also, what do you think the likelihood of this is?

Personally, I hope it remains the M3. So much history & tradion. But i have a feeling it will be M4 :screwy:

would there be an M3 and an M4? weird

I don't believe it, that is marketing suicide.

I don't care.

I wouldnt be mad, but Colt might.

That would be quite lame.

Just another reason to leave the marque.

For historical purposes and name recognition reasons, I hope that they stay with "M3". BMW showed in the recent past that it's willing to name M vehicles differently from their source series: the 1M is a good example.

would be dumb to re-brand the coupe as an M4, but with the current leadership at BMW, it wouldn't be out of the question.

Heritage isn't a priority to modern BMW, it's all about revenue

I hope it does because nothing about a turbo car represent what the M car has stood for over the past 30 years! let the M3 name die with the E92 M which had a V8 that actually represented ///M engineering. Anybody can make a TT car have power...only the GT3 and F430 rival the hp per liter the ///M cars made.

Gotta love when ppl say its all about revenue, its ALWAYS been about revenue!!!!!!!! How else would the company run if there was no revenue. What other business out there do you know thats not about revenue/profit...

I hope it does because nothing about a turbo car represent what the M car has stood for over the past 30 years! let the M3 name die with the E92 M which had a V8 that actually represented ///M engineering. Anybody can make a TT car have power...only the GT3 and F430 rival the hp per liter the ///M cars made.

The sedan will still be called m3. coupe and vert will be m4

I hope it does because nothing about a turbo car represent what the M car has stood for over the past 30 years! let the M3 name die with the E92 M which had a V8 that actually represented ///M engineering. Anybody can make a TT car have power...only the GT3 and F430 rival the hp per liter the ///M cars made.

ehh.. not quite. honda has had multiple engines making 100-120 hp/L for years already, starting in 1989...

Would I be mad? no. Would I think it's lame? yea.

If it's M4, P-car here I come.

If it's M4, P-car here I come.

And the decision has been made, simply because of the name change... :laughhard:

ehh.. not quite. honda has had multiple engines making 100-120 hp/L for years already, starting in 1989...

yeah well a 120hp 4 banger isn't exactly the same thing as a high revving 343hp inline 6, or 500hp V10.

I don't get why people think that honda's small engines are somehow the same engineering marvel found in high performance sports cars.

And the decision has been made, simply because of the name change... :laughhard:

That's right... if BMW were to be so stupid and actually get rid of the M3 name-- which is the most iconic and recognizable M model in the line-up (starting with the E30; the M3 coupe was and is the standard bearer for the M division)-- for "marketing purposes" (like producing garbage like the X5M and X6M) it means the company is heading in the wrong direction. I choose to take my money elsewhere. It's not just "simply because of the name change" my friend-- as any M enthusiast will tell you, M3 is more than just a name. Sorry if you don't understand that.

also, what do you think the likelihood of this is?

Personally, I hope it remains the M3. So much history & tradion. But i have a feeling it will be M4 :screwy:

would there be an M3 and an M4? weird


It (M4 moniker on coupe) will happen.
:agree: with your second statement.
Yes to simultaneous existence of brand new M3 & M4 designated models.
For those of us that will have an E9x M3 when the M4 coupe arrives, we will be correct in saying that we own the last of the M3 coupe breed. :)


would be dumb to re-brand the coupe as an M4, but with the current leadership at BMW, it wouldn't be out of the question.

Heritage isn't a priority to modern BMW, it's all about revenue

:agree:

Gotta love when ppl say its all about revenue, its ALWAYS been about revenue!!!!!!!! How else would the company run if there was no revenue. What other business out there do you know thats not about revenue/profit...

True, but the quest for profit these days is at an all time high as witnessed by the manufacturer's management's choice of sacrificing its decades old philosophy on the altar built to the money gods whereas in the past the patronage to the money gods had excluded the selling of the manufacturer's "soul". We're witnessing a Faustian bargain that will eventually end badly for the company. BMW in many ways (e.g. relatively high eco-awareness, efficiency over performance) remind me of the current Honda management's approach to car building ten years ago. Look at where Honda is today...slipping farther and farther behind the competition even as the public's mood generally has become less and less inclined to forego what they, the consumers, really desire by embracing cars built with eco considerations, efficiency first, second and third rather than performance, fun purpose built cars. :twocents:


I hope it does because nothing about a turbo car represent what the M car has stood for over the past 30 years! let the M3 name die with the E92 M which had a V8 that actually represented ///M engineering. Anybody can make a TT car have power...only the GT3 and F430 rival the hp per liter the ///M cars made.

I hear you brah! :thumbsup2:


ehh.. not quite. honda has had multiple engines making 100-120 hp/L for years already, starting in 1989...

yeah well a 120hp 4 banger isn't exactly the same thing as a high revving 343hp inline 6, or 500hp V10.

I don't get why people think that honda's small engines are somehow the same engineering marvel found in high performance sports cars.

Mr.B///MW nails the crucial distinction, IMO. If extracting the power/performance from a 6, 8 or 10 cylinder engine was anything less than a massively more challenging problem than it is to do the same with a four banger, there would be a slew of manufacturers that either had or were currently achieving such a feat. Building a house out of LEGO pieces is a tad easier than building one to sell as a residence. ;)


That's right... if BMW were to be so stupid and actually get rid of the M3 name-- which is the most iconic and recognizable M model in the line-up (starting with the E30; the M3 coupe was and is the standard bearer for the M division)-- for "marketing purposes" (like producing garbage like the X5M and X6M) it means the company is heading in the wrong direction. I choose to take my money elsewhere. It's not just "simply because of the name change" my friend-- as any M enthusiast will tell you, M3 is more than just a name. Sorry if you don't understand that.

It's always the consumer's decision as to where his money will go; as it should be. :thumbsup2: And I agree with your assessment of the manufacturer's direction. While measured greed is good for profit making, unlimited greed invariably ends badly, and I suspect that BMW is nowhere near being an exception to that fact. Mistakes have been made and continue to be made, heads will roll sooner or later; probably later.

BMW has changed its naming scheme where all the odd number 1,3,5,7 are regular cars and 2,4,6,8 are high performance. I think this makes choosing a car less overwhelming for the new customer. Bear in mind they will also be offering sport, modern, luxury trims which increases the permutations. A person who buys a BMW usually considers Audi and Mercedes as well. This new naming scheme will be synonymous with Audi's. Expect future m3 and m5 to be sedans, m4 and m6 to be coupes.

For historical purposes and name recognition reasons, I hope that they stay with "M3". BMW showed in the recent past that it's willing to name M vehicles differently from their source series: the 1M is a good example.

This, IMO was more to respect the M1 moniker. Even though it probably won't even be up for discussion for the next 10 years, someday we day see an M1 remake...or at least that's what i like to tell myself

Gotta love when ppl say its all about revenue, its ALWAYS been about revenue!!!!!!!! How else would the company run if there was no revenue. What other business out there do you know thats not about revenue/profit...

100% correct. True BMW has always had a rich racing heritage but people get too emotionally attached to things and it's definitely always about the bottom line.

If it's M4, P-car here I come.

And the decision has been made, simply because of the name change... :laughhard:

Hahaha not a bad compromise.

That's right... if BMW were to be so stupid and actually get rid of the M3 name-- which is the most iconic and recognizable M model in the line-up (starting with the E30; the M3 coupe was and is the standard bearer for the M division)-- for "marketing purposes" (like producing garbage like the X5M and X6M) it means the company is heading in the wrong direction. I choose to take my money elsewhere. It's not just "simply because of the name change" my friend-- as any M enthusiast will tell you, M3 is more than just a name. Sorry if you don't understand that.

I'm sure a lot of enthusiasts will feel the same way. It's one thing to give it a shot trying some variants (x5M x6M), but its another to take what enthusiasts have always loved about the M3 (high-revving NA engines) and go in a new direction.

that would be a big mistake on BMW's part, there has never been a 4-series and much less an M4. Stick with what works, it's mind boggling to me why they would ever do something like that, they really need a new marketing department if this goes down...

yeah well a 120hp 4 banger isn't exactly the same thing as a high revving 343hp inline 6, or 500hp V10.

I don't get why people think that honda's small engines are somehow the same engineering marvel found in high performance sports cars.

why not? the same level of engineering has to go into it, its just a smaller engine, for a smaller, lighter car. i think its a bigger feat to get that much power out of a small engine. if it was so easy "everyone would be doing it" just as someone else said...

i dont get why people discount small engines as if they were built by a monkey with a chisel

marketing suicide, it is

i dont get why people discount small engines as if they were built by a monkey with a chisel

Okay more like 2 or 3 monkeys with computer. I was wondering why I found fur in my interior after buying my Accord.

For one thing, it would totally screw over the future for the M3forum, mods you may want to see if M4forum.net is availible. Secondly, I don't see them producing an M4 until they produce a 4-series coupe. That said, the next gen M3 may only come in Sedan, if they indeed are going to produce a 4-series coupe. It does not make sense to have the new 3-series badged as a three series, have no 4-series then make an M4, it would be out of the norm for every M car made. They always make the normal version first, then come with an M.

:facepalm:

I for one would be mad, yes.

The noose is getting tighter and tighter.

Who gives a crap anymore in what they name it; the M3 is so far away from what it's original formula was. It is not a race focused car but now a premium car brand meant to compete with Mercedes Benz's cushy AMG slushbox wonder, the C63. it has become which maker will produce the better slushbox car. That's progress I guess.

I've looked on the internet and I've found anything from rumors about a 4 series getting the M4 moniker to the M4 being the coupe model of the new F82 model, to the M3 keeping it's name as the sedan.

It does seem that Everywhere I look up the F80/ F82 it mentions M4. It seems odd that BMW PR would let these rumors to flood the internet without some truth to them. It's not like the M3s ever needed to generate much hype because all the magazines made it their poster child.

I think it makes sense to call it the M4 since it's not naturally aspirated but is not wise to completely get rid of the M3 badge and the history that comes with it. I'm bias though because I want the e9x series to be the last M3.

Here are some links.
http://www.bmwblog.com/2011/09/03/rumormill-bmw-m3-sedan-and-bmw-m4-coupe/
http://www.worldcarfans.com/111123039350/2014-bmw-m4-speculatively-rendered
http://www.roadandtrack.com/future-cars/first/2013-bmw-m3

M3 to M4? They will go down. I hate the number 4.

Couldn't care less as long as it's fun to drive.

I'm sure a lot of enthusiasts will feel the same way. It's one thing to give it a shot trying some variants (x5M x6M), but its another to take what enthusiasts have always loved about the M3 (high-revving NA engines) and go in a new direction.

LOL lets be real here. Other than the E30 M3, how often are 'enthusiasts' buying new M3s? Most of the new m3 buyers are older folks that want a premium sport coupe/sedan that they can drive their company's executives with to lunch. We can all talk about how upset us enthusiasts will be with what BMW is doing, but at the end of the day it's not us that write the $1,000 checks every month for the new BMW we bought off the lot.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

LOL lets be real here. Other than the E30 M3, how often are 'enthusiasts' buying new M3s? Most of the new m3 buyers are older folks that want a premium sport coupe/sedan that they can drive their company's executives with to lunch. We can all talk about how upset us enthusiasts will be with what BMW is doing, but at the end of the day it's not us that write the $1,000 checks every month for the new BMW we bought off the lot.


Yeah this is true for the most part. I'd venture to say that the most hardcore/diehard enthusiasts that really enjoy, take care of, and drive their cars like they are meant to be are the secondhand (or more) owners.

On the topic at hand, I think it should stay as an M3. Like one person said, I feel like 4 is just a stupid number. If it does change, though, BMW should keep the coupe as an M3, and make the sedan an M4. The name change would at least make some sense that way (high number for more doors). Also, the name change would be a little more acceptable if the sedan and coupe use different chassis.

I think the e90 and e92 use different chassis, but don't quote me. I think that's why they have different code names for different body styles. In contrast, previous generations use the same chassis for all body styles, so they use the same code names for everything - e46, e36, e30, e21. Notice that when the same codename e36, e46, etc. is used for all the body styles, the cars are distinguished by different model names - 328i for sedan vs. 328is for coupe, and similarly 330i vs 330ci. Now, with the e9x models and the different chassis and code names, the models are no longer distinguished by different names - all styles are 328i, 335i, etc.

A little in depth, but this is my take on BMWs methods and ideas,
-Michael

LOL lets be real here. Other than the E30 M3, how often are 'enthusiasts' buying new M3s? Most of the new m3 buyers are older folks that want a premium sport coupe/sedan that they can drive their company's executives with to lunch. We can all talk about how upset us enthusiasts will be with what BMW is doing, but at the end of the day it's not us that write the $1,000 checks every month for the new BMW we bought off the lot.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I agree with you that at the end of the day it's still about the bottom line for BMW. I still like to think there's some enthusiasts who buy the cars new. The e9x section in this forum wasn't created once they started getting sold secondhand.... But of course more enthusisasts get into the cars secondhand as $1k/month is out of reach for most folks.


On the topic at hand, I think it should stay as an M3. Like one person said, I feel like 4 is just a stupid number. If it does change, though, BMW should keep the coupe as an M3, and make the sedan an M4. The name change would at least make some sense that way (high number for more doors). Also, the name change would be a little more acceptable if the sedan and coupe use different chassis.



This whole is discussion is brought up from BMW moving towards designating "odd" numbers as sedans (3,5,7series) and "even" as coupes (6series and talks of the 4series), so I doubt they would name the coupe M3 and the sedan M4.

I dont like the idea of it saying M4, think about it... go to the rear of your car and look at the M3 emblem, it looks good, it looks like it should be there. Now picture a 4 next to that M.... STUPID! i dont want a 4 on my car, 4 is a dumb looking number, but then again they might as well put the 4 on the new one cuz they messed up the front... WTF is with the headlights and the grill touching with that little piece coming off the grills like somebody left the paint brush on the canvas to long and it smered. take a quick glance at it and tell me it doesent remind you of a mitsubishi evo X....

So yes I will be mad if they name it the M4 cuz they already pissed me off with the front.

Would I be mad? no. Would I think it's lame? yea.

+1, but it should increase the sedan sales relative to the coupe.

It would be lame to be an M4, but thats not going to happen.


Gotta love when ppl say its all about revenue, its ALWAYS been about revenue!!!!!!!! How else would the company run if there was no revenue. What other business out there do you know thats not about revenue/profit...

COSTCO, read a financial report.

BMW has changed its naming scheme where all the odd number 1,3,5,7 are regular cars and 2,4,6,8 are high performance. I think this makes choosing a car less overwhelming for the new customer. Bear in mind they will also be offering sport, modern, luxury trims which increases the permutations. A person who buys a BMW usually considers Audi and Mercedes as well. This new naming scheme will be synonymous with Audi's. Expect future m3 and m5 to be sedans, m4 and m6 to be coupes.

I guess I'll wait for the 2016 M4.5 xDrive, the M3 wannabe with a 4 cylinder quad turbo hatchback, a 4,200lb monstrosity with 8 cup holders, a $3,500 navigation in case I get lost going to work, heated and cooled everything, window shades, electric garbage disposal in the glove compartment and a 3D heads up display with BIG ominous numbers (for the over 65 aged) instead of analog display. Lots and lots of plastic with M badge on everything. Just the way I like it.

I can't wait to hear the pundits - "the M is all growned up - again!" :blah:

OR - I could just buy a Porsche now and save myself the nail-biting wait.

///M = mundaine - pick a number.

^^^coming from a guy with a vert :lolhit:

Guys I HIGHLY doubt they're gonna have an "m4" unless they create a 4 series. They've stopped production of the e90 to start on the new f80 - just like they've done twice, in the past. They always introduce the sedan of the new style first, while still making the coupe/vert of the previous body style for the first year. They did this when the e36 phased into the e46, and from the e46 to the e90. So far so good from the e9x to the f80

^^^coming from a guy with a vert :lolhit:

Yeah yeah - there's something to be said about my Verts weight and all to the purists. My car is just a summer toy. To me, the E46M3 vert represents another level of fun with the top down and the air intake snorting full tilt. You just don't get that with the coupe. Yes, you will be a 10th of a sec faster to 60 but I am not 18 and I don't do pulls and I don't track.

Just cause I chose a vert for the specific entertainment value does not negate my ability to comment on what I consider the devolution of the marque.

Besides, the vert has longer legs with time and appeal. Even when it's totally outdated - the vert aspect of it never loses the fun factor. :thumbsup2:

Yeah yeah - there's something to be said about my Verts weight and all to the purists. My car is just a summer toy. To me, the E46M3 vert represents another level of fun with the top down and the air intake snorting full tilt. You just don't get that with the coupe. Yes, you will be a 10th of a sec faster to 60 but I am not 18 and I don't do pulls and I don't track.

Just cause I chose a vert for the specific entertainment value does not negate my ability to comment on what I consider the devolution of the marque.

Besides, the vert has longer legs with time and appeal. Even when it's totally outdated - the vert aspect of it never loses the fun factor. :thumbsup2:

Just poking fun. I don't disagree with your first comment :starwars:

I think verts are just ugly, well in comparison to coupes.

This vvv today from a BMW source that has been on target for years.


They are currently working on a CRT -type package for the Coupe which will see some of the key details such as the CFRP bonnet and special seats be applied to the Coupe along with other ideas before the curtain falls.

As this will be the last ever BMW M3 Coupe. With the name continuing with the Sedan only.

I am not entirely sure whether the US will get the limited run-out model, due to the federalisation problems etc. However they are considering some sort of updated Competition package for the US. I have no idea of timeframe, but the Coupe is expected to be shown at the M Festival in June.

The BMW M3 DTM Safety Car , although not a direct replication. Shows the potential.

Although I am kept being asked about the seats... They remain exclusive to the M3 CRT for the time being , although BMW M. do intend to offer them as accessories in the future.


http://www.m3post.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11187461&postcount=81


So, if you want a new M3 coupe, the E92 will be your last chance.

this thread is funny. people were concerned about the same exact thing when the e9x's came out. they probably aren't changing anything about the name.

Well BMW wants the 4 door cars to be the 3 series, so 4 door M3, and then the 4 series would be the coupes, so 2 door M4. If you didnt make the connection this marketing strategy resembles another German Counter-part... AUDI. Personally, i think the M4 is a stupid idea, it doesnt flow but i guess thats cause weve been accustomed to the powerful M3!

whoops i totally just repeated somebody on here.

If they do change the name to M4 it will NEVER be the same.

Adding a whole new series just for a coupe makes zero sense unless they want to separate it to match the 5 and 6 series. So does that mean they are going to bring back the 8 series so it becomes a coupe version of the 7 series?? I wouldn't be against the 8 returning, this time with a real M8 badge!

I just hope they keep the 3 series with a coupe and sedan option and not name it a new series!

Not to mention I just saw there is a 6 series 4 door... Seems the naming standard is not that black and white.

Yes i would be... The ///M3 marque has set the level for the ultimate driving machine for years now, and for BMW to change it would be a no-no in any PR's book. The problem that I see is many people always complain "oh it's not all wheel drive". IMO, all I have to say is 'too bad'. I think that BMW are starting to 'blend' their model lines now, meaning that all their cars look a bit too similar inside and out. We need more uniqueness! Let's all be honest, the new F10 5-Series can be mistaken for an older gen 7-series... and the new 7 doesn't look THAT much different from the F10.

Gotta love when ppl say its all about revenue, its ALWAYS been about revenue!!!!!!!! How else would the company run if there was no revenue. What other business out there do you know thats not about revenue/profit...

Exactly

Personally, I don't see them naming what is truly the M3 a M4. A M4 should be an entirely new car.

Not to mention I just saw there is a 6 series 4 door... Seems the naming standard is not that black and white.

This has been discussed at nauseum.. in case you have been hiding under a rock, here is the new naming convention

ODD series:
1,3,5,7 --- Hatch backs, Sedans, Wagons, GT versions

Even series:
2,4,6 -- Coupes, Verts, GC versions (which are 4 doors but still considered coupes)

Or I don't care that much to know. lol

I'll believe it when I see it, if it is true, it doesnt make much sense.

This has been discussed at nauseum.. in case you have been hiding under a rock, here is the new naming convention

ODD series:
1,3,5,7 --- Hatch backs, Sedans, Wagons, GT versions

Even series:
2,4,6 -- Coupes, Verts, GC versions (which are 4 doors but still considered coupes)


**you mean ad nauseum :shifty:? Until I see a 4 and 2 series, I'm not fully convinced its the new naming convention

Lol, well to your point it's all speculation at this point, but I think it makes sense and would be very Germanic way of doing things..

I have day dreams about upcoming M2 and/or upcoming M4 GC whatever they end up calling them .. Z2 M would be sweet too !!

I can't wait for the new "1-Series M150d x-drive 2.0"

The sedan will still be called m3. coupe and vert will be m4

That's ASS BACKWARDS!! The M3 has always been and should always be the Coupe. Hell Calling the 4 door an M4 would even make sense with it having 4 doors. WTF is wrong with these douche bag idiots at BMW. Yes, It will annoy me because they are just plain morons who make no sense what so ever.

Destroy the badge on their most famous and iconic car?? DUMB DUMB DUMB!!
The sedan is a bastardized M3 IMO. The M5 is the true Sedan M-Car.
My :twocents:

That's ASS BACKWARDS!! The M3 has always been and should always be the Coupe. Hell Calling the 4 door an M4 would even make sense with it having 4 doors. WTF is wrong with these douche bag idiots at BMW. Yes, It will annoy me because they are just plain morons who make no sense what so ever.

Destroy the badge on their most famous and iconic car?? DUMB DUMB DUMB!!
The sedan is a bastardized M3 IMO. The M5 is the true Sedan M-Car.
My :twocents:

/thread

If they make M3 with 4 doors
They should make M4 with 3 doors (hatch doesnt count as a door btw)

























































































jk

If they would name it m4 I would take it off and order a badge from ebay and put a m3 badge on it...

call it "Wrong"

M4 seems to be nearly confirmed from Dr. Nitschke (CEO M-GmbH) in his bimmerpost-interview.!

But it´s no matter for me ... I would buy an F80 M3 sedan and good is ... and its only "Back to the roots" as the very frist M3 based on the E30 was also quoted by BMW as "2-door-sedan" and never as coupe!
The first M3-Coupe was the E36 Coupe but there was also an M3-Sedan in the E36 Range. Only with the E46 there was no M3-Sedan.

Its simple BS to define the iconic "M3" only on his badge ... that fanboy "bla-bla" for those who never could afford an new M3 and put M3 badges on their regular e36/46/92 coupes ... the iconic "M3" is only defined on performence and on nothing else ... if the car has an outstanding performence on track and on street than it is worth to be named as "M3". And in the currend generation the E90 M3 is as fast as (if not a very little bit faster as!) the E92 M3 ... so the E90 M3 is 110% worth to wear the M3 Badge. This is not only my opinion ... no, thats the only truth and there could the M3=Coupe Fanboy Fraction saying what they want. If in the E9x M3 range there is an car that probably (not my opinion!) is not really worth to wear the M3 Badge than its the E93 convertible because it lacks the performence of the two others - because of its weight, but nobody of the fanboy would says this, because the convertible is an real good fanboy poser.

So if the new M3 is the F80 sedan and the F82 coupe is upgraded to the Moniker M4 nothing is going wrong ... the myth M3 lives on in an car that is more than 110% worth to wear this Badge as only model, because this would have an such outstanding performence (so much better than all old M3s!) that it would be the "best M3 ever". And all who like the Coupe more, could buy the same car as M4.

Greets Uli_HH

M4 seems to be nearly confirmed from Dr. Nitschke (CEO M-GmbH) in his bimmerpost-interview.!

:agree:

What the moniker changes will mean at the end of the day is this: The E92 M3 will secure for all time the title of being the fastest M3 coupe naturally aspirated generations while the M4 will forever be known as the first generation of the turbo era M4 coupes. As much as changing from M3 to M4 sounds cheesy in a way, in another way I think it's appropriate given M Division's abandonment of naturally aspirated engines for its 3er cars.

I don't care one bit honestly. What an M3 is today is not what it used to be anyways.

The true descendant of the M3 line in the next generation will be the M2.


Here is what the number system of BMW used to mean:

3 series: Smallest line

5 series: Mid size line

7 series: Large size line


Now look at the finishing and current product generation:

1 series: Smallest line

3 series: Mid size line

5 series: Large size line

7 series: Super large size line



So as far as I am concerned, all BMW did was shift their model lines "in name only." So anyone getting all pissy about the name change now is way behind the game.


Therefore, If you drive a finishing/current generation...

1M: You actually drive the modern day M3 (Sad I know since it's not even a real M)

M3: You actually drive the modern day M6

M5: You actually drive the modern day M7

M6: You actually drive the modern day M8

M4 seems to be nearly confirmed from Dr. Nitschke (CEO M-GmbH) in his bimmerpost-interview.!

But it´s no matter for me ... I would buy an F80 M3 sedan and good is ... and its only "Back to the roots" as the very frist M3 based on the E30 was also quoted by BMW as "2-door-sedan" and never as coupe!
The first M3-Coupe was the E36 Coupe but there was also an M3-Sedan in the E36 Range. Only with the E46 there was no M3-Sedan.

Its simple BS to define the iconic "M3" only on his badge ... that fanboy "bla-bla" for those who never could afford an new M3 and put M3 badges on their regular e36/46/92 coupes ... the iconic "M3" is only defined on performence and on nothing else ... if the car has an outstanding performence on track and on street than it is worth to be named as "M3". And in the currend generation the E90 M3 is as fast as (if not a very little bit faster as!) the E92 M3 ... so the E90 M3 is 110% worth to wear the M3 Badge. This is not only my opinion ... no, thats the only truth and there could the M3=Coupe Fanboy Fraction saying what they want. If in the E9x M3 range there is an car that probably (not my opinion!) is not really worth to wear the M3 Badge than its the E93 convertible because it lacks the performence of the two others - because of its weight, but nobody of the fanboy would says this, because the convertible is an real good fanboy poser.

So if the new M3 is the F80 sedan and the F82 coupe is upgraded to the Moniker M4 nothing is going wrong ... the myth M3 lives on in an car that is more than 110% worth to wear this Badge as only model, because this would have an such outstanding performence (so much better than all old M3s!) that it would be the "best M3 ever". And all who like the Coupe more, could buy the same car as M4.

Greets Uli_HH
Still the E30 was a coupe. The coupe was always what the M3 stood for. The 4 door E36 M3 was NOT released when the 2 door was, that came years later, correct? There was no E46 M3 sedan as you pointed out. And I don't see the 4 door E90 beating up on the E92, E93 of course it will.

I don't care if they continue calling the sedan, coupe and convertible M3's, I have a problem with taking the coupe M3, which too me is the proper one, and calling it something else. Call the sedan and convertible something else, NOT the coupe.

If it's M4, P-car here I come.

Do it :thumbsup2:

I think that the m4 label is a rumor that ended up now as a marketing ploy. Everyones talking and getting worked up and it adds some suspense. When they release it it'll say m3 and everyone will be talking about it again how it's good they didn't do it. The more engaged people are the better.

Just another way to charge people more than standard M3 Sedan.

:agree:

What the moniker changes will mean at the end of the day is this: The E92 M3 will secure for all time the title of being the fastest M3 coupe naturally aspirated generations while the M4 will forever be known as the first generation of the turbo era M4 coupes. As much as changing from M3 to M4 sounds cheesy in a way, in another way I think it's appropriate given M Division's abandonment of naturally aspirated engines for its 3er cars.

Never thought of it like that but u have a good point.

I'd love to keep my E92 when I get it, but i'll admit if the new coupe is lighter, has 450+hp, and looks like the renders it will be hard to pass on...


Sent from Tapabish

Still the E30 was a coupe. The coupe was always what the M3 stood for. The 4 door E36 M3 was NOT released when the 2 door was, that came years later, correct? There was no E46 M3 sedan as you pointed out. And I don't see the 4 door E90 beating up on the E92, E93 of course it will.

I don't care if they continue calling the sedan, coupe and convertible M3's, I have a problem with taking the coupe M3, which too me is the proper one, and calling it something else. Call the sedan and convertible something else, NOT the coupe.

Historically, M3 sedans (the 4-doors) have been better suited for competition use than the coupes. This was the case with the e36 M3, which was further reinforced since German laws dictated such. The e90 is not necessarily "beating up" on the e92, but many believe it too has a slight edge over the coupe.

Some people like coupes. Others like sedans. To say that one body style should be called the M3 vs M4 is a little ignorant. If the e46 M3 came in sedan (4-door), you bet that's what I would be driving now, as I always preferred sedans over coupes. The only exception would be pure sports cars that are in an entirely different league, be it the GT-R, GT3, etc.

IMO, the e92 coupe looks like shit. Its rear quarter panel is too long and doesn't look aggressive enough. It looks kinda retarded, like it's missing a door. The e90 sedan fixes that problem with a more aggressive rear panel and flare. It looks different, more menacing, if you will. Clearly, that's my opinion. An opinion that hasn't changed since 2008.

As you can see, viewpoints will differ. Just because you think the coupe somehow holds an edge over the sedan doesn't mean that it has the "right" to retain the M3 badge. And if you're going by BMW Motorsport history, that shouldn't really sway you one way or another either. One of the main reasons why e36 M3 sedan was produced in the first place was because BMW Motorsport decided to race it. And they did.

IMO, the e92 coupe looks like shit. Its rear quarter panel is too long and doesn't look aggressive enough. It looks kinda retarded, like it's missing a door. The e90 sedan fixes that problem with a more aggressive rear panel and flare. It looks different, more menacing, if you will. Clearly, that's my opinion. An opinion that hasn't changed since 2008.

As you can see, viewpoints will differ. .

Viewpoints will differ indeed... I think that e90 look like Sh*t... i just can't stand the rear lights or the way the trunk looks... but to each his own :)

Personally I wouldn't mind the change at all. I mean, back in the 70s bmw had the ///M1 and now its 1M. Who knows 30 years from now people may be saying the same thing about the ///M3s and ///M4s. And soon there might be an M2 based on the M1..? idk, lets see what happens.

Gotta love when ppl say its all about revenue, its ALWAYS been about revenue!!!!!!!! How else would the company run if there was no revenue. What other business out there do you know thats not about revenue/profit...

so true

I think that e90 look like Sh*t... i just can't stand the rear lights or the way the trunk looks...

+1 :thumbsup2:

I hope it does because nothing about a turbo car represent what the M car has stood for over the past 30 years! let the M3 name die with the E92 M which had a V8 that actually represented ///M engineering. Anybody can make a TT car have power...only the GT3 and F430 rival the hp per liter the ///M cars made.
Your absolutely right.
It might be improbable and some might not agree but they should offer a N/a and Turbo. The N/a remaining an M3 and the turbo ...? Perhaps just let Alpina handle the turbo.

Personally I wouldn't mind the change at all. I mean, back in the 70s bmw had the ///M1 and now its 1M. Who knows 30 years from now people may be saying the same thing about the ///M3s and ///M4s. And soon there might be an M2 based on the M1..? idk, lets see what happens.
The 1M isn't a name change for the M1 (E26). The 1M is an M variant of the BMW 1-Series. And "The M1 coupe was hand-built between 1978 and 1981 under the Motorsport division of BMW as a homologation special for sports car racing."

If they would name it m4 I would take it off and order a badge from ebay and put a m3 badge on it...

call it "Wrong"
Call it right as long as the new one lives up to the name. I think everyone should do this but lets make it the OEM M3 Badge placed perfectly.

I don't mind calling them M4's if they keep producing the E92 and E93's as M3's. It would make sense then to have the new coupe and convertible coexist with the new models.

How long could BMW produce E92's and E93's before emissions, mpg, etc. regulations require them to stop production? In other words, the new turbo 6 could conceivably be different enough from the NA V8 that you could continue producing the E92's and E93's for years as long as demand/sales profitability continues and you continue to be grandfathered into current regulations.

Pretty sure they'll stop production on e9x models once the new M3/4 is released

Well BMW wants to make their car line similar to Audi where for BMW the M3 would be 4 door and the M4 would be 2 door like the A4 to the A5, Personally i think it should al stay under the 3 but i guess it.... fills the gap in a profit margin??? no idea why they would do it.

Who cares, BMWjust build me a nice M... Thanks.

Yes and BMW should make the M7. AMG is doing it

Yes and BMW should make the M7. AMG is doing it

Come on...BMW is better than that. The S class AMG is pure silliness. :twocents:

:agree:

What the moniker changes will mean at the end of the day is this: The E92 M3 will secure for all time the title of being the fastest M3 coupe naturally aspirated generations while the M4 will forever be known as the first generation of the turbo era M4 coupes. As much as changing from M3 to M4 sounds cheesy in a way, in another way I think it's appropriate given M Division's abandonment of naturally aspirated engines for its 3er cars.

Four months later and we know. BMW has already stated that the sedan will be introduced one year with the coupe following the next calendar year.


We've heard rumblings in recent weeks that the F82 M4 coupe had begun its public testing rounds and our spies have now spotted it for the very first time in and around the BMW M Test Center at the Nurburgring!

The prototype wears the typical heavy camouflage of early stage mules, but there's plenty to analyze. There's little doubt that this is the M version of the upcoming F32 4 Series coupe. There are the signature M quad exhausts, the flared fenders, signature blue M brakes, wide tires, and M6 steering wheel.

Body

Both the front and rear fenders on the M4 coupe are significantly flared and stretched compared to the F32 4 Series prototypes we have spotted. The rear flare is easy to spot, while the front is less conspicuous. But, one can easily see in photo #5 where the gap in the front fender camouflage clearly shows the front fender as much wider than the rest of the side body. The stretched fenders will accommodate a wider track for the M4 (vs the regular 4 Series).

Underneath the completely covered front fascia will be a sleeker version of the F30 3 Series front end, with sportier lights and grilles (which have now been revealed on the F32 4 Series prototypes). There will of course be M styled front bumper as well. The mirrors are from the F30 3 Series and for testing purposes only. The final production mirrors will be sportier, but may not be revealed until even after the concept debuts (like the F10 M5).

Carbon Fiber Roof / Brakes

This particular mule does not appear to feature a carbon fiber roof, but we're fairly sure that the production M4 Coupe will utilize a carbon fiber roof. Its brakes resemble the new 3 Series' M Sport brakes, paired with steel cross drilled rotors. The wheels are the same as seen on the F80 M3 test mules, as well as the ones peeking out from under the tarp covered BMW Museum mystery car, which we deduced to be the M4 coupe.

Interior

The presence of shift paddles in the interior reveals that this prototype is a DCT model, but the next M3/M4 will also come with a manual transmission option, as it's already been spotted on F80 M3 prototypes. The steering wheel seen here comes from the new M6.

Powertrain

The F80 M3 and F82 M4 will be powered by an inline 6 cylinder engine with multiple turbochargers, pushing the engine's output to approximately 450 horsepowers. The engine is now rumored to be an extensively reworked and reinforced N55 6-cylinder engine with a strengthened aluminium block with a heavily modified cylinder head. The Induction technology is said to be completely new as will be the latest bi-vanos variable valve timing.

The F80 M3 / F82 M4 will not be constructed extensively from carbon fiber (CFRP) as some earlier reports had speculated. Because this next generation M3/M4 began development two years ago, it's said to have been too early to take advantage of BMW's CFRP developments with the later introduction of the BMW i cars/project. The first model (besides the i cars) that will have extensive CFRP incorporated into its construction will be the next generation 7 Series, as reported earlier.

Even without extensive CFRP construction, the next M3/M4 will be lighter than the current M3 sedan and coupe however, owing to its new aluminum chassis, and aluminum and reinforced plastic body panels.

The following is a summary of the facts we can be certain of regarding the F80 M3 / F82 M4:Lighter than current M3
Faster than current M3
More powerful than current M3
More efficient than current M3
Powered by an inline 6 cylinder turbo engine
Offered with optional or standard manual transmission
Electric Power Steering (completely reworked for precision for M3/M4)
M3 Introduced late 2013 - early 2014
M4 Introduced no earlier than late 2014

http://www.f30post.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=722521&d=1342599568

http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=719831

They should keep it the M3 for coupe and sedan. And keep going with the format they already use. F80 = Sedan. F82 = Coupe. F83= Vert. If or when they introduce the 4-series, with a different body, (Ex.435i) then they can have an M for that series (Ex.M4).

And if they do change it, calling the M3 the 4-door and M4 the coupe is just stupid. The M4 should be the four door if anything because of the number. I believe the coupe body deserves the M3 name. The coupe has been around in every generation. The E30 M3 and E46 M3 never had a 4-door body style available.

If it does take the M4 name, I shall be sad for the M3 heritage is broken...

No matter, I'll BMW Individual that badboy and get an M3 badge put on from factory.

:shifty:

Supposedly they are calling it the M4. This is the stupidest thing BMW has done. Changing the name really doesn't make any sense at all.

Supposedly they are calling it the M4. This is the stupidest thing BMW has done. Changing the name really doesn't make any sense at all.

It's ridiculous, IMO, but, supposedly there is a desire to have it so all of the even numbered models are two doors (coupes and verts) while the odd numbers are applied to sedans.

Given how large the 3er has become, it's a long, long way from its heritage. With the new ultra-sloped rear roof lines (e.g., 6er), I predict it will be fairly unfamiliar to us all. So who cares.

Given how large the 3er has become, it's a long, long way from its heritage. With the new ultra-sloped rear roof lines (e.g., 6er), I predict it will be fairly unfamiliar to us all. So who cares.

They've been doing that for a while actually. Example, the new 3 is the size of the old 5. The new 5 is the size of the old 7.

Really doesn't matter much to me, the M brand is already being diluded by over-usage, moving to the "m4" reminds me a lot of Audi's s4, S5, s6 deal.

1) it will ruin tradition and history
2) its marketing suicide
3) i will still buy one, but remove the badge and replace it with an M3 one :)

I used to be hearing people calling my M3... but not M4.

1) it will ruin tradition and history
2) its marketing suicide
3) i will still buy one, but remove the badge and replace it with an M3 one :)

Lovely then sell me your E46. :P