Jusrt curious...Why the hell!

[Jonny550]

Did BMW stop production on the E90 m3 more then 3 years away from its next M3 release?

[HBspeed]

$

[BMW Fanatic]

I don't think the next M3 is 3 years away.. E92/93 production will end next year, IF there isn't a 2013 year model coming out. Then in Europe the M3 will be released a few months later, and then another few months later it'll come to NA. How it's always been. Back home in the UK the M3 was released as a 2007 year model.

[piloto]

Originally Posted by Jon335iFL

Did BMW stop production on the E90 m3 more then 3 years away from its next M3 release?

They have to retool and modify the entire production line (FAL and sub-assembly areas) for the F30 chassis. So they have to stop building all E90 chassis, including the M3, shut the line down for a while, retool and modify it, and then start producing F30 chassis.

The F30 (F80) M3, like every M3 before it, is designed and developed after the initial F30 chassis is layed out. Yes, much of it is done concurrently, but there are less, or none at all, as far as sacrifices in the F30's design to suit the M3, whereas the M3 has to deal with many comprimises that arise from the basic F30 chassis needs for more mass-market appeal (relative to the M3).

To get through all of that, the M3's development will always have to follow that of the basic F30s, unless the M3 becomes nothing more than a simple trim and finish change to the F30.

So the time span is quite logical. If the M3 had its very own production lineand value stream, then we could expect a seamless transition from one generation to the next, but then the car would cost easily more than twice what it costs now to cover all of the extra overhead.

[Superfly_M3]

Makes sense. The new 3 series sedan will probably be released before the coupe. But aren't both (current cars) sedan and coupe built at the same factory? If so, why would BMW shut down the sedan and keep the current M3 rolling out for 1 more year or so?

[SamS]

Originally Posted by Superfly_M3

But aren't both (current cars) sedan and coupe built at the same factory? If so, why would BMW shut down the sedan and keep the current M3 rolling out for 1 more year or so?

Sedans are built in Munich. Coupes are made in Regensberg/Leipzig.

[dagolfpro]

Originally Posted by Superfly_M3

Makes sense. The new 3 series sedan will probably be released before the coupe. But aren't both (current cars) sedan and coupe built at the same factory? If so, why would BMW shut down the sedan and keep the current M3 rolling out for 1 more year or so?

My theory, so they can sell more M5's.

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

M's have a year off before the new model is introduced.

[robb7979]

Originally Posted by SamS

Sedans are built in Munich. Coupes are made in Regensberg/Leipzig.

Sedans are built in regensberg.

[SamS]

Originally Posted by robb7979

Sedans are built in regensberg.

Non-M sedans/touring are built in Munich. I should have been more clear as to what I was referring to.

[heart_doctor]

Originally Posted by Jon335iFL

Did BMW stop production on the E90 m3 more then 3 years away from its next M3 release?

The next M3 sedan will be for 2013 ... The coupe and sedan are staggered, they usually take a year off in between models ... The BMW way.

[robb7979]

Sedans will be first from what I understand. Perhaps that's why they stopped the sedans first.

[piloto]

Originally Posted by robb7979

Sedans are built in regensberg.

You mean the M3 Sedan is built there, as the regular E90s are built in Munich. However, the Regensburg is a FAL, and much of the basic, shared with regular E90 items originate from either Munich or suppliers to Munich. All that tooling is done and pushed out and will be used for spares only. So in other words, there's nothing in place to supply Regensburg with the unibody needed to assemble an E90 M3.

As per my post above, it makes logical sense, as the M team has to essentially wait a bit unitl after the initial F30 design is established before it can finalize it's version (aka F80). Tooling has long lead-times associated with it, and given the amount of changes the M has, it has a good amount of tooling (i.e. body panels-just think of the leadtime for the injection molded front fenders, left and right hand side, and likely two to four units of each, casting and forgings, and not to mention engine and other drivetrain related bits.

Again, the only ways to make the M3's release coincide with the regular F30s is:

1. Develop the M3 alongside the F30, which would require it's own dedciated sub and final assembly lines and value stream, which would equate to mega $$, a likely make the M3 cost twice what it costs now.
2. Hold back the F30's release until the M3 is ready, which is pointless. Why would BMW invest that money and not start getting a return right away?
3. Make the M3 just a "dressed up" version of the regular F30. Just tweaks to the stock F30's engine, some simple cosmetic bits like a unique front and rear bumper covers, but leave all other panels the same. And I need not explain why this would not be a favorable option...