[Thavash]

http://www.wheels24.co.za/Wheels24/N...758289,00.html


Wheels24 in South Africa has an expose on the new range !

[E90Fleet]

Old news, except that they think the sedan may be a Frankfurt this year

Their idea of what the car will look like (just photoshoped E90, M5 and M6 )

[mrivc211]

They better not put those ugly M5 wheels on the new M3. I think wheels make or break a car.

[davinet78]

i think that the pics are really cool and that the real car looks like the one in the pic

[JVFan]

Middle one's rear roof looks like an Audi

[Petercat]

And a bad Photoshop at that...
Look at how narrow the front wheels/tires are on the top pic.
The middle and bottom sit so high and they put 10" wheel/tires on the front and back. With those wide tires and how high it sits, that cabrio looks like "Bigfoot"!

[stressdoc]

Hmmm... One piece mentions a Touring M3 (with photo), but the other does not. Curious that we will get a look at the M3 before the 335i. I would have thought we would see the 335i first, if that model is to be released first. The lag btw show and retail availability is variable, but it would be a little out of character for BMW to show us the M3 at Frankfurt if we were not going to be able to get it by next summer. And not a word about the 335i? Odd. I am bumming a bit because I like the inline 6 and do not want to put out the $ for an M3. I would be happy with a 335 or amped 330. Actually, I will be happy with whatever BMW I end up with, just a bit happier with some models than others.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

Hmmm... One piece mentions a Touring M3 (with photo), but the other does not. Curious that we will get a look at the M3 before the 335i. I would have thought we would see the 335i first, if that model is to be released first. The lag btw show and retail availability is variable, but it would be a little out of character for BMW to show us the M3 at Frankfurt if we were not going to be able to get it by next summer. And not a word about the 335i? Odd. I am bumming a bit because I like the inline 6 and do not want to put out the $ for an M3. I would be happy with a 335 or amped 330. Actually, I will be happy with whatever BMW I end up with, just a bit happier with some models than others.

I dont think they are correct, in a magazine interview with the head of BMW M he hinted that the first M3 to be released will be the coupe, meaning it wont be till after the normal coupe is released that we see the M3

[obLu]

I don't know, part of me thinks that this time around they'd pull off an m3 sedan first. Then part of me remembers that the e36 m3 sedan had an enthusiastic following (a friend of mine just went and bought a used one for family duty/weekend autocross) but didn't enjoy the sales success of the m3 coupe.

I also suspect the 335 will be the stop gap model they put in place for the last 2-3 years of the e90's production cycle. One thing I've noticed is that the German's production cycle is getting shorter and shorter, almost approaching the japanese 4 year run. I can see the logic behind 325/330 for 2 years, 325/330/M3 for another two years and then 330/335/M3 for the remaining two years before the next 3 series is introduced.

It would almost follow the e46 pattern of 323/328 for the first two years and then the 325/330 for 2001.

Ooooh can you imagine how pissed 2007 330 buyers will be if they made that the bottom of the model range for 2008 and then made the 335 the next step up?

[wahoo]

The step up is inevitable. The 330 is already underpowered. My 328i went obsolete relatively quickly. The nature of the beast. I really want a 335 but I want a 335hp version more.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by obLu

I don't know, part of me thinks that this time around they'd pull off an m3 sedan first. Then part of me remembers that the e36 m3 sedan had an enthusiastic following (a friend of mine just went and bought a used one for family duty/weekend autocross) but didn't enjoy the sales success of the m3 coupe.

I also suspect the 335 will be the stop gap model they put in place for the last 2-3 years of the e90's production cycle. One thing I've noticed is that the German's production cycle is getting shorter and shorter, almost approaching the japanese 4 year run. I can see the logic behind 325/330 for 2 years, 325/330/M3 for another two years and then 330/335/M3 for the remaining two years before the next 3 series is introduced.

It would almost follow the e46 pattern of 323/328 for the first two years and then the 325/330 for 2001.

Ooooh can you imagine how pissed 2007 330 buyers will be if they made that the bottom of the model range for 2008 and then made the 335 the next step up?

There is way to big a difference beween the 330i and the forthcomming M3's power, and direct competitors have similar or even more power, so they really need to bring out a model above the 330i

[Ed_330i]

Originally Posted by wahoo

The step up is inevitable. The 330 is already underpowered. My 328i went obsolete relatively quickly. The nature of the beast. I really want a 335 but I want a 335hp version more.

yea, it already pisses me off that the 330i only puts down 255HP.

[stressdoc]

I agree with E90Fleet that there appears to be a significant gap between the 330 and M3 -- a more positive word might be "niche" -- that looks like a sizeable market that BMW should not surrender to the likes of Audi, MB, Infinity, ...

[CC 330i]

Originally Posted by JVFan

Middle one's rear roof looks like an Audi

Oh, so you mean it looks really good?

I just can't get over the steamroller rear tires on the pictures. Looks like a freaking 50 gallon drum on it's side under each fender.

[CC 330i]

This just goes to illustrate what I believe to be the true. I think Audi is pushing BMW into this new V8 M3 due to the S4 and RS4. Don't expect the E90 model range to make sense for a while because Audi is driving the performance sedan market these days, and BMW is playing catch-up. I think BMW is most worried about having the best performing sedan again, and they don't really care how much difference in performance there is between the M3 and 330i. When they catch their breath again, they can worry about a more progressive model line with a 330-350 hp offering, but for now, they need a top dog to take on the RS4.

[wahoo]

Originally Posted by CC 330i

This just goes to illustrate what I believe to be the true. I think Audi is pushing BMW into this new V8 M3 due to the S4 and RS4. Don't expect the E90 model range to make sense for a while because Audi is driving the performance sedan market these days, and BMW is playing catch-up. I think BMW is most worried about having the best performing sedan again, and they don't really care how much difference in performance there is between the M3 and 330i. When they catch their breath again, they can worry about a more progressive model line with a 330-350 hp offering, but for now, they need a top dog to take on the RS4.

Huh??? This is the exact reason for the introduction of the 335i twin turbo...M3 is going up market (read mucho $$ regardless of what the dips on M3forum say). 335i is going to span the gap between the anemic 330i and the M3. M3 =405 hp...330i=255hp a slight disparity between the models within the line, no? Expect a 330hp variant...its coming and when it does BMW will be top dog, the tuners will get a hold of it and we'll finally have the power that the 3 sedan should have w/o going banzai for the M.


I learned the hard way by buying the beginning e46 (2000 model year, purchased 99). I love the new 3 but the shimmy and powerplant have me holding out. Regardless, enjoy your new 3er...they're great cars.

[CC 330i]

Originally Posted by wahoo

Huh??? This is the exact reason for the introduction of the 335i twin turbo...M3 is going up market (read mucho $$ regardless of what the dips on M3forum say). 335i is going to span the gap between the anemic 330i and the M3. M3 =405 hp...330i=255hp a slight disparity between the models within the line, no? Expect a 330hp variant...its coming and when it does BMW will be top dog, the tuners will get a hold of it and we'll finally have the power that the 3 sedan should have w/o going banzai for the M.

Well the point that everyone is making is why isn't it available now? Current estimates (which are nothing more than educated guesses by the way) put the 335i (if it even makes it to the US for sale) release well after the M3. No one even knows if the 335 is a reality anyway. My thoughts is that it probably will be, but my point was that it's a little late. I think that's because BMW got caught off guard with the B6 S4 having a V-8, and then got really blindsided by the 420 hp (normally aspirated) RS4. And just to let you know, when you start getting that much horsepower, it really helps to have AWD, even if it does add a little weight.

[scottz5]

I will believe a 335 when I see it in America. IMO there is no need to fill the gap. If you want a well rounded car a 330 is good and yes there may be faster cars, but not as well rounded. Remember when you buy a BMW your buying more then speed and performance. If thats all people cared about we would all be driving evo's and STi's. These cars are fun but they suck inside and are made like crap. Who would want to buy a 335 at lets say $47-50 and still get your ass smoked by an $33k STi. If you want all balls out performance and lux then the M3 is your car. It will be mine if it comes in four doors and then maybe I can keep or edge out an evo or STi in style and comfort. The only car I can see a 335 being equall to is an S4 and audi does not sell to many for BMW to even worry about.

[scottz5]

Originally Posted by CC 330i

Well the point that everyone is making is why isn't it available now? Current estimates (which are nothing more than educated guesses by the way) put the 335i (if it even makes it to the US for sale) release well after the M3. No one even knows if the 335 is a reality anyway. My thoughts is that it probably will be, but my point was that it's a little late. I think that's because BMW got caught off guard with the B6 S4 having a V-8, and then got really blindsided by the 420 hp (normally aspirated) RS4. And just to let you know, when you start getting that much horsepower, it really helps to have AWD, even if it does add a little weight.

Good point!

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by CC 330i

Current estimates (which are nothing more than educated guesses by the way) put the 335i (if it even makes it to the US for sale) release well after the M3. No one even knows if the 335 is a reality anyway.

No, current estimates put the 335i a year before the M3 ( Mid 2006, M3 in mid 2007 )

Go get a box of BMW rear brake pads for the E90 330i, the box lists what models it is used for, a 335i is listed, just like a 130i was listed before BMW made the official announcement that it would be made public

[carl_d]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

No, current estimates put the 335i a year before the M3 ( Mid 2006, M3 in mid 2007 )

Go get a box of BMW rear brake pads for the E90 330i, the box lists what models it is used for, a 335i is listed, just like a 130i was listed before BMW made the official announcement that it would be made public

Here's label ...

[AidenL]

Is the E93 the Coupe???