I just posted the same question in another thread
For those of you who defend bmw by saying they were forced to turbocharge the new m3 to meet eu standard for mpg and emissions, I say to you this.
Why couldn't they use a supercharger ala the 3.0 tfsi engine in the Audi s4 instead of a turbocharger? A supercharger will feel naturally aspirated, deliver a linear powerband, will not muffle/mute the sound and still achieve good mpg.
My opinion is that Bmw is fucking cheap and wants to use the same engine in every freaking car they have available. Cost cutting and profits, that's really what it comes down to.
I have a 2013 s4 used as my DD and with a simple tune and pulley I'm putting close to 400awhp while achieving 20mpg city and 31mpg highway and my car weighs 4000 pounds. Imagine a similar setup in the m3 only with a higher redline. Check out my apr stage 2 s4