Comments on: Report: 2007 BMW M3 coupe to get unique body + RS5 news

By: pviodmar

pviodmar — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 01:12:18 +0000

pviodmar

pviodmar

By: wmledouw

wmledouw — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 01:11:23 +0000

wmledouw

wmledouw

By: Garris

Garris — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 04:32:45 +0000

Interesting to read they are looking for a more “upscale” appearance. If they’re going to ask likely 60-70K for this, some appearance upgrade is going to be needed.

That’s the problem (in my mind) with the current RS4. I’d certainly balk at paying near M5 money for what looks (to most people) little different from your neighbor’s 28K leased A4.

Another question this brings up is will there be an M3 sedan, and if so, what will it look like?

By: jwon

jwon — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 03:32:33 +0000

the previous poster is right, despire the subtle visual cues, the changes are substantial. If you count all the body pannels that differ on the E46 only the doors and the roof (I’m guessing) are retained from the non M counterparts. Its funny, the pannels look the same but are slighly different. I guess this really is the point of the M design anyway. I would like the E90 M to look similar to the non M counterparts.

By: John Capozzi

John Capozzi — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 01:23:02 +0000

…Traditionally, the M3 has simply used a lowered 3-Series body with added cladding and other minor visual upgrades…

Actually, the E36 M3 (93-99) was the only version of the three previous models that did NOT have unique body panels, and made do with different bumper covers and side skirts.

The E30 and E46 M3s had substantially different fenders and quarter panels than the mundane 3-Series coupe, along with M3 specific front and rear fascias and side skirting. The E46 M3 had a different hood as well.

So the E90 M3 is simply continuing the tradition that was skipped for the second generation.