Sighted: BMW M3!

[Submariner]

2006 BMW M3 Spy Photos
by Przemek Lis, Contributing Editor
Photo credits: Hussein Al-attar
edited 02-28-2005

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Update - 07/21/2005



Seen here driving on the German N?rburgring is the first prototype of BMW's much anticipated M3.  These photos confirm our original report (see story below) of a 4 door M3 being brought back into the model range since the E36 platform.  We also reported the M3 would receive a V8 engine.  If you look closely at the hood you'll notice the entire center has been sectioned out and replaced with a specially fabricated cover.  It cannot be determined from these photos if the cover is steel or another material, however, it is clear that the purpose of this modification is to compensate for a larger engine.  Other indicators of this prototype's intentions can be seen in the massive cross-drilled front and rear brake rotors as well as dual split exhaust pipes carefully hidden under the rear bumper fascia.  Unfortunately this prototype is not having a full dress rehearsal since M3 styled front and rear fascias are absent as standard 3 Series bumpers take their place.



Original Story from 02/28/2005



In 2006 BMW will kick it up a notch in the sports coupe market with the much anticipated next generation E90 M3.  Both Coupe and Cabriolet models are planned with a new addition of a 4 door sedan not seen since the E36 platform.



The initial idea considered was a 4 door M3 saloon and a 2 door M4 coupe. But recently BMW has changed their minds and keep the legendary M3 coupe alive. Internal pressure from the BMW board was too great to kill it off.  Therefore, the M3 coupe, M3 saloon and an M3 cabriolet in addition to an M4 2 door coupe/cabriolet will be developed.  Did you get all that?



(Edit: The M4 will be a coupe/cabriolet = 2 door coupe with folding hardtop)



The M3 coupe will feature a 6 Series like glasshouse with the possibility of a new distinct interior.  The front will sport a new aggressive yet subtle bumper while the rear will display quad exhausts like the new M5.  Power will come from a new lightweight V8 producing around 400hp and uses the latest dual-VANOS variable valve timing system.  New engine building technology and lightweight materials mean the engine should amazingly weigh the same as the outgoing 3.2 liter in-line 6 cylinder from the current E46 M3 but with considerably more power.



During early testing of the cabriolet version of the 3 series BMW experimented with both a normal canvas roof and a hard folding top but decided on the canvas due to weight savings and maintenance.



The new M3 is slated to arrive in early 2006 with a 2005 Frankfurt debut and the cabriolet will have a Geneva 2006 debut with sales beginning in summer 2006.  The SMG transmission will come standard and a CSL version of the coupe with excess of 420hp is being planned as well.



The M4 will also feature theV8 engine mentioned above in the M3 and should go on sale later.  No further details are known.  A concept for the regular 4 Series is slated for Frankfurt in September.



Editor's note:

Originally published as: "During early testing of the cabriolet version of the 4 series..."   Edited 03/24/05 to read "During early testing of the cabriolet version of the 3 series..."

Link to Pics

[giant_mtb]

Wait...I thought the M3 was a coupe...  :blink:  

[Raghavan]

Wait...I thought the M3 was a coupe...  :blink:

the current E46 is, but the new one will also be a sedan.

[giant_mtb]

Wait...I thought the M3 was a coupe...  :blink:

the current E46 is, but the new one will also be a sedan.

Hmph...I'm not sure I like that.  <_<  

[BMWDave]

That is by no means a finished mule from the looks of it...the front should be enhanced a lot more.

[giant_mtb]

That is by no means a finished mule from the looks of it...the front should be enhanced a lot more.

Oh you're right...I hadn't noticed that before.

[Raghavan]

Wait...I thought the M3 was a coupe...  :blink:

the current E46 is, but the new one will also be a sedan.

Hmph...I'm not sure I like that.  <_<

the coupe and convertible versions will still be available youknow.

[giant_mtb]

Wait...I thought the M3 was a coupe...  :blink:

the current E46 is, but the new one will also be a sedan.

Hmph...I'm not sure I like that.  <_<

the coupe and convertible versions will still be available youknow.

Well yeah I know, but how exciting is a 4-door M3?  Not very, IMO...sort of takes away the image of the M badge...4 doors?  That's like GM putting 4 doors on the Charger...doesn't really make sense.

[BMWDave]

Wait...I thought the M3 was a coupe...? :blink:

the current E46 is, but the new one will also be a sedan.

Hmph...I'm not sure I like that.  <_<

the coupe and convertible versions will still be available youknow.

Well yeah I know, but how exciting is a 4-door M3?  Not very, IMO...sort of takes away the image of the M badge...4 doors?  That's like GM putting 4 doors on the Charger...doesn't really make sense.

umm...M5??

[giant_mtb]

Wait...I thought the M3 was a coupe...  :blink:

the current E46 is, but the new one will also be a sedan.

Hmph...I'm not sure I like that.  <_<

the coupe and convertible versions will still be available youknow.

Well yeah I know, but how exciting is a 4-door M3?  Not very, IMO...sort of takes away the image of the M badge...4 doors?  That's like GM putting 4 doors on the Charger...doesn't really make sense.

umm...M5??

Yeah but the M5 has V-10 power, no?

[BMWDave]

Wait...I thought the M3 was a coupe...? :blink:

the current E46 is, but the new one will also be a sedan.

Hmph...I'm not sure I like that.  <_<

the coupe and convertible versions will still be available youknow.

Well yeah I know, but how exciting is a 4-door M3?  Not very, IMO...sort of takes away the image of the M badge...4 doors?  That's like GM putting 4 doors on the Charger...doesn't really make sense.

umm...M5??

Yeah but the M5 has V-10 power, no?

So?

[giant_mtb]

Wait...I thought the M3 was a coupe...  :blink:

the current E46 is, but the new one will also be a sedan.

Hmph...I'm not sure I like that.  <_<

the coupe and convertible versions will still be available youknow.

Well yeah I know, but how exciting is a 4-door M3?  Not very, IMO...sort of takes away the image of the M badge...4 doors?  That's like GM putting 4 doors on the Charger...doesn't really make sense.

umm...M5??

Yeah but the M5 has V-10 power, no?

So?

So it is very fast regardless of the amount of doors.  But a 4-door M3 won't be nearly as exciting as its 2-door counterpart, which is why I think they should just keep the M3 as a two-door.  But of course I know nothing about BMW, so don't mind my ranting!    :ph34r:  

[BMWDave]

Wait...I thought the M3 was a coupe...? :blink:

the current E46 is, but the new one will also be a sedan.

Hmph...I'm not sure I like that.  <_<

the coupe and convertible versions will still be available youknow.

Well yeah I know, but how exciting is a 4-door M3?  Not very, IMO...sort of takes away the image of the M badge...4 doors?  That's like GM putting 4 doors on the Charger...doesn't really make sense.

umm...M5??

Yeah but the M5 has V-10 power, no?

So?

So it is very fast regardless of the amount of doors.  But a 4-door M3 won't be nearly as exciting as its 2-door counterpart, which is why I think they should just keep the M3 as a two-door.  But of course I know nothing about BMW, so don't mind my ranting!    :ph34r:

Have some self confidence

Seriously though, the M3 is a much smaller car than the M5, and 400 hp should be more than sufficient...there was a 4 door M3 before, and its a hoot to drive...it just has more practicality.

[TBR]

Okay, if I have this right the M4 will be smaller than M3 with a fold hard top, right? Glad to see that the M3 sedan will be back, about time someone gives Audi a run for its money!  

[R33 GT-R]

I spied one myself today, convertible as well.

[BMWDave]

^^Buy it

[R33 GT-R]

^^Buy it

It only has 17k miles on it but it's too small for what I'm looking for.

[BMWDave]

^^Buy it

It only has 17k miles on it but it's too small for what I'm looking for.

I hear they sold the 7er?

[R33 GT-R]

^^Buy it

It only has 17k miles on it but it's too small for what I'm looking for.

I hear they sold the 7er?

That guy nailed it to the T, he said to get back with him within 2 hours.  I was like he's full of crap, it'll be there a few days.  Then I go back to the site and it has sold next to it.  Pissed, that was the best deal anyhere on that number of miles and super clean.   :angry:  

[BMWDave]

^^Buy it

It only has 17k miles on it but it's too small for what I'm looking for.

I hear they sold the 7er?

That guy nailed it to the T, he said to get back with him within 2 hours.  I was like he's full of crap, it'll be there a few days.  Then I go back to the site and it has sold next to it.  Pissed, that was the best deal anyhere on that number of miles and super clean.   :angry:

Next time you see a deal like that, snatch it up fast :)

[R33 GT-R]

This is more my size but they will be a problem when the new one hits.  This one is fine though and it's only got 26k miles on it, not bad for an 03 model.

[BMWDave]

How much does that M3 cost?  Its beautiful    

[R33 GT-R]

How much does that M3 cost?  Its beautiful  

They are asking 41,200 for the 3 so you cold get it around 39.  The 5 is going for 56,900 so it could be had around 55k.

[R33 GT-R]

Dave here is a link to their inventory, take a look at the cars.  They have the best pics of what they have for sale out of any other site I've searched.  Tons of pics all over the cars.

Select Luxury

[BMWDave]

How much does that M3 cost?  Its beautiful 

They are asking 41,200 for the 3 so you cold get it around 39.  The 5 is going for 56,900 so it could be had around 55k.

That M5 is really, really, nice!  I would check it out B)

[R33 GT-R]

How much does that M3 cost?? Its beautiful?

They are asking 41,200 for the 3 so you cold get it around 39.  The 5 is going for 56,900 so it could be had around 55k.

That M5 is really, really, nice!  I would check it out B)

I've always loved the M5 but with the new body style out now it scares me to think of even heavier depreciation.  

[BMWDave]

How much does that M3 cost?? Its beautiful?

They are asking 41,200 for the 3 so you cold get it around 39.  The 5 is going for 56,900 so it could be had around 55k.

That M5 is really, really, nice!  I would check it out B)

I've always loved the M5 but with the new body style out now it scares me to think of even heavier depreciation.

Its still a very, very solid car B)

[R33 GT-R]

How much does that M3 cost?? Its beautiful?

They are asking 41,200 for the 3 so you cold get it around 39.  The 5 is going for 56,900 so it could be had around 55k.

That M5 is really, really, nice!  I would check it out B)

I've always loved the M5 but with the new body style out now it scares me to think of even heavier depreciation.

Its still a very, very solid car B)

That's a good positive, it's tried and true.  You know it's going to be comfrotable and perform when needed.

[BMWDave]

How much does that M3 cost?? Its beautiful?

They are asking 41,200 for the 3 so you cold get it around 39.  The 5 is going for 56,900 so it could be had around 55k.

That M5 is really, really, nice!  I would check it out B)

I've always loved the M5 but with the new body style out now it scares me to think of even heavier depreciation.

Its still a very, very solid car B)

That's a good positive, it's tried and true.  You know it's going to be comfrotable and perform when needed.

I would check it out

[R33 GT-R]

I'm not sure about the red inserts either.