Monday 13th January 2014

BMW at Detroit 2014

Remember the M3 is making its debut at the NAIAS too!

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In with shock Toyotas and the new Mustang, it's almost easy to forget BMW as its own very significant launches at Detroit. Not only are the M3 and M4 being unveiled to their eager public, the 2 Series is receiving its global launch too.

Monkey prefers saloon to the M4; you?

With the details on each car having been out in the open for a while, the show almost serves as a refresher for both. There's also been some corporate showing off for BMW about how well it's doing in the States. Over 376,000 BMWs and Minis were sold in the US through 2013, in case you were unaware. The X4 will be built at Spartanburg too, which must have thrilled the local crowds.

Anyway, the M cars at hand. The 431hp, 406lb ft M3 has been developed with BMW's racing drivers and will arrive in the US this June, the same as over here. Our roving reporter Harris has said 'you just would' on the saloon and prefers it to the M4. The seats are 'yummy' in his opinion.

Don't forget this is coming soon as well!

And the 2 Series, or specifically the M235i. BMW are again stressing the link that '2' creates to the old 2002 and it will 'continue this fine tradition'. It will be a sub-compact model with unbeatable driving dynamics'. Without the M135i, the 2 Series will be the first M Performance model offered in America. It will be offered in the same 326hp (it's a nice round 240KW) and 332lb ft form as in Europe.

Dr Herbert Diess is on the BMW Development Board and is a fan of the M235i, as you might expect. He is 'a real addict' because it's 'powerful, fast, nimble and agile'. Hopefully we'll be able to find out in Britain fairly soon. Harris? He reckons it looks 'undernourished' next to the M3 but probably won't be much slower.

 

 

[dufflecoat]

Having previously picked a E92 M3 over an E90 on looks, Im the opposite on the "F80's". M3 all the way, M4 looks unsuited to the the M styling

[Panthro]

dufflecoat said:

Having previously picked a E92 M3 over an E90 on looks, Im the opposite on the "F80's". M3 all the way, M4 looks unsuited to the the M styling

Same here. I went for an E92, but the new M3 is a much better looking car IMO.

[Amirhussain]

Panthro said:

dufflecoat said:

Having previously picked a E92 M3 over an E90 on looks, Im the opposite on the "F80's". M3 all the way, M4 looks unsuited to the the M styling

Same here. I went for an E92, but the new M3 is a much better looking car IMO.

+2. Normally prefer 2 doors over 4, but so far liking the M3 saloon over the coupe, doesn't mean I don't like coupe

[anonymous-user]

I can only echo the others - the M3 looks far more nicer than the M4.

[Lozw86]

I fancy an m235i when the lease ends on my f30 328i

[ManOpener]

As above really, I think the M3 is much better proportioned. In fact I'd go as far as to say that it's the best looking BMW M-car since the E39 M5.

[g3org3y]

Both great looking imo. Lot of pressure on this new M4 badge, BMW will hopefully make it drive as good as it looks.

2 Series is interesting. Modern day 2002tii?

[dc2rr07]

Not exactly the best view to show them at there best 3 cars and three photographs of there arse's ! is that the best you could do.

Not keen on the rear bumper either side of the exhausts.

[FamilyDub]

wingman0401 said:

I can only echo the others - the M3 looks far more nicer than the M4.

The M3 badge certainly appeals for than M4!

Anyone know why unlike previous M3 iterations this M3 is coded F80, even though it's based on an F30?

[kambites]

I prefer the M3 too (not that you can really tell anything from those particular photos), but then I always preferred the E90 to the E92 as well.

[SR06]

Long live the M3.

Something almost Volvo about the rear of the M4. No denying its a nice design though.

[DP33]

Sub 1,500kgs and a manual 'box too. I'd take either.

[Panthro]

I don't like the rear light clusters on the M4, they have a weird curved profile. The M3 has a more pleasing angle to them, which for some reason makes the whole rear look better!

[Amirhussain]

FamilyDub said:

wingman0401 said:

I can only echo the others - the M3 looks far more nicer than the M4.

Anyone know why unlike previous M3 iterations this M3 is coded F80, even though it's based on an F30?

Yeah I wanna know that too, petty but still....

[Amirhussain]

Like this though

[HighwayStar]

FamilyDub said:

The M3 badge certainly appeals for than M4!

Anyone know why unlike previous M3 iterations this M3 is coded F80, even though it's based on an F30?

The floor pan for the M3 and 4 differ so much from the standard car that they have different coding.

[vincenz]

Amirhussain said:

Like this though

Whys is labeleed an M3?!

[cerb4.5lee]

When they first showed the exhausts on the concept they had carbon surrounds that I thought was a lovely detail & I didn't think that they would make it into production & it seems they are just sticking with chrome tips as usual as I originally thought which is a bit of a shame.

Looking forward to this launching though as on paper it is going to be a strong performer, the Coupe is my favourite for me though as having swapped my E92 M3 for a E90 330i it has made me realise I don't like four door cars much & i prefer two doors by far.

[mike-r]

I can't tell if the M4 is under-wheeled or over-bodied.

[cerb4.5lee]

vincenz said:

Amirhussain said:

Like this though

Whys is labeleed an M3?!

It just looks like an early mock up to me as the side gills are exactly the same as the E92 & it just looks to have the later models front & rear stuck on?