2008 BMW M3 Sedan Becomes Official
2008 BMW M3 Sedan Becomes Official
The Spies have the full press release on the features of this new car. And while the numbers and the available options are impressive, there are a few items which we wonder about.
The Wheels
Not so sure about those wheels. I mean, they look OK, so long as the brakes are 100% dustless. Otherwise, good luck cleaning them.
The Transmission
The only currently available transmission is a 6-speed manual gearbox. While purists will be happy, the alternative SMG transmission seen in last models car was also well liked. However, BMW has openly said that it was moving away from the SMG and developing a better automatic transmission with “e-shift”. Basically a very fast shifting automatic, torque converter and all. While we don’t ever think we’d see such a transmission on the M3, we also aren’t holding our breath for an SMG version either, no matter how badly we want it.
The Engine
414HP is great, 295lbs of torque is not as great, but knowing BMW, 1) that is underestimated 2) they know how to get the most out of lower torque numbers and provide a flat torque “curve”. With a tightly geared transmission, this car is going to blow the competition away. The Audi RS4 had a tough time beating the old E46 M3, I don’t think there’s much chance of it beating this new M3 now.
The Interior
More specifically, the seats. The seats BETTER be improved from the previous M3. We don’t even want to know how many other people have suffered lower back pain from the e46 models (myself included).
BMW no doubt has another winner with this new model. Previous rumors of why the M3 didn’t come in a sedan was because BMW was afraid of detracting sales away from the M5. However, having driven both, the BMW M5 is still in a league of its own. Both cars are brutally sporty, but both cars have their markets, and BMW will sell everyone they build. Get in line now.
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