The easiest thing to do is wait and see EOM (archive)

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: : I don't care if it is 3.25 or 3.4. What size the engine is doesn't mean a thing about whether they advanced the technology or not. They could keep everything exactly the same but just bore the engine a little more. I don't know why you are obsessing about the potential .15 difference. BMW could be redoing the engine compression, air flow, timing and God knows what else to greatly improve performance, HP and torque, without changing the engine size. There is a little exmple of this the E36 M3: US 240HP and Euro 321HP.
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: START of rca reply to KurtB
: The way it was presented, it seemed, by JT///M3, was that it was a last minute decision by BMW to pull the 3.4liter and substitute essentially the same euro engine. It did not seem there was time to thoroughly upgrade the euro engine for the e46. I see nothing wrong with that, I am quoted earlier as saying it (3.25) would be a spectacular car. It just wasn't for me at this time, not a derivative of obsessing, more an emotional reaction. But feelings are a very big part of the decision making process of many customers, not just logic.

: Another way of answering your question is that I saw JT///M3's reference to the Hartge e46coupe with the M5 engine. While I can't rule out that the $100K price tag didn't affect my reaction (I could never afford that), I did note that the Hartge 5.0 liter v8 ran 4.7 0-60, same as the M5. However, I think the 3.4liter m3 will do 4.9's.
: 3.4 liter @ 4.9 in a lower price, nimbler vehicle vs. the 5liter @ 4.7 in either a bigger or more expensive carriage, no contest in my thinking.
: Give me the 3.4liter e46m3. p.s. don't get on my case about my "logic", we are all entitled to our customer idiosyncrecies. Your question was a good one IMO, because it helped me, and probably others reading this, reflect on how we (and others) are perceiving the advertised products and reflect on why we think and feel the way we do about our present ride and what else is for sale.
: END of rca reply to KurtB
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: : So tell me, are you just concerned about needing more size or have you even considered the actual increase in performance being the key issue? Size and performance are not always mutually inclusize. See Mustang 5.0.
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: : : : Who cares if the new M3's engine is 3.25 or 3.4? Most of you seem to live in the USA and if I where in your shoes I would be more worried if BMW is going to give you the same engine the Euro market gets or give you a high torque engine with less horsepower. Perhaps high torque with relatively less power is what Americans want or is it what BMW thinks they want? I am sure BMW attempts to give each market what it thinks is most suitable for them.

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: : : 1. I thought it was settled that there would be 1 car and 1 engine world-wide.

: : : 2. let's ask people with the current world car, particularly those with late model, low milege, m3's, who are happy with them. What would be the motivation to trade in for an e46 with a 3.25 liter?

: : : 3. Back in the USA, I don't think it is coincidental that 3 of the first people who balked, me included, at the 3.25, were people who had late model m3's or 328i in my case, low milege, under warranty, more than satisfied and happy withh their present vehicle. To us, it appears the e46 3.25 m3 was perceived quite differently than an e46 m3 3.4 liter; it dosen't matter why -- but it affected our motivation to part with our present car, that is, make a change. To me, I felt let down by the prospect of BMW's failure to correct an engineering problem, and being tossed a left-over, the euro engine slightly tweaked, instead of a something that seemed more innovative and sophisticated. TO ME, it appeared there was more motivation to WAIT and see what was next, maybe even a junior v8 or the m5 engine.

: : : I don't feel I have to justify my decision to purchase or not to anyone on this board, nor is it my business what others feel is right for them
: : : to do.

: : : No big deal, maybe to you the 3.25 and 3.4 look essentially similar. I respect your construing things that way. Perception and motivation are so intertwined.

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