The 2008-2009 BMW M3 sedan — the first four-door M3 since the E36 — won’t look like a regular 3-Series sedan. Instead, it have the same headlights, grille, and front fascia as the two-door 3-series and M3 coupe. As evidenced by two recent spy photos posted on the M3 Post chat forums, BMW has begun testing prototypes with the revised exterior. Previous prototypes looked like the standard sedan, with widened fenders.
It’s unclear if the car pictured is a production prototype, or if further changes are coming to the exterior. BMW could conceivably give the M3 sedan the same taillights as its coupe as well. This prototype has regular taillights, with a quad exhaust and disguised rear apron. Gallery after the jump…



12/21, 4:06 PM
posted by:
MyGodBeatsYourGod
…and Auntie Margaret’s big ass.
12/21, 4:20 PM
posted by:
Shoot2Thrill
BMW had a 4 door M3 before!
12/21, 4:31 PM
posted by:
04focus
Now, if they had an M3 wagon that would be big news!
12/21, 4:36 PM
posted by:
Andre Neves
1997 BMW offered them in 4 door(E36) with a 3.2L I believe. I could be wrong.
12/21, 5:30 PM
posted by:
munichlars
Here’s the entire thread from m3post
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13314
12/21, 6:10 PM
posted by:
S-60-driver
to Dav is Dead, ur a moron…. im talking about LLN posting a story about the HEADLIGHTS!!!! Its headlights! Who effin’ cares!!! Let me be surprised to realize it when i see it in person.
I aint complaining about the M3. Its an effin’ sweet car
12/21, 6:42 PM
posted by:
Dav is Dead
fair enough S-60, but you still dont speak for most of us. i, for instance, find this quite interesting, because i happen to like the couple headlamps quite a bit more, and considering that i may in the market in a couple of years, this is useful information a lot sooner than i would have gotten it.
12/21, 7:11 PM
posted by:
S-60-driver
Do u know that Kia Rondo is currently selling here? I had no idea and it suprised me. LLN didnt post anything about that car. Its a compact crossover wagon.
So, its fun to be suprised when seeing it without even knowing that Kia’s building it for America.
Same deal with BMW M3 sedan’s headlights. Im not complaining about the design and all. Its the news. Today must be slow day at LLN. Don’t need them to post news over small things.
12/21, 8:19 PM
posted by:
JSP
This is great news. I like the coupe’s front-end a lot more than the sedan’s.
12/21, 9:27 PM
posted by:
moogleii
Yeah, that must be it.
12/21, 9:29 PM
posted by:
brownfv
tires look a bit skinny
12/21, 9:40 PM
posted by:
ironpony42
Brownfv, you and I saw the same thing. For a perfomance ride, the rubber does look narrow… But, I love BMW M products, and a 4-door M3 is a welcome re-addition to the line. Gives the guy with kids a perfomance option he can use daily. Dealing with kids and a 2-door coupe can be a pain in the arse. This Bimmer looks good, goes fast, AND is useful. And I love the quad exhausts on the M-cars from the past 6-7 years.
12/21, 10:50 PM
posted by:
Renton
The coupe front end is better looking, good idea.
This new ///M3 sedan looks lke a winnah.
12/22, 12:04 AM
posted by:
Veda
Heck, the new 3 series is so bland looking it doesn’t matter if it’s the coupe or the sedan. You’re supposed to buy bimmers for abusable toys, not something you use to cruise in style. Just look at the numbers.
12/22, 12:46 AM
posted by:
Impulsive
Using the face of any other car wouldn’t provide for a second look or second thought, I don’t care … unattractive is unattractive, regardless of headlights or grill or lower fascia.
It’s funny to read “c3p0″ post **** like that … take your own advice, monkey.
12/22, 7:46 AM
posted by:
Renton
Most people will only see the back end of this car.
12/22, 8:50 AM
posted by:
gman
This is GREAT news! As a former owner of a very cherry ‘98 M3 sedan, I’ll be picking one of these up when they arrive!!! (I’ve got 2 young kids) so the extra doors aren’t my choosing, but a nice compromise!
CAN’T WAIT!!!!
12/22, 12:21 PM
posted by:
americanrevolution
I’m not a big fan of adding a sedan version of the M3. Every time I look at classifieds for an older M3 I click on one that looks like a good deal and then the picture comes up and I’m like, aw, man, its 4-door. Realistically, it will probably sell well, especially among the types that buy things like S4s and CTS-Vs. I guess the persistent boy-racer in me still prefers a coupe. And as far as the headlight treatment, well, it sounds like a logical enough way to differentiate the regular sedan from the M version.
12/22, 12:56 PM
posted by:
Impulsive
“Renton”, you have to admit those tail lights are a lttle messed up.
12/22, 3:15 PM
posted by:
autonutt
The coupe front end (which includes different fenders and fascia, NOT just the headlights S60) is a VAST improvement and would definitely be welcome on the M3 sedan. The previous M3 sedan from years ago was almost too stealthy, and it was all too easy for people to plunk M3 badges on any 3-series sedan and make it pass for an M3.. changing the fenders and fasciae would make it harder work this time! Now let’s fuse the M6 front end on the M5!
12/22, 5:37 PM
posted by:
Renton
Impulsive — no doubt. Teh tailights are teh ugly. The car looks “fat” The E90 sedan is ugly compared to previous E46. The rear end is horrible. Nice driver though.
The coupe’s rear end is very nice. The LEDs are very well done and do not look like LEDs under the lens. The coupe is gorgeous from any angle when it has the proper size tyres.
My plan was 335i coupe for a few years then a M3 sedan. But, it is so much more heinous, I’ll have to stick with the coupe.
12/23, 11:49 AM
posted by:
Foster
HEY DIDENT ANYONE NOTICE THAT THERE WRONG THATS NOT THE SAME FRONT END FROM THE COUPE. the grill is not conected with hood on the coupe. this picture clearly shows that the hood has the crome tops to the grill rather than the coupe witch has the grill completley in the bumper. go to bmwusa and check it out Trust me I see these cars everyday this is wrong they are incorrect.
12/23, 12:09 PM
posted by:
autonutt
Hey Foster.. you are an idiot.. the grille is clearly connected with the hood on the coupe. Proof? http://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/3/328iCoupe
12/23, 2:34 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
No, *you* are wasting everyone’s time here Impul****.
12/27, 3:25 PM
posted by:
rennSport
1) the M3 will be a great car. looking forward to the RS4 comparos.
2) the M3, and almost all current BMWs, will continue to be butt ugly.
3) 15yo’s will continue to experiment with swearing on teh interweb. ignore them.