Date: Fri, 6 Aug 1999 12:21:27 -0500
From: "David Scott" <David.Scott_at_bpasystems.com>
Subject: [E36M3] E46 M3 sighting

Well, I believe I may have seen a prototype E46 M3 coupe doing hot-weather testing yesterday in the Texas Hill Country.

I was in Austin, coming down FM 2222 from Lake Travis to Highway 360, when I was passed by 3 E46 coupes with manufacturer plates from New Jersey, absolutely flying by. I was in a rental car, and chasing them would have been futile.

One was red, one white, and one dark blue (how's that for American testing). They all had 2-way radio antennae with magnetic mounts on their roofs. They appeared very similar to the photos in Roundel, etc. lately. Turbine wheels, fat tires, M5-style dual rear exhausts, etc. However, 2 differences: the rear end was noticeably wider than the standard E46 coupe. And, each car had a small integrated spoiler, much like the optional E36 M3 spoiler, but part of the trunk, rather than attached, and much smaller. Very clean, and sharp.

The cars looked very bitchin', but I could not tell what was under their hoods (obviously). Me like, me want to buy, but me wait until 2nd year of production, so they can get the inevitable bugs out...

ds