How do you want the next M3 F3X to be ?

[BMW269]

Eventhough the next M3 does not come that soon, BMW is already working on it. I think it would be nice if we could give/share our desires for the coming M3, at that it could reach the ears of BMW, through insider Scott ?, so that BMW might change something, that is considered worthy, better or demanded, before it is to late. You can discuss any topic; design, specs, practicality, versions, options, handling, feeling,...... but try to be realistic (don't ask a TT V12).





I am going to start:

- 6MT beside DCT is a MUST.
- Approx. 1450 kg (DIN) vs. actual 1575/1600 kg (DIN). This possible, if the next 3 Series F3X weighs about 50 kg less, and the M3 getting a lighter engine, loses some other 50 kg.
- More pronounced and wider fenders, especially at the rear.
- 480 PS from the TT I6, balance is important for curves, power for straight lines.
- 8.000 rpm redline.
- Full leather option, ala M5/M6, meaning leather dashbord.
- More aggressive design, especially at the back.
- Only 4 seats.
- M3 as Coupé, Convertible, Sedan and even Touring.
- More attention to details like in Audi RS.
- Performance orientated packages (Competition, Clubsport, Evolution, Perfomrance or whatever) to come from the begining of production and not at the end.
- M3 to remain superior in all ways to the M1.
- M3 to remain the M flagship and the drivers car as BMW does not build any supercar.
- 2 seat choices: comfort (M3) and sport (BMW Performance) in the way Audi RS does it.
- CSL version: to come only one or two years after M3 lunch, be a very hard core car, be another 100 kg lighter than the standard M3, have a lot of CF, not be a limited production, cost 30.000 € to 40.000 € more than standard M3, but for this be the fastest M ever, as M want the M3 to remain the flagship and does not want to build any R8, SLS, 911, Ferrari, Lamborghini rival.
- More CF options for standard M3.
- MOTORSPORT EXHAUST SOUND and bigger exhaust tipps.
- Optional/Accessorial MOTORSPORT CF INTAKE
- 20" rims (optional), it is not good, but that is the size the others now have.

[aajami]

The two things that bother me the most with the E92 M3 are the weight and the seats. For the next version of the M3, I would love to see BMW shave some 400 pounds off of the curb weight (save the chuckles, gentlemen). I'd also like to see some more dedicated sports seats like what Audi does with its RS lineup, and MBZ with its C63 seats. Even the seats in my S2000 are nicer than the M3's.

Oh, and a naturally aspirated engine A boy can dream, can't he?

[jeff@autocouture]

Yeah but the audis seats in the us aren't that great nor are they adjustable, the new ones look nice but no sidebolster ftl

[Erhan]

Originally Posted by Levi

- 480 PS from the TT I6, balance is important for curves, power for straight lines.
- 8.000 rpm redline.

I don't see 8000 rpm redline coming from a turbo engine (except McLaren MP4-12C, even that has its peak power at 7000rpm).

All I'd ask them for the next gen is to reduce the weight, and use like 4.2litre NA V8 (~450hp). Which they won't. So I don't care what they do Which is why I'm buying a 2011 E92 soon.

[templarklimek]

all your ideas are good ones. There really is no reason that the next M3 has to have a TT-6. a beter idea is to use the 4.4L S65 motor used in the gts. You get a easy hp bump and save some cash on spec out a new engine AND keep the M3 as BMW's performance leader with a NA engine. id audi can do it with Rs-5 so can BMW. cafe standards are raised by other cars in it's lineup. Besides we dont buy M3's for gas mileage. I'm sure BMW could squeeze 460hp out of 4.4L engine. The engine is so good it doesn't need replacing. Just more Cf to save around 200-300 pounds.

Any thoughts as to why BMW must drop the V8? it's not a law or something.

And as BMW is encouraging ordering car rather than keeping inventory you should be able to customize as you wrote all options. My X6 has leather dash, it is superb.

[OC3]

Originally Posted by templarklimek

Any thoughts as to why BMW must drop the V8? it's not a law or something.

Probably because of the 'going green' thing, BMW's "Efficient Dynamics," etc.

But, with plenty other makes & models doing that, I don't get why BMW is doing it for M cars...

[donovan]

Simple, shed 400 pounds, bring back a CSL type, If porsche can build power plants with 400+ hp still a 6 cycl, why cant BMW. TT is ok, however I like the idea of N/A engine

400 less pounds
6 cyc N/A 450hp
Aggressive sound

[bigjae1976]

Next M3?
A better choice of colors for one (realistic)
Heads up display (realistic)
Keep the run flats off (doable)
Sexy-looking Brembo brakes (doable)
300-500 lb weight loss (pipe dream)

For the next 3 series, I would love to see some pedestrian-slaying front and rear bumper overhangs again!

[kmarei]

NA engine is gone
it's all turbocharged from now on
although i still think it was taking the easy way out
instead of working hard to make the NA engine more efficient, they just slapped on some turbos.
i just hope it has more than 450hp
if you look at the progression from e30 to e36 it went from 200hp to 286hp
from e36 to e46 it went to 343hp
and then to 414hp

we can dream as much as we want, but..
redline WILL go down
it WILL be turbocharged
it WILL be heavier

but i hope it will still be fun to drive

[White Shark]

1. No radio/iDrive option
2. Recaro
3. AWD option

[ES_TRADER]

I want it slower and heavier than the e9x. So mine will still be faster!

[cmk227]

Originally Posted by templarklimek

all your ideas are good ones. There really is no reason that the next M3 has to have a TT-6. a beter idea is to use the 4.4L S65 motor used in the gts. You get a easy hp bump and save some cash on spec out a new engine AND keep the M3 as BMW's performance leader with a NA engine.

Are you nuts.. Mercedes engine is a piece of shit.. and this comes from a guy that owns two of them....

IN reference to BMW, please keep ///M as it own brand. I love the unique of the brand... Have more advertising because you have a beautiful car and a wonderful brand....

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by kmarei

i just hope it has more than 450hp

I would like BMW to focus more on the hp/weight ratio more than a hp ##...although it may not be realistic for marketing purposes.

If the next M3 could drop 700-800 lbs then maybe it could stay NA and be more efficient. Although I would imagine that amount of weight loss would really increase the cost of an M3.

But we can also blame worldwide legislation for the hefty weight of our cars.

[donovan]

Slim fast for the m3 lol..

[ihyln]

bmw doesn't care how we want it to be. with the M3 GT on paper it appears they are in some kind of delusional state

[BMW269]

Naturally aspirated engine is IMPOSIBLE. ALL cars are getting turbos, from 1.0l I3 upwards. Next E AMG is getting 5.5l V8 BT, next S6/RS6 is getting 4.0l V8 BT, next C AMG is getting a FI V6, and next RS4 is getting a supercharged V6. If you want naturally aspirated engines you need to lower the cars weight, and this costs money, that is why Porsche is more expensive than BMW. If the next M3 F3X is 50 kg lighter than the actual one, it is already a very good thing, as it will have M3 GTS hp/weight ratio.
But to power, now M going FI, it is important to have high power. BMW M's were better car than their powerful turboed rivals, because they had a good balance, weight and power delivery. Now it is going to be a different thing.
What is sure is that all the M3 E9X owners wanting NA engines will either have to keep their M3 or get a Porsche, Lamborghini or Ferrari.

[BMW269]

Originally Posted by GhostRideTheWhip

If you want light, Get a P-Car.

The problem with the P-Car is that is looks really ugly and boring (IMO), and that an Audi or Merc is much more sexy.

[SchnellM3]

Unfortunately NA engines are going to be a thing of the past :'(

I just hope that they don't make them more "out there" for everyone, I hope that we won't loose the exclusivity that the M badge has always had and what its stood for in the true enthusiast community.

[Eau Rouge]

I really don't care what the M3 F3x will offer in the way of performance given confirmation that generation five not follow historical M philosophy.

Expectations based on tidbits gathered to date...

...the next gen M3 exhaust will not sound as good...
...reduced redline...
...will be no lighter; in all likelihood heavier...
...will be longer and wider...
...will cost more...
...will be available only as an automatic...
...and most importantly, normally aspirated motors for the M3 are kaputt.

It's sad to see BMW choose to move away from NA to the historically problematic turbos, but that's its management's decision. My decision is to look elsewhere for what M will no longer offer is easy though replete with disappointment toward a venerable manufacturer that has "gotten it right" for years on end, but now, for reasons of its making, seems willing to part company with a number of customers that have been its greatest supporters/enthusiasts for two decades and change. Where there's a will there's a way: Apparently there's a deficit of will somewhere in Munich.

[Erhan]

Slightly off topic, but does anyone know why they don't use supercharger for the M cars? In my mind, if you HAVE TO use FI for a performance car, at least use supercharger. Perhaps I'm missing something.

[and79]

Some good ideas so far on this, lose some of the weight somewhere between current M3 and GTS, some proper leather bucket seats like porsche offer. I agree with templarklimek on using the GTS engine. 6 pot (at least) callipers on the front, 6MT a must! All in all weight loss needs to happen, increasing engine power will allow more performance in a straight line but losing weight means more performance everywhere else as well e.g braking, conering, acceleration not to mention better fuel consumption (although not too fussed on fuel economy!)

[arter]

Originally Posted by erhanh

Slightly off topic, but does anyone know why they don't use supercharger for the M cars? In my mind, if you HAVE TO use FI for a performance car, at least use supercharger. Perhaps I'm missing something.

turbocharger systems will have better gas mileage at the same hp level compared to supercharger systems in most cases.