Audi BMW

Car and Driver calls it “The Perfect Sports Car”, Edmunds labels it as “a discounted supercar”, and many other automotive magazine have praised it in the past. The BMW M3 Sedan is the car in question and Edmunds follows up on their long-term test drive with the wrap-up story.

After 19,358 miles, a depreciation of $20,100 or 29 percent of original paid price and a True Market Value at service end of $47,270, the following statement remains: “The M3 isn’t an overpriced 3 Series; it’s a discounted supercar. In an age when raw automotive excellence is disappearing from showrooms faster than manual transmissions, this Bimmer stands apart.”

Here is the intro story:

BMW is infallible, especially when it comes to cars with the vaunted M badge. At least that’s what the fanboys say.

So we were a little confused and a little disconcerted the first time we hopped into this 2009 BMW M3 Sedan and its 414-horsepower 4.0-liter V8 settled into an idle beneath the hood in front of us. Alistair Weaver, our regular European contributor, told us in the First Drive of this car, “The 2008 BMW M3 surprises you. Its 4.0-liter V8 is quiet — possibly too quiet — and settles to a lazy, subdued burble. It’s obviously a very different kind of engine than the inline-6 that powered the old M3, and for a moment you wonder if the gang at BMW M have botched up the world’s finest high-performance coupe.”

And so the fanboys have begun to secretly suspect that each new M iteration of the 3 Series has actually been less pure, less driver-focused and less M than the one that preceded it. And when it comes to the transition from the traditional inline-6 to the meaty (yet 33 pounds lighter) V8, the diehards get rabid.

Purity? Tradition? Forget that, because by changing the equation, BMW has created in the 2009 BMW M3 Sedan what is possibly the best sedan ever made.

Continue reading the most detailed report we have seen on the 2009 BMW M3 Sedan.

An interesting, disturbing and highly speculative article from Automobile Magazine revolves around BMW’s plans to cancel the next generation BMW M3 Sedan. The new F30 3 Series is due out in 2012, with the M3 model showing up an year later.

Same report by the aforementioned magazine states that the new 3er will be built on BMW’s new MSB architecture, which means it will share its strut front end layout with the next-gen 1-series (codenamed F20) rather than use the double wishbones of the 5, 6, and 7-series cars.

As we announced before also, the new 3 Series family will add one more member: BMW 3 Series GT, a hatchback/Gran Turismo vehicle.

But here is where things get interesting and speculative in our opinion. The next-generation M3 will only come in coupe and convertible versions. In both cases, the 420-hp V-8 will be replaced by a 3.0-liter twin-turbo straight six good for around 450 hp. All sounds fair up to hair, sans the M3 Sedan omission.

Now, let’s see where to begin…..Ever since its introduction, the BMW M3 Sedan has been seen as one of the best BMW M models built to date, a combination of sportiness, luxury, cornering, handling and thrills. Even BMW racing instructors seem to favor the four-door version of the M3 since according to them, it offers a better balance and weight distribution across the car.

In other words, THE BMW M3 you want to own if some light track racing is involved…and yes, it is still the perfect car even for those that use it as a daily commuter.

On the financial side, according to our sources, the M3 Sedan has been a huge hit, a car that sold mostly because of its M3 brand name, but also due to the versatility it offers.

So while Automobile Magazine doesn’t get into the specifics, we are going to take this with a big grain of salt and hope that such thing will never happen.

[Source: Automobile Mag ]

E9x BMW M3 – The Perfect Sports Car? Well, that’s what seems to be the general consensus amongst the Car and Driver’s editors, and certainly something we agree with now, as we have done in the past as well.

Before we will let you jump into their long-term drive report, allows us to start with their conclusion and work from there:

“Based on our experience, the current M3 is the world’s all-around best car for the money, although several staffers would have preferred to trade some of the coupe’s looks for the added practicality of the sedan.”

A car has got to be pretty spectacular to win over the curmudgeons here at 1585 Eisenhower Place, especially when familiarity sets in over the course of 40,000 miles. But our Sparkling Graphite Metallic M3 did indeed win us over. For less than $70,000, the M3 bolts from a standstill to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and turns the quarter-mile in 12.7 seconds at 113 mph. It pulls an exceptional 0.96 g on the skidpad, stops in 147 feet from 70 mph, and reaches a governor-restricted 161 mph. On a racetrack or a back road, it’s a beautifully balanced and hugely entertaining machine.

Aside from performance, the M3 is comfortable on the highway and has plenty of space for four adults. It has a full complement of luxury accouterments and yet is very practical—even the trunk is commodious. It has muscular, raked looks and a handsomely dark interior. A bonus is that regular service doesn’t cost a cent, thanks to BMW’s full-maintenance program, which lasts for four years or 50,000 miles. (The gas bill, however, wasn’t cause to rejoice, given this BMW’s 17-mpg thirst.)

When it came to ordering the car, we went with the so-called M double-clutch transmission (M DCT), a $2700 option that replaces the standard six-speed manual with a seven-speed dual-clutch unit, BMW’s first. We were eager to try this setup because dual-clutch transmissions promise the smoothness of an automatic when the driver can’t be bothered to change gears, as well as superfast paddle shifts in manual mode. In the previous M3 (E46), BMW offered a single-clutch, automated manual gearbox that was notable for its harshness in manual mode and its clunkiness as an automatic.

Full article

As BMW continues to diversify it’s line-up the BMW enthusiast finds themselves with more and more options on how to best satisfy their need for German iron. However, while you’d be hard-pressed to criticize or degrade any of the existing line-up, we do have a few that jumped out at us for 2009 that we felt were cars that stood out – particularly to enthusiasts.

The list below is based on U.S. spec cars since those are the vehicles we had first hand experience with, so a far more accurate judgment can be passed in the article.

In no particular order, our list is:

BMW M3 Sedan

Nearly as fast as the 911, yet, fully equipped it comes in more than $10,000 less. When you add the lightning-fast DCT 7-Speed transmission to the mix, you just think it and you’re in the next gear. After extensive track time with the M3, we’re confident it is the best M car currently on sale by BMW -and how couldn’t it be?

It’s gorgeous, seats 4 plus luggage, and a sound that makes most enthusiasts quiver with delight – the 0 to 60 time in the mid 4’s helps too. The 2009 E90 M3 is one of those rare cars that can immediately escalate you into a entirely different class of performance cars and it does so both gracefully and rapidly.

BMW 128i

The smallest, cheapest BMW you can buy in the United States (outside of the MINI’s). It is not the fastest, the best looking or the most technically advanced BMW you can buy, but it does have its advantages for enthusiasts.

Firstly, it is still the most affordable BMW this side of the pond and with a weight of just over 3,200 lbs, it doesn’t exactly break the scales like some modern BMW’s have been criticized for. With 230 HP, a crisp inline-6 and a sharp 6-speed manual coupled with the Sports Package many enthusiasts might have a modern E30 soul successor for the track car of 2019 for those who swear by the Roundel.

BMW X6 M

Avante Garde styling wrapped around one of the most technically advanced BMW’s currently on sale with a dash of brutal twin-turbo V8 is the recipe for the X6 M. Add the 555 horsepower into the combo and you see why one would get excited about it.

While it may have received mixed reviews in terms of the love-it-or-hate-it design, there is no denying the presence and power this SAC holds. Styling-wise, many find it hard not to be drawn to the X6 M when walking passed it in a valet line – it’s magnetism makes you feel as though you have steel-lined eye balls. Couple the soon-to-be-industry-standard looks with the M-tuned V8 and the incredible torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive and you’ve got a package that’s sexy, devastatingly fast and fun for the whole family to boot.

BMW 550i Sedan

This car is soon to go the way of the iDrive version 1.0, the manual transmission and the original Z4 – it is going to disappear when it falls out of production soon in favor of the F10 5 Series. After significant seat time with the E60 platform, this is definitely a car you don’t want to pass up with the powerhouse 4.8 liter V8 and 6 Speed transmission – automatic or manual.

The M Sport wheels and body kit you can add to it, make the sedan achingly beautiful. Criticized for being too awkward as the 3rd model to be revamped by the Bangle revolution when released, the E60 is now seen as an attractive, handsome car that sets itself apart from a class of cookie cutter styled cars. Originally controversial, the E60 5 Series will go down in history as the car that literally and figuratively changed the face of one of the oldest models in the BMW line-up.

The window to own one new is rapidly closing and we suggest you not pass it up!

BMW 335d

This model could be summarized in one sentence: practical and powerful and who doesn’t love tax incentives on cars? But we’re going further than that. The first modern 3 Series diesel to be sold on U.S soil was recently named by Automobile Magazine as an All-Star for 2010. While its brother 335i always comes up in vehicle comparisons, the 335d is still a somewhat hidden star ready to take the stage. There’s no other car in the U.S. line-up that achieves the performance and fuel economy levels as seen in the 335 diesel.

You need a fast car? 0 to 60mph in six seconds thanks to the twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder diesel, with a mammoth 425 lb-ft of torque and 265 ponies.

Worried about fuel prices? Look no further – 33-35 MPG in combined cycle.

People will be also talking about how good this car was ten years from now, sort of like the 318ti.

BMW 750Li

We’ve said a while back, the “King has returned” and it is already conquering its market segment. While the previous fourth-generation model lived under the  umbrella of the controversial ex-Chief Designer at BMW, Chris Bangle, the new generation marks the debut of a new design language led by Adriaan Von Hoydonk. The new longer, but sleeker and muscular design of this new 7 Series comes to correct some of the minuses of the previous generation 7er, which still holds today the record of the best selling 7 Series ever.

Along with the luxury one would expect to see in the flagship, the new 7 Series can be defined by its fantastic engine and chassis. The 4.4 liter V8 twin-turbo engine does its job properly and we would say, even beyond. At around 4,500 lbs, the 750i is far from being a compact car, but those 404 horsepower and the incredible 450 lb-ft of torque, make up for it and reveal the sportiness in this car.The BMW 750i runs from 0 to 60 mph in around 5.1 seconds. And wait…it also doesn’t break your bank either – fuel consumption on the combined cycle is around 19 mpg.

BMW 650i Convertible

With all these new models launching this year, everyone seemed to have forgotten about this hidden gem. The 650i Convertible is one of those cars that maintain their icon status: suitable power, supreme styling that overshadows the Jaguar XK8 and a price that undercuts the Benz SL.

From its active suspension to its techie cabin, the BMW 650i Convertible is the quintessential tech car, a true engineering piece coming from Germany. BMW’s best tech comes in the power train and suspension. The engine is a 4.8-liter V8 producing 360 horsepower and 360 pound-feet of torque. While not pushing out the turbo power seen in the newer models, the 650i Convertible still manages to run from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. Fuel economy is not to shabby either, around 19 MPG in combine cycle. We’ve seen similar fuel economy in many V6 sedans and coupes.

Don’t get ready to discard this bimmer, the next generation might be around the corner and better than ever, but this Cabriolet will still turn heads and give you that Ultimate Driving Machine we all crave for.

BMW X6 Active Hybrid

Not enough data yet on BMW’s first production ready hybrid, but we’re excited about it and decide to throw it in the mix since most likely the hybrid technology will identify with BMW’s future plans.

BMW ActiveHybrid X6 features a two-mode hybrid system which allows the X6 to run either on its electric motors alone at low speeds, internal combustion or a combination of both. The X6 makes use of not one, but two electric motors that deliver 91 hp and 86 hp, respectively, with peak torque values of 192 lb-ft and 206 lb-ft. Top speed in the electric mode is 37 mph, maximum range is 1.6 miles. The maximum output is 480 horsepower and 575 lb-ft of torque, enough to be crowned as the most powerful hybrid vehicle ever offered for sale.

At 18 MPG, the X6 Hybrid might not be the most fuel efficient green car out there, but we dig it and look forward to future improvements.

List compiled by Andrew, Josh and Horatiu

Not the kind of comparison we see every day, but our friends over at Edmunds are feeling adventurous today and gives us an unexpected car comparison: BMW M3 Sedan (E90) vs. BMW M3 Coupe (E92).

Two great cars from the Motorsport division with similar customer target, but a different approach. One it’s a two-door luxury sports car that sacrifices some of the comfort of having a rear-door, and the other one, is a four-door sedan, an impressively well balanced vehicle that could do wonders on track if it’s placed in the right hands.

Both cars are powered by the same S65B40 engine, a naturally aspirated, high revving 4-liter V8 (based on the S85B50 5-liter V10 that powers the E60/E61 M5 and the E63/E64 M6 to date) delivering 414 horsepower (309 kW; 420 PS) at 8,300 rpm and peak torque of 400 Nm (300 lb-ft) at 3,900 rpm, which represents a power increase of 22% over the previous generation E46 M3.

As tested by Edmunds, both cars wear Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 summer tires.

But let’s have a look at the numbers registered by the two cars in Edmunds’ unique test.

2009 BMW M3 Sedan
$67,370 (as tested)
0-60 mph: 4.5 sec (with 1-ft rollout)
1/4-mile: 12.9 sec @ 109.8 mph
60-0 mph: 105 ft
Slalom: 70.0 mph
Skidpad: 0.90g
Weight: 3,710 (as tested)
Fuel economy (avg): 16.0 mpg
Tires: (F: 245/40ZR18, R: 265/40ZR19)

2008 BMW M3 Coupe
$65,775 (as tested)
0-60 mph: 4.3 sec (with 1-ft rollout)
1/4-mile: 12.7 sec @ 112.0 mph
60-0 mph: 100 ft
Slalom: 73.3 mph
Skidpad: 0.95g
Weight: 3,590 (as tested)
Fuel economy (avg): 15.6 mpg
Tires: (F: 245/35R19, R: 265/35R19)

Facing a dilemma already? We do too and we’ve been agonizing over this choice as well. The sedan seems to be moving at the top of our list…..

[Source: Edmunds ]

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

What are Twitter drivers saying about this?

Weeks ago, GM’s former vice-chairman Bob Lutz threw a challenge at everyone interested to compete against the Cadillac CTS-V. Car owners, journalists or anyone interested on taking on the CTS-V, were invited on the New York’s Monticello Motor Club track.

BMW M3 owner and 21 year old driver, Michael Cooper, defeated the CTS-V driven by Lutz, with an impressive 2:50:424 lap time. Impressed with his driving skills, BMW North America invited Michael to their Woodcliff Lake, NJ, headquarters for a meet-and-greet with Eric Riehle, BMW Performance brand manager, and Larry Koch, M Brand Manager.

Michael received a tour of the facilities and was presented with a BMW Performance Multifunction Steering Wheel. While the BMW Performance Steering Wheel was installed by BMW NA Accessory Development Engineers Jameon Cropper and Christian Gomez, Michael and Eric took a test drive in the company’s BMW Performance-enhanced 335i Sedan featuring Aero Kit, Power Kit, Exhaust System, Wheels, Short Shifter, Carbon Fiber / Alcantara Interior Trim, and of course a BMW Performance Steering Wheel.

“I’m excited to present the BMW Performance Steering Wheel to someone who can truly appreciate its high tech features,” said Eric Riehle, BMW Performance brand manager. “This product is a must-have item for any motorsport enthusiast seeking that extra edge. Michael is exactly the type of client for which BMW engineered this product.”

In regards to his driving skills in the recent GM’s challenge, Larry Koch, M Brand Manager, BMW of North America said: “I was not surprised to see young upstart Michael Cooper putting away even an experienced jet-jockey like Bob Lutz at the track. Michael’s M3 Sedan is a car that will make the most of any driver’s skill, and Michael deserves recognition for his focus and consistency behind the wheel.”

And we have to agree with Mr. Koch, the M3 Sedan truly is a driver’s car. Once again congratulations Michael for the impressive performance and thanks BMWNA for acknowledging us, the BMW community.

Our friend Richard Aucock from MSN UK and RichardAucock.com sat down with Carston Pries, Head of Management Product to find out more about the M3 Sedan and the LCI(life cycle impulse). As you might recall, BMW launched the M3 Sedan back in March of 2008 and six months later, the 3 Series Sedan models received the LCI.

Why hasn’t BMW followed with the a full facelift on the M3? Well, for starters, the Motorsport Division has a great independence from BMW AG and second, Mr. Pries didn’t think it was necessary at this point: “The M3 is suitably differentiated from the 3 Series not to need the additional expense of an (admittedly subtle) LCI so soon into its like. We carried over the revised design tail lights, that’s all.”

He also points out that the independence comes through the Motorsport division being so well integrated into BMW AG and their ability to make unilateral decisions a year or two ahead. Mr. Pries talks about how exciting is to do an LCI, as we have seen recently in the M6 Competition, but it is not a set rule that every single M model needs to receive the facelift.

Now the following question remains: with two-three years left before the new 3 Series comes out, will we still see a new front fascia on the M3 or is it even necessary? What about an M3 Coupe facelift? Unfortunately, he did not confirm anything at this time, but we’re working with our sources to find out more.

[Source: RichardAucock.com ]