Spy photos: Latest shots of the 2008 BMW M3

Wow, that's bland. It does look a tad better than the ungainly e92s but not much better. Swing and a miss.

It's too subtle for the average person to notice, but it's enough for a car guy to know the difference. There's not much point in being bland if it's not a sleeper.

Compared to the S5 pics that just came out the M3 looks plain mean. It is subtle (not as subtle as the S5), but enough of a looker to catch the eye.

Doesn't look mean. Doesn't even have presence. That's the big problem with all the e9x cars: they blend in completely. The e46 had some chiseled points, mixed with some round, subtle muscles. It looked crouched and ready to play. The e9x cars just look like blobs of melted ice cream.
 
BMW's design direction = banality.

I'm really disappointed if this is the actual look of the car, though I doubt it. I think the last generation was a tad more muscular looking with big fender flares, aggressive ground effects and a more bold stance. I personally think that at a glance, you would not notice the was an "M" and not just a coupe, if you didn't see the fins. Also, I'm wondering why no fog lamps. I hate installing aftermarket ones.

BMW's design direction = banality.
 
The 3-series coupe makes me think bananality.
It all started with the CLS. Ever since that one, all the German coupes (and "coupes") have been bananalogous to the CLS.

Yuk. Ill keep my E46. The entire E90 Line lacks any sort of presence if you ask me. I like my friends E92 328Ci for what it is, but if this is what the M3 will turn out as, theres just no point.

WOW! Drop dead gorgeous! My cousin is 19 and she has a 05 M3
I drove it and it is powerful... a rocket! I can't wait to get in the driver's seat of this one. Maybe i'll trade-in my 05 X5 for a 2008 X5 4.8i, and lease one of these when it comes out.

Awesome!
Those curvatures sculpted into the body kit really complement the curvature of the top of the car!

I hate it. I've never seen this kind of M model In the history of M, It's not a M. It's just Sport. I think BMW got a lot of former M3 stocks. They have to sell all the stocks. Therefore, they made 2008 BMW M3...

It looks like a Mercedes with a few BMW styling cues. I'd rather get a 335. I like the look in the "spy" photos posted earlier on Edmunds (link) better. Maybe it's the camouflage, maybe the rims, maybe something else.. but I find it more appealing than the one pictured above.

I actually like the look of the old E46 M3 better. But I like the new M3's V-8 engine 100 times better than the E46's 6 banger. If you could swap the new V-8 into the old E46 body, it would be perfect.

No matter how hard a company tries some people will never be satisfied. I like the laid back look of this car, Stealthy and fast. That way when you blow their doors off they are taken by surprise.

James, the M3 has never been this subdued and bland. It's always had a race-car look about it. the e46 M3 looked purposeful, mean and ready to tussle - especially head on. This car...looks like a bigger Z3.

i think think the current M5 really distinguishes itself from the rest of the 5-Series lineup. That M3 lacks any real distinguishing features from the current 3 series.
 
Even though the Lexus IS-F looks like 15 year old tuner got his hands on it, at least you can identify it as the IS-F and not a regular IS350.

If I got one it wouldn't be for the styling, that's for sure. LOL

i havent read anything any of u have to say but i have always been a BMW fan i mean i LOVE LOVE BMs but this one wont leave an imprssion on u like the last one did. i hope the final one has some personality cause this one just say take another look at me! so well still love to buy it but wont pick up chicks with it lol

so well still love to buy it but wont pick up chicks with it lol
 
If you can pick up a "chick" with a BMW in California, you're in a really bad part of town. BMW = Honda in California.

I think this car is beautiful, but it doesn't say M3 to me. If they lowered the car a couple inches more it would help somewhat.

Yuck..looks like a 335i with fins. Nowhere near aggressive enough looking for an M3.

hate to say it but you might as well get a honda accord.

Actually jackson, I'd say the next gen Accords look pretty aggressive:
 
http://automobiles.honda.com/future-cars/index.asp?ModelStart=accord+coupe+concept

see blueguydotcom thats where your wrong! no matter where you are BMW always says take me on a ride! M5 drive rough nd u have an impression that will last . and ppl are rite tis BMW is too much like any other 3 w.ez and if u cant pick up gurls in an BMW ur man ugly man turst me u can do it i bet i can do it in an Honda hahah!

I agree, BMWs still work with girls in California. I don't have one, I just know people who do. M3s especially work. They've always been kinda subtle, but they've been differentiated by a perfect stance and a bit of a menacing look.
 
This M3 looks too subtle, but it's largely because the non-M 3-series now comes with big wheels and lo-profile tires too, and isn't as bland as the previous boxy 3-series were.

This isn’t a vehicle that will be purchased on looks alone if at all. I'd like to see this vehicle on some performance tires and different rims, maybe that’s what holding it back from a looks aspect. That rubber is winterized, note the thickness of the sidewalls and tread pattern. I'm living here in Germany and this vehicle will face stiff competition from its none M counterpart, 335ci. If coups were practical for me the 300hp 300lb torque 335ci would be my first choice. Test drove one 2 weeks ago can't wait to test the M3.

The styling from the rear is okay, but in the front quarter and side pictures the new M3 looks too busy -- too many curves and swoops. I've always appreciated the more classic style of BMW bodies, with fewer lines creating both a sense of purpose and a simple elegance. I like the looks of the E46 better. Even though its curves were a change from previous generations, it struck a nice balance between BMW's older, simpler design language and the newer, curvier designs.
 
Of course, the new, swoopier M3 may grow on us. I remember back in 1985 when the Ford Taurus came out, it looked like an alien spaceship with its crazy curves, but within a few years it was just another bland sedan. The market copied its design cues, and we all got used to it.
 
Changing the topic to getting noticed in a BMW, I live in California, and even my older (E36) M3 convertible still gets people checking me out on the street. Too bad the attention's all from other guys, though. I guess that's because I'm in the Bay Area.

PHOTOCHOP!

After Iooking at the first 2 pictures closely, Ive come to the conclusion that they are fake. My reasoning you ask.....
 
1) The wheels are too small for an M3.
2) The side vent in the fender doesnt match up from picture to picture.
 
The side vent in the first picture is pretty short while the second pic its a bit longer. I know its from a different angle but I just doesnt seem right.
 
The last picture seems to be authentic as the wheels are proportioned with the cars more muscular body and the body work itself is slightly more aggressive than the anorexic car in the first 2 pictures. As of now Id still buy a 335i , turn up the boost and add some suspension mods.

Yes, the body it too sublet to pick out from a normal 3-series coupe, they need a more aggresive body kit to distinguish them better

well i hope ur rite cuz i cant take tis BMW love them got i hope this is a fake !! Please someone form BMW read tis nd do something about the dam design i would love it if it had a bit of M5 in it i love the M5
its by baby!

I don't think fake is the best word. The photos are more of a misrepresentation of the real thing. It's a real BMW alright, it's just not a new generation M3. Maybe a V8 prototype in an older body, but it's impossibe to tell.
 
I see lots of fake and inacurate "Spy photos" on this website, especially those related to upcoming models. This is just another example.
 
There are some legit concept photos of the 2008 M3 at the website below. If you compare the rear end pics, you will see obvious differences. No vents on the hood either.
 
http://www.leftlanenews.com/bmw-m3.html