New M3

[Brucelee]

This month's Automobile mag has a great article on the new V8 powered M3 that will be coming out.

I have to say, the engine alone sounds very very impressive.

A compact all-alloy 4 lite V8 that weights 33 lbs LESS than the 320 HP inline 6 it replaces.

Torque is 295 lbs with 88% available at 2400 RPMs. HP is 414.

Hmm, not bad at all for a NA engine I would say.

Redline? 8400 RPM. Yes, that is 8400.

Wowwie Zowie! Hats off to BMW for this engineering effort.

Also hats off for breaking convention and going to a V8 after SO MANY years with the inline motor.

Sometimes different IS better.

Also, while you are at it, check out the latest Calaway Corvette.

0-100 MPH in around 8.3 seconds.

NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[John V]

Originally Posted by Brucelee

A compact all-alloy 4 lite V8 that weights 33 lbs LESS than the 320 HP inline 6 it replaces.

No surprise there. The previous inline-6 S54 had an iron block to cope with the high revs that engine turned.

A high-revving V8 makes a lot more engineering sense than a high-revving I-6.

Too bad the car overall is going to be so heavy.

JV

[Brucelee]

The new M3 has gained 94 HP and 20 lbs in total weight.

So heavy????????????

[YellowJacket]

Originally Posted by Brucelee

The new M3 has gained 94 HP and 20 lbs in total weight.

So heavy????????????

I think this is the same atittude that people on this board complain about from non-Boxster owners.

The Boxster? "Too bad you couldn't afford a 911"
The S2000? "Too bad you have to redline it to hit triple-digit horsepower"
The new M3? "Too bad it's so heavy"

I'm with Brucelee on this one -- the new M3 is an amazing piece of engineering, and I can't wait to share the road with it-- or better yet, if the wifey will let me -- share the garage with it!

[z12358]

3500lbs is not too much for a V8 coupe, at all. Looks like a great car overall. YJ, that was too much garage info that I cared to learn.
Z.

[John V]

Originally Posted by Brucelee

The new M3 has gained 94 HP and 20 lbs in total weight.

So heavy????????????

The car as a whole has gained more weight than you think, when you compare equivalent cars. BMW's own "unladen" figures (which actually include 75kg of extra weight over an empty car) predict that the new car is 66lbs heavier than the old one.

However, it was possible to option an E46 M3 to be down in the 3300lb weight range by deleting power seats, sunroof, leather, etc. The E92 M3 will not go lower than 3470ish based on the latest reports. Although I do like that they took weight off the nose - exactly the OPPOSITE of what Audi has been doing lately.

A 170lb weight gain is A LOT. Maybe not to you, but to me, lighter cars are more fun in general. The M3 will be a great, fast street car, that is for sure. For people like me looking to compete, we will look elsewhere.

Ya, they even made carbon fiber roofs for the e46's. They need a CSL model of the new M3 that has carbon fiber bumpers, roof, hood, trunk, rear seat delete (kinda like the GT3), and carbon fiber sport seats. All of those parts are availible for the e46 so it can be done. Probably also have carbon fiber doors, fenders, and other stuff for sale too.

[mylamb]

If you want to actually hear the new V8 at the 'Ring, check this out. It's brief, but it'll make you want to buy one.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=G5DFjwkExYg

[Brucelee]

Originally Posted by boggtown

Ya, they even made carbon fiber roofs for the e46's. They need a CSL model of the new M3 that has carbon fiber bumpers, roof, hood, trunk, rear seat delete (kinda like the GT3), and carbon fiber sport seats. All of those parts are availible for the e46 so it can be done. Probably also have carbon fiber doors, fenders, and other stuff for sale too.

The new M3 has a CF roof (for sure) and hood I believe. Plastic front fenders too.

They have done much to keep weight the same and add 96 HP. I think they have done fine.

When is the last time Porsche added 96 HP in a model revision?

[Brucelee]

Originally Posted by John V

The car as a whole has gained more weight than you think, when you compare equivalent cars. BMW's own "unladen" figures (which actually include 75kg of extra weight over an empty car) predict that the new car is 66lbs heavier than the old one.

However, it was possible to option an E46 M3 to be down in the 3300lb weight range by deleting power seats, sunroof, leather, etc. The E92 M3 will not go lower than 3470ish based on the latest reports. Although I do like that they took weight off the nose - exactly the OPPOSITE of what Audi has been doing lately.

A 170lb weight gain is A LOT. Maybe not to you, but to me, lighter cars are more fun in general. The M3 will be a great, fast street car, that is for sure. For people like me looking to compete, we will look elsewhere.

According to the 3 reports I read, the car gained 20 lbs.

[John V]

Originally Posted by Brucelee

According to the 3 reports I read, the car gained 20 lbs.

You have to read between the lines. They never say the cars are comparably equipped.

I've seen enough E46 M3s on scales to know what they really weigh. It's a lot more than 20lbs heavier.

Still, it's a GT. It's not meant to go to the track (the brakes won't survive more than a couple laps anyway), it's meant to cruise public roads. And for that, it'll be a brilliant car.

[Brucelee]

I forgot to mention that the new M3 has a new optional automatic trans.

Dual clutch SEVEN speed auto.

Not bad.

[Jeph]

Originally Posted by Brucelee

I forgot to mention that the new M3 has a new optional automatic trans.

Dual clutch SEVEN speed auto.

Not bad.

Though technically, it's not an automatic. It's a manual that shifts automatically. Tiptronic is an automatic.

[Brucelee]

Originally Posted by Jeph

Though technically, it's not an automatic. It's a manual that shifts automatically. Tiptronic is an automatic.

What is the practical difference???

[John V]

The practical difference is that it can shift faster than a traditional manual but does not have the parasitic losses and slow response of a traditional automatic.

I'd still take the regular stick shift. But I'm sure it will be worlds better than BMW's previous auto-clutch manual, the SMG, which was just horrendous anywhere except on a track.

[Brucelee]

Originally Posted by John V

The practical difference is that it can shift faster than a traditional manual but does not have the parasitic losses and slow response of a traditional automatic.

I'd still take the regular stick shift. But I'm sure it will be worlds better than BMW's previous auto-clutch manual, the SMG, which was just horrendous anywhere except on a track.

I have heard that nobody likes the SMG.

It will be interesting to see how this new trans performs.

Candidly, I think it is time for a new Tip in the Boxster.

[dapper_boxster]

That thing is a bloody beast I tell ya