[Sennen]

I totally agree with him, BMW need to rethink their M Car strategy when it comes to these ridiculous 600HP plus Behemoths.

[Goneinsixtyseconds]

Originally Posted by Sennen

I totally agree with him, BMW need to rethink their M Car strategy when it comes to these ridiculous 600HP plus Behemoths.

I don’t think BMW will care and don’t think they’re looking to sell big numbers. They never have before on similar models.

It’s not like they’re not making plenty of smaller fast cars as well, M4, M3, M2, and a few M Lites which work well in smaller cars. Ok, they’re all coming up for replacement, but most will be replaced.

They probably make the same margin on one of those M8’s, even with a big discount, as they do on half a dozen £45k 5 series cars. And even if they don’t, a lot of brands run a a few halo models to give some brand glamour. I don’t imagine RS7’s sell in huge numbers either.

I do agree that the car is ugly though. It’s too flat from the back to the roof. I do like the current understated M5 though. Dream car for me.

[Sennen]

But is it a proper Halo car?

Audis Halo Car is the R8 which isnt just a souped up run of the mill product and Merc have the AMG GT. BMW have the I8 but that just doesnt cut it in my book.

I just dont think the M8 brings much to the party over the much cheaper 840i, it is just too big to be considered a proper M car.

I would like to see BMW use the 4.4 engine but put it in something special that really could sit at the top of the pile.

Anyone remember the Z8............. and i dont think they even bothered badging that as an M car if my memory serves me correctly.

The M division as I see it was to facilitate BMWs racing program, there is not much of that DNA floating about in the M8 in my humble opinion.

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by Sennen

The M division as I see it was to facilitate BMWs racing program, there is not much of that DNA floating about in the M8 in my humble opinion.

Originally I think the M-division existed for the reason you suggest but the way BMW chose to use the M-badge diluted and devalued that concept a while ago IMO; if you look at some of the current cars that carry the M-badge they're a million miles away from the original M-car concept. However, what BMW are interested in is profit and commercial success - if a relatively small number of petrolheads are disappointed by their badge engineering of the M-division I doubt they'll be too bothered....

[Sennen]

Originally Posted by JNW1

Originally I think the M-division existed for the reason you suggest but the way BMW chose to use the M-badge diluted and devalued that concept a while ago IMO; if you look at some of the current cars that carry the M-badge they're a million miles away from the original M-car concept. However, what BMW are interested in is profit and commercial success - if a relatively small number of petrolheads are disappointed by their badge engineering of the M-division I doubt they'll be too bothered....

Yes JNW1 I am afraid you are right.

I am not going to lose too much sleep over it. If the M2/M3/M4 replacements go down a similar route as I suspect they will i will have to migrate to Porsche for an enjoyable daily

[DougMcL]

I would definitely have a 911 as a daily driver. I'd just need something like an Up! GTI as a shitbox to park in town

[Sennen]

Originally Posted by DougMcL

I would definitely have a 911 as a daily driver. I'd just need something like an Up! GTI as a shitbox to park in town

I never get too precious about my cars like that.

I can understand having a 'shitbox' for the dump runs etc but if it is just to 'protect' the expemsive car you will probably find the added expense would outweigh the occasional ding etc you would incurr.

Having a delicate classic tucked up in the garage i can see the sense in but something like a 911 should be used as much as possible imo.

[Watsey]

BMW M certainly has a different philosophy/approach these days compared to some other manufacturers.

Porsche, for example, tends to remove weight and focus on driving dynamics and precision. Yes it adds power, but it's the driving focus which shines through. The excellence in execution.

BMW, once it gets above the M2/3/4 models, seems to just have one approach : add power. Yes it adds some additional features, but the current M5 (for example) is never going to be lithe and nimble. BMW has to overcome mass/inertia by using power.

I've had enough BMWs over the past 10+ years to know that I generally like them, but, apart from the i8 (which seems to have slipped into obscurity), does BMW have a true halo car these days ? I certainly don't think it's the M8.

[RobUK]

I'd have way more fun taking a 1500cc Spitfire down a country lane than an M8

[Sennen]

Originally Posted by RobUK

I'd have way more fun taking a 1500cc Spitfire down a country lane than an M8

Yep.... i reckon Justchris has the right idea with the MX5....... five times the enjoyment and a fifth of the cost.

[Goneinsixtyseconds]

Originally Posted by RobUK

I'd have way more fun taking a 1500cc Spitfire down a country lane than an M8

I assure you I had great fun taking a 625 bhp M5, with big brakes and sports suspension down country roads.

This exact conversation already happened just a few weeks ago on here.

If you want a smaller, better handling M car then buy one of the smaller ones, if you want a big powerful cruiser or muscle car type feeling, then buy one of the bigger ones.

I don’t expect BMW expect all the different M cars to be all things to all people. I think there’s space for both kinds in the range. I love the big fast luxury car feeling. I doubt I’m the only one, and they’re not trying to make these sell in huge numbers.

There’d be just as many complaining if BMW stopped making direct competition to bigger Audi RS cars and bigger Merc AMG’s.

[Sennen]

Originally Posted by Watsey

BMW M certainly has a different philosophy/approach these days compared to some other manufacturers.

Porsche, for example, tends to remove weight and focus on driving dynamics and precision. Yes it adds power, but it's the driving focus which shines through. The excellence in execution.

BMW, once it gets above the M2/3/4 models, seems to just have one approach : add power. Yes it adds some additional features, but the current M5 (for example) is never going to be lithe and nimble. BMW has to overcome mass/inertia by using power.

I've had enough BMWs over the past 10+ years to know that I generally like them, but, apart from the i8 (which seems to have slipped into obscurity), does BMW have a true halo car these days ? I certainly don't think it's the M8.

A very good point Watsey, the M cars should follow the same ethos as Porsche do with their 'GT' moniker and major on lightness.

Maybe BMW could give the large powerful boulevard cruisers they produce a different moniker ........ 'Ghia' maybe

[Goneinsixtyseconds]

Originally Posted by Sennen

A very good point Watsey, the M cars should follow the same ethos as Porsche do with their 'GT' moniker and major on lightness.

Maybe BMW could give the large powerful boulevard cruisers they produce a different moniker ........ 'Ghia' maybe

I’m sure you can work out which is which without changing the badges......

Can you imagine the uproar on here elsewhere if the M5 lost its M badge!