Quote :

"Zing! I'm sorry but this is not an acceptable rate of growth: "

Sure it is, BMW keeps beating sales records. You are not most consumers, you are a tiny fraction of them. I spend all of my time on the interstate or in traffic, I am most other consumers, and I want something comfortable.

1/15/2013 5:29:28 PM

And the Toyota Camry is the best selling car in the US, but it's boring as fuck.

BMW's tagline is "The Ultimate Driving Machine". If they want to make chubby cars that appeal to "everyone" then they should find a new slogan.

1/16/2013 3:02:04 PM

Whats so great about a BMW?

1/16/2013 3:18:32 PM

Brand diluution.

1/16/2013 3:37:46 PM

V16

http://www.bmwblog.com/2009/11/02/bmws-secret-7-series-model-e32-prototype-with-6-7l-v16-engine/

1/22/2013 2:24:47 AM

Cool shit. Too bad they're probably getting rid of their V12 after the next 7 Series redesign

1/22/2013 8:22:32 AM

... and n/a I6, V8, V10...

i dont care about any of the new models. complete sell out...

1/22/2013 12:52:29 PM

http://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/bmw-m3-dtm-champion-edition-bmw-takes-a-victory-lap/

Quote :

"There’s nothing like giving yourself a pat on the back, and that’s exactly what BMW is doing with its latest special edition. The M3 DTM Champion Edition celebrates, of course, BMW’s domination of the popular DTM race series. DTM stands for Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters, or German Touring Car Masters. It’s Germany’s equivalent of NASCAR, with cars that look vaguely like production sedans and coupes going wheel-to-wheel on the track. Like NASCAR, the series attracts Formula 1 alums (including Mikka Hakkinen and David Coulthard), but the tracks do have both left and right turns. The 2012 season was BMW’s first official year of DTM competition since 1994, but the Bavarians were able to get back in the groove fairly quickly. BMW won the manufacturer’s championship and the factory-sponsored BMW Team Schnizter was the top team, with driver Bruno Spengler taking the driver’s championship. To celebrate, BMW is giving customers a chance to own Spengler’s car, sort of. The M3 DTM Champion Edition is a regular M3 dressed up to look like that championship-winning racecar. It comes coated in Frozen Black matte paint, the latest in BMW’s “Frozen” line of matte finishes, with an M tricolor racing stripe running over the carbon fiber roof and onto the decklid. A few extra decals, matte black wheels, and a body kit round out the exterior changes. On the inside is a carbon fiber trim piece signed by Spengler and bearing the car’s serial number, along with door sill plates modeled after the driver’s helmet. The steering wheel is covered in Alcantara, while the rest of the interior gets black Novillo leather and Palladium Silver trim. Spengler’s DTM car has a 4.0-liter V8, which produces 480 horsepower. However, M3 DTM Champion Edition Buyers will have to make due with the stock M3’s 414 hp. The DTM Champion Edition comes with plenty of other options, though, including the M DCT dual-clutch automated manual transmission, M driver’s package, navigation, heated seats, and parking sensors. One unique feature is the BMW M Fascination Nordschliefe program, a two-day training course at Germany’s infamous Nürburgring Nordschliefe track that includes some lessons from Spengler himself. That might be the best part of the deal because, like most special editions, the M3 DTM Champion Edition is more about exclusivity than true specialness. And it will be exclusive: BMW is only making 54 copies, none of which will come to the U.S. The car will go on sale in Germany and other markets soon for around $130,000. It will also be one of the last versions of the current M3; a new version based on the F30 3 Series/4 Series is coming soon. "

$130k for a special paint job and body kit?! ridiculous!

[Edited on January 22, 2013 at 1:00 PM. Reason : .]

1/22/2013 12:59:59 PM

Damn you people are negative about everything BMW does. Obviously this is the internet, and we only bother posting negative sentiments, but surely BMW has made a move or two that doesn't warrant your disdain.

1/22/2013 1:38:48 PM

^ I like the 135IS. The 1M was really cool, but they decided to only make a very limited number of them, driving the value of the car to the point where it probably won't be tracked much at all.

Even speaking as someone who is currently really enjoying an E36 M3, I'm pretty disappointed in everything new BMW does.

1/22/2013 1:57:45 PM

Aye I was highly disappointed when the 1 Series M was limited.

1/22/2013 2:12:08 PM

^&^^100% agreed with the limited production of the 1M. Basically that car was just a giant cock tease, or a big F U. Take your pick.

I have no problem admitting I cannot afford any new BMW, but honestly there isn't a single model currently produced that I would fork over my hard earned money for (I don't consider the E92 M3 a current model).

1/22/2013 4:47:12 PM

New M3

I6 turbo
444 hp
More:

Quote :

"CAR says it will be offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox or a dual-clutch (M-DCT) transmission which later on will be getting an eight ratio. The new M3 boasts a revised mechanical differential at the rear axle and is expected to have a curb weight of less than 1,500 kg (3,306 lbs) thanks to a CFRP roof, ceramic brakes (optionally available), while the doors, hood and boot lid will be made from aluminum."

Actual pic, not a rendering:

1/22/2013 5:01:43 PM

I'll pull a typical internet car nerd move and say that looks ugly from that angle. Where's the rest?

1/22/2013 6:24:33 PM

to debut in march at the geneva auto show.

needless to say, it will be spilled onto the interwebs well before then. i bet the mag has more pics... get a hold of the magazine somehow

i like that front mean face.

1/22/2013 6:38:42 PM

So I test drove a 2011 E90 M3 manual transmission just for kicks. Needless to say it was a mind blowing experience! Traction control kicked in as I was just making a right turn out of the dealership, the power in the car is pretty insane. I loved the engine note and LSD. If i ever bought this car I cannot imagine the rear tires lasting for more than 5k miles.

I did not notice a significant difference when I engaged different EDC settings. I didn't go over particularly bad roads to get a real feel. But I did not notice a big difference between the M3 suspension and my e93 335i sport package suspension.

Overall it was a great experience. I would like to drive a 911 Carrrera someday and see how it compares.

1/30/2013 1:06:31 PM

New M3/M4:

http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=798074

Compared to current M3:

+1 hp
+100 lb-ft
-300 lbs

1/31/2013 3:05:46 PM

^not confirmed though. it is just speculation from VIN number. F30 was suppose to be lighter than E90, but it ended up being almost the same weight.

1/31/2013 3:36:10 PM

Quote :

"Overall it was a great experience. I would like to drive a 911 Carrrera someday and see how it compares."

I currently own an E90 M3 and have owned a 996 in the past.

The 911 is better if you're talking about anything close to a tracking experience. Sure the E90 will make it round faster, but who cares...

A 997S I'm sure would wipe the floor comparatively. But we're talking about an entirely different price point.

Now, having said that...I am more pleased with the E90 than I thought I was going to be. That's saying quite a bit. Ahmet will tell you I wouldn't shut up about owning one for 4 years. You pretty much hit the nail on the head with all of your sentiments.

Nothing better than rolling the windows down and hitting the floor. The suspension is set up wonderfully. It really makes you feel like you're driving a much smaller lighter car than you really are. I don't even have EDC.

2/14/2013 9:26:56 AM

Well, a lot of us have not liked the direction that BMW has been headed for the last few years, but now they are officially dead to me: they've started equipping their cars with those goddamned EDRs, even after swearing that they would never do it unless it became mandated.

[Edited on February 16, 2013 at 10:28 PM. Reason : German cars are no longer the last safe haven.]

2/16/2013 10:27:22 PM

You're becoming insufferable with this EDR shit.

2/16/2013 10:35:50 PM

Seriously. Dude, we get it, you don't like EDR.

2/16/2013 10:47:45 PM

OK, I get it; neither of you give a fuck that I give a fuck, so you can shut the fuck up.

2/16/2013 10:52:27 PM

^j/w would you use a dash-cam?

2/16/2013 11:01:00 PM

While Duke harps on the EDR a lot, I tend to agree with him about concerns about how the data is used/intrusion.

And in general, EDR's are a big part of everything I hate about where new cars are going...way too much (unreliable) technology, way too much weight, tons of safety shit that could be better served by better drivers (automatic braking/collision avoidance, pedestrian impact bullshit, backup cameras mandated, etc).

Having my older M3 makes me WANT to like new BMW's, and I cannot. Even if I did want to check one out, there's never any manuals within 200 miles of me, and BMW's site won't filter between their SMG/automated manuals and regular manuals, so the regular manuals are impossible to find anyways.

2/17/2013 11:56:18 AM

derp derp looking for an e36 /// sedan. someone point me to one on the cheap that isn't on craigslist/autotrader/bimmerforums!

3/14/2013 9:21:50 PM

I'm a big fan of e36 M3s, but the e46 330i zhp is one of my favorite "newer" BMWs, well worth a look. E90 335s aren't so bad either but starting to get a bit silly with the techno whiz-bang stuff.

3/15/2013 1:11:38 AM

the price difference between the e46 m3 and zhp is negligible though.

3/15/2013 6:43:23 AM

Sold my e46 M3 yesterday. It was definitely a bittersweet experience.

3/15/2013 8:22:39 AM

I'd rather have a 330zhp over an e46 m3..

3/15/2013 9:55:52 AM

I'm pretty estatic with my e39 m5

3/15/2013 11:06:16 AM

i would be too...

i almost got one instead of my roo but i was told they're like time bombs

so i got a subaru which really is a time bomb...

3/15/2013 11:42:38 AM

I'm past the point of worrying about when something is going to break

I just want to enjoy driving

3/15/2013 11:44:11 AM

Quote :

"I'd rather have a 330zhp over an e46 m3.."

What do you like so much about it?

3/15/2013 11:44:52 AM

My guess would be superior reliability and lower cost of ownership.

3/15/2013 12:17:06 PM

No...he likes it better because it has 4 doors. Really that's it. He will chime in and list other reasons...but I promise you that's the real reason.

3/15/2013 7:57:30 PM

Quote :

"I'm pretty estatic with my e39 m5 "

You own us pictures and a story. Im all ears.

3/15/2013 11:54:26 PM

^^

yeah. some people say a better steering rack, too. i think you can swap it into the M3, though.

3/16/2013 12:44:46 AM

Well it's true I think a 2 door e46 is stupid, but I actually do like the 4 door quite a bit. It's the skunkworks.. I'm sorry I mean skunkwerks aspect of a car like that coming out that's appealing. An example of a car that's more than the sum of it's parts. They drive great, if you've had the chance. That and I just can't stand a million things about the e46 m3 starting w/it's annoying exhaust tone and it's chintzy frameless windows. Oh and the fact that it's missing two doors.

3/16/2013 4:40:12 PM

^h4ter.

3/16/2013 10:21:00 PM

When its any other brand its "rattle" . When its a BMW its "rasp" .

3/16/2013 10:44:40 PM

Quote :

"it's chintzy frameless windows"

You mean like a 911?

3/18/2013 7:25:46 AM

The E46 M3 probably has the most disappointing exhaust note I've ever heard

3/18/2013 10:30:00 AM

agreed it should sound smooth and silky like every other I6 in existence... like supras and Zs ... hell even the VR sounds amazing... but... nope...

3/18/2013 10:35:41 AM

996 windows aren't crunchy and loose like teh uLtiMat3 ///MEH.

3/18/2013 1:05:24 PM

996 window actuators go out all the time.

...you know what, fuck it...I just like arguing with Ahmet, but I actually agree with him. So yeah.

3/18/2013 2:27:20 PM

Rejoined the club with a 92 E36 325i sedan. Runs and drives beautifully, but the interior looks like it was attacked by rabid raccoons and the driver's side windows don't work . . . . this will be an interesting project.

4/14/2013 1:48:15 AM

great vehicle. you should get personal license plate NOVANOS

4/14/2013 5:03:41 AM

don't worry about the windows, windows don't work on any old BMW.

4/14/2013 11:33:07 AM

awesome

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1998-BMW-M3-Toyota-2jzgte-Turbo-Engine-565whp-Clean-Fast-Super-Car-/251260939917?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item3a8051ae8d

4/19/2013 5:02:30 PM