YuppieCL

aside from the e46 (i think thats what the current model is) M3... when is the NEW m3 coming out?

I've been back and forth between what I want for my next car and I'm looking to make a move this summer.

I really want an '06 S4 because of AWD... so thats like 52k... for like a few grand more i can make that S4 into a convertible.... something i've ALWAYS wanted...

Now for ~58k... i'm not just in BMW land.... but convertible M3 land.... and as stupid as it may seem, I think I'd rather have a drop-top M3, then AWD if i'm spending that much money as it is... (white w/ red interior)

I've delayed myself getting the current S4 because the new body style comes out this April, so I was wondering if the new body style M3 is coming out anytime soon, cuz then I'll just place an order and wait....

I'd go to the BMW dealer and ask all this, but they'll just give me the cold shoulder if I'm not ready to buy on the spot.... and I'm not ready for that just yet....

SeCsTaC

58k gives you a lot of options... =D If you get an M3 convertible thats already 55k base starting price... Oh if you go convertible get an M3, the S4 drop top just isnt a looker.. so plain jane IMO

savage

new 3 series comes this year dont expect the new m3 until summer 06 the earliest...they introduced the e46 3 series in 99-00 and the M3 didnt arrive til summer 01...

you gotta give bmw about a year or two until the M version comes out...

but if you do wait expect a price increase on the M3 and a 400HP V8 with a newer version of SMG available...

YuppieCL

yeah... thats what i mean... i want a convertible AND awd, but the s4 is just "okay" looking and the interior is NOT impressive at all.... so forget the awd..

my whole thing is, is that if i'm looking for a car that costs this much, id want the NEWEST model.... i'd be bothered by the fact that a new model is on the horizon and about to take my "new" cars' place.

i'd want to at least have the current version of the car for a few years...

on bmwusa.com's site, they say the new 3 is coming.... coming when? and how far away would the new m3 convertible be?

savage

how about the convertable S4?

YuppieCL

same price (maybe a tad more) than an M3 convertible.... M3 just looks soooo much nicer....

savage

yeah i agree...i am a bmw guy but if you want a fast awd convert the S4 is the way to go....

but just remember the M3 is the benchmark for luxury performace coupes...its the car everything is compared to and rarely match...great overall balance, just know that there is barely any room for tuning on that engine...even if they have a new model it wont be til summer 06 the earliest and the convert wont be around til 6 months after that...don't go for the 19inch rims though...the 18's look nicer and are already a stiff ride...

mclarenf3387

Where do you get that? There is plenty of room for tuning any M car. Hell, the individual throttle bodies probably make it easier to tune, if you know what your doing. There are plenty of mods for any M out there, from the typical stuff to forced induction. The next one will be the same.

Get the M3, especially if you want a vert. Neither are really practical in the winter anyways, so get the M3. Plus it looks better

teg_to_bike

I've give my right arm for an M3.

...wait, no... how the hell would I shift gears?

bkknight369

the 3-series 'vert hasnt been introduced yet, so i wouldnt expect an m3 'vert till '08 at the earliest

even then, i would expect prices to START close to $70k

I'd hit the current m3, were I you, and then trade up when the new M comes out

bkknight369

true, but UN-GODLY expensive to mod an m3...i think if I were spending that much cash, I'd keep it stock

Crazy Bimmer

If you gonna buy a m3 convertible then buy a used one, those have horrible resale value.

My buddy bought one for 44k and it came with an optional hardtop!

savage

yeah if you even want to consider forced induction on that engine i hope you are ready to change all the internals...there is a reason why the top tuner companies like dinan dont have a supercharger kit for the M3...well they have one coming but if their top performance package only bumps it up to 361HP but costs 10 grand...you can expect to pay a hell of a lot for the SC kit...

the last gen M3's were more tuner friendly...lower compression and not tuned to the verge of being a as demanding as race car engine....

mclarenf3387

So, you pay over 4k for an exhaust on a Ferrari. I saw an after market gas-cap for $500. You buy high performance cars, your not gonna mod them cheaply. You don't own a fucking civic. Jesus, everyone complains about how much mods cost, you gotta pay to play. And I see pleny of FI M3s on Bimmer boards, from new to old, so its not like it hasn't been done or is absurdly difficult. Plus there is a huge market for M3 mods compared to a CL/TL so its not even like they need to jack up the price for that reason.

darrinb

new m3 will be out prolly in 07-08, but i'd get a coupe

savage

or the sedan version...which is rumored to be coming...

liloj

sedan M3 would be tits

Crazy88

next gen M3 will only be in sedan form

the M4 will be the coupe replacing the current M3

BMW is making the 4 series. (basically 3 series but in coupe or cabriolet trim)

even numbered series means 2 doors, odd numbered series are sedans

i just read this in motor trend i think

Crazy88

http://phark.typepad.com/phark/2004/...mw_4_seri.html

I know this is not a credible source but at least he goes on to say that the naming of 3 series and 4 series coupes is still in the air

SeCsTaC

looks damn gorgeous to me, taken from the automotive news section. Supposdely the new 3 series coupe/cabrio

teg_to_bike

Chief F1 Fan

then give your left arm teg and drive w/ your knee when you shift!

Shawn S

I thought the new E90 3-Series SEDAN comes out this spring.
The Coupe will follow this fall or spring 2006.
I wouldn’t expect the next M3 until fall 2006 as a 2007 model.
Unfortunately, it still appears that it will be SMG slush-box only.
It looks like they caved to the criticism and the M5 will come with a true manual.
My fingers are crossed that the M3 will too.

I really like those new Coupe spy shots.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

This just lacks the visual punch of the current E46 based M3. The current M3 looks very strong and aggressive. This E90 based one looks almost docile...

Shawn S

Docile huh ??? .............. (Yes, I know it's just a PS job)

bigman

I'd go with the S4 convertible when they upgrade to the new front end. It looks boring when stock, but when modded with a body kit it looks awesome.

ShopTalker

For that money I will take one of these..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...525103840&rd=1

mclarenf3387

Not true. This was put to rest several months ago. They are sticking with the current numbers/series. There is way to much history in the M3 name to change it.

bkknight369

true, but afterwards there were further rumors that bmw will actually keep the m3 as a coupe form, because of the heritage the name has built up

in regards to the modding...hey have you have money comming out of your ass, then go for it, but for me 10-15 hp gain isnt worth $4k...I'd buy an m3 for an out-of-factory racer, not something to be running performance mods...for that I'd rather get a civic or mr2 and make a spectacular hp monster

mclarenf3387

You forget neither of those two would EVER handle as well as a stock M3, let alone a few little suspension mods. THe MR2 may come close, but very few cars in that price range, or less, handle like an M3.

bkknight369

thats true, but if you start to add massive amounts of power to an m3, which increasing the weight, that will start to fuck with the handling dynamics as well right? unless you're modding/tuning the suspension also, but if you're going through all that trouble, why not just buy a stock car at a higher level (say, m5)?

Smitty

Yuppie I am in the same situation as yourself...

i have serious thoughts of a M3.... but i do not think I will do any modifications to it.

i had my fun with the CL-S... and I do not use my car as a daily driver... so for me I am stuck between a used S2000, new M3 or a new vette.... i will decide at the end of this summer and make a purchase then...

good luck.

YuppieCL

used m3 and new m3 is a HUGE range in price!

i'm just looking for something HOT that i'm going to FULLY enjoy. see, i'd get the new 06 s4 cabrio, but the pricing is VERY similar to that of a m3 cabrio.... and the bimmer's looks win over awd... i'm just i'd be fine in the winter... i mean, it only alot snows like 4 or 5 times a year... i'll just stay home those days

btw.... how long would i have to wait for a new m3 cabrio if i go order one at the dealer NOW? i doubt i'd get a new one on the spot....

Crazy Bimmer

3 months if you order it unless they can find one for you from another dealer.

Beltfed

S4 vert is a big fat pig..... curb weight around 4k.


I'm looking forward to getting rid of the M3, tired of BMWs for now.

Beltfed

Why a used S2k? The car is fairly reasonable to begin with.

darrinb

u stil gonna keep the cl-s???

savage

get a new M3 and for mods get the competition package...

Competition Package
M Cross Spoke forged lightweight alloy wheels, 19 x 8.0 front, 19 x 9.5 rear; 225/40R-19 front and 255/35R-19 rear performance tires7

Cross-drilled compound brakes8

M track mode for DSC9,10

Competition Package Aluminum Interior Trim

Alcantara steering wheel11 and handbrake

More direct steering ratio

Crazy Bimmer

You get tired of everything

Beltfed

Waste of $.......steering ratio is only 5% quicker (can't be felt), aluminum interior is Comp pack in no big deal (optional $300 aluminum is just as nice), Alcantara wheel/handbrake (who cares). Cross-drilled brakes are neat, but are not an expensive upgrade to begin with. The wheels aren't any bigger than the optional oem 19s (the fronts are 8.0 vs. the CSLs 8.5).