Three years ago BMW fooled everybody in Geneva with the Concept M5. I mean it said concept right there on the license plate, yet only months later there was an identical production version for sale to the public. It was like they knew it wasn't going to be a concept all along. Well those mad geniuses from Munich were at it again at the 2007 Geneva Auto Show where they unveiled the BMW M3 Concept. Despite the capitalization, we're pretty sure it's no concept, although every time we queried those goofy BMW engineers they just smiled. They did say it will have a V8. More powerful than the RS4's V8? Maybe. Will it have a six-speed manual transmission like every other performance car on the market? You never know. One thing is for sure, this concept would look sweet sitting on a showroom floor with its 19-inch wheels and Trans Am-worthy hood bulge. Too bad we'll have to wait until the Frankfurt auto show in September to see if this dream car will get the green light. Oh, the suspense. -- Ed Hellwig, Senior Editor
estreka says:
07:01 PM, 03/ 6/07
Is that a carbon fiber roof?
desiathate says:
07:39 PM, 03/ 6/07
iite iite here comes the BMW freak ! LOVE THEM but i am just not feeling this one! please get new rims change the Lights a bit i dont ask for much because the M3 batch on this one dont get me but i hope they keep the hood! make it carbon fiber hehe
blueguydotcom says:
10:18 PM, 03/ 6/07
Yes, carbon fiber roof. Too bad the car is still gonna be really heavy and even worse. Is it really worth 60k? What about the vishnu tuned 335i they tested on edmunds two weeks ago?
420 hp/295 ft-lbs of torque in the 60k+ M3
or
38k for a 335i sedan with a 3k vishnu procede - http://www.vishnutuning.com/bmw_335i.htm
360 hp/435 ft-lbs of torque?
ateixeira says:
09:26 AM, 03/ 7/07
I hate the front/rear bumpers. They almost look like cheap aftermarket bits. Way too busy.
The hood bulge is also tacky - more Pontiac than BMW.
I prefer the 335i. Or the Audi S5.
PS that does not look like a $60,000 interior.
hondacura4 says:
09:28 AM, 03/ 7/07
BMW, please make another 4 door M3! Id purchase one without hesitation. The new M3 looks good but this a bit plain and the wheels arent aggressive enough as they need a deep dish design, BMW is usually great in the wheel area. As of now a manual 335i sedan is looking really interesting.
sddoc07 says:
12:30 PM, 03/ 7/07
I disagree with a lot of the comments. I hate how the M5 screams "look at me!" with its myriad of badges and ridiculous fenders/mufflers. The M3 has it right...it is a stealth fighter that will blast the bejesus out of you while you're still wondering how the hell a regular 3-series coupe can go that fast. Then maybe you'll catch a glimpse of the mufflers or realize that it sits a little lower, as it roars by you at 100+...
adeez says:
01:05 PM, 03/ 7/07
This is a beautiful machine. Period. I don't see how anybody can NOT like this.
blueguydotcom says:
02:38 PM, 03/ 7/07
it is a stealth fighter that will blast the bejesus out of you while you're still wondering how the hell a regular 3-series coupe can go that fast.
There's the rub, a vishnu tuned 335i will hold its own, if not edge out this M3. For 20k less!
newqx56owner says:
03:13 PM, 03/ 7/07
I hope the performance numbers - specicially 0-62mph @4.9sec and 295 ft/lbs of torque - are incorrect. Could someone verify?
Otherwise current M3 is better performing and the vishnu 335 blows it out of the water
I was waiting for the convertible. Not sure now.
hondacura4 says:
07:20 AM, 03/ 9/07
I didnt say I didnt like it, it just doesnt come accross as something with an M on the rear. In the end I still want a M3 sedan!
hondacura4 says:
07:24 AM, 03/ 9/07
About the numbers, why would BMW produce a "new" M3 and have it perform worse than the outgoing model and the 335i? Use your head people!
msc13 says:
02:22 AM, 03/10/07
Being a current E46 M3 coupe owner and having anxiously awaited the arrival of the new M3 I have to say I am partially disappointed. My biggest is with respects to the hood.
The bulge is too bulky and too small. Meaning I think they should have widened it and not made the front of the bulge so blunt. It looks like a hood scoop with no ventilation. There are angles where this looks like a freakin' Mustang GT! I like the Mustang but that is not what I want if I am buying an M3. I saw a spy photo of one in black that had a much wider hood bulge minus the hood vents and it looked tight.
I also don't see this car being $60K. I think it will price higher.
Hopefully the interior is not going to be what is pictured above. I am hoping for much more. The front grilles are too large and are reminiscent of the 7 series. The front ventilation throws off the balance of the front of the car by giving it an unfinished look. Plus there are no fog lights. This is especially disapointing.
The rims are just ok. I agree with the comment above about going with a deep dish design. I have AVUS deep dish on mine now and it gives it a much more aggressive look.
I have seen some level side views and it looks like they have given the new M3 about 3 degrees more rake which tells me it is going to handle even better.
As far as the engine...well we can all speculate on that one. However, if it is going to be a modified V8 I am HOPING for more than 420 HP. Simply becasue the M3's Achillies heel has always been its weight. However, some of this is off-set by the carbon fiber roof. However, the true purpose of the carbon fiber roof is to place more weight on the bottom effectively improving handling even more.
Finally I would have to conclude with not being a fan of the deck lid lip spoiler. It is just too generic. I would have liked to have seen a continued formed lip similar to the M3 CSL deck lid.
Overall, I would say that if the above is actually what will be made available then it appears my wait has been in vain.
estreka says:
01:19 PM, 03/10/07
There's a lot of arguments about power. I imagine 420 is probably about right. Much more would push the M3 into M5 sales. BMW is one company I can say doesn't cannibalize sales.