point of view (more) (archive)

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: I was going to say this before but not untill now did I really think about it. I remember hearing about that they could not put the 3.4l in the e46 because of cooling problems. Was it like they woke up one morning and went "O' shit we have to build a replacement for the e36 by friday", no they knew about this for years, did they not think they would have to build a replacement or what? Why at all should there have been problems in the first place as far as engine displacement (ie; 3.2l v 3.25l v 3.4l) or even an all wheels drive or V8 option. My point is that the car (the e46 M3) looks like it was rushed or something like they did not have time to create a really cool car all the way around, or is it just me?

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no, not just you. I think the archives reflect just those thoughts by some (including me) who were anxious, disappointed, angry, when the idea was floated that it would be a 3.25; as if BMW let us down, the M division flunked an engineering test, that we were getting a warmed over Euro car engine, and that the e46M3 year 2001, was going to be a one year wonder until they worked out the problems with the 3.4 or even a V8. Basically, some of us, including many who had a late model low milege BMW were apprehensive about the "newcomer", thinking we were walking into a bad business deal. Other folks balanced out this viewpoint by suggesting we not dwell on the engine size (what is .75 liter among friends) and try to look at the whole picture, BMW's record, and have confidence that the final product will be something they are proud to sell and we are proud to own. As the real photo's are made available, and I hear about some of the proposed innovations, I have shifted my point of view and I am now more open to the idea of 3.25 liters if the whole car seems to hang together well. HOWEVER, 3.25 liters is hardly written in stone. Two magazines, one from Australia and one from Great Britain as late as last week are going with 3.4 liters, and a person who posts here, Torch, reported his source still is going with 3.4 liters. So, I hope, at the risk of oversimplifying weeks of archival material, I have brought you up to date. Feb 29th is our super Tuesday !!

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