Unveiled: BMW M3 Saloon (Not impressed)

[HKS786]

http://www.mwerks.com/gallery/albums//BMW/3-Series/3%20Series%20(E90)/M3%20Sedan%20(E90)/001.jpg
http://www.mwerks.com/gallery/albums//BMW/3-Series/3%20Series%20(E90)/M3%20Sedan%20(E90)/002.jpg
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[HKS786]

I just posted this over at M3post:

Man I thought it would look better with bigger pics. It just doesnt...

The front and rear do not connect. What are BMW doing? the sedan and coupe are different and now the sedan has the coupe front? very strange indeed. The rear looks quite tall and bulky compared to the coupe front, it's like the 5 series but worse...

I do like the main body, side skirts and wheels. Infact the rear bumper looks better than the stupid diffuser on the E92 M3. It's a lot cleaner. SSII paintwork is nice too.

What are they thinking with that powerdome? It's not subtle at all! It's far too big! and why couldnt they give it whitelines? I hate those rear lights! Interior is nice but just like the regular E90. Not impressive.

Overall, It's not as impressive as I wanted it to be. I think the E90 M3 and C63 are about even. Both have good and bad points. It only leaves me that the next RS4 will look a lot better than both cars. Also, if speculation is right, the RS4 could outperform both the E90 M3 and C63 ;)

Edit:

I think the problem with front/rear is the fact that it has a low nose and high bootlid. Look:

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/bmwm3sedan_002.jpg

[JavierNuvolari]

It DOES look like crap. Not special as I would spect from BMW, after all this IS the M3...anyways, it just doesn't look as special as for example the RS4 Vs A4(S4), perhaps the color is not helping at all. ..or perhaps Bangle just srewed things up one more time.

[Leadfoot]

This car is playing into the hands of the C63amg which not only hits harder and sounds even better but looks miles better as well.

Sorry guys but this is BMW's design stupidity at it's best.

[RussianM3_dude]

Not enough fender flare. Looks too narrow. Visually, I think C63 AMG just plain pwnz everybody right now.

[MPT]

Edit:

I think the problem with front/rear is the fact that it has a low nose and high bootlid. Look:

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/bmwm3sedan_002.jpg

I think you're right! it looks out of proportions. Now WHY didn't they use the E90-front, in stead of the E92 ?

[Andyuk911]

I thought they would do more ... plain jane with a bit more 00mph

[buyalemon]

Better than the coupe ...let's just hope for a touring!!

[HKS786]

I think you're right! it looks out of proportions. Now WHY didn't they use the E90-front, in stead of the E92 ?

Well, I dont know to be honest. Here's what we have. We have the 3 series platform with a saloon and coupe that have different front/rear designs. We now have the facelift E90 coming:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=97125&d=1188568507
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=97130&d=1188568791

It has a grille that is different from the old E90 and new E92. It also keeps the E90 headlights. Now we have the E90 M3 which has the E92 headlights AND grille. Why did it have to be this confusing ? :doh:

[Ruergard]

What to say, the Coupé is much better looking! And the C63 AMG is miles ahead of this... This ain't looking good. :/

[Ricoloco]

No thanks!

[KK265]

I like sedan more than the coupe.Off course between C63 AMG and M3 I prefer C 63.Above all RS4 sedan!!:rs4kiss:

[JavierNuvolari]

Well, I dont know to be honest. Here's what we have. We have the 3 series platform with a saloon and coupe that have different front/rear designs. We now have the facelift E90 coming:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=97125&d=1188568507
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=97130&d=1188568791

It has a grille that is different from the old E90 and new E92. It also keeps the E90 headlights. Now we have the E90 M3 which has the E92 headlights AND grille. Why did it have to be this confusing ? :doh:

:doh: Dear god...they just want to go from bad to worse !!....WTH is wrong with the people who aproves the desings!??!!

[HKS786]

:doh: Dear god...they just want to go from bad to worse !!....WTH is wrong with the people who aproves the desings!??!!

That's what I wonder. It's like they didnt plan any further than 1/2 years. The 3 series is a confusing platform now...:vhmmm:

[Leadfoot]

I just noticed the door speakers in the interior pics, my God, cheap aftermarket looking or what. On something that is £50K I would have thought the BMW could at least supplied the car with a speaker grill which was in keeping with the door panel design.

Cheap and nasty spring to mind.

[HKS786]

I just noticed the door speakers in the interior pics, my God, cheap aftermarket looking or what. On something that is £50K I would have thought the BMW could at least supplied the car with a speaker grill which was in keeping with the door panel design.

Cheap and nasty spring to mind.

Yep I noticed that too bro! Infact the whole interior is a let down. I've never been too impressed with the new 3 series interior. It's very basic and boring. Even the aluminium trim which I usually like in cars. To make things worse, they release the M3 with an interior that is exactly like the regular saloon/coupe !

[JavierNuvolari]

It is a real disappintment the new M3 Sedan...the coupe was growing on me(still is) but this!!....I really wanted the M3 sedan to be a whole new thing, that could put up a decent fight against the C63 and RS 4...desing wise that is, I'm pretty sure it will put up a nice fight performance wise; at least against the RS 4...I find hilgy unlike fot it to beat the C63, at least ona straight line.

Cheers all

BTW, would be VERY nice to see what our fellow RS6ers think about this new...M3.

[Fab]

looks like a plain 3 serie :doh: so common, so bad

:rs4kiss:

[rokke]

still one of the best driving machines in its class......nothing more to say

[Fab]

we're talking about the look here not about the overall car capacity or engine power.

In this regard it is a real disapointment for me versus the coupe look.

[RussianM3_dude]

I think the C63 will be a huge hit.

[Fab]

for shure I love the C63 AMG :heart: :heart:

good potential to be my next one...

[RussianM3_dude]

and the cost will be reasonable. I heard it will actually be cheaper then the RS4. Maybe around 105,000 CHF.

[Fab]

Are you shure ? I would have bet for more CHF. GOOOOD news... if true

[RussianM3_dude]

I am extrapolating from British prices.

[+44 Dave]

Dont particularly like this car. Doesnt look very special. I do however look forward to the touring version, as theres something highly attractive to me about fast estate cars. There so under rated and subtle. Even in BM DUB U form.
I'm not a fan of the new C63 though either :confused:
But i did just buy a B class for the wife so :blush:

[Erik]

All of a sudden the MB C63 seems like a very bright star.

[tazsura]

A shame, i was really looking forward to the E90 M3. Big dissapointment in looks. And as good as the C63 is i still don't like those BIG roungd front fogs lights...it's not a god damn rally car!

Oh, and the expected UK price of the C63 is thought to be £55K. So not cheaper than RS4.

Taz :asian:

[Leadfoot]

As far as I know the C63 will be priced close to £52K which though dearer than the RS4 and M3 is close enough to warrant it's improved performance and brand image.

[RussianM3_dude]

Isn't the RS4 like 55K GBP?

[tazsura]

List price was £49850 if i remeber correctly for the RS4 saloon. But i think 99.9% of the cars came with the Tech pack...so add another £2k to that price.

Taz :rs4kiss:

[Leadfoot]

List price was £49850 if i remeber correctly for the RS4 saloon. But i think 99.9% of the cars came with the Tech pack...so add another £2k to that price.

Taz :rs4kiss:


Full list of the RS4 was £50670 I think the above price was prior to the delivery charges etc.

[Arslanoff]

Not so bad, I like it. But where is Carbon fibre roof? I liked the look of M3 Coupe mostly because of it.

[HKS786]

http://www.m3post.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=104561&stc=1&d=1191853647
http://www.m3post.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=104562&stc=1&d=1191853647
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[Fab]

much better looking on those pics which confirms it is difficult to figure out a look without seeing it real...

[HKS786]

much better looking on those pics which confirms it is difficult to figure out a look without seeing it real...

Agreed. Still not happy with the low nose/high rear though. The confusing design language also annoys me. Seems like BMW cant make their mind up.

[Leadfoot]

The basic design of the car is OK but both the front and rear apron areas don't gel in the same way as they do in an Audi or Mercedes for that matter. I see lots of individual elements going on but no design connection between them, clearly the Bangle design style doesn't work to well with something that's meant to look sporty.

[RussianM3_dude]

Yeah, the bodykit looks a little tacked on.

[HKS786]

Yeah, the bodykit looks a little tacked on.

Couldnt agree more. I'll show why IMO:

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w239/J78628/Untitled2.jpg

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w239/J78628/Untitled3.jpg

By comparison, the E46 M3 had a chunkier bumper. The new M3 has a very thin design. Also, I do like the honeycomb mesh on the M5/M6 but it's a slight problem on the M3. When I seen the E92 at the showroom, the light hitting the mesh made the "fish mouth bumper" seem more obvious. It made the gaping mouth stand out more than the sides of the bumper. Here's what I mean:

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w239/J78628/Untitled4.jpg

Lastly, it looks tacked on becase of the stupid powerdome. Look at the E46 above and you'll see how subtle it should be. Also, if you see the M3 from the front you'll see how tacked on the mirrors look. Very stupid looking IMO. Reminds me of elephant ears and the stupid powerdome reminds me of a rhino horn :hihi:

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w239/J78628/Untitled-3.jpg

[KarlMarx]

Hi

I think it looks OK from some angle but overall uninspiring. Maybe it would look better in a different paint? The RS6 looks much, much better (IMHO) in the new blue compared to the grey or red. Also, like Leadie says, it might be better in the flesh (like the R8).

KM