CME

I just got one of the last E92 M3's (6-speed with Comp Package) as a daily driver. Did 22 laps at the Ring and car was a blast. That said my 996 GT3 is my dedicated Track Car. I don't ever plan on taking the M3 to the track. It is overengineered for the street and too fat and under braked for the race track.

I think the M4 with the Turbo 6 will make for a lousy track car based on past experience with other BMW turbo motors under heavy use. Glad I got the V8 before they stopped making it.

Chet

CME

here is a picture in the karousel.

CAlexio

I wish they had used the beautiful v8 from the m3 in at least one other car, so I could gallop freely unsaddled with all that weight. I had a z4m coupe with the old s54 engine after selling my e46 m3... Night and day.

Petevb

I have a 1M and really enjoy it as a street car. Feels much lighter than it is, very tossable, loves to go sideways. I agree that the motor is too fragile for serious track work without attention/ upgrades, however. I think there is a good chance that the motor in the new M4 will be tougher, however- this will be the first recent turbo motor designed by BMW M, and I have a lot of respect for those guys. I think they can pull off a track worthy turbo if they want to...

aussie jimmy

CME, that cobalt 996 looks fantastic! any pics of that?

TomTom77

Me too and fully agree. Sure, BMW M, like Porsche, has taken routes that we might not appreciate (X6M, anyone), but engineering-wise, they do know their stuff. And that 1M is an awesome parts-bin-exercise indeed! If the new M3 / M4 is as good as that, I'll get one for my wife...

ShakeNBake

I wish as well, I'd love to have the S65 in something lighter.

The new Z4 (35is) weighs nearly as much as a M3 coupe though, ~3600lbs vs the M3's 3700lbs. I guess they use the same lead weights.

kosmo

BMW is killing off their best engines: V10 and V8s. what a shame.

I dont give a $hit about CAFE standard. Build more of those ugly E cars.
yeah

GrantG

Yeah, I always thought the Z3 must've been made of lead too - those are way over 3k pounds too and they're tiny...

Manifold

Looks like the new M3/M4 will be available around the middle of this year. I know it's not in the same 'supercar' category as the GT3, but I'm seeing it as a viable alternative:

- Only about 150 lbs more than the GT3
- 0-60 in about 3.9 s is plenty fast
- 406 ft-lb with broad torque band, vs 324 ft-lb at 6250 rpm for the GT3
- Upgraded cooling, etc. gives me hope that it'll be trackworthy
- Usable rear seat and trunk
- 6-sp manual option (and its double-clutch is likely to be very good)
- Reasonably low key, especially in a 'neutral' color
- Practical road car, should be fine in winter with winter tires
- Base sticker price of about $63K, about half the GT3 out the door

991 3Turbo

You are never short on criticism. I think the damn thing looks great. Especially at half the price.

-eztrader-

Sounds really promising!

frayed

Didn't mean to hurt your feelings. So sorry.

silverrules

Nice car. My daughter been asking for a new car. She might like this.

tmg57

You should have claimed that you've reformed during the five months that have passed since you made that post...