M3/M4 [Spy Shots] 2014 BMW M3 (Impressions, SpyPhotos, Renderings)

[SCOTT27]

The German auto publication Auto Zeitung have begun to speculate on the next BMW M3 Coupe (F32). Whilst some of the details especially of the front end are very similar and not far from exact of the new 3er Sedan. The Coupe repeats the formula that begun with the current 3er Coupe (E92) and offers a car that is more sleeker and sportier than the relevant sedan. A Design formula that has made the E92 our most successful 3er Coupe yet.

Here the artist has introduced a car that looks neither sleek , nor sporty but rather stubby , and the inclusion of CS Concept wheels adds more lack of believeibility. The aerodynamics packet seems to indicate a direction seen with the Gran Coupe Concept with vertical scoops being one such look being pursued by the M division design team.
The rear view mirrors conform to a new angular approach and is shown here to be very similar for the upcoming M cars in the next two years.

The next M3 will remain as a Coupe and Cabrio. The Sedan is not part of the product plan although there is discussion ongoing on whether to add a Touring model or indeed another variant.

 

[Levi68]

Could you tell what is so costly to build M versions on different body forms?
BMW decided to build again an M3 Sedan (E90). Why did not BMW build an M3 Touring, just as there is (was) and M5 Touring, to rival RS4 Avant and C 63 T, eventhough M Touring are sold less then the rivals, about 2.000 units? Isn't is now, all about niche models (Z2, X4, 3GT,...)?

 

[Mr Robert]

The indeed other variant should, logically, be the 3GT M. Right?

 

[Centurion]

Could you tell what is so costly to build M versions on different body forms?

The cost varies depending multiple factors:

Factory capacity: This is a big one. If the M factory is operating at max capasity then giving birth to an additional M model might entail expanding production lines or factories.

Technical challenge: M5 touring took quite sometime to be unveiled and this was down to technical obstacles on the rear axle in order to make the car as good as the coupe.

Marketing costs: A model that has never existed before or one that needs to be revived is mighty costly to bring to market.

Customer base: Last but not least there must be a large enough customer base over a 6 year period to generate enough revenue to recover the costs listed above but also to yield profit.

 

[footie]

I am sure this has been debated else where and over many threads but why would BMW consider giving the F30 M3 the same basic engine as the 1M which in itself is nothing more than a reworked N55 from the 335i?

Don't misunderstand this comment as I am not saying this engine is a poor example of FI or anything, only this it's a missed opportunity to develop a unique engine for the M3 like that of the S65 which was never seen in any ordinary model. I know many here are against the idea of a V6 but there are many plus points to choose this design over their traditional inline 6, unique being one of them.

Either way I am pretty confident that BMW will make a fair fist of it and produce another cracking M3 as they have always done, though I just think given the chance I would have done things differently.

 

[SKY]

I am sure this has been debated else where and over many threads but why would BMW consider giving the F30 M3 the same basic engine as the 1M which in itself is nothing more than a reworked N55 from the 335i?

Don't misunderstand this comment as I am not saying this engine is a poor example of FI or anything, only this it's a missed opportunity to develop a unique engine for the M3 like that of the S65 which was never seen in any ordinary model. I know many here are against the idea of a V6 but there are many plus points to choose this design over their traditional inline 6, unique being one of them.

Either way I am pretty confident that BMW will make a fair fist of it and produce another cracking M3 as they have always done, though I just think given the chance I would have done things differently.

SCOTT has confirmed the F22 M3 engine is gonna be an uptuned N55 engine. So I think we can expect something like 450 hp, wich is fine to me, if the car is lighter than the current one.

I agree I would prefer a entirely new engine, and not to see an M car with the same engine as the top version of the standard car, but the N55 is just a piece of art, M has a very good basis.

 

[Cashmere]

The next M3 will remain as a Coupe and Cabrio. The Sedan is not part of the product plan

BMW gave birth to the sport sedan yet here they are unsure, if they're going to build one for the next gen. Why?

Yes the coupe outsells the sedan, but the E90 M3 is by no means a sales flop. If there was no E90 M3, alot of the BMW market share would have probably gone to the C63 / RS4.

 

[footie]

SCOTT has confirmed the F22 M3 engine is gonna be an uptuned N55 engine. So I think we can expect something like 450 hp, wich is fine to me, if the car is lighter than the current one.

I agree I would prefer a entirely new engine, and not to see an M car with the same engine as the top version of the standard car, but the N55 is just a piece of art, M has a very good basis.

I am almost sure weight will go down, if anything is to be learned from the RS5 it's that 30hp doesn't cut it if weight increases. I must agree that it's not a disaster to have the M3 using this engine, though it has been shown against some rivals that the N55 isn't the best sub 3L FI engine in production anymore, though I am sure M-Division will work their hardest to change this opinion. I think until we see how well the 1M is received we will all be a bit concerned by the prospect of the M3 using this engine as it's foundation.

 

[bmer]

BMW gave birth to the sport sedan yet here they are unsure, if they're going to build one for the next gen. Why?

Yes the coupe outsells the sedan, but the E90 M3 is by no means a sales flop. If there was no E90 M3, alot of the BMW market share would have probably gone to the C63 / RS4.

Yeah, it's weird as I've also understood the M3 Sedan has sold quite well. Even stranger is Scott's comment that they are evaluating the prospect of an M3 Touring instead. Surely a sedan M3 will sell more than a wagon version. Although, I'd much rather see an M3 Touring than an X3 M.

 

[south]

I am sure this has been debated else where and over many threads but why would BMW consider giving the F30 M3 the same basic engine as the 1M which in itself is nothing more than a reworked N55 from the 335i?

It was this week's news that the 1M's engine will be based on the N54, not on the N55. It's correct that the F3x M3 engine will be based on the N55, but I guess the term 'based on' is to be understood quite loosely in that context.


Best regards,
south

 

[footie]

It was this week's news that the 1M's engine will be based on the N54, not on the N55. It's correct that the F3x M3 engine will be based on the N55, but I guess the term 'based on' is to be understood quite loosely in that context.


Best regards,
south

I didn't realise I had wrote N55 instead of N54, thanks for highlighting this.

On the subject since you have joined the discussion, what's your opinion on this prospect of a non-unique M3 engine? In any case I struggle to see the benefits of using a longer inline 6 when there is so many benefits in packaging with a Vee.

But then again what do I know.

 

[footie]

Yeah, it's weird as I've also understood the M3 Sedan has sold quite well. Even stranger is Scott's comment that they are evaluating the prospect of an M3 Touring instead. Surely a sedan M3 will sell more than a wagon version. Although, I'd much rather see an M3 Touring than an X3 M.

You might think that, but outside of the US the RS4 sell better in estate form than saloon.

 

[Mr Robert]

You might think that, but outside of the US the RS4 sell better in estate form than saloon.

I guess the UK is an important market in that respect. Here in Sweden I think the Avant is about as common as the sedan.

I would go for an RS4 Avant, much on account of the evil RS2

On the subject since you have joined the discussion, what's your opinion on this prospect of a non-unique M3 engine? In any case I struggle to see the benefits of using a longer inline 6 when there is so many benefits in packaging with a Vee.

I guess emotions are important when selling a car like this.

The prospect of a off the mill M3 engine isn't the most amusing news one could get, but I guess south has a point here, and it will be instrumental; how much is left from the mundane unit in the M derivate.

 

[bmer]

You might think that, but outside of the US the RS4 sell better in estate form than saloon.

But that might have something to do with the RS2. For one, I don't think the C 63 AMG T-model is nearly as popular as the C 63 AMG Sedan.

 

[south]

I didn't realise I had wrote N55 instead of N54, thanks for highlighting this.

Why the question about the F3x M3 and 1M using the same engine, then?

On the subject since you have joined the discussion, what's your opinion on this prospect of a non-unique M3 engine?

I'm not sure what to believe about that engine yet, there are just too many differing rumors. That being said, I'm quite sure that the changes for that engine over the N55 will be at least as big as what they did with the S63.


Best regards,
south

 

[footie]

I guess the UK is an important market in that respect. Here in Sweden I think the Avant is about as common as the sedan.

I would go for an RS4 Avant, much on account of the evil RS2

I must admit the RS2 might have something to do with this, though I think the looks of Audi Avant might have as much to do with this.

I guess emotions are important when selling a car like this.

The prospect of a off the mill M3 engine isn't the most amusing news one could get, but I guess south has a point here, and it will be instrumental; how much is left from the mundane unit in the M derivate.

You and South are quite right in saying it's really too early to predict what will be different. But I can only repeat the sentiment that I would have liked a unique engine configuration instead of something that has been around for an age, though in the end it's the result that counts most.

 

[klier]

I am sure this has been debated else where and over many threads but why would BMW consider giving the F30 M3 the same basic engine as the 1M which in itself is nothing more than a reworked N55 from the 335i

Like it was in the E46 M3, you mean??? Because it will be exactly the same as in the E46 gen.

 

[footie]

Like it was in the E46 M3, you mean??? Because it will be exactly the same as in the E46 gen.

I personally never liked the E46 M3 engine, it's scream as it approached the redline was one of the most annoying sounds to my ears, I know each to their own but that's how I felt about that engine. The only saving grace is that this one will be turboed and as such the redline will be lower and most of that scream will be muzzled.

But the fact remains that the engine is based on a design that has been around for ages, in one form or another. At least with the current M3 BMW dared to be different and boy did it play off, if only they did something similar and chop 2 cylinders of the new M5 lump we would have the connection between the two models and a link between all future M cars (bar the 1M of course) because the X5/6M, M5 and M6 will all use the same basic engine and a v6 derived version in the M3 would complete the line up. Not only that but it would allow for better packaging under the bonnet that might benefit not only pedestrian safety but handling as well.

 

[Mr Robert]

Yeah, choping a couple of cils from the V8 would be the easy way, I guess, but a V6 is so unsexy.

I love the S54 and even more so in CSL specification. The noice is pure love... chainsaw in a tin can - doesn't really get any better than that.

 

[footie]

Yeah, choping a couple of cils from the V8 would be the easy way, I guess, but a V6 is so unsexy.

I love the S54 and even more so in CSL specification. The noice is pure love... chainsaw in a tin can - doesn't really get any better than that.

Tell me, do you dislike the noise made by the current M3? After all it's not an in-line 6 that so many crave.

Also you claim V6 isn't sexy, what about an V6 Alfa? Now there was one of the most glorious sounding engines of all time.

Anyhow, when turboing there is benefits to be had with a Vee formate. I wonder did McLaren think "what about making the engine in-line instead of a Vee?". Doubt it.