New M3 spy shots

[TNT]

New BMW M3 Coupe First Spy Photos
by Hans G. Lehmann
Copyright by Lehmann Photo-Syndication
03-23-2006

Convertible caught with top down
The powerful M-version of BMW’s 3-series is scheduled for launch next year only. The 3-series M will be available as coupe, convertible and four door. For the first time power will come from a V8 powerplant. It is a 4.0 litre engine delivering 415 HP, transmission is a seven speed SMG gearbox. A traditional six-speed manual transmission will be offered as an option.
Four photos from this set are showing for the first time an M3 coupe prototype from all angles on a test drive in Munich featuring the large air intakes at the front end, wider fenders and four exhaust pipes. Another year later BMW will launch an M3 convertible - and a four door version.
Two more photos are showing the 3-series coupe in full showroom trim (these two photos were mildly computer generated). The 3-Series coupe will also get power from BMW’s new six cylinder Bi turbo engine delivering 300 HP. Clearly visible on the prototype: the corresponding two exhaust pipes.
Another two photos are of the upcoming new 3-series convertible with the top down, the other photo is from our files and shows the retractable steel roof as close up.


http://www.germancarfans.com/spyphotos/6060323.001/6060323.001.mini1L.jpg
http://www.germancarfans.com/spyphotos/6060323.001/6060323.001.mini2L.jpg
http://www.germancarfans.com/spyphotos/6060323.001/6060323.001.mini3L.jpg
http://www.germancarfans.com/spyphotos/6060323.001/6060323.001.mini4L.jpg
http://www.germancarfans.com/spyphotos/6060323.001/6060323.001.mini5L.jpg
http://www.germancarfans.com/spyphotos/6060323.001/6060323.001.mini6L.jpg
http://www.germancarfans.com/spyphotos/6060323.001/6060323.001.mini7L.jpg
http://www.germancarfans.com/spyphotos/6060323.001/6060323.001.mini8L.jpg

[r2r]

I have a sad feeling its not going to look anywhere as good as the current M3. :|

[dutchmasterflex]

The blue E90 looks like a photoshopped version of the new turbo 335i...

I feel like the body of the new M3 is still in design. Hope it looks good :wink:

[RC45]

Well - what a sorry looking M3 that is ... ;)

Remember, car designs are completed long before the first mules appear.

While the mules may be disguised, the point is that by the time the mules appear, the design is done.

[bmagni]

so far so good


Remember, car designs are completed long before the first mules appear.

While the mules may be disguised, the point is that by the time the mules appear, the design is done.

right, but they dont test with the final product.

[RC45]

so far so good


Remember, car designs are completed long before the first mules appear.

While the mules may be disguised, the point is that by the time the mules appear, the design is done.

right, but they dont test with the final product.

But the final design, for better or worse.. is already done.. ;)

And it is probably more worse than better :P ;)

[blinkmeat]

Ya - it's gonna look like a fucking Honda - just wait

[bmagni]

so far so good


Remember, car designs are completed long before the first mules appear.

While the mules may be disguised, the point is that by the time the mules appear, the design is done.

right, but they dont test with the final product.

But the final design, for better or worse.. is already done.. ;)

And it is probably more worse than better :P ;)

nah, ive really liked the 3 series so far, if they continue like this, i bet something really cool is gonna be the final product, theyre going the right way... its gonna be an RS4 killer

[TNT]

i think the engine will almost out do the looks we'll see :D

[gofetch06]

Im a little dissappointed if it turns out the way the blue one looks. Theres no "ooooo" factor here. the front is the best looking part of the car and the sides look like they were stripped from a CLK. :?

[ae86_16v]

Time to bump this Topic. . .

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12990

http://img327.imageshack.us/img327/7582/attachment14zw.th.jpg (http://img327.imageshack.us/my.php?image=attachment14zw.jpg)http://img327.imageshack.us/img327/5728/attachment24po.th.jpg (http://img327.imageshack.us/my.php?image=attachment24po.jpg)
http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/8379/attachment34il.th.jpg (http://img130.imageshack.us/my.php?image=attachment34il.jpg)http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/7294/attachment8yu.th.jpg (http://img130.imageshack.us/my.php?image=attachment8yu.jpg)

[Pehtren]

still looks like a Honda Civic to me.

Bbbbulllshit :lol:

I like it it will be an Rs4 killer :twisted:

[dutchmasterflex]

Compared to the flamboyant Audi TT, yes it does look like a civic..

But it would tear that faggy TT a brand new asshole, which I'm sure it would love.


This is the best shot of the new M3 so far.. Look at that beautiful wide body.. who can say no to that sexy shape?
http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/8379/attachment34il.th.jpg[/img]

[Sir_GT]

yup... it is looking good

[evoWalo]

Nice looking Honda Civic

[sads]

Whats worng with people its a M3 for frks sake its gonna be a monster and look great like every M3 ever has. The early shots look good and with a better choice of wheels and uncovering all the camo it will look sweet

[DeMoN]

I was hoping on getting an M3, but if the design isnt good, then I cant do it.

[Sir_GT]

http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/8379/attachment34il.jpg

It looks pretty good in this photo. Almost like a touring car.[/img]

[DeMoN]

those taped up headlights look better than the original. They should have gone thin like what we can see there.

[ae86_16v]

Like the M Roadster, it looks like they'll go w/ creases on the hood instead of the "Power Budge" in the E46.

[SnakeBitten]

Ugly....The front looks like a Pontiac and the rear like a Honda....the car looks like an American/Jap hybred.....Ill take the current M3 over this one any day...I cant see this one looking any better by production time...

[spidey007]

dudes

you can't see the final looks ... :s

it is not going to be sold with tape on :roll:

bmw won't sell it if it isn't better and prettier than the current one

He is gonne be awesome

[RC45]

bmw won't sell it if it isn't better and prettier than the current one

Yes they will and they have - each and every Bang-Bus design is such.

http://e46m3performance.com/gallery/autox_03.jpg

The new one has NONE of the key features that makes this one of the best shapes any car has ever had.

The new 3 is a big pile of dog s....... :)

[Pehtren]

For some its a pile of dog s....., for some (me) its one of the best car designs, and im very happy that Bangle has styled BMWs, and the new M3 will look very naughty :twisted:

[coloradosilver]

bmw won't sell it if it isn't better and prettier than the current one

Yes they will and they have - each and every Bang-Bus design is such.

http://e46m3performance.com/gallery/autox_03.jpg

The new one has NONE of the key features that makes this one of the best shapes any car has ever had.

The new 3 is a big pile of dog s....... :)

They could slap a BMW logo on a pile of cat shit and it would still sell.

[r2r]

They could slap a BMW logo on a pile of cat shit and it would still sell.

Yes, but by different type of people!

[saadie]

They could slap a BMW logo on a pile of cat shit and it would still sell.
ohh man .... gotta try that out ... :roflmao:

[saadie]

:lol: :lol:

[r2r]

They could slap a BMW logo on a pile of cat shit and it would still sell.

will dog shit do?

http://www.sniffpetrol.com/AdBMWshit.jpg

:lol: :lol:

“The ultimate dog shit with our badge stuck to it” instead of " The ultimate driving Machine" :D

[chest3r]

^ The shape is very similar to the E46 M3 one. I really hope so :D

It's getting better, in this last spyshots :o

[Nick6]

I have a sad feeling its not going to look anywhere as good as the current M3. :| Same here. :(

[DeMoN]

Anyone else find it weird that if you go to the thread where the pictures were first posted (the m3post forum) not many people have replied? I mean, you'd think that m3post guys would go crazy on some spy pics which does not seem to be the case right now.

[ZfrkS62]

i'm going to reserve comment until i see the finished product, but i have a feeling it's going to take a long time to be accepted as a good looking car, much like the E65 is, just by reading what you guys are saying. The E46 is a damn good looking car and an aggresive one at that.

What i am looking for is a stern front end and a pissed off stance. Something that says don't fuck with me while it's sitting still, and something that inspires nervousness in the person whose rearveiw mirror is being filled with the grill and stare.

Granted the M cars have pretty much all looked like sleepers, however the E46 M3 was a bit of a mold breaker in it's appearance. If you look at the two recent M5s, and the E36 M3, first glance doesn't reveal anything special unless you know what you are looking at.

Given the bar set for future M3's by the E46, the E90 is going to have to pull off a miracle of a compromise between the two styles. One that i don't know if the designers can really pull off just yet.

Now the E90 M3 Sedan, that really doesn't have too much of a bar to live up to since the last 4 door M3 was the E36, which in itself was a brilliant sleeper for it's day wether it be US or Euro spec.

I have a very good feeling though that the new V8 will make up for the styling shortfalls, and will be furthur backed up by the handling charachteristics. Hopefully they will have solved the over-dampened/under-sprung set up that gave the E46 it's harder ride. The double pivot front suspension is greatly going to help out as it has already proven itself to do with E90.

In any case, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but performance is undisputable :wink:

[DeMoN]

Do you think the v8 will b enough? If it beats the RS4 (wich looks awesome), then at least it'll have something against the audi.

[Akmon]

I think the front looks very very bad but I hope they will find a proper design for the back, so it's doesn't look like a Honda

[dutchmasterflex]

You really think the RS4 is that good looking? with its ricer lookin gills on the front spoiler? The car looks like a chubby riced out A4. What I liked about the previous S and RS models were that they were only slightly different from they're base models. (wider track, wheels, arches)


I can safely say this now, before the final production model is out..

The new M3 will not only look better than the RS4, but it will also be much more fun to drive.

[Neema702]

^^^ dont kidd yourself... the new RS4 looks f*ckin sick, and its def. gonna look better than the E90. I'm just hoping the E90 can perform the way it should.

[DeMoN]

Anyone knows the deal with the 2 door and 4 door M3?

Is this still going to happen?