2014 BMW M3/M4, will it be tri turbo or not? Answer is sort of

[Kent]

Honestly, being that much lighter than its Merc and Audi competitors, I'm completely fine with the power level. Though this just means they're first in the new model sweep; the C and A4 are both about to be replaced, and I imagine both will have a focus on weight too, as well as a move to turbo power.

E46 weight with E92 bhp, and E39 M5 torque? I'm cool with that!

Agreed, seems very cool indeed. 👍

As for the rev-match non-sense... I didn't see people complain when Nissan did this with the Z years ago, I see no reason to complain now.

If anything I applaud them for giving the option to turn off the feature and at the same time, just giving us a standard clutch and stick format is surprising imho. I don't think the previous generation M3 had the option for a standard clutch&stick, could be wrong though.

 

[CodeRedR51]

I don't think the previous generation M3 had the option for a standard clutch&stick, could be wrong though.

According to this:

http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/BYO/standardfeatures.aspx?NAModelCode=133M

6-Speed manual is standard.

 

[motortrend]

People seem to be exaggerating with the weight sometimes, that 3300 is dry weight and probably not optioned. Anyway it's just a little heavier than the E46 and that's good considering it's bigger than the E92. Can't wait for the reviews, definitely seems like a fun car. I'll keep the S65 though.

 

[Kent]

According to this:

http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/BYO/standardfeatures.aspx?NAModelCode=133M

6-Speed manual is standard.

Sweet, for some reason I thought they only offered it with this thing.

 

[Crash]

Probably better for the drive-train too.

Having a computer precisely control the spinning rate of the drivetrain during shifts so that the clutch slips minimally will lengthen the lifespan of the clutch.

I have never heard of the need to perform Heel and Toe under casual driving (most of these cars will be used off track only).

I often heel and toe under casual driving.

If I want to go for performance with perfect shifts, I would buy the paddle shift automatic. What I believe is that an automatic blip takes away from the satisfaction of nailing the shift yourself, for me this is the only reason to buy the manual, I want the personal involvement. For people who don't care about this, there is the automatic.

But it's not black and white, it's not always only "personal involvement" or "performance" or "don't care about this." On a weekend drive in the mountains, I want personal involvement, but sitting in traffic at 7am on a Monday morning, before I've had my coffee, I don't care about personal involvement, in fact, automatic shifting would be nice. Having this feature, and the option to turn it off, is the best of both worlds, and allows me the option to choose as my mood wants.

 

[niky]

Only time I've ever had to heel/toe on the road is when driving a car with a busted clutch or idle air control valve.

 

[motortrend]

Having a computer precisely control the spinning rate of the drivetrain during shifts so that the clutch slips minimally will lengthen the lifespan of the clutch.

the synchros a as well, pre-owned owners will probably be thankful for that

 

[MatskiMonk]

People seem to be exaggerating with the weight sometimes, that 3300 is dry weight and probably not optioned. Anyway it's just a little heavier than the E46 and that's good considering it's bigger than the E92. Can't wait for the reviews, definitely seems like a fun car. I'll keep the S65 though.

Yeah, it's not been clarified properly yet, I'm just happy that not only is is not heavier (always a possibility with newer bigger cars), but they managed to drop some weight at least, CFRP trunk lid and frame, roof and roof brace must help to lower the CoG a fraction too.

Just found these specs on Bimmerpost:

WEIGHT
Under 3,306 lb (1500kg) weight

*this figure is without driver and with 90% fuel
*BMW clarifies that "the new model is now around 80 kilograms [176 lbs] lighter than a comparably equipped predecessor model"

compare to E46 M3 at ~3,400 lb curb weight
compare to E92 M3 at ~3,600 lb curb weight
compare to C63 AMG at ~3,900 lb curb weight
compare to RS5 at ~4,000 lb curb weight

~ 7.68 lb/hp power to weight
compare to E92 M3 at 8.7
compare to C63 AMG at 8.7
compare to RS5 at 9.0
compare to E46 M3 at 10.25

Fuel consumption and emissions reduction of 25%

Though it's not clear to me if these numbers are for the M4, or the M3 - I would have thought they'd be different

 

[niky]

90% fuel is around 100 lbs, depending on the size of the tank. Making it under 3,200 lbs completely dry (no fluids).

Impressive.

 

[MatskiMonk]

90% fuel is around 100 lbs, depending on the size of the tank. Making it under 3,200 lbs completely dry (no fluids).

Impressive.

What's more impressive, is the Fxx series BMW are still relatively conventional in their construction. The talk is that the next wave of BMW's, the Gxx models, starting with the G11 7 Series, will utilise more carbon fibre and aluminium in their basic construction, rather than just bits and pieces.

 

[Ezzz]

The weight savings is going to be a positive selling point, as all the tuned 335/435(or poor man's M3/M4) will not have that.

 

[AudiMan2011]

2014 M3 spotted in UK. Think they might be tuning the chassis for our roads so it doesn't ride like a rock.

 

[MedigoFlame]

Surprised no one's posted this yet... >_>;;

M3 and M4 are here:

Not sure if I should post in the 4-series thread.

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/12/11/bmw-m3-m4-leak-ahead-detroit-debut/

 

[Dennisch]

I can't be the only one who applauds BMW returning to a more agressive style of design?

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

As much as I dislike BMW I can't help but think the M3/M4 is looking wonderful, wish I could find more info on the engine...

Another twin turbo six cyl... A more expensive competitor to the ATS-V, but at least for the expense you get a somewhat better looking car with more power.

I forget what Mercedes has in this area since I usually follow the bigger sedans (E63, CTS-V, M5)

 

[CodeRedR51]

As much as I dislike BMW I can't help but think the M3/M4 is looking wonderful, wish I could find more info on the engine...

Another twin turbo six cyl... A more expensive competitor to the ATS-V, but at least for the expense you get a somewhat better looking car with more power.

I forget what Mercedes has in this area since I usually follow the bigger sedans (E63, CTS-V, M5)

CLA45 AMG?

 

[kikie]

The M3 seems to look better than the M4. I like that blue.

 

[MedigoFlame]

CLA45 AMG?

Incorrect, that would be the C63 AMG and Audi with the RS4.

I think the blue does pretty well, but blue feels spoiled now after the distasteful bright blues from Aston and Jaguar... It is a better shade though. And way to bring back the hideous yellow color that we remember so much from the E46...

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Incorrect, that would be the C63 AMG and Audi with the RS4.

I think the blue does pretty well, but blue feels spoiled now after the distasteful bright blues from Aston and Jaguar... It is a better shade though. And way to bring back the hideous yellow color that we remember so much from the E46...

I knew the Audi version, but other than great cars Audi is always the weakest in performance compared to everyone else in its class....so, I never bother to factor them in really.

Anyways thanks for clearing up the Merc though, that I couldn't remember 👍

 

[YSSMAN]

Don't get me wrong, the car looks okay, but it just isn't exciting. I'm finding it increasingly difficult to really get too far past the, "Yes, that's a pretty okay car" nature of current BMWs.

That being said, it is arguably the best-looking BMW to go on sale (other than the i8). So, they've got that going for them.



Bring on the ATS-V, Cadillac. Show BMW who's wearing the pants, now.

 

[motortrend]

I have to say I like the F30 more, though maybe in person it's a different story.
I'll just leave this here

 

[Azure Flare]

I don't really care for the blue (shock of the day), I like it in alpinweiß, as I did with the previous M3.

 

[McLaren]

Sound of the car is the achilles' heel, sadly....

 

[MatskiMonk]

Sound of the car is the achilles' heel, sadly....

I heard the M4 a month or two back since it was testing near where I work, it has a kind of taught raspiness and 6 cylinder smoothness all at the same time - it's a sound that probably doesn't come across very well in the videos.

 

[McLaren]

I heard the M4 a month or two back since it was testing near where I work, it has a kind of taught raspiness and 6 cylinder smoothness all at the same time - it's a sound that probably doesn't come across very well in the videos.

I'm just going by the video of it at, what I'm assuming is Ascari circuit. The exhaust has a bit of snort sound when the gear shifts, but overall, it doesn't sound as mean Incline-6s of the past.

 

[Vegard]

I'm just going by the video of it at, what I'm assuming is Ascari circuit. The exhaust has a bit of snort sound when the gear shifts, but overall, it doesn't sound as mean Incline-6s of the past.

That's turbocharging for you.
It has immense power though, peak torque well in excess of 370 lb ft / 500 NM from 2000 rpm and a plateau of a power curve. At 2000 rpm it has 70% more torque than the old one!
Combined with the lower mass, it will be on a different planet compared to the old M3. (In terms of plain acceleration)

 

[McLaren]

That's turbocharging for you.
It has immense power though, peak torque well in excess of 370 lb ft / 500 NM from 2000 rpm and a plateau of a power curve. At 2000 rpm it has 70% more torque than the old one!
Combined with the lower mass, it will be on a different planet compared to the old M3. (In terms of plain acceleration)

I figured that was the case. Just kind of disappointed because the ///M Engineers typically come up with a nice growl to go with the cars that this new M3 just doesn't seem to have. Eager to see what Dinan, Eisenmann, or hell, the inevitable "Sports" Exhaust BMW may release as an option.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

I figured that was the case. Just kind of disappointed because the ///M Engineers typically come up with a nice growl to go with the cars that this new M3 just doesn't seem to have. Eager to see what Dinan, Eisenmann, or hell, the inevitable "Sports" Exhaust BMW may release as an option.

Except for a couple years ago when those same guys put M3 and M5 exhaust sound through the speakers to amplify and fake the sound inside the cabin. So it wouldn't be the first time I've read or heard about an M car have disappointing sounds.

 

[McLaren]

Except for a couple years ago when those same guys put M3 and M5 exhaust sound through the speakers to amplify and fake the sound inside the cabin. So it wouldn't be the first time I've read or heard about an M car have disappointing sounds.

Those cars didn't have disappointing sounds, though. They still had a throaty V8/V10 sound outside the cabin which is where I've been hearing the new M4's exhaust. All those features do is just amplify the sound inside.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Those cars didn't have disappointing sounds, though. They still had a throaty V8/V10 sound outside the cabin which is where I've been hearing the new M4's exhaust. All those features do is just amplify the sound inside.

I rather they not, and I get what you're getting at but my point was I never thought those V10s and V8s were super throaty and I have got to experience driving around quite a few where I live.