How much will it weigh?

[Smoltz]

Everyone has been tossing numbers around as far as weight goes, so let's put it to a vote!

Please vote for what you think it will weigh instead of what you would like it to weigh. We could make a seperate poll for that if there is interest though.

-Adam

[The CSL]

Between 3500 and 3599. That means nada to me, lets get me conversion widget out...

For the Kilo fans...
(rounded to nearest whole number)

>1496
1497-1542
1542-1587
1588-1632
1633-1678
1678>

Actually I guess what I chose would be a good weight to expect.

[swamp2]

I am surprised by the results and how optimistic folks are. < 3500 is a popular vote. BTW you should have made the votes visible. I like to peek at who votes for what. Can you update that?

[BeBogus]

I do not recall where read this from but I will try to find it but I remember reading that although the new M3 will have a V8, the block itself will not way more than I6 it used to have. My guess is that the m3 will weigh in almost as much as it does now if not a liiiitttle bit less.

[chonko]

From what I read sometime ago, the engineers stated that the E9X M3 will not weigh more than the E46 M3.
The E46 M3 weighs 3415 lbs
The E60 530i weighs 3472 lbs
The E60 550i weighs 3803 lbs
The E60 M5 weighs 4012 lbs.

I see the engineers pulling this off.

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by chonko

From what I read sometime ago, the engineers stated that the E9X M3 will not weigh more than the E46 M3.
The E46 M3 weighs 3415 lbs
The E60 530i weighs 3472 lbs
The E60 550i weighs 3803 lbs
The E60 M5 weighs 4012 lbs.

I see the engineers pulling this off.

Sounds great to me if they can achieve this, however given the weight of the 335i (3570 lb), which is the chassis the M3 is based on, it seems unlikely. The engine may be the same weight or even lighter but bigger brakes, wheels and other stronger components will not help. Do you happen to have a source for this information? If it is true the power to weight will be truly stellar, better than E60 M5 and the same as Corvette C5 (8.0). Again this assumes 426 hp.

[ILC32]

Originally Posted by swamp2

Sounds great to me if they can achieve this, however given the weight of the 335i (3570 lb), which is the chassis the M3 is based on, it seems unlikely. The engine may be the same weight or even lighter but bigger brakes, wheels and other stronger components will not help.

That sounds familiar somehow . . .

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showpos...2&postcount=21

[chonko]

Originally Posted by swamp2

Sounds great to me if they can achieve this, however given the weight of the 335i (3570 lb), which is the chassis the M3 is based on, it seems unlikely. The engine may be the same weight or even lighter but bigger brakes, wheels and other stronger components will not help. Do you happen to have a source for this information? If it is true the power to weight will be truly stellar, better than E60 M5 and the same as Corvette C5 (8.0). Again this assumes 426 hp.

Also note that the 335 shares the same chasis with the 328, but it weighs 220lbs more than the 328.
I can't remember the source where the assertion is made with regards to keeping the weight not more than the E46 M3, but I will send the link if I do find it.
With RCF use, I can see them pulling it off.

[alienmeister]

Since the current 335i weighs 3582 lbs. I say 3600-3699 unless they do some kind of weight reduction thing.

[Romo]

Originally Posted by alienmeister

Since the current 335i weighs 3582 lbs. I say 3600-3699 unless they do some kind of weight reduction thing.

Way to havy, the only thing that can make the upcomming M3 the best off all the competition, is weight loss.
The amount off HP will be more or less the same ( apr 400 HP minimum- 450HP maximum) in comparison with direct competitors. So the weight will be conclusive.
It wouldn`t surprise me that the weight of the new M3 is around that of the E46 M3. If it is too havy, what would be the point off bringing out a new M3? The weight/HP ratio would be worse, now that is not a verry bright thing to do IMO, you come up with a new car, so it must have a better weight/HP ratio than it`s predecessor.

[ynotony]

In a world where the 5-series weighs less than the 3-series, I am pretty confident that the M3 will weight LESS than the 335i even with a V8 and stronger (heavier) engine components to deal with the power delivery.

[mkoesel]

I can't imagine the car weighing less than a 335i, but I suppose its possible if they employ weight saving materials. Of course, that will add more to the cost too though.

[ILC32]

Originally Posted by ynotony

In a world where the 5-series weighs less than the 3-series, I am pretty confident that the M3 will weight LESS than the 335i even with a V8 and stronger (heavier) engine components to deal with the power delivery.

One more data point: 650i weight: 3814 lbs; M6: 3909.

There's that M weight-saving magic at work!

[replicat]

Wow I can't believe we are hoping for a 3500lb car..what a joke. Im done with the M3 and GT cars...2007 S2000 for me, followed by boost. 350rwhp, 2700lbs and independent F&R suspension, no McMuffin like the M3.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by ILC32

One more data point: 650i weight: 3814 lbs; M6: 3909.

There's that M weight-saving magic at work!

Yep, good point. Even with the carbon fiber roof they can't keep it under the weight of the 650i. Not sure how the two car compares in features though - the M6 might have more standard features although that is just a guess.

It will take some serious measures to keep the M3 under 3600 lbs.

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by replicat

Wow I can't believe we are hoping for a 3500lb car..what a joke. Im done with the M3 and GT cars...2007 S2000 for me, followed by boost. 350rwhp, 2700lbs and independent F&R suspension, no McMuffin like the M3.

You were such huge fan/die hard supporter. You knew the weight +/- 150 lbs probably from the time of your first post. I saw your enthusiasm fade as knowledge about the price went up. Then you removed your signature "waiting to be me" or whatever. All this along with enthuiastic posts about other cars. Sounds like you have really thrown in the towel. I have to ask - were you ever seriously going to buy one?

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Yep, good point. Even with the carbon fiber roof they can't keep it under the weight of the 650i. Not sure how the two car compares in features though - the M6 might have more standard features although that is just a guess.

It will take some serious measures to keep the M3 under 3600 lbs.

5 series looks grim as well.

550i: 3803
M5: 4012
+209 lb, ugh.

[Smoltz]

Since we're looking at comparisons. What may be more telling is the weight increase between E39 M5 and E60 M5.

E39 M5 Manual - 3957 lb
E60 M5 SMG - 4012 lb
Weight Difference = 55 lb

Let's assume that SMG vs. manual accounts for 15lbs. that's a 40lb increase on a 3957lb car or 1.011% roughly.

Applying that to the E46...

E46 M3 Manual - 3415 lb
E92 M3 Manual (EST) - 3450 lb

Just another take on it, but only time will tell.

-Adam

PS - I found a few different weights for the E39 M5 and E60 M5, but those two numbers seemed to be the most common so I went with them.

[Steved]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Yep, good point. Even with the carbon fiber roof they can't keep it under the weight of the 650i. Not sure how the two car compares in features though - the M6 might have more standard features although that is just a guess.

It will take some serious measures to keep the M3 under 3600 lbs.

The carbon fibre roof on the M3 CSL only saved 6kg, so that's not how BMW would save weight anyway.

For those who are suggesting the M3 will be heavier than the 335i, bear in mind the 335i is carrying all the cooling and ancillaries of a turbo installation. The E46 M3 only weighed slightly more than a E46 330i Sport, so it would be reasonable for that to be the same with the E92 especially since the BMW quote on record was that the new V8 would be 'lighter' than the S54 straight six (which had an iron block).

E92 compared to E46 is around 40lbs heavier, so it just remains to be seen how much standard equipment comes loaded on the E92 M3.

Sub-3500lbs should be quite achieveable though.

[RandyB]

Originally Posted by Steved

E92 compared to E46 is around 40lbs heavier, so it just remains to be seen how much standard equipment comes loaded on the E92 M3.

Sub-3500lbs should be quite achieveable though.

With that said, I hope they don't load it down with too much standard equipment. I would rather have them lower the base price and keep the weight low for the people that low mass is important to, and then allow for all the crap most people want to be added as options.

I'll have me a stripper please.

[Manz_UK]

Originally Posted by RandyB

With that said, I hope they don't load it down with too much standard equipment. I would rather have them lower the base price and keep the weight low for the people that low mass is important to.

+1
no sat nav for me please...

[Steved]

Originally Posted by RandyB

With that said, I hope they don't load it down with too much standard equipment. I would rather have them lower the base price and keep the weight low for the people that low mass is important to, and then allow for all the crap most people want to be added as options.

I'll have me a stripper please.

That really depends on whether BMW will make a CSL version. If they choose to position the M3 as more of a Gran Tourer, with the CSL as the low weight version then it will come specced with plenty of gadgets.

Since I have my name down against an E92 CSL, I suspect it will come out and with BMW bringing out the 'M2' with a high-revving straight six they might well choose to position the M3 as more of a 'junior' M5/M6. Hopefully that still allows the M3 to be around 3500lbs, but I really doubt it will be any lighter than that.