[MWhy]

Quite a bit of product coming out of BMW M lately. Which made me think: is BMW weakening the M brand by coming out with so much stuff?

Used to be that you had an M version of a few cars and those were the very best they offered. And some select M performance parts to pull the halo onto lesser models.

But to me, things like the M3 M Performance edition is just crazy.

Are they diluting their M mark? Or is more better?

[JoeyBananaz18]

M died when the X5/6M came out.

[Doctor///M]

Excellent discussion point, and I couldn't agree with you more.

[beskone]

Originally Posted by JoeyBananaz18

M died when the X5/6M came out.

After the M group publicly stated they would NEVER make a SUV / Crossover M

1M, M3, M5, M6, Z3M, Z4M

Shoulda just stopped it there with the "sports" cars, sedans and coupes.

I wouldn't be suppressed if there is an 1M, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7, Z4M, , X3M, X5M, X6M soon

total brand dilution IMO, if everything is an M what makes an M special?

[stopper]

This conversation thread is going to make me sad. I can just feel it. So I'll contribute an image which should convey my opinion in this matter and keep me feeling good about M.

[arctic330i]

^ a true drivers car...

[Clifton]

Originally Posted by arctic330i

^ a true drivers car...

Except it only came equipped SMG II.... *sigh*


Current definition of the brand --> ///Marketing.

[BoricuaE92]

Don't forget them M335s? lol

[mashimarho]

M this M that. It's turning into the S-line crap.

[J02 335i]

Exactly what Honda did with Vtec, only certain models got it Type R, Sir's and now ever Honda/Acura Under the sun is ivtec

[jphughan]

I agree. And now we have the M Performance Automobile line, which in addition to all of the M badges that come with the M Sport package is going to have one from the factory in the sacred rear decklid position, and thus included in the model name. I would have been fine with that if those cars were going to be diesel only, but M says they're eventually going to make gasoline M Performance Automobile lines.

I don't know, the ONLY thing I can think of that MIGHT be reasonable for such a split the difference offering would be an M3 with a 335 engine, for example. It would be targeted at people who never go to the track and therefore don't "need" the extra horsepower from an M but want the superior handling even if it means trading some ride comfort. They'd get most of the M car feel while retaining the 335i's efficiency. If I didn't go to the track and I were comparing between the F series 335i and M3 (i.e. there wasn't an opportunity to get this amazing V8), I might consider such a middle offering. But I don't think that's what BMW is going to deliver, unfortunately.

[Blubaron79]

Originally Posted by J02 335i

Exactly what Honda did with Vtec, only certain models got it Type R, Sir's and now ever Honda/Acura Under the sun is ivtec

Maybe BMW should put a large M decal on the rear door like the Honda does with the V-Tech bage.

V-Tech just kicked in yo!!

[Kernel Kurtz]

Originally Posted by jphughan

I agree. And now we have the M Performance Automobile line, which in addition to all of the M badges that come with the M Sport package is going to have one from the factory in the sacred rear decklid position, and thus included in the model name.

I agree, too many M logos already on the M-Sport package. M on the wheels, the shifter, the steering wheel, the door sills......

Probably the main reason I don't debadge. It's a 335i. I don't want people to think I want people to think it's something it's not. I'd rather remove all those M logos but that's difficult.

[IFX]

Originally Posted by JoeyBananaz18

M died when the X5/6M came out.

this man speaks the truth.

[Outlaw 06]

BMW plastering M badges all over non-M cars is nothing new. What I really don't like is the use of non-Motorsport forced induction engines in M cars. BMW’s M division is still making excellent performance CARS, but an M car simply isn’t complete without a true Motorsport engine under the hood (the S50, N54, S63, etc. aren’t true Motorsport engines).

Many “luxury brand” car buyers seem to want whatever's trendy at the moment and that’s probably one of the reasons why short-term leasing is so popular. These buyers account for a large portion of overall annual car sales so car manufacturers have to cater to them in order to be profitable (even though these customers may lack brand loyalty and may not be repeat BMW customers).

On the other hand, car enthusiasts tend to be dedicated to their favorite brands. While enthusiasts may only account for a small portion of overall annual sales, they're also the ones who are most likely to be repeat customers.

BMW has been doing a pretty good job thus far catering to BMW enthusiasts as well as mainstream “luxury brand” (Acura, Audi, Infinity, Lexus, Mercedes, etc.) car buyers.

Give the forced induction direction that BMW seems to be heading, I hope that BMW offers Motorsport enthusiasts the option of purchasing a track-focused, naturally aspirated, MT, RWD, M3, much like Porsche already does with the GT3...

[project6]

BMW will do whatever sells and brings money into their pockets. What would be the reasoning behind artificially cutting supply when there are people out there willing to make BMW prosperous?

[wren57]

BMW is diluting the M brand to the extent M is seen as a true race package, yes. But extending the M brand across the lineup of vehicles actually strengthens BMW's overall brand by raising the overall performance of the brand. So it's somewhat a wash.

[mike-y]

Originally Posted by Clifton

Except it only came equipped SMG II.... *sigh*

It was also available with a 6 speed manual, at least in the US.

Originally Posted by J02 335i

Exactly what Honda did with Vtec, only certain models got it Type R, Sir's and now ever Honda/Acura Under the sun is ivtec

Long before the Type R, run of the mill civics have had vtec. since 1992 in fact (EX/Si/HX models), but it was only on the intake valves.

dohc vtec first appeared in the NSX and also the Asian/Euro market Civic SiR in 1989. Before that, it was used in Formula 1 race cars. It's only natural for that kind of tech to gradually trickle down into the mainstream after a few years.

Now, just about every car manufacturer uses some sort of valve timing and lift control. BMW's version is VANOS.

[AddictedToBavarian]

Originally Posted by TJDiCandido

BMW plastering M badges all over non-M cars is nothing new. What I really don't like is the use of non-Motorsport forced induction engines in M cars. BMW’s M division is still making excellent performance CARS, but an M car simply isn’t complete without a true Motorsport engine under the hood (the S50, N54, S63, etc. aren’t true Motorsport engines).

Many “luxury brand” car buyers seem to want whatever's trendy at the moment and that’s probably one of the reasons why short-term leasing is so popular. These buyers account for a large portion of overall annual car sales so car manufacturers have to cater to them in order to be profitable (even though these customers may lack brand loyalty and may not be repeat BMW customers).

On the other hand, car enthusiasts tend to be dedicated to their favorite brands. While enthusiasts may only account for a small portion of overall annual sales, they're also the ones who are most likely to be repeat customers.

BMW has been doing a pretty good job thus far catering to BMW enthusiasts as well as mainstream “luxury brand” (Acura, Audi, Infinity, Lexus, Mercedes, etc.) car buyers.

Give the forced induction direction that BMW seems to be heading, I hope that BMW offers Motorsport enthusiasts the option of purchasing a track-focused, naturally aspirated, MT, RWD, M3, much like Porsche already does with the GT3...

Agreed

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Originally Posted by mike-y

It was also available with a 6 speed manual, at least in the US.



Long before the Type R, run of the mill civics have had vtec. since 1992 in fact (EX/Si/HX models), but it was only on the intake valves.

dohc vtec first appeared in the NSX and also the Asian/Euro market Civic SiR in 1989. Before that, it was used in Formula 1 race cars. It's only natural for that kind of tech to gradually trickle down into the mainstream after a few years.

Now, just about every car manufacturer uses some sort of valve timing and lift control. BMW's version is VANOS.

+1

[BMW Junge für Leben]

Originally Posted by JoeyBananaz18

M died when the X5/6M came out.

+1

[Flying_Dutchman13]

Originally Posted by Blubaron79

Maybe BMW should put a large M decal on the rear door like the Honda does with the V-Tech bage.

V-Tech just kicked in yo!!

I thought I would never get to use this pic again haha.