Autoweek M3 Sedan article scan

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by REP1KRR

Should we believe this? It was thought all along, just until recently, that the convertible and coupe would be together upon US release. Can we really hope for the sedan to arrive initially instead? I'd love it, but want to be realistic.

You think...?

Many of us thought the sedan would come later based on the fact that spy shots of it were less common and more covered than the coupe and convertible. Also BMW had not even confirmed for sure that they would add the sedan for this generation, leading to more speculation that it would come later.

But now that BMW has issued the official press release on the car, its clear it is very close. It seems almost sure it will arrive at the same time as the coupe early next year. If the car is in Tokyo as Autoweek says (and I believe it will be) then I think its basically a given.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

I would think the convertible production would start when sales of them would be best, not before next spring - summer.

It's worth noting that the E93 3 series began production in 12/06. This is confirmed by people on E90post.com with cars built then. The car was available from late March '07 (beginning of spring). BMW typically releases new cars in March or September, with few exceptions. It seems likely to me that if the convertible is not there along side the coupe and sedan in March, then it may have to wait until September. This makes less sense than March, but nevertheless, most new cars are debuted in the fall, even including convertibles.

But even if the E93 M3 does not show up until Geneva, its still possible it will be "on sale immediately" as some cars intro'd at autoshows have been in the past (new Camry comes to mind).

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by REP1KRR

Should we believe this?

Yes you should. The sedan is reality.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

It's worth noting that the E93 3 series began production in 12/06. This is confirmed by people on E90post.com with cars built then. The car was available from late March '07 (beginning of spring). BMW typically releases new cars in March or September, with few exceptions.

This jives with what my salesperson and others have said--US E92 M3 production starts 12/07. Maybe the sedan production will start the same time. E46 M3 production also started about the same time, as the first US cars showed up 3/01.