Unique blue!!! Thank God, my prayers have (archive)

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Anyway, thanks again for the post...I feel really good about waiting for another six months if I'm gonna be able to get my 335hp super-cool-blue E46 M3!

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: Well, I went to the show on Saturday at opening and I found out that earlier in the day BMWCCA had an exclusive tour of the BMW stand with one of the North American M guys! Ahhh, I missed it, who knew? Anyhow, I later found the guy and asked him some questions about our car. The guy was very nice and knowledgable, and spent a good amount of time with me, expecially since I grabbed him right as he was putting on his coat to leave.
: So, first lets go over the questions: 1. Weight: He was very tongue in cheek about the wieght. He said it was slightly heavier than the E36 M3. When asked slightly, he responded "slightly" I said 100 lbs slightly or 500lbs slightly and still he answered "slightly" so there you go. As for why the car wasn't opened: This is a European spec car, for example the middle of the seats are cloth, something which probably will not be offered in the US.
: 2. Why the difference in power: The European engine and the american one are identical. All of the differences in power are due to the difference in calculating DIN vs SAE and emissions things. Also, the 330 BPH numbers are just calculated for now, not measured and are on the conservative side: People would complain if the autoshow said 340 and the car only had 335 but noone will complain in the show says 330 and the car ends up having 335, in other words, look at those numbers as minimums.
: 3. 4-wheel drive? I asked what the plans were for a 4 wheel drive M3 and he answered that BMW was more than happy with the car's performance in the rear wheel drive format. Who knows, maybe pressure from the S4 will eventually force them into it but they gave me the very distinct impression that I shouldn't hold my breath.
: 4. Colors: Again, tongue in cheek answer but he did tell me that they are coming out with a number of unique and exciting (his words, not mine) colors including a unique black and blue (I think the second one was blue) anyhow, the Pheonix Yellow will be one of the colors offered.
: 5. Rear ratio: Doesn't know off the top of his head (fair enough)
: 6. What is the M Dif? Basically the difference between the M differential and a normal one is a normal one measures torque going to each tire and adjusts appropriately, whereas the M dif actually measures tire speed. He left me to figure out the importance of this on my own. I would guess that this would enable you to differentiate between a tire partially slipping whereas just measuring torque might not recognize this scenario. Any other thoughts?
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: Up, I am getting kick off the computer. That is more or less all I had to report. Other things of note: From the side, the steering wheel is very think. Almost looks like a donut. I would say its diameter is approaching 2 inches! All in all the car is beautiful. I also hate chrome but this dull chrome on the rims is actually quite beautiful.

: Other things of interest at the show: Don't flame me for mentioning pontiac but they had a show car called the Pirhana (sorry about the spelling) that was pretty interesting: Not anything I would buy but I bet it would sell well. Worth going to their site and checking out (may be on their internet site too)
: Also, Saab had a nice display showing their variable compression engine. Excellent concept: Basically, the engine block is divided in two, the lower part is the crank shaft, etc... and the top half is the cylinders. The two are connected on one side by a hinge and on the other side is a motor that can tilt the top part, basically increasing the volume left at the end of a compression. They claim the motor can make about 250 BPH and about 300 lbs-ft but can also get the same economy as a 1.6 liter engine (note this engine is supercharged. ) Cool concept. Ok, have to go. If you go to the show enjoy it.

: PS: Also exciting if you are into audio, the new Lexus LS 430 is coming with a stereo made by Mark Levison!!! For those into home stereo, I know you are going "wow" The rest of you are going "what?" anyhow, check it out.

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