M3 Eater

[991GT3]

Originally Posted by e46e92love

See, people have created their own idea of what BMW ///M is about......show me where it was advertised EVER in its history based on it having the most power, or being the fastest to 62, or 1/4 mile?

They sold cars based on passion, feel, and balance. THAT is why so many have the idea of lower revving FI engines, not because they won't be FAST as hell, but because they won't deliver the same experience.

Same reason why I watch my friends GTR smoke our other's friends 911, and I still would take the 911. That is what makes me a Porsche / BMW guy with the "power" guys being AMG / GTR guys. No right or wrong answer, but certainly no reason for BMW ///M to change who they are at their core.

Cheers,
e46e92

There is a growing disparity in power and power is a strong selling point for many many people.
Back in 2001 when the E46 M3 arrived there weren't too many in that segment putting down much more power. So an M3 buyer could have his cake and eat it too(ie have both power and handling)
Now Mustangs, Camaro, Corvettes, etc are a quantum step up in the brute force category. So now the M3 only has its brilliant composure as a selling point. To regain its power status the next incarnation of the M3 should border on 500hp not 450.

[Eric-TAIWAN]

next M3 will still out perform the current i believe.

[AtlM5]

agreed 100% and look at the rediculous numbers on an e46 HPF

Originally Posted by xilli

I think you're severly underestimating the ability of a 6 cylinder motor with forced induction. The R35 GTR can put down more power than the new mustang with a tune and basic bolt ons. My R34 GTR was a 2.6L, ran mid 11's all day and put down 450awhp with standard internals and a few bolt ons.

The six cylinder plan for the new M3 will certainly not be a limiting factor in any form if it's developed properly, and you can sure as hell bet the mustang won't stand up to the m3 in any other category apart from straight line speed. I honestly don't believe it is the intention of the M division to create a 700hp monster, it's all about balance and function as a package.

That being said i sure as hell wouldn't mind an extra 100 - 150hp as standard, or at least them developing a platform that allows more friendly modification (such as the R35 GTR) so the tuning world doesn't have to spend so much money for so little gain like we do now.

[Dgarcia41982]

Originally Posted by Rolf-Dieter

It's not always (for most of us anyway) about speed. How can you compare a Mustang to a M3

+1 my evo was faster then my m3 but I will never look back.

[Robertyu]

I don't mind the M3/4 going turbo. I think the other poster had it right with the next one should have closer to 500hp than 450.

I think they should stick to what I considered to be an unintended formula to the M3, which is for the next M3 have the horsepower of the previous M5, in a smaller and lighter car, but still not as much power as the current M5.

501hp/500ftlbs would have me seeking trade-up, as long as all other execution is solid. Anything substantially short of that, it would have to to be fairy-dust magical in some other metric for me to bite.