M3/M4 E92 M3 discussion thread III

[Deutsch]

E92 M3 spotted for the 3rd time

11:30AM driving down Ventura Blvd. on my way to Chipotle on Topanga blvd. driving next to me is the infamous California tested Blk. E92 M3. I rolled my window down all the way so I could get some of the exhaust sound, lucky for BMW they have some really poopy test drivers, the guy barely touched the throttle, but you could still hear the engine spool up as any would at low speed RPM's. I noticed the car had a Mickey mouse towel hanging over the headrest on the drivers side, must have been pretty hot in there. I paced him three blocks before we parted, he seemed to know that I was an enthusiast becasue when i attempted to give him the thumbs up he quickly turned his head as if he was some Hollywood celebrity caught by the paparazzi. I also got a good look at the brakes while at a stop, pretty massive. I think nows the time for BMW to unveil the damm car, spy photo's and sightings are ruining it for us. They've tested the living hell out of this car.

 

[MickeyTER]

If anyone lives near redondo beach, hermosa beach, and manhattan beach here is some info. Every morning i drive north on sepulveda/pch...anyway around 4:30 AM i spotted an M3 e92 and an M3 e90 following right behind it. I quickly busted a bitch (u-turn) and made pursuit. I finally caught up with them about 2 lights down and rolled my window down to get the drivers attention i quickly asked him what the hell is hiding behind the camo on the bumper. The light turns green, he smiles and takes off with the e90 m3 right behind him (im like dammit) so i catch up with him at the next few lights (these cars were hauling ass , 4:30ish AM hardly any cars on the road it was a sight to see) Anyway before i could say anything he notified me that professional pictures without any camo would be leaking very soon. I dont know exactly what he meant by leaking but i gave him the thumbs up and before i know it green light and both cars jet. Once again i caught up with them around 3 lights down. He told me that for the next 3 days he and his partner would be driving this same route (starts from LAX ends up somewhere in redondo im assuming) same time 4:00 AM they start i thanked him for the info and the light turned green again...the bullets took off again, they were really pushing these cars. It sucked because i wanted to follow them again but i had to go to work =( but i couldnt take the smile off my face for the whole day physically seeing these cars booking it was amazing. By the way the driver of the e92 was very friendly and Im going to see if i can catch him again for the next few days for more details. --Mickey

 

[Matt]

^ I go to school at LMU and I have seen the e92 M3 heavily camoed at a gas station on Lincoln near Marina Del Ray... No way in hell I would get up that early, unless I happen to be up that late....Obviously college students are on different schedules than the real world! Osna, your near by arent you?

 

[south]

A flash teaser on BMW official sites will appear even earlier.

So in a week or two ...

Almost two weeks are over now, teaser must appear pretty soon, right???
Can't wait it...

Best regards, south

 

[ILC32]

Almost two weeks are over now, teaser must appear pretty soon, right???
Can't wait it...

Best regards, south

It has been pretty quiet here lately. I can almost hear crickets chirping in the background!

The Chicago Auto Show is opening to the general public today. The media preview has already been held. The only new car shown by BWM is the Alpina B7. The show continues through next weekend, IIRC. It may be that BMW will make no announcements until after the show is concluded. I think it would be odd for BMW to announce -- or even preview in teaser form -- a new product during a major auto show without making the preview at the show itself. (Granted the Chicago Auto Show is not even considered the most important show in North America, but nevertheless I think it is still a major show in the scheme of things.)

So I think it will be at least another 10 days before anything is previewed.

 

[south]

It has been pretty quiet here lately. I can almost hear crickets chirping in the background!

The Chicago Auto Show is opening to the general public today. The media preview has already been held. The only new car shown by BWM is the Alpina B7. The show continues through next weekend, IIRC. It may be that BMW will make no announcements until after the show is concluded. I think it would be odd for BMW to announce -- or even preview in teaser form -- a new product during a major auto show without making the preview at the show itself. (Granted the Chicago Auto Show is not even considered the most important show in North America, but nevertheless I think it is still a major show in the scheme of things.)

So I think it will be at least another 10 days before anything is previewed.

That could be right! But I hope you're wrong and we'll see a teaser this week...

I'm so desperately waiting for this small beast that I read the whole A5 thread.....

Best regards, south

 

[chonkoa]

It has been pretty quiet here lately. I can almost hear crickets chirping in the background!

The Chicago Auto Show is opening to the general public today. The media preview has already been held. The only new car shown by BWM is the Alpina B7. The show continues through next weekend, IIRC. It may be that BMW will make no announcements until after the show is concluded. I think it would be odd for BMW to announce -- or even preview in teaser form -- a new product during a major auto show without making the preview at the show itself. (Granted the Chicago Auto Show is not even considered the most important show in North America, but nevertheless I think it is still a major show in the scheme of things.)

So I think it will be at least another 10 days before anything is previewed.

Something tells me we will have to wait for Geneva Autoshow to see this beauty.

 

[ILC32]

A little new info . . .

Today at the BMWCCA meeting at the Chicago Auto Show, I spoke with Martin ______ [did not catch his last name], head of BMW motorsport activities. He gave a general talk to the club about new products such as the 335, X5, B7, etc. He said last year was an active one for M, with the introduction of the 6 speed M5, M coupe and M6 convertible. This year "will be a little quiet." He said that the new M3 would not be available until "next year." He said the convertable would follow a year later, and they are still studying whether to offer the sedan. He said also that the sedan was the top selling body style for the E36 M3, but then he said that there was no sedan in the E46 version, but the E46 outsold the E36.

I had a chance to ask some questions on a one-on-one basis after the general presentation. I asked if the concept will be shown in Geneva, and he said "I have read that. . ." and smiled. I then asked what cars BMW is benchmarking the car against, and he said AMG and "S" Audis. He did NOT mention any Porsche or other manufacturer. I asked him about the RS4, and he said that of course that is one of the cars that is a competitor and we "will not be disappointed." He indicated that the RS4 of course has AWD, but M does not consider that appropriate for its cars. He said Audi is following a strange strategy with the S and RS lines, and that now that the RS4 is available, sales of the normal S are "way down." He said the 335 is really the competitor to the S4. He said the RS4 at $66,000 is a "pricey bit of kit" and I told him I was glad he thought that. I asked about the carbon roof for the M3, and he said we'll see. I asked about the HUD and he said that they did not adapt the system to the 3 series because of cost of the option was judged to be such that they would not sell enough HUDs to 3 buyers to justify adapting it for use in the 3 (or I assume the M3).

I told him I was very disappointed that DSC could not be fully disengaged in the manual M5, and he said "I hear you loud and clear." I told him that would be a dealbreaker for me if DSC could not be engaged. He said not to worry.

Sorry guys that is all I got to ask him. I am kicking myself that I did not ask about the DSG box.

One last thing -- during the general presentation, someone claimed to own a CSL in Germany. Martin told the guy he was lucky, and he should hold on to the car because it is a classic. I asked Martin whether there would be a new CSL, and if so whether it would be available in the US. He avoided answering that one!

 

[LaArtist]

Re: A little new info . . .

^wow thats some hot info
i think that sedan issue is .. us only..and that BMW will make one for europe atleast..
and i share his view on audi RS and S..
the thing about the DSC is sounding promising..

to bad you didnt ask him about the tranny..

and there has to be one CSL..atleast for europe..otherwise i might start to cry.. and never stop..haha

 

[BeeAmDoubleU]

i unno, i got my moneyon both e90/92 for the liscense plate being on the trunk, NOT the bumper

 

[chonkoa]

Re: A little new info . . .

^wow thats some hot info
i think that sedan issue is .. us only..and that BMW will make one for europe atleast..
and i share his view on audi RS and S..
the thing about the DSC is sounding promising..

to bad you didnt ask him about the tranny..

and there has to be one CSL..atleast for europe..otherwise i might start to cry.. and never stop..haha

Following the industry trend, and the latest info about BMW products, I am strongly inclined to believe there will be an E90 M3 in the US.

 

[Zafiro]

Re: A little new info . . .

He said that the new M3 would not be available until "next year." He said the convertable would follow a year later,

it must suck to live in US? Europe gets the car earlier

 

[south]

Re: A little new info . . .

it must suck to live in US? Europe gets the car earlier

Yeah, three cheers for Europe!

 

[ILC32]

Re: A little new info . . .

it must suck to live in US? Europe gets the car earlier

I look at it as an opportunity for you guys to work out the bugs before I buy the car!

 

[Kowalski]

How much horsepower the new M3 will produce?

I heard it will output 400 Bhp. Sorry, but if that is true, then I am disappointed with BMW.

400 Bhp was a pretty brisk mark back in 1999, but now in 2007 TVR can get that much power out of a normally aspirated straight six engine, on a budget of only 50 pence.

The new M3 should produce at least 440 to 460 Bhp.

 

[EMpower]

How much horsepower the new M3 will produce?

426hp per latest reports.

it must suck to live in US? Europe gets the car earlier

Thanks for rubbing in.

 

[Zafiro]

The new M3 should produce at least 440 to 460 Bhp.

M3 isnt only about horsepowers, its about driving dynamics. Leave the horsepower to AMG. M3 seem to be getting 426hp, thats enough if the weight is okey as well.

 

[klier]

The power gap between E39 M5 and E46 M3 was 57 hp (400 vs 343 hp)

I hope the gap will be around the same number again, so around 440/450 hp for the E92 M3

 

[carnuts3]

Re: A little new info . . .

Following the industry trend, and the latest info about BMW products, I am strongly inclined to believe there will be an E90 M3 in the US.

I hope you're right. Otherwise, I just might have to switch and become a member of the Audi forums. If no E90 M3, then most probably there will be a RS4 in my garage...

 

[SCOTT27]

Re: A little new info . . .

"The mind sets your goals and inspiration. But only your heart gives you the commitment and determination to achieve them...."