Interview with BMW M Vice President

vijay · 07-20-2007, 12:49 PM

Edmunds.com interview with M Vice President. http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...hotopanel..2.*

ILC32 · 07-20-2007, 01:10 PM

Thanks for that link. Very interesting.

Some takeaways:

1. There will "always" be a CSL version of the M3.

2. Turbocharging is not ruled out in the future.

Some of the not-so subtle criticism of AMG was interesting as well, such as "If you only develop one engine for all your cars, then you cannot have the perfect car. If the engine in the smaller car is too big, you will not have the right harmony." Very zen.

aerisolphaln · 07-20-2007, 01:22 PM

How about this:

"For fans of the six-cylinder engine, we have the M Coupe. This is our entry-level M model."

From BMWUSA.com: Z4M Coupe Base MSRP $50,100

I wonder what that means for the price of the M3?

aerisolphaln · 07-20-2007, 01:26 PM

Also I like this blurb:

"Below this supercar level, anything we could offer would just be on a level with the M3 or M6.
We could build a car that used the technical aspects of the M3 or M6 but clothe it in a new body, but such a car would be more expensive and no more fun to drive."

Hopefully this means the new M3 IS the best BMW can put out.

nusevad · 07-20-2007, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aerisolphaln

How about this:

"For fans of the six-cylinder engine, we have the M Coupe. This is our entry-level M model."

From BMWUSA.com: Z4M Coupe Base MSRP $50,100

I wonder what that means for the price of the M3?

Yea that is interesting to point out, the UK's price for a M coupe is 41,800, and their M3 is at roughly 50K GBP. So i guess we can estimate our price to be 60K or below?

southlight · 07-21-2007, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aerisolphaln

Also I like this blurb:

"Below this supercar level, anything we could offer would just be on a level with the M3 or M6.
We could build a car that used the technical aspects of the M3 or M6 but clothe it in a new body, but such a car would be more expensive and no more fun to drive."

Hopefully this means the new M3 IS the best BMW can put out.

Yeah, nice allusion to the R8! But the guys at audiworld didn't recognize it

:
http://forums.audiworld.com/rs4b7/msgs/58730.phtml

Best regards, south

Caravello · 07-21-2007, 01:02 PM

I wonder how much the tin top sunroof will add. All these tests are being done on the CF roof model. But I don't know anyone who will want to be without a sunroof. I would have hoped they made the metal roof w/ sunroof standard and the CF as a sports option.

Epacy · 07-21-2007, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caravello

But I don't know anyone who will want to be without a sunroof.

Me

lucid · 07-21-2007, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caravello

I wonder how much the tin top sunroof will add. All these tests are being done on the CF roof model. But I don't know anyone who will want to be without a sunroof. I would have hoped they made the metal roof w/ sunroof standard and the CF as a sports option.

I despise sunroofs. I had cars that came with them, and never wanted to use them. I specifically ordered my 325ci without sunroof. Too much sun fries your head, and the sunroof adds weight at the wrong place, and ups the cost (well, not in the M3). I also had cars with t-tops. Same issue. I am glad they made the CF standard.

southlight · 07-21-2007, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Epacy

Me

So it will be easy to identify your car: The only US spec E92 M3 without a sunroof!

Best regards, south

Leg · 07-21-2007, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FifthStreetz

Yea that is interesting to point out, the UK's price for a M coupe is 41,800, and their M3 is at roughly 50K GBP. So i guess we can estimate our price to be 60K or below?

We can pick the Z4M coupe up new for £34800 from broadspeed at the moment in the UK.

esquire · 07-21-2007, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by southlight

So it will be easy to identify your car: The only US spec E92 M3 without a sunroof!

Best regards, south

not quite. i suspect more than half of US M3 owners will keep the carbon fiber roof, including myself.

southlight · 07-21-2007, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

not quite. i suspect more than half of US M3 owners will keep the carbon fiber roof, including myself.

I didn't mean that very serious, but nevermind.

BMW estimates 70% of cars will be ordered with sunroof. My guess was that this estimation is mainly due to US market!? Maybe I'm wrong.

Best regards, south

Epacy · 07-21-2007, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by southlight

So it will be easy to identify your car: The only US spec E92 M3 without a sunroof!

Best regards, south

That is a-ok by me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by southlight

I didn't mean that very serious, but nevermind.

BMW estimates 70% of cars will be ordered with sunroof. My guess was that this estimation is mainly due to US market!? Maybe I'm wrong.

Best regards, south

I agree with your assumption.

NewhouseEnt · 07-21-2007, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILC32

Thanks for that link. Very interesting.

Some takeaways:

1. There will "always" be a CSL version of the M3.

2. Turbocharging is not ruled out in the future.

Some of the .....

I can assure that this is exactly what's going to hapen. The 2010 M3 is going to be twin turbo.. right after you spend nearly $70k on the 09' you couldn't wait to buy... AND it will have about 45-60hp more.

lucid · 07-21-2007, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewhouseEnt

I can assure that this is exactly what's going to hapen. The 2010 M3 is going to be twin turbo.. right after you spend nearly $70k on the 09' you couldn't wait to buy... AND it will have about 45-60hp more.

They won't mess with the E92 M3 engine too much. I doubt that they will mess too much with the E92 M3 CSL either. You heard the guy: he's saying their main exploration with the CSL was to see how much people would be willing to pay for LESS weight not more hp. So, FI might be considered for the next generation M3, depending on what happens in F1 and so on as the guy's saying...And if they were to mess with the E92 M3 engine by turbocharging it, you'd see much more than 45-60 hp gains.

ILC32 · 07-21-2007, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewhouseEnt

I can assure that this is exactly what's going to hapen. The 2010 M3 is going to be twin turbo.. right after you spend nearly $70k on the 09' you couldn't wait to buy... AND it will have about 45-60hp more.

Yes, that make a lot of sense. Add twin turbos for 60 more hp.

T Bone · 07-21-2007, 06:29 PM

Great insight into BMW's thinking of M cars.... The M guys are confident. I love the little jabs at the competition like the "modern day beetle"

It is clear what the new M5 / M6 cars will be..... Gasoline, high-rev V10 (550-600 hp) but I will bet a bunch of nickels, the car's next focus will be on reducing the weight.

I am surprised he was not more commital on the Z10

karan230 · 07-21-2007, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewhouseEnt

I can assure that this is exactly what's going to hapen. The 2010 M3 is going to be twin turbo.. right after you spend nearly $70k on the 09' you couldn't wait to buy...

lol...it is possible...that's what MB did for the W220 S-Class and C215 CL-Class. The AMGs and 600s were N/A up to 2002. Then in 2003 they added the supercharger for the AMGs and turbos for the 600s. LOL... 2002 people got majorly p0wn3d.

M3onTwomps · 07-22-2007, 03:32 PM

We definitely won't be seeing FI on this run of M3's. Maybe the next generation though.

07-20-2007, 12:49 PM	#1
vijay Registered 3 Rep 2 Posts Drives: BMW 328i Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Interview with BMW M Vice President Edmunds.com interview with M Vice President. http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...hotopanel..2.*
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07-20-2007, 01:10 PM	#2
ILC32 Lieutenant 26 Rep 580 Posts Drives: 1993 Porsche RSA Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Somewhere iTrader: (0)	Thanks for that link. Very interesting. Some takeaways: 1. There will "always" be a CSL version of the M3. 2. Turbocharging is not ruled out in the future. Some of the not-so subtle criticism of AMG was interesting as well, such as "If you only develop one engine for all your cars, then you cannot have the perfect car. If the engine in the smaller car is too big, you will not have the right harmony." Very zen.
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07-20-2007, 01:22 PM	#3
aerisolphaln First Lieutenant 10 Rep 396 Posts Drives: '05 G35 coupe 6MT Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Iowa City, IA iTrader: (0)	How about this: "For fans of the six-cylinder engine, we have the M Coupe. This is our entry-level M model." From BMWUSA.com: Z4M Coupe Base MSRP $50,100 I wonder what that means for the price of the M3? __________________ Now:'05 G35 6MT\Laser Red\Beige\Sport\Premium 06/2008: M3, 335+Dinan, or ...
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07-20-2007, 01:26 PM	#4
aerisolphaln First Lieutenant 10 Rep 396 Posts Drives: '05 G35 coupe 6MT Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Iowa City, IA iTrader: (0)	Also I like this blurb: "Below this supercar level, anything we could offer would just be on a level with the M3 or M6. We could build a car that used the technical aspects of the M3 or M6 but clothe it in a new body, but such a car would be more expensive and no more fun to drive." Hopefully this means the new M3 IS the best BMW can put out. __________________ Now:'05 G35 6MT\Laser Red\Beige\Sport\Premium 06/2008: M3, 335+Dinan, or ...
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07-21-2007, 01:02 PM	#7
Caravello Private 0 Rep 54 Posts Drives: 2004 M3 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	I wonder how much the tin top sunroof will add. All these tests are being done on the CF roof model. But I don't know anyone who will want to be without a sunroof. I would have hoped they made the metal roof w/ sunroof standard and the CF as a sports option.
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07-21-2007, 06:29 PM	#18
T Bone Brigadier General 530 Rep 4,021 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi Coupe Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The land where we kill baby seals iTrader: (0)	Great insight into BMW's thinking of M cars.... The M guys are confident. I love the little jabs at the competition like the "modern day beetle" It is clear what the new M5 / M6 cars will be..... Gasoline, high-rev V10 (550-600 hp) but I will bet a bunch of nickels, the car's next focus will be on reducing the weight. I am surprised he was not more commital on the Z10 __________________ "Aerodynamics are for people who cannot build engines"......Enzo Ferrari
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07-22-2007, 03:32 PM	#20
M3onTwomps First Lieutenant 7 Rep 319 Posts Drives: '02 E46 M3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: The Sandbox iTrader: (0)	We definitely won't be seeing FI on this run of M3's. Maybe the next generation though.
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