CD Article: 2008 BMW M3 Sedan and Coupe

[CD_Editor]

First Drive:


After a two-year hiatus, the new BMW M3 returns with a "high-tech" 4.0-litre V8 that is "lighter than the six-cylinder engine it replaces and uses less fuel," reports Managing Editor, Grant Yoxon.

 More:
Read the article | View the photos | All The First Drives

[initial_D]

Whether you choose a coupe or sedan, you will be pleased with the pricing on the new M3. The sedan will start at $69,900 while the coupe will be priced at $71,300, $3,100 less than the 2006 M3 coupe it replaces. The convertible will start at $81,900, $2,600 less than the 2006 M3 cabriolet.

Even tho cheaper, still the least like-able feature of an otherwise awesome car.

[Mitlov]

While I don't contest the technological awesome-ness of the new M3, I can't get excited about a V8 3-Series.  I'd much prefer a higher-tuned version of the twin-turbo inline-six, or something like that.

[Jl]

not very fond of it...not much of a driver's car....more of a computer driven machine

but being priced in the 60ks...BMW will have a even harder time moving the slow selling MZ4's (priced in low 60ks) which uses the old M3 engine

[2hondas]

Sorry for my lack of knowledge, but I always thought BMW V8's had cooling issues. 

Anyways, that is one sexy looking coupe, and I agree with Mitlov, I'd be more excited about it having a TT six. V8 seems a bit too "refined" to me. 

[SIVIC]

Call me crazy, but I'd rather take a 335xi.

[tortoise]

You. Are. All. Nutz.

More Power?  Check.
Less Weight? Check.
Less Consumption? Check
4 Doors? Check.

This is the perfect vehicle IMO.

[Demosthenes X]

but being priced in the 60ks...BMW will have a even harder time moving the slow selling MZ4's (priced in low 60ks) which uses the old M3 engine

  Completely different cars.  The M3 is a large-ish sports coupe and sedan.  The M coupe/M roadster is a pure sports car.  I don't see many people cross-shopping these two.  BMW manages to sell the Z4 and 328 side-by-side without too much trouble.


I was unexcited by the V8 at first, but I've grown to accept it.  It's not an American V8, with tons of go but nothing else...  it's a highly technical, race-inspired V8, which I think it really cool.  And, more power, less weight, and better mileage?  I approve.

I wasn't aware that they were considering an AWD version...  that would make it absolutely perfect, imo.  I love the M3, but always come back to the RS4 when fantasizing about these cars because of the AWD.  But an AWD M3 would be pretty tough to beat.

Not sure I like the styling on the coupe - it's a little to in-your-face, but the sedan is very nice (and what I would take, anyway).  The coupe was unlocked at the autoshow, very nice inside.

[Jameel]

Granted I'm no BMW fan!

As awesome and amazing this car is, technologically, I just can't get excited about it.  I tried reading the article and just couldn't finish it.  I don't know what it is, I can't put my finger on it. 

Even when 5th gear tested it I couldn't help but be bored by the video.  The Top Gear video when they compared the M3 to the C63 and RS4 was better, but I was still bored by the M3.

I know what some of you will say I'm just being negative because I can't afford it.  While it's true I can't afford it, I just can't get excited about this thing.

On a side note, why doesn't BMW come out with a real sports car?

[rrocket]

You. Are. All. Nutz.

More Power?  Check.
Less Weight? Check.
Less Consumption? Check
4 Doors? Check.

This is the perfect vehicle IMO.

Crappy, rubbery stick shift. CHECK! 

Nothing worse than having a rubbery shifter, and by every account I've read, this car has it. 

[Cord]

You. Are. All. Nutz.

More Power?  Check.
Less Weight? Check.
Less Consumption? Check
4 Doors? Check.

This is the perfect vehicle IMO.

No kidding. You gotta wonder what it takes to please some people.

[SiRCivic]

You. Are. All. Nutz.

More Power?  Check.
Less Weight? Check.
Less Consumption? Check
4 Doors? Check.

This is the perfect vehicle IMO.

I'm not so sure about the less weight part.

Sure, the new engine might be 20 pounds lighter than the old one, but I believe the car as a whole is actually a couple hundred pounds heavier.

Not that I still wouldn't love to have one in my driveway. 

[G35X]

SiRCivic wrote: “Sure, the new engine might be 20 pounds lighter than the old one, but I believe the car as a whole is actually a couple hundred pounds heavier.”

Safety and pollution control measures may make cars heavier to-day.  But, why do automobile manufacturers in the world keep bringing out heavier and more powerful vehicles one after another?  And why do buff mags and newspapers praise them?  Under to-day’s public mood for energy conservation and cleaner environment, those cars are even “anti-social”.  Although I currently drive a rather thirsty (7-10KM/L) car myself and looked at 335i as replacement, I changed my mind.  I will wait for the next generation of energy-efficient yet fun-to-drive car. If Toyota brings out the hybrid version of the IS, I will buy it right away.
Low power cars are not necessarily boring to drive.  For example, the last version of the Porsche 356C had a 1600cc H-4 producing just 75HP. Even with airbags, pollution control gadgets and all, I think a 150HP or so ICE with the electric motor assist can make a nice fun-to-drive car. 

[Mitlov]

SiRCivic wrote: “Sure, the new engine might be 20 pounds lighter than the old one, but I believe the car as a whole is actually a couple hundred pounds heavier.”

Safety and pollution control measures may make cars heavier to-day.  But, why do automobile manufacturers in the world keep bringing out heavier and more powerful vehicles one after another?  And why do buff mags and newspapers praise them?  Under to-day’s public mood for energy conservation and cleaner environment, those cars are even “anti-social”.  Although I currently drive a rather thirsty (7-10KM/L) car myself and looked at 335i as replacement, I changed my mind.  I will wait for the next generation of energy-efficient yet fun-to-drive car. If Toyota brings out the hybrid version of the IS, I will buy it right away.
Low power cars are not necessarily boring to drive.  For example, the last version of the Porsche 356C had a 1600cc H-4 producing just 75HP. Even with airbags, pollution control gadgets and all, I think a 150HP or so ICE with the electric motor assist can make a nice fun-to-drive car. 

 

Sorry, there's just something funny about a G35 driver complaining about how manufacturers only offer high-powered, thirsty performance cars.  Isn't it about the fastest--and thirstiest--car in the segment?  (Ignoring M and RS and AMG cars that are nearly twice its price).

[SiRCivic]

SiRCivic wrote: “Sure, the new engine might be 20 pounds lighter than the old one, but I believe the car as a whole is actually a couple hundred pounds heavier.”

Safety and pollution control measures may make cars heavier to-day.  But, why do automobile manufacturers in the world keep bringing out heavier and more powerful vehicles one after another?  And why do buff mags and newspapers praise them?  Under to-day’s public mood for energy conservation and cleaner environment, those cars are even “anti-social”.  Although I currently drive a rather thirsty (7-10KM/L) car myself and looked at 335i as replacement, I changed my mind.  I will wait for the next generation of energy-efficient yet fun-to-drive car. If Toyota brings out the hybrid version of the IS, I will buy it right away.
Low power cars are not necessarily boring to drive.  For example, the last version of the Porsche 356C had a 1600cc H-4 producing just 75HP. Even with airbags, pollution control gadgets and all, I think a 150HP or so ICE with the electric motor assist can make a nice fun-to-drive car. 

 

Sorry, there's just something funny about a G35 driver complaining about how manufacturers only offer high-powered, thirsty performance cars.  Isn't it about the fastest--and thirstiest--car in the segment?  (Ignoring M and RS and AMG cars that are nearly twice its price).

And his is an "x", no less. 

Nothing like AWD to add an unnecessary couple hundred pounds to a car. 

[Cord]

SiRCivic wrote: “Sure, the new engine might be 20 pounds lighter than the old one, but I believe the car as a whole is actually a couple hundred pounds heavier.”

Safety and pollution control measures may make cars heavier to-day.  But, why do automobile manufacturers in the world keep bringing out heavier and more powerful vehicles one after another?  And why do buff mags and newspapers praise them?  Under to-day’s public mood for energy conservation and cleaner environment, those cars are even “anti-social”.  Although I currently drive a rather thirsty (7-10KM/L) car myself and looked at 335i as replacement, I changed my mind.  I will wait for the next generation of energy-efficient yet fun-to-drive car. If Toyota brings out the hybrid version of the IS, I will buy it right away.
Low power cars are not necessarily boring to drive.  For example, the last version of the Porsche 356C had a 1600cc H-4 producing just 75HP. Even with airbags, pollution control gadgets and all, I think a 150HP or so ICE with the electric motor assist can make a nice fun-to-drive car. 

 

Sorry, there's just something funny about a G35 driver complaining about how manufacturers only offer high-powered, thirsty performance cars.  Isn't it about the fastest--and thirstiest--car in the segment?  (Ignoring M and RS and AMG cars that are nearly twice its price).

Apparently his environmental consciousness is "grandfathered" because he already owns his car. It will really only matter when he buys the new one he is waiting to be produced. 

[G35X]

Mitlov, yes it is funny.  And I still try to show off the prowess of my car occasionally. But, after finding out the current state of the art in battery technology (Mitsu iMiEV, for example) and witnessing Prius taxicabs all over in Vancouver BC, I am now sold on the hybrid.  With so many 250HP “family” cars and 300HP SUV’s around I do not want to drive a fuel-efficient-but-slow car.  I want to merge safely into the southbound I-5 from the 520 in Seattle.  I want to maintain 65+ mph with enough reserve passing power when going up from Ashland to Siskiyu Summit.  I believe the next generation hybrids are capable of doing this.

P.S. By the way I need the “X” for my drive to Whistler. I hope the IS-250 4WD will evolve to IS-150(?)+electric motor assist …

[Norm]

The editors/writers at CanadianDriver.com can really help out the ordinary Canadian by including some kind of analysis between Canadian versus US pricing. The only way the manufacturers are going to lower their Canadian prices by shedding light on this problem and embarrassing them. The more Canadians know about how much we are getting gauged, the less they would be inclined to purchase these cars at home.

The US price for the M3 sedan is about $54K USD. Given there are some additional safety equipment (if you believe this crap), wouldn't another 10% on top of that be reasonable pricing difference. That would make the MSRP more like $60K for this vehicle.

BTW...the BMW talks about a reasons why we should buy Canadian spec BMWs...what a load of garbage!

I'm an owner of a BMW 335i. At this rate, my next vehicle will definitely be an import from the US.

[rrocket]

Mitlov, yes it is funny.  And I still try to show off the prowess of my car occasionally. But, after finding out the current state of the art in battery technology (Mitsu iMiEV, for example) and witnessing Prius taxicabs all over in Vancouver BC, I am now sold on the hybrid.  With so many 250HP “family” cars and 300HP SUV’s around I do not want to drive a fuel-efficient-but-slow car.  I want to merge safely into the southbound I-5 from the 520 in Seattle.  I want to maintain 65+ mph with enough reserve passing power when going up from Ashland to Siskiyu Summit.  I believe the next generation hybrids are capable of doing this.

P.S. By the way I need the “X” for my drive to Whistler. I hope the IS-250 4WD will evolve to IS-150(?)+electric motor assist …

I agree.  I LOVE my 500+HP Supra.  It gets decent mileage too.  But after driving the Echo as my winter beater, I'm in love with the low fuel consumption.  I would like to have a performance hybrid. I think right now the best car that marries the hybrid with performance is the GS450H.  But it's a little big for most of our tastes.  I agree..something in an IS sized package hybrid would be great.

[tpl]

Call me crazy, but I'd rather take a 335xi.

me too. At that price I'd rather have a cream puff one year old 535xi

 grace, space, pace as old Jaguar ads used to say