new M3 Concept Coupe -- Large PICS and Observations

[Hiii]

There is no surprise at all.


The front was already known. The back looks like the aero kit. The hood has added two wholes. The roof and the wheels are like the old CSL has.


So what ... no exciting things.

[coaster]

"Unmistakable features that make the BMW M3 Concept Car instantly recognisable are ... bulging Powerdome ... "

Oh man, looks like it's going to production.

What exactly is under that "Powerdome" that can't be lowered. It's like looking at a beutiful girl with a swollen nose. It's a shame considering how well done the rest of the design is executed.

[Rocco 335i]

Not really as blown away as I was with the last one. But... still looks good. I think the 335i is gonna hurt the sales though because they look silimiar and you can get the E92 alot cheaper. What do you all think?

[cncmastr]

Wowie wee wow!

[DirtBag335]

I think most people won't care if it looks "close" to the 335i. People want an M because it's an M, not because of what it looks like (compared to the 3 series).

[chuckie789]

Looks like a Power button to me. Change from 300 to 400hp? I'll take 2.

Originally Posted by Should be Working

I agree on this one. The car has non-lightweight M seats, cruise control, Sat Nav, DVD and seat heating. The wheels are great too - similar to the E46 CSL and the run-out CS. I think this is pretty much the standard car.

Did BMW do a concept CSL at any motor shows before they launched the E46 CSL?

BTW - is that a power button I can see? Can anyone get a close up of the centre console?

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Rocco 335i

I think the 335i is gonna hurt the sales though because they look silimiar and you can get the E92 alot cheaper. What do you all think?

Hurt sales? No.

When combined with PROcede, hurt M3 owners pride? Quite possible Yes.

BTW, just FYI - "e92" would refer to both the M3 and the 335i (as well as 328i FTM)- but I knew what you meant.

[gbelton]

It's different in a good way.

[lyndon_h]

Its OK, but im slightly disappointed.. need to know the weight. I'm guessing 3700lbs

[AK]

Originally Posted by cncmastr

Wowie wee wow!

I agree
The stance is just so muscular and sexy it feels like I´m turning gay here now
(No offence!)

[SpencerM3]

:rocks:

[kingmonkey]

There was no suprise with the last M3 Concept. It was exactly as the same as the production M3 only that it was painted chrome.
I think the wheels will change as they're the current CSL wheels but all the rest will probably remain the same as the concept.
I like the side vents, think that the power bulge looks a bit wrong, and the two bonnet nostrils. The rear bumper styling looks gay and I don't get the mirrors

[jebernauer]

I'd have sex with that car.

[spacedogg]

Originally Posted by devo

I guess my point is that it's not the CF that you are hearing; it's obviously, the free flowing airbox, which could be made of anything. It won't sound different because it's CF.

Actually, I don't mean to step on any toes here, but I do believe different materials will resonate sound differently.

For example, if you talk to any accoustics person, they will tell you wood resonates differently from metal or ceramic. If you look at Grado headphones for example, they use wood on their top of the line product, aluminum on the mid-level and plastic on their entry level products. Some audio companies, such as Sennheiser, use CF because of the lightness and strength as well as the accoustical properties.

For another basic example from home-theatre design you can not deny that a carpeted room will sound differently from a same size and shaped room that has ceramic tile. Music played in a room with ceramic tile will generally sound harsher, whereas the carpeted room will sound softer. You cannot deny that materials do affect the accoustic properties of sound.

Of course, how much of a difference CF makes compared to a airbox made of plastic? I do not know. I doubt BMW selected CF because of its acoustic properties. But it may be a side benefit. And it might be marginal for all we know.

However, since we have not all owned a CF airbox, maybe we should just respect steved's own opinion.

However in short: It is possible that get different sounds from different materials.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by chuckie789

Looks like a Power button to me. Change from 300 to 400hp? I'll take 2.

No, from 350 to 444 (I hope).

[FotiosF90M5]

BMW never disappoints us with the M3. absolutely incredible.

[Jeff@Eurobahn.us]

Very nice, now lets get our hands on one so we can start tuning it!

Jeff
Eurobahn

[ILC32]

Originally Posted by spacedogg

Actually, I don't mean to step on any toes here, but I do believe different materials will resonate sound differently.

That I am sure is true. But how do you pick up such nuances based on a short rev played back over a low-res internet connection?

[VR000M5]

i dunno... i don't like the hood very much... and it reminds me of a g35 from the side... i dunno why.. it just does.. and don't get me wrong.. i'm m3 lover.. i own a m3 too.. just that new look is gonna have to grow on me for awhile.

[spacedogg]

Originally Posted by ILC32

That I am sure is true. But how do you pick up such nuances based on a short rev played back over a low-res internet connection?

That I do not know.

Again it may mean that:

1) Steved was actually there in Geneva to hear in person and is posting his thoughts online.
2) The sound of a CF airbox is unmistakable to those who are accustomed to it and can be heard over a low-res internet connection.

Steved did seem to suggest his opinion was #2.

Again, none of us (that have posted), other than Steved own a CF airbox...so I'd be hesitant to conclude that a CF cannot make a different sound.

But...if anyone wants sponsor me so that I can buy a CF airbox, I'll be more than happy to measure it and write comments.

[nickthaskater]

Originally Posted by ILC32

That I am sure is true. But how do you pick up such nuances based on a short rev played back over a low-res internet connection?

Especially considering this is more than likely a different style than the E46's, and not to mention he'd have to pick up on it over the V8's revving as well. I know that different materials will resonate differently, but in this case, I think the overall design of the thing will play a larger factor in the sound difference. There are carbon intakes out there on the market that advertise sounds 'only a minimal change in engine sound', so once again, I think it's design over materials here.

Originally Posted by lyndon_h

Its OK, but im slightly disappointed.. need to know the weight. I'm guessing 3700lbs

It's reportedly around 3,500 lbs.

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by spacedogg

That I do not know.

Again it may mean that:

1) Steved was actually there in Geneva to hear in person and is posting his thoughts online.
2) The sound of a CF airbox is unmistakable to those who are accustomed to it and can be heard over a low-res internet connection.

Steved did seem to suggest his opinion was #2.

Again, none of us (that have posted), other than Steved own a CF airbox...so I'd be hesitant to conclude that a CF cannot make a different sound.

But...if anyone wants sponsor me so that I can buy a CF airbox, I'll be more than happy to measure it and write comments.

OK guys. I work in acoustics. Most of my customers are aerospace but we sell our acoustics modeling software to just about every automotive OEM. If you were to place two identical cars next to each other, one with a CF airbox and one with the exact same design in another material you may be able to hear a slight difference. The density and stiffness of CF absolutely and strongly affects its acoustic transmisson and radiation properties. That being said most of the sound differenes in high performance intake systems are from their size and geometry changing, not the material. As far as the statement "you can hear CF" goes that is rubbish. I also highly doubt this concept nor the regular E92 M3 will have a CF airbox. Maybe the CSL (which this WASN'T) will but it would just be too epensive for the regular model. A big flat sheet like the roof can be much less expensive than a complex shape like the airbox.