I guess the 335 turbo will be S4 competition, while the M3 will be RS4 competition...

Also, seems like a lot of bimmerfesters were pretty excited about the upcoming IS before details were actually announced, but now that there's no LSD, it's bigger and heavier, and there's no MT in the first year release of the IS350, many have been turned off. Basically, I don't think BMW is too concerned about the Lexus IS, despite the nasty new rear of the 3er and the sanitized, vanilla interior. I'm still eagerly awaiting a test drive, though.

 

No LSD? That's the biggest mistake.

 

335 will just be the top of the line 3. With the G35 near 300hp and the IS over 300hp, even with a perfectly fine and doing 0-60 in under 5 seconds 255hp engine, it SOUNDS underpowered, even if it isn't.
The new M3 will be a V-8. BMW is trying to spread the power around, instead of big jumps.

 

I'm not sure if BMW should be messin with turbo since they still haven't gotten their quality issues resolved. I'd be really surprised if any turbo 3 series make it to 60K without engine or electronic problems. A 3.5 liter normally aspirated inline six pushing out 335HP and 285ft lb should be more than enough to keep any non V8 IS or G35 at bay until the M3 comes out. If it should turn out that the 335i is as stout and reliable as the badazz 2jz gte, then why would any real enthusaists want a V8 M3?

 

BMW has had turbos on they're diesal cars in Europe for sometime now and they have gotten so good, some mags prefer them over conventional engines.
The V-8 M3 is GT racing inspired.

 

Right, but turbo diesel are a different story when compared to gasoline turbos. Gasoline just aren't as durable as diesel, unfortunately turbo diesel just don't make the kind of HP that similarly displace turbocharged gasoline engine does. Enthusiasts want more HP at the expense of slightly less torque. If the 335i turns out to be diesel, it needs to be rather large in displacement to make anywhere near or over 300hp to be competitive to the G35 and IS350. At 300hp, it'll probably make like 500ft lb of torque, but it won't be a fun high revving engine that fits the image of a sporty 3 series. I still think BMW should just stick to a larger displacement high revving normally aspirated inline 6cyl, it fits their image more.

Even if the M3's V8 is racing inspired, personally, I'd still prefer a Toyota built 400hp 5.0L V8 over a BMW V8. Many other makes racing inspire engines are just equivalent to regular Toyota street engines in durability and built quality and not even close in refinement. At 400hp, I'm pretty sure the upcoming IS500's head will be a badazz Yamaha design with lots of tunning potential. Yamaha is all about racing and builts some of the best heads on the market. Toyota builts bullet proof bottom ends. Perfect combination. Some people will say the BMW V8 will be more gutteral, but that's not enough to get me to forget the ugly and cheap looking E90 interior.

 

How much power is this thing going to put out?

The 2006 255hp 330i 6MT got 0-60 times of 6.1s (Automobile) and 6.2s (R&T). Good enough for most (heck, even the 325i auto is good enough for most, since that's by far the best selling model in BMW's stable), but hardly lighting the world on fire.

Main thing is price. I have a feeling that a 335i will easily push $50k for a decently equipped model.

 

the thought of a turbo BMW is hot. especially sequential. if they make it highly tunable, its going to be awesome. i dont care, some people like the linear powercurve, but i love the fun of turbo. just think: BMW handling and engineering, plus turbo.... makes me drool.. (though the new 3 is sort of ugly)