gavriil

BMW looks set to take on the Mercedes CLK 430 with a hot V8-powered 3-series.

Power is likely to come from the newly developed V8 that will make its debut in the 7-series later this year.

The coupe would also be brisk enough to challenge the rumoured 3.7-litre 280bhp Audi A4 and would bridge the gap between the existing 231bhp 330Ci and the 343bhp M3.

A BMW spokesman said: "We haven’t made any firm decision on the 3-series yet, although developments are certainly pointing towards the need for a V8 in the coupe market."


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Gabriel
CL Type S

Silver™

If the CLK is the target I would think BMW would bring back the 6 series.

GoldTypeS_RENAMED

I agree... they need to call it the 6 series if they do it. The 3 series is plenty played out as it is. And so they'd have the lower powered inline 6, a 280ish hp V8, and then a top of line 343hp inline 6???? That sounds like something GM would do. Remember the old piece of crap Berettas? Your choice of a weak 4cyl, a weak 6cyl or a 180hp 4 cyl!!

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2001 Acura 3.2CL Type S
Comptech Springs
Comptech Sway Bars
Comptech Headers to be installed in a couple weeks
PIAA 19169

EricL

I hope they use platinum plugs. Have you seen how accessible the parts are in the 3 series with inline 6 engines?

Put a V8 in that tunnel -- better make sure it is engineered like the racing Audis (with snap fittings).



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2001 Satin Silver Cl-S w/ NAVI

• Mud Guards
• Wheel locks
• Toyo 235/45ZR17-97W* T1S Proxies on Stock 17" CLS wheels
• Gtech 1/8th tank 40F ~=6.1
• Zaino magic

soopa

Seeing as how thats a pic of the new 3-series Compact up there... have you guys seen the other pics??

http://www.bmw.com/e46_2/e/preview.html

(Macromedia Flash Movie)

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[This message has been edited by soopa (edited 02-15-2001).]

Nashua_Night_Hawk

Compact what??? Smaller than it's small. Is BMW is mini coopper wonabe...

****ing Stupid, BMW!!!!

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Bare Bone Stock Type-S. Plenty of accessories. PIAA 19169 to be installed soon.

aeon

Man, it's SO UGLY!!! What were they thinking? I guess crack has made it's move into Germany, or they're trying to destroy the BMW name. I absolutely love they way the 3 series looks now, not much room for improvement so I guess they just decided to go straight into the gutter.

BIGNASTY

This wouldn't be the first time BMW did this if you remember the old M5 was a six.

bc01cls

Fugly...............there goes the 50/50 weight balance.

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CL-S PDG, TR Typhoon Wheels, Solaris 9005, guards, nose mask, V-1 & remote.
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?...493&p=31386570

silverESS

soopa-you so kool! nice wit da pic show

someguy

If BMW does this, it will not be the V8 from the new 7 or X5. That V8 is 4.6 352hp monster. I doubt that there will ever be an 8cylnder in a 3. The 330i and M3 are pretty damn fast. The V8 would compete with the M3. There WILL be a 6-series to go against the CLK. BMW also has a low level V8 that most people don't know about, it is 3.5 that is between the 530 and 540 in euorpe called the 535i.

mechafreq

that's funny, it looks like the IS300 from the rear.

who's following who now?

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I am a cute fuzzy squirrel.

tel1sps

looks like they are developing Honda and Acura envy.....

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01 Silver 3.2CLS

tankmonkey

actually, bmw debuted a v8 version of the new m3 at the rolex 24hrs of daytona. there were also i6 versions of both the new and previous generation m3s, as well.

NOVAwhiteTypeS

I like the front end but what's w/ the is300/altezza brake lights.

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CL-S
White/Ebony/Navi/Spoiler/Visor/Full Bra/Mud Guards/Cargo Net/Acura Car Cover/Tint 20%,35%,5% on Sun Roof, Rockford 250a2 Amp w/JL10w6 / K&N Drop in Filter. Comptech Springs. Polarg m-6.
Comptech Headers, Comptech Sways, Eurolite Xenon Crystal high beams.
AEM CAI once they decide to make the dame thing.
235/40/17's or 225/45/17's once I found out which one works for me.

gtech 0-60 6.03 w/ 438 pound load. preheader.

someguy

Yes, I am aware that the V8 was at daytona, but doubt that it will make it into production. This would infringe on other bmw sales, specifically the rumored new 6 series.

tankmonkey

1. your awareness of the racing v8 wasn't particularly clear from your original post.

2. these bmws were not racing in the prototype class. this means that bmw will have to produce at least a token number of these cars for the general public in order to keep the points earned over the course of the series. (these *are* production based cars, after all)

3. I agree that the v8 will eat into the i6 sales. however, as the new m3 has only marginally improved power over what has been available in europe for the last few years, and those few years are a lifetime in most any form of racing, I think the 3 series v8 is looking pretty attractive to bmw right now, at least from a "race on sunday / sell on monday" perspective.



[This message has been edited by tankmonkey (edited 02-16-2001).]

someguy

If they were to build this V8 3 with the 4.6L engine, it would, to my best guess be in another M3 Lightweight editon. BMW did build a lightweight edition M3 a few years ago, it was basically a stripper, but very fast and in very limited production. This car would be above the long awaited 2001 M3. Let's hope that if this does happen, it will make it into the states. The V8 does fit into the standard e46 body, a tuner has managed to wedge the 5L M5/Z8 engine into a 328Ci.

[This message has been edited by someguy (edited 02-16-2001).]

SmoothJyzz

From what I hear, the 6 is definitely coming back, maybe as early as next year or two.

dee

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PimpDaddy Gold, Deep Tint, BAAAAAD Attitude

BigPimp

Speaking of Bimmers, I have a pic of the new 7 series, but for the life of could not figure out how to put it into the post? Help


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'01 Satin Silver w/Black, Navi_less, spoiler, mud guards, wind deflector.
Things to come: Tint, fog lights, sub, air kit (if exists), maybe headers and K&N filter.

moomaster_99

It makes no marketing sense to throw a V8 into a 3-series. Head-to-head...they use the M3 as a competitor for the CLK430 and CLK55. BMW would not waste their time on something that would eat into 5-series sales. Take a marketing class and you'll know why. BMW has already injured its image somewhat by producing the 318ti. Most people faced with a decision to pay around 50K for an M3 or a V8 3-series...would buy the M3.
But that's just my thoughts.

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2001 Cl-S Black on Black with Navigation
Black Tint all around (15%~45%)
Weapon-R Dragon Filter
and in 6 days (and counting)
Weapon-R Coil-Overs
Koni Adjustable Struts
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(next month)
Comptech Headers

someguy

I will disagree with this. BMW did not hurt its image with this car. In Europe they sell a 316ti, 520i, and a 728i. It is only in the US that these models cannot be sold. The same is true for all the other euro carmakers. Cars that will sell very well in europe, such as low-end BMWs are for some reason considered junk in the US. I thought that the 318ti was rated by I think Car and Driver as the best handling car in the US for less than 30k. The 318ti reflected what BMW was about. BMW is not about pure power, like US sports cars, but rather they are strongly concerned with handling and supspention dynamics. The 318ti was priced under 20k, and for that price it was a fun car and very practical. Carmakers that are considered pristigious in the US are just like US carmakers in their own makets, its just that makers like BMW, Mercedes and Jaguar import only the high end models. Even Canadians can get a 320i w/ 168hp engine.


[This message has been edited by someguy (edited 02-16-2001).]

Acura_CL

BMW 3xx with a V8? No way. Its too heavy. Stick a powerfull V6, maybe a much bigger V6 but definatly not an 8. The three series is too small and light to have an 8 and keep that 50/50 weight split on the frong and rear. I almost got a 328. My neighbor (a prick) has a 328 and a friend has a 318... so I couldn't get one.

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Red 3.2 CL-S.
"Life is too short not to be Italian." -Paul Sorvino

Speed_Racer

The Prelude SH actually won Car and Driver's "Best Handling Car for Under $30,000" in early 1997. Not sure if they did any other comparisons after this. . .

someguy

I could have sworn that the 318ti won one of them...

Silver™

The only reason they get buy with those wimpy cars in Europe is because gas costs $5.00 a gallon.

gavriil

I am almost certain that we will see a V8 3 Series. You people are getting confused because you assume that the V8 version of this car will be faster than the M3. That is not what BMW is trying to accomplish here.

Although all BMW engines are torquey engines, lack of adequate torque is getting more of an issue with the 3 series due to the fact that the car is getting heavier with all these options. A 4 liter V8 would get more torque than the M3's engine but less power. Add to that the fact that there will only be an auto trany version of this car and that this car will be fully loaded with options and the V8 makes more sense.

People think that the 330Ci is fast but 214 pounds of torque is punny for US luxury standards. The 3 series is BMW's cash cow and they need to squeeze as much out of the car as possible. A V8 makes big sense.

Plus, the next S4 will borrow the W8 from the Passat so there is another reason (again, the V8 3Series will not go against the S4, the M3 will continue to do that).

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Gabriel
CL Type S

[This message has been edited by gavriil (edited 02-17-2001).]