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Popped into my local BMW dealership yesterday and they had a launch display for the new M3 saloon in silver.

What a looker, so much better than in the photos, blistered wheelarches and the front grafted straight off the coupe. Looks just like a DTM racer

So now the demons are at work, M3 4 door with the new 7 speed semi auto, or keep the avant for a while longer?

Be interested to see what others think or if you have seen the M3 4 door in the flesh.

I'd not bother.

I saw a few in Germany last year & they just look so like evey other 3 Series Sport on the road.

The Saloon is heavier than the RS4 saloon so i'd suggest similar to the Avant. Don't get me wrong, i like the M3 variant, but not enough to ever induce a move.

Nope. Sorry but to me the new M3 is butt ugly - too many air scoops, too many lines, bits of 'things' added where there is no need (what are those things for on the the front wing grills, they look like door handles!) To me it's trying too hard to look fast when standing still.

I'm sure there are many people around who would disagree with me but it's just my opinion.

Graham

Not a chance.

The M3 is not even anywhere near my short list of "my next car" - why not? BMW can't be bothered to make an M3 Touring (I need an Avant/estate/Touring/WHY ...)

Even if they did I would probably not buy it - I loathe the "Bangle styling" of recent BMWs - it's design for the sake of design, and the driving standards of local BMW drivers is still living "up" to their 1980's reputation (aggressive, ignorant, "get out of my way") and I have yet to see a BMW with indicators that work.

Final reason? - with the typical British road (wet, greasy with spilt diesel oil and mud) I don't want a tail happy car, I want something that I can depend upon to be fast and safe. My family are important to me!

So unless and until BMW do an M3X Touring they won't be seeing my money.

I don't think the 4WD vs FWD is a problem, for me it would depend on the rear leg room of the M3 given the problem with the A/S/RS4.

However I wouldn't change. If I were looking for a performance saloon it would get consideration and possibly the nod over the RS4 but at this stage, like PetrolDave they don't do an estate version which is what I also need so.

All said if I wanted a RWD supersaloon the C63 would get my nod for bonkers fun. I doubt I could use the M3's capabilities on an everyday basis.

I saw one in my local BMW dealer yesterday,it looks so normal.I was hard pressed to tell the difference between the M3 saloon and the 320i saloon close by.I had too many near misses on wet roads in my previous M3.For me Quattro is king.

With so many 3 series BMW's on the road another M3 saloon is not going to stand out especially in silver. I drove an M3 Coupe before purchasing the RS4 Cabriolet and having owned an E46 Cabriolet I was disappointed with the new E92. It was very good, don't get me wrong but not a massive leap forward like the RS4 and not what I would expect from BMW M division. On a track, in the hands of a racing driver, it maybe marginally more fun and quicker than the RS4 but unless you are the STIG ? stick with the quattro !!
Looks wise the M3 saloon is even more bland than the coupe and I think it is too hard to distinguish from the rest of the range. Anyway if you do decide to buy one wait a while as I expect there to be loads for sale second hand at a bargain price just like the coupe

thanks for the responses.

many of you change your cars regulary and have driven/owned many different performance models, its interesting to see that you still see the RS4 as top of the tree.

Drove an M3 coupe demo today and I have to say I liked it and can only see it improving with the 7 speed semi auto.

Still love the RS4 though.

Agreed ....

PetrolDave wrote:Not a chance.

The M3 is not even anywhere near my short list of "my next car" - why not? BMW can't be bothered to make an M3 Touring (I need an Avant/estate/Touring/WHY ...)

Even if they did I would probably not buy it - I loathe the "Bangle styling" of recent BMWs - it's design for the sake of design, and the driving standards of local BMW drivers is still living "up" to their 1980's reputation (aggressive, ignorant, "get out of my way") and I have yet to see a BMW with indicators that work.

Final reason? - with the typical British road (wet, greasy with spilt diesel oil and mud) I don't want a tail happy car, I want something that I can depend upon to be fast and safe. My family are important to me!

So unless and until BMW do an M3X Touring they won't be seeing my money.

Nope, RS4 is sexier by far and meaner looking, m3 4 door is a mum and dads car

It's RS4 for me too, despite always being an M3 fan (but never owning one) - now I can, I don't want to...

the problem isnt the car, its the image that comes with the M3 thats the problem, whether you are or not, everyone will think your a c0ck

RS4 all the way

Agree with all the responses here so far. So, in summary & IMHO:-

M3 saloon =

1. VERY ugly(even more so than the coupe). RS4 is just soooo much nicer.
2. They will soon be everywhere (all the c0cks will buy one).
3. Nowhere near as safe on the uk roads (wet all the time and all that).
4. Build quality is not as good.
5. No touring model - yet? (mind you that will also be very ugly)
6. Nobody will let you out at junctions.

Also, did anyone clock Jeremy Clarkson's comment on TG when they tested these cars (Merc/Beemer/Audi). JC stated that the "Original" fast saloon was still probably the best way to go - or something like that!!!!!

Well, I would like to point out that the M3 was not the "Original" fast saloon.

The Merc 190 2.3-16 was out long before the E whatever BMW. The original M3 was actually one of the last of the mid range "supercars" of that era. It came out to compete with the Ur quattro, Merc and the Sierra Cosworth, all of which was out long before the M3 ( Audi/Ford 2 doors). In fact, as the original M3 was only available in 2 door also, which makes the Merc in my book the first real hot saloon with 4 doors.

Although I can't think of one right now, I'm sure there are other potential candidates out there too.

For sure, the BMW is not
the "Original", that's for sure! AND it was LHD only!

Moving this on would anyone consier the Lexus IS-F or even a VXR8 as a decent alternative? Well, maybe not VXR8 but certainly an IS-F

Terrific build quality, 8 speed box, great looks IMO and supposedly a great engine and handling. Oh and exclusivity, only 150 per year in the UK.

P G,
One thing that I hate about the IS F is the fake tail pipes,the top ones are fake!