Spy photos: 2008 BMW M3 coupe fairly EXPOSED

[UKBeemer]

At the moment not a fan. I have a deposit down on both the coupe and convertible and as it stands I won't be taking the order further on either. It looks horrible and here in the UK that little baby is gonna cost somwhere in the region of £55k. Thats $100k!

If i'm gonna spend that sort of money on a BMW its gotta look special as well as go special and afraid that doesn't, not even close.

A colleague at work has recently purchased a 335 coupe and I couldnt wait for him to get it as I thought it would give me an idea on what the M3 would be like, in fact I was seriously underwhelmed by it. Butt ugly.

My views might well change when its released and I see one in the flesh but at the moment its a no no

[REP1KRR]

Originally Posted by mofomat

My point is that they are obviously different. The height of the tyre sidewall for one. The other major difference is the shape of the spokes. On the 18" wheels in the photo/spy shot, they get thinner towards the hub of the wheel. On the grey spy shot they are the same width almost for the entire length of the spoke.

These most recent shots show the mule riding on E60 M5 wheels with the centers of the 10 spokes sliced out (essentially creating 20 spokes). They are almost the same wheels the M5 mule wore, and also the production.

Think we'd see the E60 M5 and E92 M3 wear the same wheels? I don't really believe it. I don't think these will make production. I bet the more hefty spoke wheels on the white/silver mule is what we'll actually see on our cars next year.

E60 M5 mule -


E60 M5 Production -

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by mofomat

Well thanks for clearing that up and for stating the bleeding obvious.

I'm sure you did read the thread. I'm sure you have read as many here as I have. However, slightly more accurate writting benefits everyone, seasoned readers/followers (who will likely correct you) as well as noobs who will get incorrect information and re-post it somewhere else, misleading legions of other noobs. Just my 2 cents. Cheers.

[jtown]

Originally Posted by HereAgain

I could not agree with you more. Butt-ugly. Especially the rear and the wheels!

The rear doesn't show anything in these pics. Looks like the wheels may also be thrown on just to test bigger sizes.

[Hans Delbruck]

Originally Posted by jtown

The rear doesn't show anything in these pics. Looks like the wheels may also be thrown on just to test bigger sizes.

Yeah, those wheels look gigantic. Maybe 20's?

[mofomat]

Originally Posted by REP1KRR

These most recent shots show the mule riding on E60 M5 wheels with the centers of the 10 spokes sliced out (essentially creating 20 spokes).

They are an evolution of the E60 M5 wheels, but by no means exactly the same. However, the designers are basing the E92 M3 wheels on the E60 M5 wheels. Why not? The M5 wheels look great.

Originally Posted by REP1KRR

They are almost the same wheels the M5 mule wore, and also the production..

Notice how the E60 M5 mule wheels in black turned out to be the production wheels? There's a reason why these E92 M3 wheels are also in black. BMW are trying to disguise them. It's because these are going to be the 19" production wheels for the new M3. Whether they are standard or optional is open to debate though. The silver photoshop/mule is wearing different (18"?) wheels. These are either going to be the standard 18" E92 wheels, or maybe sourced from somewhere else. Possibly the upcoming E92 M package wheels?

Originally Posted by REP1KRR

Think we'd see the E60 M5 and E92 M3 wear the same wheels? I don't really believe it. I don't think these will make production. I bet the more hefty spoke wheels on the white/silver mule is what we'll actually see on our cars next year.

They are not the same wheels. Just similar style. They are an evolution of the E60 M5 wheels, which in turn are an evolution of the E46 M3 19" wheels. These styles of wheels are a styling cue at this particular period of 'M', such as the mesh venting of the Z4M coupe and the new E92 M3 below the rear bumper, and the bonnet bulge which looks the same on both the Z4M and the E92 M3 also.

Why would BMW go to the bother of disguising them in black if they're not even going to be using them? If anything it's more likely that the wheels on the silver photoshop/mule (they have been around for a long time now) are not likely to make production because there has been no attempt to disguise those in the many different pictures they have appeared in, both on the street and on the 'ring over the last year.

Lets look at this sensibly now:

1) The E92 M3 is driving around virtually undisguised, and in virtually production ready form. This is done on purpose by BMW to create interest. Letting photographers 'spy' a new car is all part of the marketing process. It creates interest, gets the photos in magazines and on the net.

2) I'd lay money on the fact that it's going to be at Geneva in less than two months, and at the very least concept form, but most likely production form.

3) It is quite clear that the black wheels are production ready.

4) The rear number plate is going to be in the normal place and not in the rear bumper.

Any major testing or development is now long gone. This car is ready to be launched.

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by mofomat

1) The E92 M3 is driving around virtually undisguised, and in virtually production ready form. This is done on purpose by BMW to create interest. Letting photographers 'spy' a new car is all part of the marketing process. It creates interest, gets the photos in magazines and on the net.

2) I'd lay money on the fact that it's going to be at Geneva in less than two months, and at the very least concept form, but most likely production form.

3) It is quite clear that the black wheels are production ready.

4) The rear number plate is going to be in the normal place and not in the rear bumper.

Any major testing or development is now long gone. This car is ready to be launched.

On all of these. Pretty reasonable predictions.

[SapphireBlackG01]

Originally Posted by m3holiday

Well it still won't have that considering the Z4 M:

Derrrr.... don't the Z4M and E92 M3 bumpers curve in different directions entirely?

So, um... yeah... back to it having it's own face...

[SapphireBlackG01]

Originally Posted by mofomat

They are an evolution of the E60 M5 wheels, but by no means exactly the same. However, the designers are basing the E92 M3 wheels on the E60 M5 wheels. Why not? The M5 wheels look great.



Notice how the E60 M5 mule wheels in black turned out to be the production wheels? There's a reason why these E92 M3 wheels are also in black. BMW are trying to disguise them. It's because these are going to be the 19" production wheels for the new M3. Whether they are standard or optional is open to debate though. The silver photoshop/mule is wearing different (18"?) wheels. These are either going to be the standard 18" E92 wheels, or maybe sourced from somewhere else. Possibly the upcoming E92 M package wheels?



They are not the same wheels. Just similar style. They are an evolution of the E60 M5 wheels, which in turn are an evolution of the E46 M3 19" wheels. These styles of wheels are a styling cue at this particular period of 'M', such as the mesh venting of the Z4M coupe and the new E92 M3 below the rear bumper, and the bonnet bulge which looks the same on both the Z4M and the E92 M3 also.

Why would BMW go to the bother of disguising them in black if they're not even going to be using them? If anything it's more likely that the wheels on the silver photoshop/mule (they have been around for a long time now) are not likely to make production because there has been no attempt to disguise those in the many different pictures they have appeared in, both on the street and on the 'ring over the last year.

Lets look at this sensibly now:

1) The E92 M3 is driving around virtually undisguised, and in virtually production ready form. This is done on purpose by BMW to create interest. Letting photographers 'spy' a new car is all part of the marketing process. It creates interest, gets the photos in magazines and on the net.

2) I'd lay money on the fact that it's going to be at Geneva in less than two months, and at the very least concept form, but most likely production form.

3) It is quite clear that the black wheels are production ready.

4) The rear number plate is going to be in the normal place and not in the rear bumper.

Any major testing or development is now long gone. This car is ready to be launched.

Thank you.

I don't understand the sheer amount of speculation that is still occurring here, this late in the game. Bets were placed months ago, folks.

[Hans Delbruck]

Originally Posted by xxpaintmepunkxx

I don't understand the sheer amount of speculation that is still occurring here, this late in the game. Bets were placed months ago, folks.

There's no official info out from BMW, so what's so hard to understand about speculation? There's nothing much to talk about. This is the most active board for the E92 M3... we'll continue to draw our conclusions from all the info we have until we hear official word and see official pics.

[REP1KRR]

Originally Posted by xxpaintmepunkxx

Thank you.

I don't understand the sheer amount of speculation that is still occurring here, this late in the game. Bets were placed months ago, folks.

Fully agree. It's part of the fun, the excitement of the release of a new auto - especially something as awesome as the M3. We're just puppets, and the puppet master is BMW - its exactly what they do to build the anticipation. Its awesome too. I don't mind being a BMW b*tch.

[Should be Working]

Wonder what happened to Jussi?!?

That guy was all over the forum a couple of months ago making really bold predictions about the e92 M3. Would be interested to get his take on the production readiness of this car given that he seemed to have some serious inside knowledge.

[REP1KRR]

Originally Posted by Should be Working

Wonder what happened to Jussi?!?

Oh yeah.

His last post was: 11-24-2006, 03:44 PM

[m3holiday]

Originally Posted by xxpaintmepunkxx

Derrrr.... don't the Z4M and E92 M3 bumpers curve in different directions entirely?

So, um... yeah... back to it having it's own face...

No the Z4 M and Spy E92 M3 don't point in different directions. That's the point. It won't be original because the Z4 M's bumper has the /-\ style bumper like the spy pic M3 /-\

See the first two pics for comparison. The PS below them shows what many would prefer, the \-/ style bumper. I hope that clears things up.




vs.

[Moderato]

Originally Posted by m3holiday

[/IMG]

vs.

That front bumper is just horrible. I don't know maybe it will grow on me, but I much prefer the bumper on the M3 concept pic that's more like the M5/6.

[jtown]

Originally Posted by Moderato

That front bumper is just horrible. I don't know maybe it will grow on me, but I much prefer the bumper on the M3 concept pic that's more like the M5/6.

I think that actually IS the M5 bumper chopped onto the E92.

[Romo]

Originally Posted by Should be Working

Wonder what happened to Jussi?!?

That guy was all over the forum a couple of months ago making really bold predictions about the e92 M3. Would be interested to get his take on the production readiness of this car given that he seemed to have some serious inside knowledge.

He is driving the new M3 already ofcourse, and he isn`t allowed to speak about it........................................what are you thinking ?

BTW; he drives it 24/7, so posting is a little bit difficult..............................

[mimi74]

I like very much this new M3 bumper, and the M3 must have something different from the M5 or M6... This new M3 must have it's own personnality

[jerseykid]

Those rims will actually look bad ass when finished. They will obviously be the production wheels given BMW's history in the past although they will not be in that color. Im hoping they're polished like the e46 19".

I think they will look even better than the M5 wheels. They're not far from the current e46 styling if you notice. I love how they go inward in the middle. That will make them and the car look sick from a side profile, when in motion. Dam....I just busted a nut. :rocks:

Its funny how you always hear some people bad mouth something in disguised form and love it when finally released. I've seen it time after time.

Bottom line: If you like the 335 you will love the new M3.

[Should be Working]

He is driving the new M3 already ofcourse, and he isn`t allowed to speak about it........................................what are you thinking ?

BTW; he drives it 24/7, so posting is a little bit difficult..............................

How do you know this and why aren't you following him with a camera!!

[Romo]

Originally Posted by Should be Working

How do you know this and why aren't you following him with a camera!!

Now this is an easy one; I can`t follow him, because I`am to slow.............

[josowski]

For those interested in Jussi (I was speaking to him last week), he has been testing X cars in the tundra.

As far as his comments, he has bowed out lately since some contributors have been blasting his credibility.

Furthermore, he will be testing the new M3 in the Spring.