The BMW M4 Concept is making its first appearance in the UK. It’s currently at the BMW UK HQ and is available to the public for viewing.

Now that the first official specs of the F80 M3 and F82 M4 are known and we’ve had plenty of looks at the M4 Concept as well as M3/M4 spy pics and video, we thought it’d be interesting to tally a count of how many BIMMERPOST members already have pre-orders in for the 2014 M3 or M4.

For those who have pre-ordered, you can check multiple boxes above and indicate which model you’ve pre-ordered.

The two most potent F30-based models, the F80 M3 and the Alpina B3 F30, pose together at the BMW M test center at the Nurburgring.

The photos give us a look at how aggressive the F80 M3′s styling (especially its big fenders) is compared to the more subtlely modified Alpina.

The new M3 will make its debut at the 2014 Detroit auto show in mid-January.

Follow our M3/M4 coverage at: http://www.bimmerpost.com/m4/

The BMW M4 Concept was on display at the BMW Welt this weekend and she’s a beauty in person. Enjoy the photos!

For our previous photos & videos of the M4 Concept, see: http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho…d.php?t=878835

Follow our M3/M4 news and coverage @ http://www.bimmerpost.com/m4/

Have a good first look at the production F80 M3 and F82 M4 interior, with its sports seats!

Now watch the F82 M4 Coupe continue with some final testing on the Nurburgring.

The M4 will not hit dealers until next Summer, but the rumor mill is already churning for a lightweight track model.

Carsales claims BMW M sources have hinted at a lightweight track focused M4 coming in 2016 as part of the celebrations for BMW’s 100th birthday.

Taking after the E92 M3 GTS, the lightweight M4 is rumored to feature two seats only, more power, less weight (target below 1400 kg / 3086 lb) and manual transmission only.

BMW M will attempt to achieve this weight by expanding the use of carbon fiber from the current areas (roof, trunk, drive shaft, strut brace) to include the hood and front wings, while also switching the steel doors to aluminum construction. Of course, the interior will also see weight reduction by … CONTINUED

Now that much tech specs for the F80 M3 / F82 M4 have been revealed, do you perceive the M3 any differently when seeing it in action?

We can finally be sure that what we are seeing and hearing is an M3 powered by its 3.0L bi-turbo inline 6 S55 engine outputting approximately 430 hp, far beyond 369 lb-ft, and to a redline just north of 7500 RPM.

Here is the F80 M3 prototype continuing some final testing on the Nurburgring ahead of its January debut at the Detroit auto show. Order banks should open in January-February 2014, followed by production in the Spring and deliveries by late Spring – early Summer.

We have both good and bad news on Active Sound technology in the M3/M4. For those unfamiliar, Active Sound technology was first introduced in the M5/M6 and has extended to other models such as the M135i. The system modulates existing frequencies, which are played over the stereo speakers at varying sound levels based on throttle input, speed, and engine revs, as well driving the mode (louder in Sport and Sport+ settings). See BMW’s original press release on this.

So, the bad news is yes, the M3/M4 does feature Active Sound.

But, the good news is that we’ve confirmed with BMW Germany that it’s a live amplification of the S55 engine’s natural sounds. There is no artificially generated sound or pre-recorded track being played. This sound amplification takes … CONTINUED