BMW M3 spypics
- Thread starter Poverty
- 37 comments
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- gtp_jimprower
I lke the bottom two, but, I've said before, the prototypes look....boring....compared to the last gen.
- 5,987
Yes Jim, I agree. The back end especially looks too bland for a 400+hp sports coupe.
- 23,800
- Philippines
A little understated, but I like it. Looks much more taut and cohesive than the M6, and the design cues make it seem like that engine is bulging through the hood. It's a nice and tight design, and not as "Fat-Boyish" as original pics of the new 3-series coupes appeared.
Very muscular. The only thing really missing are the previous gen M3's side vents... but... oops, is that masking tape I see on the front fenders?
Actually, the whole thing is taped up. There is a wealth of detail hiding under the tape on the front bumper, on the lower end of the rear bumper, and on the wings. And from what I can see of the general shape, those details will make it a pretty sexy vehicle.
Very muscular. The only thing really missing are the previous gen M3's side vents... but... oops, is that masking tape I see on the front fenders?
Actually, the whole thing is taped up. There is a wealth of detail hiding under the tape on the front bumper, on the lower end of the rear bumper, and on the wings. And from what I can see of the general shape, those details will make it a pretty sexy vehicle.
- 21,286
- GR-MI-USA
- YSSMAN
- YSSMAN
I disagree with those of you who question the cars looks. This is exactly what the M3 SHOULD be, a quiet and rather unassuming sports coupe (or sedan?) with enough gusto to knock gloves with the likes of the 911, Corvette, RS4, etc.
I'm quite sick of people saying the car looks boring... If I'm not mistaken, every M3 has been boring with the exception of the original. They are sleepers, just as much as any Impala SS B-Body, Audi S6 Avant, etc.
I like this a helluva lot better than the rather extroverted styling that drapes on the M5 and M6. Those are over extravagant models with (IMO) rather under whelming performance all for way too much money. Granted, I'm probably the only one who thinks that, but hey, whatever. I still prefer the older models, less the SMG transmission, less the flame surfacing.
Back to the M3: Go for it BMW, you need to draw your high-performance base back to it's roots.
I'm quite sick of people saying the car looks boring... If I'm not mistaken, every M3 has been boring with the exception of the original. They are sleepers, just as much as any Impala SS B-Body, Audi S6 Avant, etc.
I like this a helluva lot better than the rather extroverted styling that drapes on the M5 and M6. Those are over extravagant models with (IMO) rather under whelming performance all for way too much money. Granted, I'm probably the only one who thinks that, but hey, whatever. I still prefer the older models, less the SMG transmission, less the flame surfacing.
Back to the M3: Go for it BMW, you need to draw your high-performance base back to it's roots.
YSSMAN
Even though my favorite M3 is the original, partly because of how awesome it looks, I completely agree here. The M3 is supposed to be something that only enthusiasts can spot.
YSSMAN
Underwhelming performance? You're talking about a couple of 4000-pound cars that can go from naught to 60 in well less than 5 seconds, lap the 'Ring in the company of sportscars, and reach over 200mph going flat-out, if they weren't limited to 155.
On top of that, the M5 gives you the same horsepower as a C6 Z06 for only $10,000 more, plus extra seats, two more doors, a much nicer interior, a pretty sizable boot -- the only penalty is a ~1000lbs. deficit and about 1.0 second off of the 0-60 time.
What more do you want?
- 1,579
Wolfe2x7
yssman
Er, eh? I like sleepers as much as you guys, but:
The E30 was not a sleeper:
1988 M3: http://www.s14.de/0104/10.jpg
1988 325i: http://www.blueridgebmw.com/_derived/bmw_3series3.htm_txt_325redside.gif
The E36 was not a sleeper:
1992 M3:http://www.supercars.net/PicFetch?pic=1995_bmw_m3-1.jpg
1992 328i: http://www.europeanstarmotors.com/photogallery/DSC01555.JPG
The E46 was not a sleeper:
2002 M3: Link removed by moderator - please double check your links...
2003 330ci: http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d605b3127cceb55bcbe0d4930000001610
Granted, it's not Impreza 2.0 to WRX STi differences. No gaylord wing on the back (I should know, I see it every day). But they're not S4 subtle. On every M3, no single body panel has been left unmodified. The engine & entire drivetrain is entirely different. Yes, you can get SMG on a 330i/Ci, but the gearbox is different. Suspension components & layout are different. Interior is different. It's a different car. Period.
Even Mercedes creates better sleepers, thanks to the AMG bodykit being available on an E320. I think the term "sleeper" is tossed around way too much, but I'm sure we have the import tunerz scene to thank for that. Time was, a beat-to-hell-and-back '88 Thunderbird with a blown Windsor was considered a sleeper, not a from-the-factory street racer special.
///M-Spec
Staff Emeritus
- 4,928
harrytuttle
Whoa there. Not every M3. The E30 M3 and E46 M3 had many body panels which were unique, but the E36 M3 was far, far more conservative. Every body panel on that one was indeed shared with your run of the mill 3-series, except for the front airdam, rear bumper and side rocker panels. Basically all the add-on plastic bits that were easy to change, but no sheet metal.
And while the powertrain was obviously a different animal, the US spec E36 M3 had a modified M50 motor from the 325. It did not have the race derived block, cylinder heads and individual throttle bodies the rest of the world had, but was rather a bored and stroked version of the 2.5 liter 325 motor.
Back in 1994, the M3 was very much a sleeper, particularly in the US where very few people had even heard of the name. When I had mine, almost no one knew what it was. To them, it was just another BMW coupe.
M
CodeRedR51
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- United States
VIPERGTSR01
And the beaten up Bonnet/Hood is riveted down, they must be really punishing the cars.
Looks to me like they are trying to hide the bulge in the hood.
- 4,035
- Gothenburg
- Agremont
Glad it's available with a 6-speed manual.
harrytuttle
The E30 was never called a sleeper by anyone in this thread. If you disagree, you should go back and read more closely.
The E36, as ///M-Spec and Poverty noted, was very conservative, perhaps too much so.
The E46 M3 is more noticable than an E36, yes, but not nearly as easily as an E30. An ordinary person will look at an E46 M3 and go "hey look, a BMW," and actually, most "tuner kids" will look at an E46 330i and go, "hey look, an M3!" Believe me, I've seen/heard it myself.
- 3,547
- Melbourne
- GTPr01 (GT); TheGTAFather (GTA)
From the looks of this car, I think our plan of buying an E46 M3 has gone right through the door.
Still, the E46 was the best looking generation of 3-series in my opininon.
Oh well, back to the drawing board for this one.
Also, what's the deal between the E39 series cars?
I understand they were built between the E36 and E46 gen and never had an M3 to their lineup, but that's about it.
I'm sure there's a simple answer, though I'd like to hear from you BMW enthusiasts first.
Still, the E46 was the best looking generation of 3-series in my opininon.
Oh well, back to the drawing board for this one.
Also, what's the deal between the E39 series cars?
I understand they were built between the E36 and E46 gen and never had an M3 to their lineup, but that's about it.
I'm sure there's a simple answer, though I'd like to hear from you BMW enthusiasts first.
- 1,579
///M-Spec
I guess ignorance isn't bliss; it's just ignorance. Living in the M division's largest market (75-mile radius from NYC), the only people who were confused about an M anything were those who choose their car based on color. Or their wine by Consumer Reports
I stand corrected on the E36 M3, though. Having not been much of a car fan until later in life, I was mislead on someone else's information on a car that preceeded my car fandom.
It's still not a sleeper. It's subtle, but not a sleeper. It's like saying the C5 Z06 is a sleeper because of the slight visual cues. What defines a sleeper is an outwardly slow-looking car (or just dilapidated) that in truth is quite fast. Or really loud.
GT Pro
The E39 is a 5-series and spawned what is probably the most popular (and arguably most attractive) M5 of them all:
The E39 M5 was the one that had the 400hp V8.
harrytuttle
That's your definition of a sleeper? I don't agree with it, but I won't argue against it, because I'd rather not get into semantics, here.
I'll just say this -- my definition of a sleeper is a car that looks like something ordinary, when it really isn't. The E36 and E46 M3's look enough like the "ordinary" 3-series cars to qualify, IMO.
Oh, and being loud never comes into it -- it's all about speed and cornering prowess.
McLaren
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Maybe so, but I have to agree with harry. The M5 is easily recognizable from the E39 5 Series. It even has front bumper to distinguish it.Wolfe2x7
Same with the E46. But I will partially agree on the E36. It does look like a normal E36, but has some subtle differences.
GT Pro
There was no 2006 M3 CSL -- as Poverty said, it was a limited production model. He was also correct in calling it the "911 GT3" to the M3's "911 Carrera"...the CSL had extra horsepower, lower weight (it even has a carbon-fiber roof and a cardboard trunk floor), a different front bumper, different rims (IIRC), high-performance track tires, a small lip spoiler on the trunk lid, and a significantly higher price.
The only other E46 M3 derivative has been the M3 GTR Strasse Version, which was a very, very limited production model that had a V8 and a real spoiler.
Then, of course, there's the M3 Competition Package, A.K.A. M3 CS, which is just an M3 with some performance-oriented goodies.
CodeRedR51
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Onikaze
Dual exhaust being the main one.
