SPY PHOTOS: The new BMW M3 coupe gets caught-Front



The powerful M-version of BMW’s 3-series is scheduled for launch next year only.
The 3-series M will be available as coupe, convertible and four door. For the first time power will come from a V 8 powerplant, deriving from the M 5 and M 6. It is a 4,0 litre engine delivering 415 HP, transmission is a seven speed SMG gearbox,. A traditional six speed manual transmission will be offered as an option.

The photos are showing an almost undisguised M 3 coupe prototype from all angles on yesterday’s test drive in Munich featuring the large air intakes at the front end, wider fenders and four exhaust pipes. Another year later BMW will launch an M 3 convertible - and a four door version.

Copyright by Hans G. Lehmann



dblo7dblo7 - 6/1/2006 4:58:16 PM
+1 Boost
Disappointed with no quarterpanel side grill or wider rear wheel wells. Not as agressive looking as the current M3. Then again this may not be the finished product.


phantom330phantom330 - 6/1/2006 5:05:20 PM
+1 Boost
what is wrong with everybody? This isn't even close to the finished M model.......it's probably a base model 3 coupe with the massive engine hidden under it. They aren't gonna drive the full production model with all the bells and whistles on the road during testing, the whole point of this is so you don't look twice at it, that you don't know what lurks under the hood.


VQ4LifeVQ4Life - 6/1/2006 5:27:55 PM
+1 Boost
the world will see a M3 sedan again!


chewychewy - 6/1/2006 7:27:04 PM
+1 Boost
First BMW M series intorduced in 1979. First Audi RS series introduced in 1994.

By the way, resorting to homophobia does not make your argument any stronger.


chewychewy - 6/1/2006 10:53:34 PM
+1 Boost
There is some real racing data right above your post. Well not racing, but lap data at the famous Nurburgring (Nordschleife). As you can see the RS4 beats the M5 and ties the M6, also beats the Dodge Viper. Can't get more factual than that.


chewychewy - 6/1/2006 11:31:48 PM
+1 Boost
Nothelle has goten 580 hp out of the regular 350 hp FSI 4.2. Sure this might not be very reliable, but neither would the 500 hp Dinan version.


chewychewy - 6/1/2006 11:59:43 PM
+1 Boost
First I am pretty sure the M3 CSL is not sold in the USA.
Here are some of the changes to the M3 CSL: The rear glass is much thinner than before, Gone for good are the navigation and audio systems, as well as power windows, mirrors, and door locks. The plush carpet and most of the sound-deadening material have been excised as well, as have the foglamps, the tire-pressure monitors, the side air bags, and the air conditioning (although that last item can be added back, if you insist).

You can't buy it in the United States, it is stripped of basically everything, (But according to various sources, a CSL will command approximately $18,000 more than an SMG-equipped M3 coupe--close to $70,000.) You can't compare the M3 CSL (stripped track car not sold in the USA) to the RS4 with luxury ameneties and two extra doors. Both are great cars, but not really comparable.

http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/coupes/0210_bmw_m3_csl/index.html


thecarthecar - 6/2/2006 9:16:02 AM
+1 Boost
RS4 is a limited 1 yr super pricy model
if it prices near M3 , sure it is better
before that , M3 will still be the king ...
curr gen S4 is nothing more than a A4 swapped a A6 4.2 engine

A4 is nose heavy , S4 is even worse , unlikely Audi will shift the engine towards the cabib


phantom330phantom330 - 6/2/2006 9:19:37 AM
+1 Boost
Anybody that knows even a little about BMW can spot a "fake" M3 quite easily, they aren't fooling anybody except ignorants that don't know cars. It is embarrassing, there is a kid in my town with a 318 with an "M" badge on the back, I made a point to play with him a little just to embarrass him, it was quite fun. The RS4 is awesome, the M3 is awesome, but let's what for the head to head when the new M3 comes out, you can't compare 6-7 year old technology with a brand new vehicle. Take the last gen S4 vs. the current M3, that would be a little more fair.


chewychewy - 6/2/2006 8:33:58 PM
+1 Boost
MB is gonna stuff the 6.3 500 hp V8 in to the new genration C class.
http://www.caranddriver.com/carnews/11125/spied-2008-mercedes-benz-c63-amg.html

Louis, because the next M3 will compete with the RS4, I believe it will cost about the same. The previous M5 was cheaper than the RS6. The current M5 is only 1,500 dolars cheaper than the old RS6.
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/pricing.aspx?year=2003&make=Audi&model=RS6&trimid=-1

http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/pricing.aspx?year=2006&make=BMW&model=M5&trimid=-1




TimmyGTimmyG - 6/7/2006 3:04:02 AM
+1 Boost
I love BMWs and I also like Audis. Just to comment on some people's opinions.. you guys should be so anti-BMW or anti-Audi, they provide competition for each other that benefit us, the comsumers.

Secondly, good point with the comparison between the age of the new RS4 and the outgoing M3. They have raised the bar, and I expect the M3 will do so in return, and I'm sure the next RS4 in years to come will continue in the same way.

I think the RS4 definitely has more similarities to the M3 rather than the CSL. I don't know where that quite leaves the S4, it's been somewhat cannibalised and put to shame by the RS4 with the same engine.

My 2c.
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