[HBspeed]

Originally Posted by username11

I think the E9X M3 represents the end of an era. The car was developed during a time of significantly greater economic prosperity and optimism than we live in now.

I own both a E92 M3 and a E46 M3 and I enjoy both. But the improvements made to the E92 M3 are astounding and undeniable. BMW managed to create a car that was better in every conceivable way while seemingly sacrificing nothing versus its predecessor. It's faster, yet it's more comfortable. It feels close to a purpose built sports car, but it's easier to drive on the highway. It even feels, in terms of fit and finish and build quality, to be of significantly higher quality and seems to have achieved bulletproof reliability. And the sounds it makes -- shifting out of 2nd at 8400rpm, are unreal and unequaled at anywhere near its price.

BMW created a one-off engine for a single car, the M3 and created a car that shared very few parts with the 335. I love the comments from guys who claim the 335 and the M3 are the same -- clearly have never driven the M3. The M3 and the 335 feel wildly different (and are something like 80% different in terms of parts), and I suspect this great divide will be lost with the next generation as dismal economic forecasts force parts sharing across the line-up.

I don't think we'll see the kind of cost vs. production ratio past the E9X M3. I'm sure the next M3 will be wonderful (in fact, I plan to do ED of a coupe in 2014), but I'm definitely glad to have experienced the E9X for what it represents.

That's a good write up that almost makes me want to change my opinion on the E92. It's obviously an incredible car, but its really not the same kind of car as the E46 in some ways.

I think if it as if the E46 M3 is the ultimate compromise of still feeling like a sports car, but also being very streetable and a nice luxury car to be in. The E30 is a race car basically, and the US E36 is still lighter and sporty but really quite unspecial compared to all other M3's. The E92 on the other hand I think of as the perfect M6. It is more comfy and streetable than the E46, and also faster and bigger. It is less flashy (lack of fender flares in the rear for example), more upscale, less raw, less boyracer. Sounds like the mission of the M6 to me. Obviously this is all relative to what you think was/is the sweet spot for an M3. Many like myself see the E46 as the sweet spot where the previous were not soft enough (E30 & E36), and the following was to soft (E92).

The E92 went just a bit too far, and lost too much of the raw sportscar nature of previous M3's for me. Thus I don't really consider it an M3. The 1M is this generation's M3 as far as I'm concerned, as the M3 has always been the sportiest variant of the smallest sedan BMW makes. The E92 It is the best M6 ever though... much better than that boat of an M8 that says M6 on it.

[Zzzsleeperzzz]

Inline engines.....'nuff said

[Obioban]

Originally Posted by HBspeed

That's a good write up that almost makes me want to change my opinion on the E92. It's obviously an incredible car, but its really not the same kind of car as the E46 in some ways.

I think if it as if the E46 M3 is the ultimate compromise of still feeling like a sports car, but also being very streetable and a nice luxury car to be in. The E30 is a race car basically, and the US E36 is still lighter and sporty but really quite unspecial compared to all other M3's. The E92 on the other hand I think of as the perfect M6. It is more comfy and streetable than the E46, and also faster and bigger. It is less flashy (lack of fender flares in the rear for example), more upscale, less raw, less boyracer. Sounds like the mission of the M6 to me. Obviously this is all relative to what you think was/is the sweet spot for an M3. Many like myself see the E46 as the sweet spot where the previous were not soft enough (E30 & E36), and the following was to soft (E92).

The E92 went just a bit too far, and lost too much of the raw sportscar nature of previous M3's for me. Thus I don't really consider it an M3. The 1M is this generation's M3 as far as I'm concerned, as the M3 has always been the sportiest variant of the smallest sedan BMW makes. The E92 It is the best M6 ever though... much better than that boat of an M8 that says M6 on it.

This is 100% how I feel, but it certainly is to the individuals taste where that sweet spot is.

I do believe that if we got the full euro spec e36 M3, that would have been a much more tempting sweet spot!

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by kaiv

One thing for sure: It'll never sound as good as the V8

It'll never sound as good as any M NA engine... POS turbo engines sound like vacuum cleaners, every single one, from a MPC12 to a Porsche Turbo S...

I'm surprised they aren't going for a V6. I mean I prefer a V6 NA to a turbo I6 and it wouldn't be any more disappointing than what they're doing here. For the number of M3s they sell they really could just leave the NA engine. It will have a negligible effect on CAFE.

[M3_MANN]

Originally Posted by Gary Powers

Da M4 ist ein schweinhund aus einem namen

The M4 is an pig ass eminem name?

[BlackLight]

Originally Posted by M3_MANN

The M4 is an pig ass eminem name?

Let me try, highschool was a long time ago...

The M4 is a pigdog starting with its name.
The M4 is a pigdog befitting its name.

[lucad2]

Originally Posted by Obioban

This is 100% how I feel, but it certainly is to the individuals taste where that sweet spot is.

I do believe that if we got the full euro spec e36 M3, that would have been a much more tempting sweet spot!

Your sig

[hammerfang]

Originally Posted by Obioban

This is 100% how I feel, but it certainly is to the individuals taste where that sweet spot is.

I do believe that if we got the full euro spec e36 M3, that would have been a much more tempting sweet spot!

I suspect that once the Euro-spec E36 M3 reaches the 25 year old mark we will see quite a few become imported to the US, that is what I dream of doing in the future.

[Obioban]

Originally Posted by hammerfang

I suspect that once the Euro-spec E36 M3 reaches the 25 year old mark we will see quite a few become imported to the US, that is what I dream of doing in the future.

Personally I'd want at least an evo, which means 1996+....

2021 isn't that soon!

I honestly think I will import a CSL in 2028.

[hammerfang]

Originally Posted by Obioban

Personally I'd want at least an evo, which means 1996+....

2021 isn't that soon!

I honestly think I will import a CSL in 2028.

Just gives you more time to save...