Why no full facelift for the BMW M3 Sedan?

Our friend Richard Aucock from MSN UK and RichardAucock.com sat down with Carston Pries, Head of Management Product to find out more about the M3 Sedan and the LCI(life cycle impulse). As you might recall, BMW launched the M3 Sedan back in March of 2008 and six months later, the 3 Series Sedan models received the LCI.

Why hasn’t BMW followed with the a full facelift on the M3? Well, for starters, the Motorsport Division has a great independence from BMW AG and second, Mr. Pries didn’t think it was necessary at this point: “The M3 is suitably differentiated from the 3 Series not to need the additional expense of an (admittedly subtle) LCI so soon into its like. We carried over the revised design tail lights, that’s all.”

He also points out that the independence comes through the Motorsport division being so well integrated into BMW AG and their ability to make unilateral decisions a year or two ahead. Mr. Pries talks about how exciting is to do an LCI, as we have seen recently in the M6 Competition, but it is not a set rule that every single M model needs to receive the facelift.

Now the following question remains: with two-three years left before the new 3 Series comes out, will we still see a new front fascia on the M3 or is it even necessary? What about an M3 Coupe facelift? Unfortunately, he did not confirm anything at this time, but we’re working with our sources to find out more.

[Source: RichardAucock.com ]

5 Responses to “Why no full facelift for the BMW M3 Sedan?”

Robert says:

July 19, 2009 at 6:24 pm

I believe your article is wrong Horatiu. The M3 sedan did get a facelift. It received the new tail lights like the 3 series sedan. There were no changes to the front, but there were also no changes to the front of the 3 series coupe.

- Horatiu B. says:
  
  July 19, 2009 at 6:39 pm
  
  I modified some things to make it more clear, I was referring mostly to a full LCI as we see on all of their cars usually..front and read-end….Thanks for pointing it out so I could make it more clear
  
Jordan says:

July 19, 2009 at 7:48 pm

Horatiu like you said it’s about two-three years before the new 3 series comes out, do you have any info on when the regular 3-series coupe will get a facelift? Or is it even getting a facelift at all?

- Horatiu B. says:
  
  July 20, 2009 at 12:00 am
  
  The 3 Series Coupe will get a facelift next year…I heard April, but I can’t say 100% for sure. Some test mules were already spotted http://www.bmwblog.com/2009/04/24/bmw-3-series-coupe-facelift-spied-in-all-white/
  
Aryan says:

July 20, 2009 at 4:38 pm

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