BMW's M3-simulating M3

If you're not content to simply simulate other vehicles in actual cars, or simulate driving actual cars in video game simulations, perhaps you would enjoy this combination from BMW, which allows you to play a simulation in the actual vehicle you're simulating. All a bit meta for you? Don't worry, all that's going on here is that BMW has rigged up its $100,000+ M3 with a projector in the backseat, and wired the steering, transmission and pedals to control and react to a racing sim (which is based on the M3's handling). The system also feeds data back to the car's hydraulics, allowing it to shake and bounce in sync with gameplay. Probably not as much fun as driving the real thing, but definitely cheaper. Be sure to check the video after the break to hear a completely over-zealous car nerd acting like he's never seen Outrun before.

[Via Joystiq]

[Jesse S @ Jul 11th 2007 3:52AM]

Lol.

[FIR3BRDRACR @ Jul 11th 2007 4:04AM]

lol seemed like a good idea on paper...

PS, i love my e36 328i, nothing drives like a BMW

[Logik @ Jul 11th 2007 4:16AM]

Pfft! 100K can buy you an actual M3, driving lessons, and a boat load of laps at the Green Hell.

[dgandy @ Jul 11th 2007 5:48AM]

The M3 is nowhere close to $100,000. The car goes for about $55,000. The M5 (the larger sedan) goes for $85,000.

[DutchGuy @ Jul 11th 2007 6:02AM]

In Europe that's actually three and a half times the prices you quote. But we already knew Americans get their cars and gas virtually for free.

[Brian Z Jones @ Jul 11th 2007 6:14AM]

$100k is M6 money.

M3 is half that, more in-line with a 'Vette.

-bZj

[strider_mt2k @ Jul 11th 2007 7:06AM]

I hate BMWs, but it's only because I don't own a couple of 'em.

Nice cars, but this is stupid.
Let 'em drive around for reals, dummies!

If you can't afford to sell cars, get out of the biz.

[indigo80 @ Jul 11th 2007 7:08AM]

I was at the hotel the press launch was at last weekend, saw the car, took a look in, but decided to go to the bar rather than ask the bored looking reps for a go

live and learn

[Evan @ Jul 11th 2007 7:44AM]

the software is based on GTR2.

i dont really see the point either, but hey why not.

[Maxime Rousseau @ Jul 11th 2007 9:34AM]

They COULD have hacked it up so that the lap information and speed and whatnot appear on the actual dashboard instruments, but they don't all the projection seems of shitty quality. Not the coolest simulator I have seen up to now.

[MosquitoControl @ Jul 11th 2007 9:46AM]

A little surprised engadget made the same $100k mistake that Joystiq did.

The autoblog original post clearly says it won't be that much...

[girettom @ Jul 11th 2007 10:24AM]

The reason this guy is drivin a simulator is cos they don't trust him with the real thing. hes way off the line most of the time and hes drivin like hes going around a wal-mart car park (one hand on the wheel and the other flappin uselessly on the gear stick)

The car is 55000GPB in the UK so given the US dollar is falling like a stone it should be $120000 in a couple of weeks

mines an E46 M3, bile yellow, bilstein pss9 shocks, stoptech breaks, racing cat, groupe-m air intake and more fun than Forza2 :)

[Beamey @ Jul 11th 2007 6:14PM]

you keep hoping the american dollar weakens and you can expect the whole world economy to drop seeing that we but everything. As high as our trade deficit is i like the dollar just the way it is.

[Baba @ Jul 11th 2007 10:32AM]

The blue line means he's not going fast enough.

[daaper @ Jul 11th 2007 10:32AM]

Anyone consider maybe they meant the $100k pricetag includes the projector and all the other parts of the simulator? It's pretty obvious that an M3 doesn't cost that much...

[joe @ Jul 11th 2007 10:34AM]

Errrr so a M3 loaded with projectors and actuators is "cheaper than the real thing"? I think you mean "absurdly more expensive than the real thing"


Also: to the europeans. shut up about how our M3 is cheaper. your M3 doesnt have to meet our emissions regulations and is a MUCH more powerful and advanced car than the "downgraded" american one :)

[Alex @ Jul 11th 2007 11:08AM]

i read it like the car would be at BMW dealerships or other venues and that people could pay a fee to drive the car for a few races, not actually BUY the entire rig. Lets say $10 for a 10-minute race, thats $54,990 cheaper than an M3. Definitely cheaper.

[sinhumane @ Jul 11th 2007 11:25AM]

i'm waiting for leogsvt to take a ride in this thing... lmfao

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/9b2495cc-413a-49ab-909e-980a003e5f46.htm
enjoy

[Jon @ Jul 11th 2007 11:40AM]

I'd like a simulator that simulates me playing the simulator of the car I'm supposedly sitting in.

[John Laur @ Jul 11th 2007 1:25PM]

Ignoring "Base Price" a current M3 runs about $65k with several of the option packages. The M3 CSL is about $120K.

The new V8 M3 will go around $80k with options.