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In Reply to: my dear friend... (more) posted by Andreas on March 19, 2000 at 07:49:28:
first of all I love my E36 M3(widebody)and my V8 M5. I am 80% sure that I may even buy the new E46 M3 but I don't close my eyes to the truth. First, the weight issue. The E46 M3 is a heavy car to beging with (remember Supra turbo/300Zturbo??..320hp+/3300lbs+) why not have a special V8 limited model?? remember the "new" E46 M3 engine is a cast-iron block I6, the M5 V8 is not thus its lighter.
Second: A major German magazine and Autoweek (march6,2000 p.3) had a very first hands on experience with the E46 M3 and here's what they found. The powerplant remains UNCHANGED from the Euro E36:same old cast-iron block w/ NEWLY developed aluminum cylinder head. A 0.06-cc bump in the bore measurements increases the 3.0L capacity to 3.2liter by 44cc to 3245cc. The Vanos system is similiar to the M5 providing greater overlap between the inlet and exhaust.
Performance: The engine is rated at 343hp at 7900rpm(euro E36 M3 321hp @7400rpm). Peak torque is 269lb-ft at 4900rpm which is 1650 rpm higher than the old engine. 0-60 is 0.3 quicker than the old M3, 50-70mph is also cut by 0.3 (have you seen the V8 50-70mph??ouch)
Tranny: carryover E36 Getrag six-speed w/new variable differential.
Finally: Autoweek(march6,2000) M division chief Adolf Prommesberger "BMW did build M3 prototypes w/ M5's 400hp 5.0liter V8" " "However, in the end, we(BMW Board) decided to stick with the six. It wasn't the cheapest rout, but the CORRECT one"
Correct one- if they had a V8 M3, how do you justify spending 80k for an V8 M5 when you can it for 50K, its all about profit, that's why the E46 M3 have too much carryovers from the E36...but its still gonna be a bad ass...like none of you driving around in your M3 thinking "what is this bad boy had a V8". If there was a limited edition V8 model, I'll be first in line.
Hieu
FYI. after the initial sales wave, BMW intends to offer a stripped-down version M3 that insiders claim is capable of cracking the 5.0second 0-60 barrier.
Hieu
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