I saw an article a while ago regarding next generation M3. The article stated that new M3 will have a choice of V8 that is also used in M5(Output of the engine is still "un-determine"). Hm, it will be really interesting seeing a M3 beating a E55(or maybe beating a M5, since M5 is way heavier than 3-Series). What do you think??

Happy Motoring....
Andy Kuo
'92 400SE
70,850 KM

For every source that says V8 you get another that says I6. A month or two back European car said the M3 would have the M5's V8, then later Autoweek said it would be a larger displacement I6 with double VANOS. I would guess they will stay with the I6 at least in the first couple years. A V8 engined M3 is something they could always pull out down the road for bench racing bragging rights or to invigorate sales.

Whichever they use, it should be a very fun car. But what about the european C55?

Ah, choices and possibilities...Lee

The auto press rumor mill is also stating that the next AMG C-Class model will have a supercharged V6 and will be dropping the 4.3 liter V8. I guess it will be something like "C32 AMG Kompressor" and "C36 AMG Kompressor"?

Also heard rumblings that the SLK would get a supercharged V6 in some AMG/performance variant. Now that could be a FUN little machine!

Lee

The latest issue of Motor Trend stated that Mercedes S55 AMG has very high possibility of coming to America. However, it's still undecided, and will only happen after ML55 is release in North America. Just can't wait to see one....

Happy Motoring...
Andy Kuo
'92 400SE
70,880 KM

The current issue of Automobile Magazine states that the new C class (ie 2001 W203) will have a 3.2 normally aspirated V6 with a supercharged 5 litre V8 to follow. I think that the 3.2l will be approx. 325hp and the 5l will be about 425 to 450 hp.

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Darko Vusir
1994 C220

I think the BMW will still remain the I-6, instead of a V8. I think with a 3.6 displacement with intake and exhaust timing. produces about 360hp ? Mercedes should doing something like putting a 6 speed transmission ? or something to take on the M3 and Audi RS4. Because I heard the M5 beat the C 55 down.
I have a picture of the new M3. How do I post that on ?
Pete regards

I think after all the rumors settle, you have to think economically. I think the BMW would either have a variant on the I6 but most like will be a variant of the now 540I. (4 liter V8) It won't be cost effective for BMW to just use the 540 engine on the 7 and 5 series. The 3 series is just killing the sales of the 5 and the 7. If i belive to be right, the M5 is the same engine as the 540 but tuned? So it could be a detuned version of the M5 engine.

M5 and 540i both has V8. However, consider the parts tuned/changed in M5's V8, it would be just like a new V8 in the series anyway. I agree that I-6 and V8 are both possible to be in M3(M3 Ultra maybe??) And the issue about tranny is a good point. Although M5 may be able to beat C55 hands down. They have two different kind of driving mechine. However can you compare a ML55 to E55?? Ya, they both have AMG-tuned V8, both modified by AMG, but they have different targeted customers. I think the same concept applies to M5/E55/C55. They are targeted at different market groups(though they are all performance sedans).

Happy Motoring
Andy Kuo
'92 400SE
71,200 KM

BMW is always playing catch-up to MBZ. Mercedes set the standard with the W210 E50 and E55 while BMW has had no 5-Series M-Car available since 1995. (Trivia: Did you know that there is no such thing as a 1996 BMW 5-Series in the US, BMW missed a whole model year trying to catch-up with the E-Class introduction) Each competing model they produce will normally have the horsepower higher than the competing MBZ or it may not sell as well. The M5 will always be a tad quicker than the E55 and C55 because it uses a manual tranny and has 51 more horses, what do you expect? When the next M3 hits it will probably be quicker than all (including the M5) whether it has a tuned I6 or the M5 V8 because the 3-Series is BMW's volume leader in sells and visability, while the E-Class is MBZ's volume leader. The 3-Series is the car that keeps BMW afloat in the U.S. and around the world and is the most tunable in the after-market. Mark my words gentlemen, "THE NEXT M3 WILL OUTPERFORM EVERYTHING INCLUDING THE M5, HANDS-DOWN."

[This message has been edited by Kevin (edited 09-14-1999).]

There's a small write-up in this week's Autoweek about the new M3. This thing is a little monster! Actual 0-60 in the high 4's...but, it will be rated at 5.4 so it doesn't appear to tread on the mighty M5. 3.4L six, Double VANOS variable valve timing, individual throttle butterflies, 6 speed Getrag, 340 hp, 270 lb-ft of torque and an 8,000 rpm redline. Yeehaw. The US model will have the same power as the Euro version.

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Bill Wood - Webmaster
MercedesShop.com, LLC

good god!!!! where will it all end????

There's no end for it:-) The need for power is just too great to over-come........

Happy Motoring......
Andy Kuo
'92 400SE
71,220 KM

What is Mercedes going to do about that ?
I don't think the C55 are capable for that monster ?
C ??
hm... I wish the up coming new c-class will have something similar to complete with the M3.
Pete regards

Actually, with supercharged-six under the hood, the next C(whatever # is after) will be one hell of a car. The question is not if MB is able to take on BMW, but are they intended to??

The old-fashion way of making cars(with best quality of course) is not the way for MB now because of tougher competitions(Did I mentioned that older MBs, Last gen S, E, 190E and before, has some manual labour done to the window/door frames to make them fit better.).

The trend of making a car is how to make it fast, make more of it, with less badget, and keep the quality in line(though drop a bit, but reasonable).

If MB's willing(or AMG) to spend some more money and develop a decent 6-speed manual(or even sequential), I believe MB has no problem making M3/M5/540i-sport eat dust. But again, it's related to "trend of making car" issue mentioned above.....