[stressdoc]

Aaaagh, why do we have to suffer so here in the NA market? Euro will get the 335d, and we won't. Euro gets the turbo, we get a detuned version of ? Whatever 'image' the marketing folks have got, their heads are stuck in the sand, Wake up and lead for once!

[RichReg]

Originally Posted by JBOO

Upon further examination of Scott's quote, what engine will the US get a detuned version of? For him to use to word detuned, wouldn't there have to be a larger engine? (i.e, the current 325 is a detuned 330 engine)

Scott references an analogy between the U.S. E36 M3 and the European version.
Does anyone know what the differences were there?

[Jason]

Originally Posted by RichReg

Scott references an analogy between the U.S. E36 M3 and the European version.
Does anyone know what the differences were there?

US E36 M3 had 240hp and Euro version had 321hp (if I remember my #'s correctly).

Here's a link that explains the differences

http://www.geocities.com/mhenry_au/info_US_vs_Euro.html

[RichReg]

Originally Posted by jwocky

US E36 M3 had 240hp and Euro version had 321hp (if I remember my #'s correctly).

Here's a link that explains the differences

http://www.geocities.com/mhenry_au/info_US_vs_Euro.html

Thanks, jay.

O.K, so we're back to the old "increase the bore & stroke of the current engine" argument.
This must mean that the current 3.0 liter can be bored & stroked further than where its at currently.

Anyone for adding a few more pages to this thread?

[Mark]

Well, seems like things are getting overblown a little bit, lets just wait to see what BMW puts out. The 3.0l can easily be stroked to increase the displacement, but who knows what BMW has up its sleeve.. One thing we can agree on is that it won't be a V-6

[coco]

3aficionado, you seem to be following this thread closely, any plans soon for trading in your m3 for an e90??

Sorry, I know.

[silverado]

Yawn....

IMO, all those who are waiting are missing out on at least a year of driving a truely awesome car. My advice: factor in your "opportunity cost" when making a buying decision. That is, how much is NOT having an E90 for all this time worth? There is always another version coming down the pike. Life is too short to sit around and try to make optimal decisions.

[bimmer4me]

Originally Posted by silverado

Yawn....

IMO, all those who are waiting are missing out on at least a year of driving a truely awesome car. My advice: factor in your "opportunity cost" when making a buying decision. That is, how much is NOT having an E90 for all this time worth? There is always another version coming down the pike. Life is too short to sit around and try to make optimal decisions.

[3aficionado]

Originally Posted by coco

3aficionado, you seem to be following this thread closely, any plans soon for trading in your m3 for an e90??

Sorry, I know.

Not an e90, but an e92. I plan on trading up to the 335ci or the next M3. I'm still on the fence whether I need/want another M3. It's a great car, I just don't have time to use it to the fullest anymore (track racing). From the info on this post its beginning to sound like a loaded 335ci will be enough for me... for a few years.

I'm curious to see good final pics of the new coupe.

[3aficionado]

Originally Posted by silverado

Yawn....

IMO, all those who are waiting are missing out on at least a year of driving a truely awesome car. My advice: factor in your "opportunity cost" when making a buying decision. That is, how much is NOT having an E90 for all this time worth? There is always another version coming down the pike. Life is too short to sit around and try to make optimal decisions.

I couldn't agree more. But not everyone is waiting on buying an e90. Many people, like me, are waiting on the e92 release. We can't buy something that hasn't been released yet

[ogrady]

Originally Posted by 3aficionado

I couldn't agree more. But not everyone is waiting on buying an e90. Many people, like me, are waiting on the e92 release. We can't buy something that hasn't been released yet

Wow this place is gonna pop when the e92 is finally released and announced. I'm gonna have to resist the temptation to get a 335, gonna be so difficult I think, but who can resist a naturally aspirated 3.5 inline 6 BMW engine??

[hector]

3, you say trading up to a 335ci or m3, to the m3 I understand but to the 335 would arguably be a step down, at least in terms of all-out performance, granted it would be the newer model/new car with all that that implies but i'm thinkin' i would keep my e46 m3.

[RichP]

That lease deal isnt too much of a deal; I got about the same on my car with a 2 year lease, once you factor out I had no down payment (cap cost reduction) and have more mileage (also a higher priced vehicle) BMW makes alot of money on CPO; they need new cars back ASAP so they can have CPO cars.

And again, we have determined the current motor cannot go far beyond 3.2L displacement. This block is the same layout as all those before it. Its only so tall, and the center to center of the cylinder bores are the same distance apart.

Just remember, this thread is not "official" in any way..stay tuned.

[3aficionado]

Originally Posted by hector

3, you say trading up to a 335ci or m3, to the m3 I understand but to the 335 would arguably be a step down, at least in terms of all-out performance, granted it would be the newer model/new car with all that that implies but i'm thinkin' i would keep my e46 m3.

You are correct. That was a bad choice of words on my behalf. An e46 m3 is an all around amazing car & I'm still debating what to do.

I'll admit I'm one of these people who like to have the latest and greatest technology (that's why I really wanted to see DI). I don't get to the track anymore and I don’t race around on streets (no real racer does). So I figure I can get the latest and not notice the difference between an e46 m3 and e92 335 (at least driving on the streets).

You are correct and only the new m3 will be better than my old m3. I'm still on the fence about what I'm going to buy. The 335 sounds like such a tempting car. I don't know if I can wait another year after the 335 to get the m3. I may decide to go with the 335ci and, if I'm not satisfied, trade up into the m3 after 2 years.

It would be another story if I still used my current m3 to its fullest... Then I would have to wait for the new m3.
Sorry everyone for getting

[hector]

Originally Posted by 3aficionado

You are correct. That was a bad choice of words on my behalf. An e46 m3 is an all around amazing car & I'm still debating what to do.

I'll admit I'm one of these people who like to have the latest and greatest technology (that's why I really wanted to see DI). I don't get to the track anymore and I don’t race around on streets (no real racer does). So I figure I can get the latest and not notice the difference between an e46 m3 and e92 335 (at least driving on the streets).

You are correct and only the new m3 will be better than my old m3. I'm still on the fence about what I'm going to buy. The 335 sounds like such a tempting car. I don't know if I can wait another year after the 335 to get the m3. I may decide to go with the 335ci and, if I'm not satisfied, trade up into the m3 after 2 years.

It would be another story if I still used my current m3 to its fullest... Then I would have to wait for the new m3.
Sorry everyone for getting

thanks for the response, i was curious to hear it because i'm actually in a similar situation; don't have an m3 but am torn between buying a 335ci or e46m3, since my wife's gonna be driving it primarily it will be either an smg m3 or step 335( assuming unavailability of smg in the 335). i'm wondering which tranny you have and how step vs. smg would affect your choice between the 2 models( if u were me)?

[3aficionado]

Originally Posted by hector

thanks for the response, i was curious to hear it because i'm actually in a similar situation; don't have an m3 but am torn between buying a 335ci or e46m3, since my wife's gonna be driving it primarily it will be either an smg m3 or step 335( assuming unavailability of smg in the 335). i'm wondering which tranny you have and how step vs. smg would affect your choice between the 2 models( if u were me)?

Mine is smg. There is no comparison between an auto/step and SMG. Those are two completely different animals. If those were my only two options I would go for the m3 smg. But my fiancé doesn’t drive my car.

Assuming your wife doesn’t want to shift and she is the primary driver of the car I think she would prefer the auto over the unsmooth smg auto mode. In this case you’ll get plenty of enjoyment out of step while she gets the auto and you will have a happy wife (possibly more important than which transmission is in the car).

My debate is between manual 335 and smg m3. Since I’m not racing I think I can forgo the smg and be happy in a manual 335. If I have time to race again I will have a good excuse to buy the latest and greatest smg m3. The lack of smg in the 335 is not worrying me as I don’t race on the streets. I’ll miss it but a manual will do just fine. The auto/step isn’t an option for a purist like me. Its a great transmission for those who prefer it. A step won't ever match a manual or smg so it's not the best of both worlds but it's a real good compromise.

Everything I wrote here is just my personal feelings based on these very finite circumstances to help hector and his wife choose a car from 2 options. I think each transmission has its place – hopefully that's enough disclaimer to keep from starting a transmission debate.

[undecided]

Perhaps a 3.5L V8?

CZ

[jcslp15]

i'm tired of BMW cancelling the smg, if they dont at least have it on the 335ci when it comes out then I will be hugely dissappointed.

at least give us paddle shift with the auto/step

[3aficionado]

Originally Posted by jcslp15

i'm tired of BMW cancelling the smg, if they dont at least have it on the 335ci when it comes out then I will be hugely dissappointed.

at least give us paddle shift with the auto/step

I'd buy that.

[SCA]

Originally Posted by 3aficionado

I'd buy that.

Rumor is that the SMG is on the way out, even in the M Cars. Supposedly BMW is working on a system similar to Audi's DSG.

Take it for what it's worth.

[Tine]

SMG is to stay in M cars. But in some regular models a ZSG (central synchronized gearbox) will be offered in a near future. ZSG is still in development, and is scheduled to debut in E92 3-series Coupe. I have no info if that will happen right at E92 launch or later. Until the ZSG introduction BMW will offer Sport Automatic Steptronic gearbox with shift paddles in some models (debut in facelifted Z4 2.5si & 3.0si).

Thanks for not excommunicate me from this forum.

[crex]

Tine -have you heard anything more about a 3.5l na for the e92?