current m3-first timeless m3?

[birdbrain]

So not sure about you guys but there is only a handful of car companies that I could look back atleast 3 generations of cars and think they still look better than almost anything out there today and do not look dated at all. One that comes to mind is ferrari. Atleast the last 3 generations of the F430, 360 etc have been gems that I would take any day.

I know the e46 in some people's eyes is the most classic look but I do not think many could argue that it does not look dated at this point. Still looks good but dated and in another generation will really look dated.

However the e92 m3 IMO is going to continue to look new, modern and desirable for atleast 2 generations of m3's to come. I think bmw started this with the e60 m5. It was way ahead of its time if you look at what else was out in 04 (when the normal 5 series was released) nothing else looked anything like the e60. Now after the generation is over and the f10 is out, the e60 still looks modern and not at all out of place.

So anyway I think the current m3 is probably bmw's first 3 series that will be a 3 generation worthy car for not only performance but styling/looks.

[GreasyGinzo]

Originally Posted by birdbrain

So anyway I think the current m3 is probably bmw's second 3 series that will be a 3 generation worthy car for not only performance but styling/looks.

The e46 M was the first

[birdbrain]

I do not think many will agree. I am not talking about the fact it looks nice to the eye of the beholder or questioning the performance of the e46 but you simply cannot say it does not look really dated as soon as the e90 came out.

Analagous to the e39, although many think that is a classic, it is nonetheless not looking like it was made in this current generation, whereas the e60 today looks like it easily could still be in production.

Same for the e46, if you bought a brand new car today that looked like that, it would be completely dated, whereas I do not think that will be the case when the next gen m3 comes out comparing it to the e90

[RandyB]

The engine is going to be an instant classic for sure.

It's depressing the direction M division and cars in general are heading right now. I suppose they are just adapting to survive the current conditions.

[jmflukeiii]

What's interesting to me is when I watch videos of the e92 on a track, it doesn't seem right to me. The car looks big and bulky, too bulky for the track. Don't get me wrong, I think its beautiful and I love the way it looks as my daily driving car. But for track purposes, the e36 still seems much more suited for track driving.

[Prince_of_Persia]

I rotally agree to OP. We all have seen what the new 3 series gonna look like and e92 doesn't look out datad in front of it. I actually think e92 is nicer than f32.

[SchnellM3]

^+1

The renders for the F3x M3 look pretty good but the E92 is going to be my favorite aggressive styling paired with the S65 is ball tingling.

My list would be

1. E92
2. E30
3. E46
4. E36

* list is on mass produced models not including the GTS, CSL, etc...

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by jmflukeiii

What's interesting to me is when I watch videos of the e92 on a track, it doesn't seem right to me. The car looks big and bulky, too bulky for the track. Don't get me wrong, I think its beautiful and I love the way it looks as my daily driving car. But for track purposes, the e36 still seems much more suited for track driving.

I have to agree with you about the size. My e46 did feel a bit smaller, still I love my e92 and never do take it to the track. I like the additional HP, just knowing they are there gives a guy a cozy feeling when one needs the power

Once in my e-46 I over took a truck on a 2 lane highway and the truck driver must have fallen asleep since he nearly put me into the ditch. The 333 horses under the bonnet saved my life I am convinced of it. The now 414 horses under the bonnet of my e92 will surely get me out off mischief should it ever happen again

[Krozi]

E46 will always be one of BMW's best looking cars. Still looks new to me, assuming it's post 2003.5.

[donovan]

e46 m3 GTR balls down...oder?

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by Krozi

E46 will always be one of BMW's best looking cars. Still looks new to me, assuming it's post 2003.5.

my e46 was a 2002 lovely car, I regret selling it last year

[birdbrain]

Some of you are not getting the point. Its not that the e46 was not a beautiful car but whether or not it continues to look up-to-date over time is a completely different question.

The e46 is beautiful I agree but undeniablly dated and you konw immediatly even if you do not know bmw's that it was not a currently produced car. Its too squared off and not rounded/curved/fluid like the e92. This will keep the e92 good until the next gen series is out after the f32

Its good for buyers or bmw that a car will continue to look as good or better than the generation replacing it.

That is how I feel about the e60. I would still take one over the f10 any day and continue to think it looks better and just as uptodate and modern.

[RandyB]

It gets tougher for the new cars to separate themselves from their predecessors with each generation. The E92 will hold its own longer than the E46 was able to.

[Krozi]

I think the E46 M3 is as timeless as the powerdome on the E9X M3.

[geneatals]

Originally Posted by Krozi

I think the E46 M3 is as timeless as the powerdome on the E9X M3.

[MVF4Rrider]

Originally Posted by RandyB

It gets tougher for the new cars to separate themselves from their predecessors with each generation. The E92 will hold its own longer than the E46 was able to.

To me the E9X is just as dated as the E46 as I'm so used to seeing them. In fact, a nice E46 is quite rare and when you see a well kept one (wether M or not) it's far more pleasing. Just shortly ago I saw a nice white E46 330i 4-door (I think 2005 based on the wheels) at the local Whole Foods and it looked perfect and as functional as anything today. Ultimately it all has to do with product life cycle and since we're talking about mass produced cars, none of these are going to seem "current" once out of production. Timeless is a BMW Z8. Anyone who thinks any mass produced car is timeless needs to think again. There's nothing timeless about the E9X. Its lines are not clean and very confused. Timeless is Aston Martin as it's instantly recognizable (grill/front end) and its lines are perfectly clean. BMW needs to understand the benefits of making something understated. The new Z4 is in my opinion (well, plus the 1 series) has the worst lines (and seams) I've ever seen in a BMW. I have very low expectations for BMW designs these days.

[jmflukeiii]

Originally Posted by MVF4Rrider

To me the E9X is just as dated as the E46 as I'm so used to seeing them. In fact, a nice E46 is quite rare and when you see a well kept one (wether M or not) it's far more pleasing. Just shortly ago I saw a nice white E46 330i 4-door (I think 2005 based on the wheels) at the local Whole Foods and it looked perfect and as functional as anything today. Ultimately it all has to do with product life cycle and since we're talking about mass produced cars, none of these are going to seem "current" once out of production. Timeless is a BMW Z8. Anyone who thinks any mass produced car is timeless needs to think again. There's nothing timeless about the E9X. Its lines are not clean and very confused. Timeless is Aston Martin as it's instantly recognizable (grill/front end) and its lines are perfectly clean. BMW needs to understand the benefits of making something understated. The new Z4 is in my opinion (well, plus the 1 series) has the worst lines (and seams) I've ever seen in a BMW. I have very low expectations for BMW designs these days.

At least they've kept the Kidney grills... but you're correct. I think Porsche is a perfect example; I think they have kept their look very consistent and stable for a long time. BMW has a new "look" each generation, more than just a subtle update - this in no way doesn't mean I dislike the look of the e92, i actually really like it, but I remember when I first saw a e92 and it took a second to place the maker. There's no confusing a Porsche

[captainaudio]

Originally Posted by jmflukeiii

At least they've kept the Kidney grills... but you're correct. I think Porsche is a perfect example; I think they have kept their look very consistent and stable for a long time. BMW has a new "look" each generation, more than just a subtle update - this in no way doesn't mean I dislike the look of the e92, i actually really like it, but I remember when I first saw a e92 and it took a second to place the maker. There's no confusing a Porsche

Porsche is unique in the fact that they have been selling cars with the same basic shape and mechanical layout for close to 50 years. Aston Martin to a certain extent has a "that's as Aston Martin" look to it but BMWs for the most part, and particularly the sedans, are fairly generic in appearance. That is not to say they are not attractive designs and a good part of the reason that they look similar to some other cars is because BMW's designs have been very imitated.

The collector car market is very hard to predict. As a rule post war BMWs have not had much of a presense in the collector car market with the notsble exception of the 507. This is IMO not a bad thing as there are some very desirable BMW models such as the 2800CS and 3.0CS that can be acquired for very reainable prices. Whether this will continue in the future is a matter of speculation. 4o years ago I am sure most here would have taken a 2800CS over a Hemi Cuda convertible in a heart beat, In 1969 the BMW was more expensive than the Plymouth. Who could have predicted that 40 years later the BMW would be worth $60,000 and the Plymouth would be worth close to a million.

CA

[jmflukeiii]

Originally Posted by captainaudio

Porsche is unique in the fact that they have been selling cars with the same basic shape and mechanical layout for close to 50 years. Aston Martin to a certain extent has a "that's as Aston Martin" look to it but BMWs for the most part, and particularly the sedans, are fairly generic in appearance. That is not to say they are not attractive designs and a good part of the reason that they look similar to some other cars is because BMW's designs have been very imitated.

The collector car market is very hard to predict. As a rule post war BMWs have not had much of a presense in the collector car market with the notsble exception of the 507. This is IMO not a bad thing as there are some very desirable BMW models such as the 2800CS and 3.0CS that can be acquired for very reainable prices. Whether this will continue in the future is a matter of speculation. 4o years ago I am sure most here would have taken a 2800CS over a Hemi Cuda convertible in a heart beat, In 1969 the BMW was more expensive than the Plymouth. Who could have predicted that 40 years later the BMW would be worth $60,000 and the Plymouth would be worth close to a million.

CA

I guess the solution would be to obtain one of everything.... I'm just going to go with that and get started. Next up, '97 550 Maranello. Then a '96 993 Twin Turbo.

[PKL]

I love my E92. LOVE LOVE LOVE

[joecode69]

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By replacing your factory air intake assembly with K&N’s 57-Series- your engine will get more air with less restriction. More air means more usable power and acceleration throughout the engines RPM range.

Easy install and estimated Horsepower Gain: 18.63 HP @ 7400 RPM.

You can have it for $190. I purchased it last week for $265


Joe

[captainaudio]

Originally Posted by jmflukeiii

I guess the solution would be to obtain one of everything.... I'm just going to go with that and get started. Next up, '97 550 Maranello. Then a '96 993 Twin Turbo.

In 2008/2009 123 collector cars sold at auction for over $1,000,000. There were no BMWs (although a 1958 507 went for $935,000. Cars that sold for over $1,000,000 included Ferraris (the top two sales were Ferraris at over $10,000,000 each and there were many more Ferraris than any other make) and there were several Shelbys, Dusenbergs Jaguars, Corvettes, Bugattis (classic and Veyron).

IMO the BMW 2800CS is very undervalued and will very likely hold its value while being a fun car to own and relatively affordable to maintain. I also have always loved the way it loolds.

CA