Will new E90 M3 have an Auto gearbox?

[MisterBMW]

I read with excitement about the fact that BMW will make a 4-door M3 Think its gonna be a great car, with racing power and a family 4 door sedan all in one neat vehicle.

However, I know previous M3 always come in SMG and manual gearboxes only. Given that this will be first time we see an M3 sedan, what are the chances of it having an auto gearbox

[Smoltz]

Originally Posted by MisterBMW

I read with excitement about the fact that BMW will make a 4-door M3 Think its gonna be a great car, with racing power and a family 4 door sedan all in one neat vehicle.

However, I know previous M3 always come in SMG and auto gearboxes only. Given that this will be first time we see an M3 sedan, what are the chances of it having an auto gearbox

There has never been a REAL M car offered with an automatic. I doubt this will change with the E90.

-Adam

[replicat]

We have had M3 sedans, and automatics (both with the e36).

But there will never be automatics like the ones before. Conventional automatic transmissions are being phased out with the use of SMG and DSG type gearboxes, which have fully automated clutch usage from the drivers point of view.
Automatics don't belong in sports cars, but its the closest people will get. So I hope that it will satify your need for an automatic.

[Smoltz]

Originally Posted by replicat

We have had M3 sedans, and automatics (both with the e36).

But there will never be automatics like the ones before. Conventional automatic transmissions are being phased out with the use of SMG and DSG type gearboxes, which have fully automated clutch usage from the drivers point of view.
Automatics don't belong in sports cars, but its the closest people will get. So I hope that it will satify your need for an automatic.

The American E36 M3 is not a real M car, it's a watered down version.

-Adam

[replicat]

We'll as far as US drivers are concerned, its an M3. You and I both know that the Euro M3 is the real deal, but the majority of the population doesn't. They see that the badge says M3, so it must be.
Either way if you look in the books, an automatic and sedan variation of the E36 M3 existed. There is no asterisk next to it indicating that it is a watered down verision. It just says that its an M3, period.

But, thanks for your input.

-Pete.

[Smoltz]

Originally Posted by replicat

We'll as far as US drivers are concerned, its an M3. You and I both know that the Euro M3 is the real deal, but the majority of the population doesn't. They see that the badge says M3, so it must be.
Either way if you look in the books, an automatic and sedan variation of the E36 M3 existed. There is no asterisk next to it indicating that it is a watered down verision. It just says that its an M3, period.

But, thanks for your input.

-Pete.

He's not from the US.


-Adam

[replicat]

Alrighty then

Edited: To keep the peace!

[MisterBMW]

I ve never driven an SMG car ever before in my entire life but I ve heard good things about it EXCEPT that SMG can also be driven in auto mode but is awfully jerky? Will the new SMG ( rumoured to be an SMG IV or DSG ) overcome this and give a smooth ride just like an automatic car?

[replicat]

None of us know yet, but I would assume that alot of, but not all of the jerkiness has been taken care of. It occurs because the car has the select a gear to change to, and sometimes based on your driving characteristics contantly changing, its hard to do that. So maybe they might improve it slightly.

[JEllis]

There has never been a REAL M car offered with an automatic. I doubt this will change with the E90.

-Adam

:mad:

[replicat]

Haha, thats what I said. But in all honesty the US M3's weren't genuine BMW motorsport products. By this I mean that they didn't show what the company could do, they may have well been M sports. I mean c'mon an automatic sedan M3? What is wrong with the US. Christ!

[replicat]

Yikes! Im gonna make a new thread on prices, in a bit.

[SpencerM3]

4 door M3 in Automatic...

Get an MBZ C-class AMG

[replicat]

Originally Posted by SpencerM3

4 door M3 in Automatic...

Get an MBZ C-class AMG

+1

[JK42]

Great response. In my opinion a sedan version of the new M3 will devalue it's prestige. I was happy that the E46 was only a Coupé. But I guess BMW will want to collect any last dollar from "stupid" buyers who wouldn't be able to tell if it's an M3 even if they drove it, whether it had the new V8 or the old I6 (or the M54B30) under the bonnet. Unfortunately probably 80-90% of US buyers will be in this category (Mommy's sweetheart will get the new M3 Cabrio for her 16th birthday...)

Best regards,

Jussi

[replicat]

Originally Posted by JK42

Great response. In my opinion a sedan version of the new M3 will devalue it's prestige. I was happy that the E46 was only a Coupé. But I guess BMW will want to collect any last dollar from "stupid" buyers who wouldn't be able to tell if it's an M3 even if they drove it, whether it had the new V8 or the old I6 (or the M54B30) under the bonnet. Unfortunately probably 80-90% of US buyers will be in this category (Mommy's sweetheart will get the new M3 Cabrio for her 16th birthday...)

Best regards,

Jussi

Watch what you say jussi! That man may come to defend the M3 sedans again. lol.

It is a waste, I stated in another thread that it does take alot of prestige from cars when you make water down versions, just to capitalize on every dollar spent. But, all in all, I guess its okay. Just think how I think, "every time an asshole that doesn't appreciate the car and just buys it for status or whatever, its another 50K toward Research and development for the next model"