New M3 to cost $60,000 to $65,000
BMW has announced U.K. pricing for its new M3 Coupe. Starting at $50,625, the 420 horsepower sports car is priced considerably higher than its predecessor.
There are a number of comparisons we can do to estimate the price of the new M3 here in the United States. First, we’ll compare the U.K. and U.S. pricing on the new 335i convertible, whose pricing was announce just earlier this year.
The 335i Cabrio is $37,895 in Britain and $49,100 in America. That’s a conversion rate of plus 30 percent. By this measure, the new M3 would cost $65,800 in the United States.
We can also look at the price of another BMW “M” car and compare conversion rates. The BMW M6 is advertised at $99,100 in America, and $82,605 in Britain. This leaves us with a conversion of plus 20 percent and an MSRP of $60,700.
Next, we’ll compare pricing of the M3’s nearest rival, the Audi RS4. In Britain, its base price is $50,930. In America, it sells for $66,000. That’s a conversion of plus 18 percent, which would make the M3 cost just $59,740.
However, another automaker’s pricing is not particularly useful in this way. On the other hand, it’s worth pointing out that the RS4’s U.K. price is nearly identical to the the M3’s U.K. price. Does that mean the U.S. prices will also be identical? If so, our $65,800 estimate still sounds reasonable.
Lastly we can compare the percentage increase from the old M3’s price to the new one. In Britain, the old M3 cost $42,450. That means the new price is an increase of 20 percent. Again, we’re back to $60,700.
While we can’t draw any firm conclusions, it’s safe bet the new M3 will cost between $60,000 and $65,000 in the United States� a significant increase over the old M3’s $48,900 price tag.
2008 BMW M3 Coupe - Info - More Features
Now BMW’s taking the M3 to a whole new level.
The latest M3 is powered for the first time by a V-8, a 4.0-liter unit derived from the 5.0-liter V-10 found in the M5 supersedan as well as the M6 coupe and convertible. The 90-degree eight-holer will make 414 horsepower at 8300 rpm the redline is only 100 rpm farther up the tach, so this thing is gonna wail and 295 pound-feet of torque at 3900 rpm. The V-8 also boasts the usual top-shelf technologies such as double-VANOS variable valve timing and individual throttles for each cylinder.
The V-8 shares the V-10’s bore and stroke, 12.0:1 compression ratio, and aluminum construction. The crankcase is made from an aluminum-and-silicon alloy, and exposed silicon in each cylinder mitigates friction well enough that separate sleeves aren’t required, saving weight. The entire engine actually weighs thanks to the lightweight material and weight-saving measures 33 fewer pounds than the E46 M3’s iron-block inline-six, and the eight should push the new M3 to 60 mph in well under 4.5 seconds. With a mill this advanced, it’s not surprising that the block comes from the same foundry that supplies BMW with its Formula 1 engines.
Unlike the M5, where a conventional six-speed manual was offered only after M fans freaked out, a six-speed stick will be the standard transmission for the M3; a dual-clutch automated manual similar to VW/Audi’s DSG will likely be an option later. BMW’s variable differential with up to 100-percent lockup keeps the power heading to the ground. The M3 will have, like the M5, a power button located next to the shifter. It won’t unleash an extra 100 ponies as in the big supersedan but will instead increase throttle response through heightened accelerator sensitivity think of it more as a sport button than one that actually delivers more power. The optional MDrive system will allow drivers to quicken the steering rate for the active-steering system. The M3 will also offer BMW’s electronic damper control that serves up three suspension settings, each more hard-core than the last. The M3 defaults all systems at start-up to the softest, least bad-ass settings, but a memory button on the steering wheel can store your favorites. According to BMW, weight stands at just under 3500 pounds 50 lighter than a 335i coupe which is an increase of 70 or so pounds over the outgoing model, but we’d say the extra 81 horsepower more than makes up for the excess fat. Stopping the M3 will be 14.2-inch discs in the front and 13.8-inchers in back, all vented and cross-drilled.
BMW showed the M3 concept at the Geneva auto show earlier this year, and as expected, the actual car looks barely different. The unpainted carbon-fiber roof is there we can’t wait to see it on a white carand so are the side vents with LED lights, the flared fenders, and the power bulge in the aluminum hood. The concept’s 19-inch wheels have shrunk to 18 inches, but you can be pretty sure that BMW Accessories will allow you to swap right back when you spec your personal M3. Some of the other M3-specific stuff includes the gaping front fascia, the aggressive rear end with quad tailpipes, and the dual-vaned side mirrors. In fact, all this car shares externally with the E92 coupe on which it’s based are the headlamps, the taillamps, the trunklid, the doors, and the glass. In addition to the coupe, we’ve seen spy shots of an M3 sedan and a hardtop M3 convertible. Our sources peg the M3’s release at sometime next February or March and the price at about $60,000 or about $10,000 more than the last M3 coupe. But with that sweet V-8 stuffed between the fenders and advanced technology crammed into every nook and cranny, we’d call that a fair deal, especially considering the fact that an M5 will suck more than $83,000 from your piggy bank.
There’s no doubt that this latest M3 has what it takes to deliver the goods on paper, at least. The question is whether the M3 will be a cold, overly technological machine, like the current M5, or whether it’ll turn out to be a hoot-a-minute bottle rocket with personality coming out its tailpipes, like the original E30 M3. The truth likely lies somewhere in between, and we can’t wait to get behind the wheel to find out.
Another set of spy pictures with the new M3
Pictures were taken by bmw320DE46, a member of m3post.com
The New BMW M3 on www.bmw.de with pricing
2008 BMW M3
Here are the official prices from BMW Germany (as of June 2007) for the 2008 M3
Please keep in mind that this price is the German price
Fahrzeugpreise (Prices are shown in EUROS!!!)
Das M3 Coup? ist serienm??ig mit einem 6-Gang-Schaltgetriebe ausgestattet.
(Translation - it comes standard with a speed manual)
EUR* 56.008 ohne MwSt. (w/o 19% luxury tax)
EUR* 66.650 inkl. 19% MwSt. (with 19% luxury tax)
This is the German price and most likely the M3 will have a different price here in the US. The current exchange rate : 1.3318 US Dollars for 1 EURO.
So therefore, the base price in dollars for the BMW M3 is US $ 74,591.
In comparison the base price for the BMW 335i is $59736.
This numbers could indicate that the base price for the M3 in the US, will be somewhere around $55,000, which is the number that a lot of people have been predicting. I guess time will tell and we just have to be a little more patient.
Sedan and Convertible BMW M3 testing at the ‘Ring
More pics on the next page
As can also be seen from the pictures, the convertible (the black car) uses the folding metal roof from the new 3 series convertible, unlike the soft fabric roof of the old E46 M3 Convertible. The saloon version (the silver car) is making a comeback since the days when it was offered as a variant on the E36 shape M3.
2008 BMW M3 Pictures
2008 BMW M3
The new BMW M3 will be an amazing car. I’m really excited about the new design and honestly in my opinions, Chris Bangle did an awesome job again and I could say that I have never waited so impatiently for a new BMW model to come out. I’m assuming that for the first few months will be hard to find any M3s in the dealer’s lots and probably people will pay the MSRP price for them.
But anyway, enjoy those BMW M3 Concept photos and you can see some previous pictures that I posted.
2008 BMW M3
2008 BMW M3
2008 BMW M3
BMW E46 M3 vs E92 M3
About 2 months ago, I wrote an article where I posted some comparison pictures between the current E46 M3 style and the upcoming 2008 E92 M3. The design differences between the old M3 and the new one are obvious, with the E46 style having a more classic, conservativ look, while the new 2008 M3 sports a more adventures body style, modern and in the same type controversial. Like always, with a new body style change, people aren’t always excited about the changes, and we all tend to “hate” the car for a while, and then settle for it. I’m probably one of those people, I was in the same boat when the E90 came out and it replaced the most popular BMW ever, the E46 model.
You can see more picture in one of my previous articles: BMW M3 Photos
So, bottom line, I decided to repost those pics and make a poll, I’m curious to see what you think. Feel free to drop your comments as well.
From a design point of view, if both available now, which one would you buy?
SPY VIDEO: New 2008 BMW M3 Prototype Caught on Autobahn Flexing Some V8 Muscle
BMW M3 !!!
Watch this video, it confirms everything I said about the new BMW M3: it will be a “hit”, the car is just amazing and the V8 engine makes it a slam dunk. I guess there is a reason why every BMW dealer has a waiting list already for the 2008 M3
More videos in another article I wrote: BMW M3
BMW M3 fresh off the Nurburgring
I have to agree with other people, the 2008 BMW M3 coupe looks better than the Sedan, less practical if you have a family but I can only think of an M3 in 2 doors.
Here is a link to another post I made showing a video with the M3 at Nurburgring
2008 BMW M3 Promotional Video
I was looking around on Youtube and I came across a cool video showing the upcoming 2008 BMW M3’s interior. It’s a promotional video made by BMW which shows the interior design and options of the new M3.
As you can notice, the interior design is slighty modified from the current E92 series and it focuses on the MDrive system and its functionalities.
From the last seconds in the video, I could tell that this is the coupe version. Anyway, I thought I would share this with you.
Enjoy!
BMW E92 M3 Simulator
I have just found this video on youtube. The footage shows the upcoming BMW M3 coupe sitting in a garage and some guys are playing on a simulator.
Inside the M3 they have a projector and the image is displayed on the windshield while the guys are using the steering wheel and shifter to race.
Pretty cool especially since you don’t have to worry about scratching your brand new BMW.
It would be really cool if we would get to see this at the Auto Shows. I’m sure the lines will be very long but it will be a great experience and great marketing for BMW.
Now sit back and enjoy the ride
The New BMW M3 Convertible
Recent spy pictures reassured that the new BMW M3 Convertible is on its way and it’s due to launch at the end of 2008. The BMW M3 coupe and sedan will be released in 2008 and just like these models, the M3 Convertible will benefit from the 4.0-liter V8 rated at 420 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque.
BMW claims that 85 percent of the M3 coupe’s peak torque is available across a rev range of 6,500 rpm. Initial test showed that the new M3 will go 0 to 62 mph in 4.8 seconds.
As we have seen in the previous spy photos, the new M3 Convertible will have a retractable hardtop which replaces the soft top in the current models. The hardtops were always available on the Mercedes cars, and BMW is looking to fill that gap.
Have a look at these photoshoped pictures which reflect how the BMW M3 Convertible will look like with the top-down.
