Spy Shots: New BMW M3 in Silver!

I bet there BBS wheels!!

Sweet rims!

I can say that i will definately own one of these when they finally come out. I dont think i can wait until the end of next year.

That isnt silver. That looks like white to me. I guess i'm colour blind then.

You know this car is going to be insane! I think it looks amazing in these pics. When does it make its debut?

Drive-by wire steering and braking?...?...? Yikes. Is there any redundancy?

Of further concern, and perhaps I'm a little ignorant on the subject, but how does one enjoy the legendary M feedback without ANY physical connection to the road? It would have to be computer controlled. Given BMW’s reputation, I can only assume they’ve answered that question already… and will respond with words like "Better precision," but we’ll see.

After some googling: "...Should the driver still add, or subtract, too much steering lock for the situation, the steer-by-wire system would change the angle of the front wheels based on information from the vehicle stability system, and independent of the driver’s input."

It sounds like BMW is taking the "nanny" concept that Lexus was so criticized for to the next level, but I'm sure(?) that can be turned off; however, being very familiar with the failure rate of today’s (and BMW’s) computers, I hope it only turns off when you want it to.

this means electric power steering, doesn't it? that sucks. lexus use that to get the numbness required.

dats hot

Beautiful... the 3 Series coupe is one of the best designs BMW has come out with in recent memory. That includes the pre-Bangle cars of the '90s.

lets face it, computers can do much cleverer things alot faster than people can...

Anybody think that the driver should be responsible for shifting the power to each wheel manually in the R8?.... no? didn't think so.

The best drivers car isn;t likely to be the fastest around the track, and while people are so hing up with performance numbers models like the M3 will continue getting more and more complex in the search for every last 0.001 sec around the ring!

There's only one thing better than this BMW M3 and that would be 2 BMW M3's.

I'm in love with this car.

Unfortunately, I would have to begin selling tract homes in Compton and East LA in order to finance the next 3!

RS4 just died...

Oh, not this again.

For someone who wants the ultimate sedan for all seasons, it's unquestionably the RS4.

For someone who wants the ultimate (but slightly ubiquitous) coupe, it's M3 all the way.

And it's just a big ol' game of leapfrog. When the B8 RS4 comes out in 2010 or whenever, I'm going to say "M3 just died..."

^^^agree...

i can't wait to test drive this thing...then it's between this and the SUV in winter, or the RS4 all year round...??

Have you driven the RS4? It's intoxicating. It just might be the most desirable sports sedan in the world.

I would enjoy owning either of those options- but the RS cars have some sort of coolness, pureness, exclusivity, whatever you want to call it, that the M cars can't touch... it's intangible.

the m3 will be unbeatable when it comes out its funny to hear so many support the base price of $67,000 audi rs4 with 0-60 time only 4 tenths of a second faster than a 335i and 3 tenths of a second faster than the 333hp (hmmm 420hp took that much?) current m3. 67,000 please thats a joke, for a compact wannabe bmw, that needs almost 100 more horsepower to keep up, and has base price thats a honda civic difference in price between the m3 pretty funny....that just means an m3 with the same power would kill this car.....but hey audi substandard brand substandard cars...lol

bmwdrvr-

for me it's not just about speed. it's also about being a practical daily driver. Living in the frigid snow-ridden northeast, i can't (or am not willing to) drive an M3 year round. The RS4 then becomes of greater value to me and I would pay $70K, rather than $6?K because driving the M3 would require me to ante up for a winter car.

As for HP numbers in terms of engineering, your comparison is flawed. First of all the RS4 weighs more due in part to the quattro AWD. Also, you can't say that BMW is "better" because they can achieve almost as quick performance with less horsepower. If that theory held up, then the Lotus Exige should be the best car ever built and the Veyron would be a piece of shit because it is only .4 sec faster than the Enzo to 60 and the Enzo can do it with 790hp, while the Veyron requires 1000hp.

That is just a pointless apples to oranges argument.

last time I checked .4 of a second is fairly significant in acceleration from rest and the RS4 beats the 335i through the trap also by .5sec, which at about 110 and 105 mph, respectively, is a car length's lead.

also, since it is obvious that you have no knowledge of engineering, the faster you accelerate, the more power it takes to improve that acceleration. so your claim that the 400hp m3 will "kill" the RS4 is also flawed. Look for the m3 to make it to 60 in maybe 4.4, only a tenth faster than the RS4.

I can't stand ignorant people on this site who can't give credit where credit is due and make up moronic unjust claims only because they are brand loyal and jealous of other brands.

Yes, it's so painful sometimes. And it's almost all ignorant BMW fans like this one, AmazingBimmer (I think he's a reincarnation of logical), etc...

"Look for the m3 to make it to 60 in maybe 4.4, only a tenth faster than the RS4."

Actually, I've seen the RS4 get 0-60 in 4.3.

bmwdrvr, if you don't like the RS4 or at least admire it, you've never driven one. It's the best-driving Audi ever built- and it easily surpasses the M3 in every single way. More traction, better handling, better speed/acceleration, better interior, more fun-to-drive... it commands a premium for a reason.

Audi R8 with V10 will have the ability to go 0-60 in under 4 seconds. Lap the Nurburgring in under 7:50 and cost upwards of $120K.

I don't care what people say, if Audi builds a car that can do the above, it has the ability to make an amazingly competent sports car.

OFF TOPIC

that looks pimp,

Why do people compare RS4 to M3, they are different classes, Compare S4 to M3. M3 rapes S4, but audi created a car more powerfull than S4..the RS4..but sadly M3 rapes that too.

Also who's to say BMW wont up the ante w/ more power when the RS4 refresh comes?

you're right and you're wrong...it's a constant power struggle between the two companies. Right now, Audi is ahead with the RS4. When the M3 comes out, BMW may have the edge until Audi releases the all powerful RS6...and so it goes and so it goes...both are great auto companies and both turn out very desirable vehicles IMO.

Not it doesn't. The S4 has defeated the M3 in many magazine comparisons. That is a fact!!!

storm-

we're comparing the RS4 to the upcoming E92 M3, not the E46

Storm, wrong.

It's an Audi performance sedan.

The M3 is a performance coupe.

I'm guessing that you're just saying that to cover up how the RS4 is so much better than the E46 M3? S cars have been known to be "in-between" a top-of-the-line non-M model and an M model.

"...the RS4..but sadly M3 rapes that too."

Oh, please... there's nothing to say here. The RS4 is so obviously better than the E46 M3 that it's a little sad to see you saying that. Badge whore.

GUYS follow the link to see the back of the car! I didn't bother uploading that one cuz i was busy at work

This BMW kills any Lexus, hands down!

cuz he like to see caws go round and round

Just you wait till the Lexus IS500 comes out EL34!!!
I think Lexus has better designs than BMW!!!

Why do always bring lexus????

"Chewy" as far performance goes the M3 beats the S4. The M3 & S4 are direct competitors, not the M3 & RS4.

You Audi guys have to compare the dated & less powerful M3 to the freshly released RS4 just to be able to put your cards on the table.

All Audi's got is 2 very good worthy competitors in their stable to out-do BMW...However almost the whole of BMW's line-up outdoes Audi in their respected classes.

""Chewy" as far performance goes the M3 beats the S4. The M3 & S4 are direct competitors, not the M3 & RS4."

"You Audi guys have to compare the dated & less powerful M3 to the freshly released RS4 just to be able to put your cards on the table."

First quote: Saying the RS4 isn't a competitor is like saying that it's too good, and I don't want my car to be beaten, so I'm going to cover it up. That's stupid. Audi created the RS4 for a reson- to destroy the E46 M3. And it's been very successful.

Quote two: You're doing the exact same thing with M3 vs. S4. I openly state that the S4 doesn't have as much dynamic prowess as the S4. S cars aren't meant to be direct M competitors; RS is.

"I openly state that the S4 doesn't have as much dynamic prowess as the S4."

Should read:

I openly state that the S4 doesn't have as much dynamic prowess as the M3.

And I don't ever think about it. I don't feel insecure about my choice, and I love my car. It has never-ending torque and a sweet sound.

"All Audi's got is 2 very good worthy competitors in their stable to out-do BMW...However almost the whole of BMW's line-up outdoes Audi in their respected classes. "

The only car that I really can give credit for here is 3 Series vs. A4.

A6 vs. 5 Series is definitely debatable... I'd probably buy an inline six 5er over a V6 A6, but not a V8 550i over an A6 4.2.

The A8 beats the 7 Series in every category... wow, ten horsepower. The A8 is still faster- it weighs two hundred pounds less!

Q7 and X5? We can't be sure. Q7 has gotten rave reviews. I have seen one new X5 review, but it didn't say much about the driving experience- I assume they didn't take it into the twisties.

The new TT has proven itself against the Z4. In TT coupé vs. Z4 coupé comparisons, TT consistently wins.

There is no RS6, and the S6 isn't meant to compete with the M5. If Audi wants to beat the M5, they will, with the new RS6. And it will have upwards of 550hp.

They have no X3 or 3 Series coupe competitor... yet.

I don't think I've forgotten anything.

Oh, except RS4 is so much better than E46 M3. I'm eager to see the new M3, though. It would be a shame if it isn't as good as the RS4-- but it will be.

how can comper a 2001 M3 vs a 2006 RS4

its like compering the old RS6 to the new M5

Wow, that's wrong.

Styling is subjective. IMO, there is no question as to where BMW's styling stands. Its awesome. Unlike Audis which reminds me of a chrome-out trashcans laying sideways with bigass mouth open wide for more trash to collect..the grill is heinous...previous generation Audi's on the other hand was one of my favorites..until audi decided to abruptly stick an oversized grill that doesn't quite fit with car's proportion at all. Designers of the yester year's Audi had it right all along.

anyhow..

I wouldn't even compare an Audi to a BMW M3s. BMW has always built an ultraigh-performance cars and I give them alot of respect for it. They never swayed away from their goal of creating all out performance cars. It wasn't built for a poseur, rather built for people who crave more everything.

The cornering speeds at which BMW can take on hold on the road is a mastery of BMW which has continued to improve upon faster and betterthan any other auto manufacturers in the world, period.

Unlike, MB where your head gets separated from your upper torso when you get T-boned..BMW also receives a "good" rating from the IIHS in 40mph frontal collision testing! Very impressive. Audi or MB just aren't upto par with BMW imo. If, I'm wrong..so be it..just my perception from the past to present readings. Their Torque loving 3.2-liter 6 cylinder rated at 333 hp is a plenty and just right. I hope they stick with this power and don't go all crazy like Lexus IS-500 are planning on doing. BMW's 333 hp to me is just perfect for this car..to be balanced with perfectly tuned suspension and needs no more. It has accomplished perfect balancing without sticking shitload of horsepower. At least for now...

I just hope BMW don't ruin a good thing by trying to be something else. ie technology leader or design leader or safety leader as some others tend to bolster..rather stick with your potential like BMW has always by doing everything collective well. BMW well do just fine, unlike Audi *except R8 or MB *except CLS500. I see CLS500 occasionally and they are probably the most beautiful cars you'll see in the planet.

Now, where should BMW go from here? focus focus focus on the 3-series. This is where BMW makes the most profit..I'm guessing around 70% of profit comes from these babies. I love everything about these new M3 and old M3 cars, whether you are an Lexus fan or not..BMW will do just fine.


Sheepdog

M3 coupe's direct competitor would be the RS4.

2007 BMW M3 will empty out $57,300 out of your pocket while Audi RS4 will rape your wallet with $66,000 bucks and as an complinmentary bonus, RS3 gives you a whopping 11mpg.

I meant RS4.

pardon me, i dont see how the S4 is not a competitor to the M3 if they are both in the same price range (except for one being a coupe and the other a sedan). More than anything, it should be price range that determines the class or categories in which cars should be pitted against each other. S4 and current M3 coupe do cost roughly about the same, RS4 starts at $66,000, it better out perform an M3 for $16,000 more. Also RS4 is newer than M3, duh, who brings out a new car with sub par performance in comparison to that of the existing competition in its class. New M3 will out perform current RS4, Then new RS4 will do the same, and the cycle goes on and on forever.

Can anyone imagine someday what if...if a Lexus and a BMW decides to build a car together? Each applying their BEST talents..BEST engineers from bothsides. BEST handling from BMW, BEST reliability from a Lexus...two of the best brains for a single car. It would be neither a Lexus or BMW. I'ld name it "F*cking Perfecting car".

Damn typo..."F*cking Perfect car".

What does this post have to do with Lexus? Nothing I can see. Why don't you stay on topic.

Yeah, check out your commentary asswipe..Your comments dont say a damn thing about anything either except for attacking me...I'll get my turn whore.

stop smoking crack.

That looks nice.. I like the coupe a lot. Hopefully this will come as sedan, coupe and touring:) not that i can afford it anyway:(
But i like to drive rear wheel drive cars (got a 316i e46), at winter i put on wintertyres and i fly throug the snow:) im sure if i get the ultragrip 7, it will even be better in snow and on icy roads.

This is going to be a beast.A monster.
Great.Great.Great.
I think only IS500 and some Acura/Infiniti GT-R would tame it.

JUGNU

Exactly, Jugnu. IS500 (horsepower overachiever?) and GT-R will definetely push the envelope even further at a faster pace with everything Japanese powerhouse have. At this pace...Japanese definetely will overpower Germans in given time..but for now..BMW M3 is the king. M3 is at the spotlight for now..I give them the credit it deserves.

Dis he just say Acura GTR. I know u mean nissan but i cant wait for the comparison because this M3 will beat the RS4, GT-R, IS500 and maybe even the C63amg dispite the HP advantages of some of them.

No, he said, IS500, Acura slash Nissan skyline GT-R.
You own a legimate crystal ball BMW FAN? Can I borrow it, please?

sheepdog

bmw fanboy-

Here we go again with your nonsense posts that you pull out of your ass with no facts to back them up.

sorry to fill you in, but the GT-R does not compete with either the M3 or the RS4. The GT-R is going to have at least 450hp out of a lightweight TT V6 and it will probably be priced close to $80k...a good amount above the RS4 and the M3. The GT-R will blow away both the M3 and the RS4 because the GT-R is competing against high performance sportscars like the 911 Turbo. I've seen estimates that the GT-R will go 0-60 in under 4 seconds.

What's next, the M3 will beat the F430 and the Gallardo?

Then again, I'm probably arguing with some little boy whose high school locker is plastered with tricked out BMWs that he hopes to someday own.

Nicehomer. I think you people are not aware of how a slash work. The words are supposed to be interchangable. eg his/her meaning his or her. So the only thing that would make sense is nissan/infiniti GT-R. meaning nissan or infiniti GT-R. Use a comma next time morons. Retards. LOL

Oh LOOOrrrd have a mercy.....I'm so sorry about that BMW fagboy..I promise it won't happen againeeeeeeee okay

NARunner
The M3 will have 415 to the 450 of the GT-R big difference. I am pretty sure that it will be heavier than the M3 whether they decide to use the TT V6 or the V8. Remember it will be AWD also adding more weight. So the M3 will be able to match it on the track.

can't argue with you any further because neither car is out yet. we'll just have to wait and see. Price-wise, the GT-R will not compete with the M3 and the GT-R has been seen testing side by side next to the 997 Turbo, think it's a coincidence? I doubt it. Nissan is sending a message by doing that.

Also remember that the E92 M3 will not just be an E46 with 400hp. A multitude of new electronic gizmos like drive by wire steering and braking and the 8 cylinder engine will add weight to the car, meaning that it will not perform like an E46 with 400hp.

The supercharged Dinan E46 S3 M3 (over 400hp) was tested by C&D in Jan 2006 and they got a 0-60 time of 4.4 sec, about the same as the RS4. The E92 will probably do no better than that. The GT-R will at least be 4.1 and with the AWD, and lighter construct, it will outperform the M3 around the track and on the street.

Bottom line, however, no one will be cross-shopping a sub 60K base price car with a 70K+ base price car, period. Likewise, Nissan would not plan on selling the GT-R for more than 70K, if you could get superior performance out of the 60K M3.

The Nissan Skyline GTR will go head to head with the Toyota Supra which edmunds is saying will also have 450 to 500 hp.
The BMW M3 and the Lexus IS500 will be about the same HP also.

The new M3 will out class the RS4 and the GT-R. It will be dynamically in a class of its own, or at least with much pricier cars. The Audi wont be able to run with this, the audi is nose heavy. Audi has always had a tendency to put there engines right up between the headlights of the car. I can guarentee the M3s V8 will be nesstled way back in the engine bay,giving it perfect wieght distribution, allowing the driver to put it into a controled drift if wanted, or the drive could take an aggressive line and the car will grip like theres no tommorow. The audi rs4 dosent have this kind of versatiliy, its almost impossible to drift an rs4, or have it challenge the driver the way a M3 can. BMW are cars that communicate with the driver, and gives an emotional experience..of excitement, similar to porsche and ferrari. please reply.

what you are describing is similar to the characteristics of the E46, but the new E92 I fear will communicate less with the driver due to the drive by wire steering and braking...

Also, in every review i've read of the RS4, I haven't seen one complaint about nose heavy handling. Not to mention, when I drive to work everyday, I'm not looking for my car to challenge me and i'm not looking to drift around the exit ramp corner. When I get in the car I want to have fun, which I could do in both an M3 and an RS4.

If you want a race car, buy accordingly, but a lot of the matters you bring up are subjective and depend on the driver's preference.

In my first post i meant INFINITI and ACURA GT-R.I used slash instead of comma because both cars are not confirmed yet,but there is a strong believe that they will debut nearly at the same time as IS500.

BTW agree with Nicehomer and NArunner,M3 can't and will never touch the Skyline GT-R.
That car is going to be the nightmare of Ferraris and Lamborghinis.

but it doesn't mean i am degrading M3,It's still the benchmark of everyday Sportscar,and really a car to beat in it's respective class/category.

JUGNU

thank you, finally someone who agrees that the GT-R is on another level than the european sports coupes/sedans

oh this car is perfect. S4cab.. the rs has more cache thatn a m?... only in fairlytale land, .. please take your vw and go home... its a piece of crap and unless you want ot drive fast in a substandard sedan in the snow (none of us do), we prefer the m and a winter beater. can you imagine this car as a cabriolet?