.

The 4.8 V8 engine is used in the BMW X5 4.8is meaning the engine has been coupled to all wheel drive (xDrive).

Still though....Theres no 350xi on the way.

Of course they compete....we all know that. I said that above.

Its just that they offer very different driving experiences.

Also....you cant compare a convertible to a sedan. Period.

Your quote calling us German sheep was rather amusing.

And least my sheep are Pure-Breds rather than clones.

BMW isn't going to care what Lexus does, it'll be a 335 and they won't change it to compete with a Lexus. Doing so would admit Lexus is a thorn in their side, which I doubt they want to portray. Bottom line the 335i, or whatever they end up calling it, will put an end to the IS/3 series war.

"Would consumer's think the new 3 was underpowered compared to the IS if it was named 335 instead of 350?"

you always call it 001.

M3 at 70K would be a rip off. I agree that the 350i most likely is not a 5.0L and I can't imagine them even putting the 4.8L. This is just another badging gimmick if the numbers are correct. People are naive so they see a larger numbered badge and automatically think its better. Atleast BMW is attempting to cathc up to the Lexus HP. The problem is that the BMW will cost more.

Lastly, BMW better make the engine available in a Coupe or Sedan, because I am tired of seeing high output stuck on a 'station wagon'!