BMW M3′s controversial straight six to V8 switch proves popular

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By Matt Brogan | November 09th, 2009

When BMW controversially switched from its famous straight-six engine to V8 power for the latest generation M3, many purists cried foul. But it seems the move has helped sell the scorching mid-size German in record numbers.

In fact, over the coming weeks, BMW M, the luxury maker’s performance arm, has confirmed it will deliver its 1,000th V8 powered M3 in Australia.

“The M3 is the bona fide benchmark in its segment,” says BMW managing director, Mr Stavros Yallouridis. “Customers adored the straight-six M3, so it was understandable the switch to a high-revving V8 concept would be closely scrutinised. Some sceptics even predicted the downfall of the M3 – until they drove it.

“Fortunately, BMW M engineers are not bound by dogma. There are no sacred cows. They knew reputations can be difficult to live up to and the M3’s iconic status raised the stakes even further.

“The final result has not disappointed. Driving the new M3, customers quickly realised it had not lost any of its charm.

“On the contrary, revving to 8,400 rpm, the V8-powered M3 is one of the most addictive cars you can drive on a racetrack. Yet in the evening it can take four people to dinner in style,” he says.

Since going on sale just over two years ago the newest generation M3 has been delivered to 973 customers in Australia, and is on course to be the nameplate’s most successful iteration ever.

By comparison, it took the previous E46 generation M3 seven years to reach a total of 1,579 cars. Sales of the earlier E36 generation M3 culminated in 890 cars after eight years.

Since the new M3 arrived in Australia, Mercedes-Benz delivered 772 examples of the C 63 AMG. The corresponding figures for the Audi RS 4 and Lexus IS F are 129 and 158.

For customers interested in a clubsport hand-built special, the company has announced the BMW M3 GTS. Mr Yallouridis says the company is currently investigating the possibility of bringing the car to Australia.

“If it is available for our market and sufficient customers are interested we will make every endeavour to bring the M3 GTS to Australia,” he says.

Tom

They were mostly crying foul at the “dumbing down” of the M3. The new model is softer and easier to live with, but anyone could see that increasing sales numbers, those are exactly what most customers want, not to mention the performance of the straight 6 was starting to be embarrassed by many significantly cheaper cars and its fairly easy to see why a high revving na v8 was the go. Honestly, its characteristics are just like that of a straight 6 anyway, its not like BMW went and dumped a ls3 into it.

But having said that, when they move back to a turbocharged 6 for the next m3, that might not be so welcomed.
Shak

We all know this car is world crushing and the pricing is very reasonable, c’mon who wouldnt want one?

Deco

MEEEE, I’d get a C63 instead lolol.

Tom

“very reasonable” would be 100k, i think going on 160k is verging on absurd personally.

Alan

I agree 160k is starting to be bit expensive, but the sedan version is about 20k cheaper and I think still a reasonable price considering it’s a 4 door 4 seater with the performance to rival many more expensive cars.
The Realist

Compared to its rivals its priced well. Around $100K is 335i territory.

Plus the muppets that form our government take about $40K in GST and LCTs.

smokin’R32

lol I remember being at the Sydney Motorshow when the E90 M3 first made its appearance. There was a businessman interested in buying one who insisted on arguing with the showgirl of all people about why he couldnt get one straight away and had to go on a waiting list. She said ‘I dont control how fast they make them’ but he insisted on arguing the point with her. I just smiled and thought ‘typical BMW driver’..
http://www.CarZ.com CarZ

It was a worthy risk and it’s paid off. The straight 6 wasn’t measuring up in price or power. It was overpriced and people could see they were paying for the brand not it’s performance. The V8 is living up to both it’s ability and brand.

Bavarian Missile

what what what………….say that again “The straight 6 wasn’t measuring up in price or power”

It was 3.2 litre, normally aspirated and had 250kws out of it when they finally retired it,they had extracted as much as they could from it over the 10 years.

People obviously were still paying for its performance as indicated in its sales of the E46. The M3 is the benchmark in its class and of course will continue to sell more and more each model whilst it still is,simple as that.

John

The more worrying trend is BMW going too forced induction for the next M3 and M5. I discount the existence of the X6M/X5M completely as they IMO are not true M cars anyway and are just a marketing exercise too get more money (ie porsche cayenne allows 911 too continue to be made). When M division switches too forced induction for their two name vehicles that will be a crying shame IMO.
ElecEng

I say bring on the forced induction. Although I admit that M3 is a very good car, you can’t deny the sales of the 135i/335i with the twin turbo in-line 6. To be honest, I’ve seen more 135i on the road than M3.
Look at the GT-R with the twin turbo V6. If BMW M division can add a twin turbo into the already awesome V8 and install the gearbox at the back, that would be a hell of a combo.

Hung Low

If they done that then the M3 would make a Ferrari look affordable.
Thats the beauty of the Japs, they can package that drivetrain into a car and sell it for $100k!!

Bavarian Missile

Oh really ? How much is the GT-R and the IS-F ? Seems the IS-F value for money isnt reflected in sales is it ?

You can thank the Germans for their benchmarks cause without them you wouldnt have a GT-R or an IS-F.

The Realist

IS F actually has a waiting list… more than can be said for the Holden W200…

Wheelnut

Of course it does as Lexus are only making about 5-10 AS-IFs a month..

Why are Lexus building so few AS-IFs a month? They do about as much enhancement work to the car as what “M” Division do to a BMW or AMG do to a Merc-Benz and the AS-IF is sold in the same market as BMWs and Mercs

Which means they could lose sales as there would be those who aren’t prepared to wait 4-6+ months for a car..

Particularly when there is the possibility that by the time the take delivery of their AS-IF a newer car with more power mor features and which looks better is due to be released or just has been released.

For example it was only a month or so after the release of the AS-IF that Lexus released an updated sportier version same applies to the Nissan GT-R.. which would really suck if you had to place a non refundable deposit.. but that’s the risk you take
SteveH

Wheelnut, can you show me some information on where Lexus released an updated ISF ‘a month’ after it was released? I know they have just released the 2010 spec, but this is nearly twelve months after the car was released in Australia.

I wouldn’t want any facts to get in the way of another one of your Anti-Lexus rants.
Wheelnut

Steve H.. hve alook at this

http://www.caradvice.com.au/42741/lexus-is-f-upgraded-whats-the-diff/

They made several changes/improvements to the car; inside and out which you would have thought being [supposedly] the worlds biggest best and wealthiest car manufacturer they would have included on the original..

They also came out with a lightweight “Evolution” model with a range of improvements etc to try and beat [or more accurately; close the gap] to the M3

Again; If the AS-IF was meant to be a [supposed] M3 killer – they would have made the car like the evolution to begin with – or released it at the same time as the original

By releasing upgraded models so soon after a release it makes it lok like the first model is inferior or there is something wrong with it
SteveH

Wheelnut, the article you referenced was September 2009, hardly ‘a month’ after the car was released. The upgrade has only one mechanical change, the diff, with the remainder being cosmetic and functionality differences, pretty standard for a year on year upgrade.

Also using your logic, when BMW released the M3 CSL a while ago and the current light weight version they are considering now, these are the M3′s they should have originally released as well. Is that right?

tuff

BM the sales of the ISF is not at all reflective of its sales performance because the isf has only been available in australia for just on 12 months, lexus australia only get allocated 10 cars a month from japan so lexus has sold every ISF at there disposal, There is still a waiting list on the ISF for up to 4 months, the new M3 has been around now for over 2 years and BMW australia get allocated way more stock of M3′S! it has nothing to do with value for money its about who gets the most stock! you can get a 4 door M3 in just 1-2 months if not off the floor!
tuff

1000 M3′S? way to many for my liking more like bum holes than being exclusive, give me a ISF any day,even if i do have to wait it would be worth it!

Car Fanatic

The M3 is a better drivers car, don’t get me wrong Lexus has done a marvellous job first time round, but the M3 is still a better vehicle.

Tom R

Well all they need to do is design a turbo engine with no lag.
…. Well…..
Uh oh.

Matty B

BMW are damn good at developing all sorts of engines, turbo or otherwise. The fact a TT6 engine develops 400nm from 1300rpm, doesn’t mean I would class that as laggy.

Tim

Jesus, BM is back. Run for cover boys.

Tom

mighty Allah, its OK people, TIM is here to save us – keep religion out of it, its a car site, oh & get a life.

Realistically its the Tomas’/Wills are the problem not BM

Shak

How bout neither of you quote religion as both of those comments may get under the neck of some of the sites regulars
The Realist

Perhaps you need to read back over some of her posts… her anti China commentary is almost as bad as Pauline Hanson’s – the only thing missing is the “yellow skinned race” remarks.

Aussie

Actually I don’t think that BM has been anywhere as racist as you ARE Realist. Your anti-Australian rants are pathetically monotonous.
Still it’s OK for you to slag someone else ’cause you just soooo perfect.

Hypocracy is my biggest pet hate, welcome to the list.

Bavarian Missile

Thankyou Aussie……….my comments in the past have been aimed at dishonest factory managers in business.Like it or not Realist ,its not aimed at the Chinese people in general. Just my dealings with FACTORY MANAGERS in China over 9 years .

Not sure what any of that has to do with BMWs though ??
Wheelnut

The Realist very rarely makes a comment to do with the car which the article is about.. come to think of it he very rarely makes a comment to do with cars at all
He [like Tomas] prefers to do nothing but make assumptions and stereotypical genralisations about people.

Comments that wouldn’t be tolerated on a number of other auto-blog sites
The Realist

“Actually I don’t think that BM has been anywhere as racist as you ARE Realist. Your anti-Australian rants are pathetically monotonous.”

Strange how when someone tells it like it is they become un-Australian. Yet to date no one has answered my questions on why our wages are so high and our productivity so low. Can you?

Perhaps you could tell me why the average Chinese international student contributes more to our economy than automotive manufacturing on a per capita basis?

But you probably can’t, which is fine. Most McDonalds fuelled Aussies like yourself can’t.
The Realist

Wheelnut says:
November 10, 2009 at 10:16 pm
“The Realist very rarely makes a comment to do with the car which the article is about.. come to think of it he very rarely makes a comment to do with cars at all”

I actually do – but of course people like you think productivity and efficiency have nothing to do with automotive manufacturing. Just put the hand out and ask tax payers to cough it up, that’s your method of running a business.

“Comments that wouldn’t be tolerated on a number of other auto-blog sites”

They wouldn’t be tolerated on Holden sites that’s for sure. I’ve been to LS1 and seen the drivel posted on those forums.
USAF

The Realist is the MOST UPRODUCTIVE PERSON since hes always on here bagging australian Industry.

“Per capita” those employed in education are the laziest least productive overpaid people in the country.
Tomas79

Too Right Realist!!

Bloody whingenut got his knickers in a knot again!!
Whingenut, funny judging from your comments, the stereotypical generalizations of a car detailer originally from Adelaide, are correct!!
Do you also sport a Mullet?? And are Winfields your cigarettes?