Hello.
In its November 11, 2003 issue, Autocar magazine had an article about
all future BMW models, including the next version of the 3-series. The
article has some spy photos and sketches, as well as fairly detailed
information about the specifications of the next 3-series.
A BMW enthusiast has scanned the article and posted it on the
Roadfly.org web site:
http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e46m3/forum.php?postid=4224231&page=2
Details of the next 3-series, according to Autocar:
-Codenamed E90
-4500 mm length (53 mm longer than current 3-series)
-Extensive use of aluminum in front-load bearing structure
-50:50 front-to-rear weight ratio for sporty handling
-New RWD platform with wheelbase 35mm longer than current 3-series
-New magnesium block 6-cylinder engines with Valvetronic & Direct Injection
-New 270 hp 3.6 liter V8 engine for model dubbed 335i
-Autumn 2005 availability for sedan
-Coupe version to be renamed the "4 series"
A 4.5 liter V8 model called the 345i is mentioned in this November 5,
2003 article from AutoExpress:
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/ae_news_story.php?id=41551
Note that this article states that "the newcomer is set to debut next
year." This contradicts the AutoCar article which suggests Autumn 2005
(i.e, two years from now).
From AutoWeek.com:
"Beyond that, BMW's all-important next-generation 3 series arrives in 2005."
http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_code=carnews&loc_code=index&content_code=07003119
From Auto Spies:
"It will be released in September 2004 in Europe as a 2005 model. It
will make its way to the US in January 2005."
Source: Auto Spies, "Official release date for the next generation BMW
3-series," hosted by imakenews.com
http://www.imakenews.com/autospies/e_article000109617.cfm
There are also two "spy photos" (apparently computer-enhanced) from
the French magazine L'auto-journal posted on roadfly.org
http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e46/forum.php?postid=4158663&page=1
------------
Thus, based on the above information, three possible availability
dates for the next 3-series seem to have been suggested or implied:
Autumn 2004 (Auto Express)
January 2005 (Auto Spies)
Autumn 2005 (AutoCar)
Edmunds simply say "TBA" (i.e., "to be announced").
See Edmunds.com: Future 2005 BMW 3-series
http://www.edmunds.com/future/2005/bmw/3series/100278559/preview.html?tid=edmunds.f.mmindex.content.num2.0.bmw*
So who's right?
It's not exactly clear, but a BMW salesman recently suggested on an
internet messageboard that it would be next fall (i.e., one year from
now).
A customer asked whether he'd be getting the current 3-series ("E46")
body style if he ordered a car in October 2004, or whether the new
style ("E90") would be then be available. The salesman initially
indicated that the 2005 Model Year (i.e., what would be sold Autumn
2004-to-Autumn 2005) would still be the current E46. He later amended
his post by saying that his BMW North America representative had told
him that the 2005 model year 3-series would actually be the new E90
style.
'I was just officially informed by my BMWNA rep that the 2005MY will
be the E90 body style. Sorry for the misinformation, I received
conflicting reports from different "official" sources.'
source: bimmerfest.com forums
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44271
Nothing is written in stone, but it appears from various discussions
on the bimmerfest forum that the E90 could very well be arriving in
about a year (i.e., Fall 2004). BMW seems to be testing focus groups'
reaction to the car right now.
Several BMW enthusiasts have recently participated in these focus
group and have reported their impressions in the bimmerfest.com
forums. See:
"Latest on the E90!" hosted by bimmerfest.com:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46464
"My friend sat in the 2005 3-series" hosted by bimmerfest.com:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45548
----------------
search strategy:
2005 bmw 3-series
bmw e90 3-series
bimmerfest.com forums, e90
I hope this helps. If anything is unclear, please let me know via the
"request clarification" feature. Thanks and good luck with your next
vehicle purchase! |
