Archive for the 'm3' Category

BMW M3 gets the video retrospective treatment

Published on June 11, 2013 in BMW, BMW 3-Series, BMW M3, m3 and video. 0 Comments Tags: BMW, BMW E30, BMW M, BMW M3, coupe, E30, Motorsport, new, performance, retrospective, video.

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Videos, BMW

With BMW on the cusp of pulling back the sheets on its next-generation M3 (or should we say, M4?), the crew from Electric Federal has taken it upon themselves to give us a generation-by-generation look at the evolution of the most renowned of BMW’s sports coupes. The video below features plenty of beautiful shots of each generation of M3, starting with the ever lust-worthy E30 before finishing up with the current iteration. BWS Motorsport’s Mark Norris provides the narration, complete with a brief synopsis of what makes each generation so special.

As usual, the clip is fit for big-screen viewing. You can watch the action below for yourself. Meanwhile, we’ll be busy figuring out which vital organs we can sell to get our hands on our own E30 M3.

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BMW M3 gets the video retrospective treatment originally appeared on BMW Top News on Mon, 10 Jun 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW M4 sheds some camouflage for latest test run

Published on March 15, 2013 in 3 Series, BMW, m3, spy photos, spy pics and spy shots. 0 Comments Tags: 2012, 2015 bmw m4, 3 Series, 3 series coupe, 4 series, BMW, BMW 3, BMW 3-Series, BMW M, BMW M3, camouflage, convertible, coupe, detroit, detroit auto show, luxury, mule, new, performance, sedan, SHO, spy, spy photos, spy pics, spy shot, spy shots, SpyPhotos, video.

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, BMW, Luxury

Last time we saw the upcoming BMW M4 out testing, it was heavily clad with camouflage and decidedly homely looking (as most early development mules are). But in this latest set of photos, the M3 coupe successor has started to come into its own skin, and we’re seeing a shape more closely akin to that of a rendering we brought you a few months back.

Unsurprisingly, the M4 coupe looks very similar to the 4 Series Concept that BMW debuted at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year. And while non-M version of the 4er will likely look a bit more sedate, these spy shots clearly show an aggressive front fascia, large wheels and the usual quad-exhaust rounding out the rear end.

Naturally, the M3 sedan will launch before this M4 coupe (and convertible), and powertrain details are still unclear as of this writing. We understand that the current M3′s naturally aspirated V8 will be axed in favor of some sort of turbocharged six-cylinder engine, and we’ve heard plenty of rumors as to what, exactly, it might be, but we have yet to hear any official confirmation.

The 4 Series will launch later this year as a 2014 model, and we expect the M4 to follow suit about one year later as a 2015 model.

BMW M4 sheds some camouflage for latest test run originally appeared on BMW Top News on Fri, 15 Mar 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 BMW M3 coming with Competition Package

Published on January 21, 2010 in BMW, BMW M3, BmwM3, m3, m3 gts and M3Gts. 1 Comment Tags: 2011 m3, bmw e92 m3, bmwe92m3, m3 gts, m3competitionpackage.

As far as we can tell, there’s little if anything wrong the E92 M3. However, according to a post on Bimmerfile, that small point will not be stopping BMW from offering a Competition Package on 2011 models. What goes into a Competition Pack? We’re not certain, and Bimmerfile can only speculate (bigger wheels, brakes, maybe). Knowing that much, we’ll join ‘em. But first, a little history.

Way back in 2005, BMW began a Competition Package for the E46 M3. Included were upgraded wheels, larger brakes, stickier tires,a firmer suspension and a revised Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system identical to the one on the hardcore M3 CSL. In addition, the E46 M3 Comp Pack also came with a quicker steering ratio. Inside, a bit of fussing took place in the form of Alcantara steering wheel and hand brake coverings and the steering wheel saw a few buttons (multi-function controls and cruise) deleted in favor of a DSC M button.

Will the E92 Competition Package feature similar upgrades? Hard to say, but we’ll guess yes. For their part, Bimmerfile is speculating that larger wheels and brakes will be part of the package (at least), along with an upgraded interior. The E46 Comp Pack added about $4,000 to the price of the M3. You can be certain that this number will increase when the new package drops. Is there any chance that the Competition Pack will offer a few of the goodies found on the hardcore M3 GTS (pictured above)? Once again, maybe. Improved wheels, brakes and tires being the safest bet.

One curious note: there’s a 7MA option pack attached to the Competition Package code (ZCP) that might simply mean a manual transmission option, or (according to Bimmerfile) could be an upgraded exhaust system good for a few ponies more.

BMW M3 GTS is here!

Published on November 4, 2009 in Bimmer, BMW, BMW M, BMW M3, bmw m3 csl, bmw m3 gt, bmw m3 gt4, bmw m3 gt4 street, bmw m3 gts, BmwM3, BmwM3Csl, BmwM3Gt, BmwM3Gt4, BmwM3Gt4Street, BmwM3Gts, breaking, coupe, csl, m3, m3 csl, m3 gt, m3 gt4, m3 gt4 street, m3 gts, M3Csl, M3Gt, M3Gt4, M3Gt4Street, M3Gts, performance, spy, spy shots and video. 0 Comments Tags: BMW, BMW M, BMW M3, bmw m3 gt4 street, BmwM3Csl, BmwM3Gt4, BmwM3Gt4Street, csl, m3 gt4, M3Gt, M3Gt4Street, spy shots, video.

The eye-catching orange paintjob is a throwback to extreme Bimmers of yore. But after you look past the timely Halloween color scheme, you’ll notice a set of exclusive 19-inch competition alloys – coated with 225/35 rubber up front and 285/30 in the rear – protruding out of the bulging bodywork, housing six-piston calipers up front and four in the rear and mounted to yellow springs and an adjustable suspension. You can hardly miss the giant front splitter and rear wing protruding from either end, and the interior’s been stripped down with contoured racing buckets, an emergency cut-off switch and a fire extinguisher taking the place of the air-con, nav and radio, along with mounting points for a roll cage and six-point harnesses and a Macrolon rear windscreen to replace the stock glass, helping the M3 GTS tip the scales at just 1490 kg (3285 lbs), some 419 lbs less than the stock M3 coupe’s 3704-lb curb weight.

First deliveries are scheduled to begin in Germany next May, carrying a sticker price of 115,000 euros (about $170k) before taxes. Official engine specs haven’t been released, but we’re still looking at somewhere in the neighborhood of 450 horsepower from an enlarged 4.4-liter V8, driving through the Bavarian automaker’s 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

$170k BMW M3 GT/GT4 Street

Published on November 3, 2009 in Bimmer, BMW, bmw csl, BMW M, BMW M3, bmw m3 csl, bmw m3 gt, bmw m3 gt4, bmw m3 gt4 street, bmw motorsport, BmwCsl, BmwM, BmwM3, BmwM3Csl, BmwM3Gt, BmwM3Gt4, BmwM3Gt4Street, BmwMotorsport, coupe, csl, m csl, m3, m3 csl, m3 gt, m3 gt4, m3 gt4 street, M3Csl, M3Gt, M3Gt4, M3Gt4Street, M5, MCsl, Motorsport, Nurburgring, performance, spy and spy shots. 0 Comments Tags: Bimmer, BMW M, BMW M3, BmwM3Gt, BmwM3Gt4, M3Gt, MCsl, spy.

The former turned out to be a one-of-a-kind special. But details on the latter are beginning to circulate, and they look promising. Firstly, sources suggest that the model won’t wear the CSL designation at all, and instead be labeled either M3 GT or M3 GT4 Street, in reference to the homologated racing version.

First, the good stuff: the engine is tipped to be tuned in the neighborhood of 450 horsepower, give or take, driven exclusively through the 7-speed dual clutch transmission with no manual expected to be on offer. Stopping power is anticipated to come from Brembo 6-piston calipers up front and 4-pots in the rear gripping slotted steel discs, and while carbon-ceramics may be on the options list, the jury’s still out on when BMW will roll out the production version of its F1-derived Kinetic Energy Recovery System, a.k.a. regenerative braking. Recaro buckets and the removal of the rear seats should help the M3 GT (or whatever it will be called) shed some 220 lbs of weight, sitting 25mm lower on BBS alloys mounted to a Sachs suspension with standard roll bars.

The prototype is said to have already lapped the Nurburgring in 7:40, with testing still underway in France. Targeting the Porsche 911 GT3, the hard-core M3 will be extremely limited in production – possibly as few as 25 examples annually – available directly from BMW Motorsport but certified for road use – at a price point hovering around 110,000 euros ($172k). Unfortunately, the signs suggest that it won’t be making the transatlantic voyage Stateside.

Spy Shots: BMW resurrecting the M3 CSL?

Published on October 20, 2009 in BMW, bmw csl, BMW M3, bmw m3 csl, bmw m3 gt4, bmw m3 gt4 street, BmwCsl, BmwM3, BmwM3Csl, BmwM3Gt4, BmwM3Gt4Street, csl, m3, m3 csl, m3 gt4, m3 gt4 street, M3Csl, M3Gt4, M3Gt4Street, Nordschleife, Nurburgring, Nurburgring nordschleife, NurburgringNordschleife, spied, spy, spy pics, spy shots, SpyPics and SpyShots. 0 Comments Tags: 2011Bmw5-series, aftermarket, alpina b7 biturbo, B7 Bi-Turbo, BMW, BmwM3Csl, luxury, MINI, sedan, spy shots.

We’re not sure what to believe anymore. A bit over a year ago, reports surfaced that BMW was planning a successor to the E90-generation M3 CSL, a highly coveted, track-focused version of its legendary sports coupe. Within a month, the Bavarian automaker had announced that it was canceling the program. And then these photos show up.

This M3 test mule was seen lapping the N