[Spencer]

Originally Posted by flabmaster

I don't know why everyone is assuming the car will be a total pig. Sure, it will be bigger and have a larger engine, but remember, the e90 m5 isn't too much heavier than the old e39 and its engine is only marginally heavier despite the 2 extra cylendars(e90 v10 weighs 529lbs - ~2lbs heavier than the s62 v8). I have a feeling the car will probably be slightly heavier, but if the e39/90 comparison (e90 m5 4034lbs (cite: sports car magazine) e39 m5 4024lbs (cite: edmunds.com)) is anything to go by, not by much.
-Dave

It needs to lose weight from the current E46 to not be considered a pig. The E46 M3 is already too heavy. I highly doubt it will be lighter than the E46 though; all the crap they are putting into these new cars adds up.

The 3 series (including M line) is slowly but surely turning into a 2dr 5 series.

[jt2]

Originally Posted by ///meric

Honestly 400 hp is not enought, bmw is going to have to have at least 450 to be ahead of the crowd, unless there going to make a CSL version with at least 460

Agreed!

400 HP in today's market puts it mid-pack at best among it's peers, IMO, given how many cars out there can spank the current M3.

Two years out things won't look even that good given current trends. 450 doesn't sound unreasonable at all.

JT

[BMW F1]

///meric, please have a read of the New CSL post by myself.....

[Kevin034]

The only way the E90 M3 is going to keep up:
V8, light weight pistons, cam, lifters, and valves. Twin turbo, 600HP. Weights less than E46 M3. 0-60 in under 4 seconds, 1/4 mile in low 11 to high 10 second mark. Priced under $50,000 MSRP (base).

Impossible? Performance vs performance, the 2004 SVT Cobra can already do this, with thousands less.

STFU! I said 'PERFORMANCE VS PERFORMANCE'.

[Predator]

so does a Evolution 8 MR.

[BMW F1]

One thing about companies like BMW and AMG, they will never sell a lesser car that will out do their big guns even though the car may be totally different in style and size. There is NO WAY IMO that BMW will ever put more cubes in an M3 over an M4, M5, M6 etc etc, it just wouldnt make good business sense in their eyes.

It would be like AMG giving more grunt to the C55 than the E55, there is just no basis for it. One thing is for sure, the BMW boys have NOT stated the displacement size and 400HP I would suggest is a good guess. I would assume also there will be massive gains in power to weight ratios too.

[DanSeth]

Hey Kev what are the specs on that new SVT Cobra?

[BMW F1]

I think the build quality will be lifted on this model to. With outstanding issues all over the place with the current E46, BMW should have learnt from this. Lets hope they have.

[vicious_csl]

now if we could all just hold hands and pray that the new M3 design doesn't get F&*K%D!

[BMW F1]

Im totally sure it wont agree with everyones taste until then can go and look at it for themselves at an upcoming motorshow near you or the showroom floor. I just hope the build quality and current issues with the E46 are Ironed out for good.