BMW announces pricing for M3
On sale from October 11, the new M3 is only marginally more expensive than the E46 versionThe new E92 generation of BMW's M3 will go on sale just over a month from now, priced from $157,000 -- approximately a six per cent value-based adjustment over the price of the old six-cylinder E46 model.
Options for the new M3 comprise an electric/glass sunroof for no extra cost, an electrically-powered rear roller blind ($550), 'BMW Individual' premium audio system ($1900) and 19-inch 'M' forged alloy wheels ($3800).
Some may recall -- but if not, read about it here -- that the new M3 is the first car in the family tree equipped with a V8. Previous locally delivered cars were sixes and the original E30 model which was never officially sold in Australia was a big-bore four.
The E92 M3's V8 develops 309kW of power at 8300rpm but 400Nm of torque arrives from as low as 3900rpm. As much as 85 per cent of peak torque will be available right through to 6500rpm and the engine's maximum speed is 8400rpm.
It therefore won't be short of thrust when it reaches us and the power-to-weight ratio is further helped by the other side of the equation, weight. The M3's V8 is 15kg lighter than the six fitted to the E46 model and BMW has gone to some lengths to keep the new car's weight down.
Performance and low weight combine to provide the M3 with the impetus to reach 100km/h from a standing start in 4.8 seconds.
Those figures are exciting, but the new M3 is just one foot-soldier in a new power race between BMW and Benz. Extending that metaphor, the M3 has brought a knife -- albeit a very big knife -- to a gunfight.
Benz will launch the new (W204) generation C 63 AMG during the second quarter of next year, so BMW at least has a sales head-start on the Stuttgart Starship.
Considering the extra power of the Merc, it's only three tenths of a second faster to 100km/h and the BMW has the advantage (for some) of a six-speed manual transmission, as opposed to the C 63's seven-speed automatic. That may make the M3 more appealing for some buyers.
It's shaping up to be an interesting tussle.
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