"carwitter" (carwitter)
10/28/2013 at 13:00 • Filed to: BMW, M3, M4, 2014
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"carwitter" (carwitter)
10/28/2013 at 13:00 • Filed to: BMW, M3, M4, 2014 | 2
| 14 |
We've all seen the spy shots and read the speculation. It's been in circulation for nigh on two years now, with the car slowly undressing itself of camouflage at six month intervals. But I think its safe to say that the release of a concept, along with near naked prototypes is conclusive evidence that BMW M's most iconic line of sports cars is about to receive its next iteration. However to refer to these cars as “M3's” would not be strictly accurate, as any BMW coupé or convertible now carries a badge astride their saloon counterpart. A 2014 M3 will be a four door car. Whereas for a sleeker design, two doors or wind in your hair you will be outlaying around £60,000 for an M4. The rebranding is a matter of loathing or indifference. I for one would find myself ordering the four door car, not just for the practicality gains but for the badge that has adorned the bloodline for nearly 30 years. My stubbornness is ridiculed in my inner circles but in this industry badges like “M3” give meaning and are representative of a following. This new direction is like the next Hobbit film being renamed “The midget”.
Whats in a name?
It is the dynamics that we are eager to investigate. BMW are wizards at brewing up swiss army knife performance cars with differing measures of various ingredients with each iteration of the model. The E92 was a quantum leap from its lighter, harder E46 predecessor. The greatest departures were refinement, more accomplished, distinguished looks and a cylinder count upped to 8 in a V formation - displacing 4 litres. It was a more grown up proposition, with a comfortable tourer aspect added to its skill set whilst retaining a high revving and light feeling powerplant.
So into F, where is the bloodline headed?
The familiarity of the the F gen' 3 and 4 series visuals doesn't appear to be indicative of mechanical similarity between their upcoming M counterparts and the E92 M3 of 07. They may take up similar space on the road, but a return to a more traditional inline 6 setup with added turbo puff means the new power plant is to be lighter, sharper and more punchy as well as cleaner and more efficient than its predecessor. One reservation about that would be concerning throttle response, and the linear rev happy delivery of power that has been a staple ingredient to the M3 formulae. I suspect though, those who have piloted a 1M with some conviction won't share the same nerves.
So what do we know we know about the M3/4?
We know that the previous generation car represented a more approachable, every day evolution: emphasizing the saloon in “sports saloon”.
We know that the car possessing the engine closest in relation to that powering the M3/4 is the hard edged drivers car the 1M.
We know that the 3.0 turbocharged inline 6 unit will be pumping out around or above 420BHP to the rear wheels; via either BMWs DCT box or a traditional three pedal manual set up.
We know that this generation will shed 100 kilograms of weight compared to its predecessor and that to market these cars BMW are uploading teasers of the engine note in order to sell it as raucous and hard.
Finally, as of Pebble beach, we know how good the M4 concept looks. It looks REALLY good. It looks every bit the sports car that we wanted this generation to be. There's a mixture of the softer silhouetted E92, but with a touch of the classy, edginess of the E46. The devil is in the detail, but in short 2014 C segment M cars will be as modern and handsome as their predecessors were for their time.
Soft E92 Silhouette, sharp E46 detail.[/caption] This line of BMW M cars always had a level of completeness, poise and finesse that rivals; whether more powerful or grippier could only hope to replicate. I expect nothing less of this generation. It is sure to be one of the finest, most accomplished sports cars of the coming few years.
CalzoneGolem
> carwitter
10/28/2013 at 13:02 |
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My thoughts on the 2014 bmw m4 m3 debacle are as follows :
Victorious Secret
> carwitter
10/28/2013 at 13:03 |
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BMWs problem is that they didn't do this sooner.
Audi got away with it. Separated out their lines.
Whats in a badge?
Depends on how big a fanboy the person is.
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carwitter
> CalzoneGolem
10/28/2013 at 13:04 |
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Insightful!
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carwitter
> Victorious Secret
10/28/2013 at 13:04 |
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True! Audi have been doing it a long time now!
Baber K. Khan
> Victorious Secret
10/28/2013 at 13:07 |
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I admire your consistency to post good and sensible comments. You haven't been like this always, since the beginning I mean.. What have you done..hire a team to write comments for you here?!
Mikeado
> carwitter
10/28/2013 at 13:08 |
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I'm going to go with indifference. It's not a debacle, it's just a new naming system that also affects the M cars. In two years even the most stubborn people will be used to it and will barely be noteworthy.
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Victorious Secret
> Baber K. Khan
10/28/2013 at 13:09 |
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I'm actually Nick Denton.
All my comments come from you.
SUCKERS!
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CalzoneGolem
> carwitter
10/28/2013 at 13:22 |
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I'm bearing my soul here!
BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast.
> carwitter
10/28/2013 at 14:51 |
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They think the E92 M3 is more approachable?
The one that cost pretty much 3/4 of $100K?
M3 hasn't been approachable since the E46, and E36 before that... affordable for someone on an average professional salary, with some financial discipline.
Now these cars are WAY above the average income, and so complex and expensive to maintain, that they are bad financial choices to own after the warranty expires.
Thanks, but no thanks.
I'd buy a BMW motorcycle. I don't think I would buy a BMW any newer than a Z4 M-coupe, the pretty much the last atmospheric I6 sports car.
At least Porsche is still building atmospheric H6 truly superb sports cars, that while not as powerful, are likely more sublime than a saloon with a heavy hitter engine, and the rest of the car adapted to that speed. and the Porsche 981 is more affordable.
The M235 coupe or whatever the new 2-coupe is being called, is a better value consideration, I would think, now that it is markedly better looking than the 1-series coupe ever was.
Manuél Ferrari
> carwitter
10/28/2013 at 15:18 |
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I think this is one of those cases where rumored stats don't help us predict how good (or bad) the car will be. The car will need to be tested extensively on public roads and tracks to know if it's a big improvement on the last car, and how it compares to the competition.
The biggest issue for BMW is competition. The M3 used to have no real rivals for people that wanted a sedan-based sports car with a real trunk that could pick up the kids from school, do track duty on the weekends, and do it all while having looks and luxury. Now there is a ton of competition from its traditional German rivals, plus seriously increased competition from American rivals. Caddy is making better and better cars, and cars like the Mustang keep getting faster and nicer.
It will be interesting to see if the decision to use a 3.0L engine was a good one. I'm not one of those people that thinks that power is everything, but I also know it matters when selling cars. Buyers who are shelling out a lot of cash for a premium car do compare its stats to other options. The M3/M4 will be down on displacement to the Caddy TT V6. AMG is rumored to be working on a TT 4.0L V8, which would also have a serious power edge. I'm not sure which engine the future Audi RS 5 will have, but it wouldn't be impossible for Audi to use their TT V8. The future Mustang GT is rumored to have 500 HP. Will heritage, handling and steering feel be enough to keep the M3/M4's sales up if the competition all provide more power?
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carwitter
> Baber K. Khan
10/28/2013 at 15:22 |
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Yes we have a crack team of sensible commenter's, each take it in turn to be as neutral as possible when replying.
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Manuél Ferrari
> BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast.
10/28/2013 at 22:16 |
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I agree that the M235i is the better value. And I agree that the M3/M4 has gotten too expensive. Add options and it definitely is 3/4 of $100K or more. And I fear the new models may not be worth that considering what else you can get for that price.
One thing I disagree on slightly is that the E46 was approachable and less complex than the E9X. I think the US-spec E36 M3 was the last M3 that someone on an average professional salary could buy new and maintain without breaking the bank. The E46 had a more complex engine and the car shared less parts with the standard 3 Series than the E36 did. The E9X continued this trend but isn't worlds more complex than the E46 if both were purchased with an MT. The S65 V8 in the E9X was built well and could take a lot of abuse on the track.
In general I think the E46 and E9X will be considered the middle of the road models in 10 years when it comes to complexity and maintenance/repair costs. The new M3/M4 will be more complex and expensive to keep long term than both.
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Manuél Ferrari
> BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast.
10/28/2013 at 22:24 |
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Oh I forgot - I also agree that the N/A H6 in the Porsches are better engines for owners who want to keep their cars past the warranty period. Hopefully Porsche will keep using N/A engines in the Cayman S and Carrera S for as long as possible. There are rumors about the base models going to turbo charged 4 cylinder arrangements. Hopefully Porsche keeps the Cayman S, Cayman R, Carrera S and GT3 N/A for as long as possible.
kyngfish
> BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast.
11/05/2013 at 14:19 |
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I want the M2. I sincerely hope they make one.