BMW moving away from "M Performance" vehicle branding

[LOW4LYF]

Originally Posted by TopShotta

It's important to a lot of people to feel like they have something better than the other guy. BMWs are mass produced vehicles and anybody can walk into a dealership and get one. Nobody in here is special for owning one. We could all use a slice of humble pie.

That being said.. true M cars have always been better (within the same generation).

Better yes, special no. I really agree with you!

[TrustButVerify]

Originally Posted by Mani59

At least this means the end of "M Performance" hopefully!

As long as BMW does some housekeeping and takes away the "M Sport packages" from all other trims, I'm good with the top non-M trim becoming an consolation prize M in spirit.

As far as performance, the true hierarchy settles itself on the road course. The frame is stiffer, body is wider, manufacturing tolerances are lower, and most components can withstand higher hp, torque, and g force. Everyone starts doing Fast & Furious comparisons and lose sight of why the M brand was created, even BMW itself.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by silverstar335

A friend has a 2020 M550, that is a beast of a car, I totally consider that an M car. Don't believe me, go test drive one with the handling package.

Its a fast car, but truthfully it is one of my least favorite recent BMW's to date when it comes to handling and driving dynamics.

[DFW_M]

Originally Posted by Mrida335

Exactly this. GFY bro. M340 vs ///M..... seriously? If we are going to talk about commuting at this point get a Nisan Leaf and GTFO. All of these cars are "overkill". They are beyond basic transportation. I don't care if it's your practical daily or if it's your garage Queen, 800 horsepower M5. Even a 320 these days is an "excessive" commuter car that will burn a Camry.

Exactly. Before owning one, I thought the 335 or 340 can be turned into an M3 with a tune, LSD, updated brakes, etc. and in the end, you can put in $25k and it is not going to be an M. It may be faster, louder, even wider, but to get the same pieces work together, same drivetrain, same transmission, engine, etc., it will take A LOT more $$ than mentioned above.
As you mentioned in previous post, both are awesome cars and waaaayyy overkill for the daily commute purpose. But they put a big smile on our faces.
Similarly as C43 AMG is not an AMG, the M340/M240/M550 serve the same purpose within the lineup.

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

damn yall are wild. all this projection/outrage...society is so fickle and argumentative nowadays.

BMW whored out the line plain and simple; there is no argument because the car manufacturer decides what goes; not all your opinions.

Forced induction leveled the playing field for everything.

Want to be special; drive a classic.

This is bad for ALL bmw owners regardless of models. All cars will depreciate more since there is dilution of the M brand; moreover the BMW brand.

We could argue all day what a real M car is or not....but not going to change how fickle society is. Some people buy cars for self-esteem; some for looks; some for performance. My sister is soon purchasing an RS5 god knows why.

Only reason I drive an M3 is because its a fast beautiful car with a manual. m340i does not even come close to the body of an m3. I guess we'll see with the g80.

Could I drive an m340i...sure...will it depreciate more when only costing a little less. you can bet your ass

if bmw says the m320i is an M car; than it is. BMW run the show out here

[TrustButVerify]

Originally Posted by TopShotta

It's important to a lot of people to feel like they have something better than the other guy. BMWs are mass produced vehicles and anybody can walk into a dealership and get one. Nobody in here is special for owning one. We could all use a slice of humble pie.

That being said.. true M cars have always been better (within the same generation).

Until you get the 3 week order lag from Germany for an M part. Then you realize that maybe M cars truly are different.

[mjr24]

Originally Posted by silverstar335

A friend has a 2020 M550, that is a beast of a car, I totally consider that an M car. Don't believe me, go test drive one with the handling package.

It is a beast of a car (I have one).
However, it is NOT a M car.....and if you have ever driven that car versus a real M car....you would know what I mean.

[nicky dj]

Originally Posted by Mrida335

Ya then go drive the actual ///M5 and shit your pants. It's still not an M car. It's a really really good fucking car but it's not an ///M. Full stop.

You have no idea what you're talking about. How does a 3.8 60 and a 12.3 1/4 mile and 115mph trap speed just a "good fucking car"? That will smoke 75% of cars out there and just a 0.5 sec 1/4 mile slower than a F10 M5 with a 119mph trap speed!

Save yourself 40k get downpipes and a stage 2 bootmod3 tune. M550i guys are running in the low 11's!

[DanG]

For the last several years BMWCCA Pacific Region has included all cars that begin with M in their M Car Days. Started with adding the 2014 M235i.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by nicky dj

You have no idea what you're talking about. How does a 3.8 60 and a 12.3 1/4 mile and 115mph trap speed just a "good fucking car"? That will smoke 75% of cars out there and just a 0.5 sec 1/4 mile slower than a F10 M5 with a 119mph trap speed!

Save yourself 40k get downpipes and a stage 2 bootmod3 tune. M550i guys are running in the low 11's!

You guys do realize speed isn't everything right and doesn't define an M car, or a good car in general.

A corolla could go 0-60 in 3.5 seconds and be exciting in a straight line, but it will still not handle the corners well.

[slowcar]

"M", first and foremost, has always been a marketing badge designed to sell more cars.

So I am ok with this new announcement.

Should really be describing the car characteristics versus the marketing badge anyways.

"I drive an old bmw with a 6sp v8"
"I drive an s54"
"I drive a newish turbo bmw with vague steering feel"
"I lease the newest bmw"
"I drive the bmw with most nostalgia"
"I drive wrapped bmw for youtube"

You know who you are.

[pz619]

Originally Posted by nicky dj

You have no idea what you're talking about. How does a 3.8 60 and a 12.3 1/4 mile and 115mph trap speed just a "good fucking car"? That will smoke 75% of cars out there and just a 0.5 sec 1/4 mile slower than a F10 M5 with a 119mph trap speed!

Save yourself 40k get downpipes and a stage 2 bootmod3 tune. M550i guys are running in the low 11's!

Frankly, standing on a stock vs modded car argument is absurd. Add a tune to the M5 and it’s going to be even faster.

[BMW11]

How will this "M" classification effect insurance rates on the M340i? (compared to the F30 340i)

[Mrida335]

Originally Posted by nicky dj

You have no idea what you're talking about. How does a 3.8 60 and a 12.3 1/4 mile and 115mph trap speed just a "good fucking car"? That will smoke 75% of cars out there and just a 0.5 sec 1/4 mile slower than a F10 M5 with a 119mph trap speed!

Save yourself 40k get downpipes and a stage 2 bootmod3 tune. M550i guys are running in the low 11's!

Spoken like a true 1/4 mile nerd. Do the same thing to the ///M5 and see where you are at. Then hit a circuit course and check again. Or better, hit a half mile or mile roll race and the check it. Look they are all fast as F. But the m550 is not an M. It's not about your 60
Foot or your 1/4 mile. An ///M is the sum of its parts and it's composure over all.

Nothing you do to a non M will make it an M. Get real.

[nicky dj]

Originally Posted by joshuastein55

You guys do realize speed isn't everything right and doesn't define an M car, or a good car in general.

A corolla could go 0-60 in 3.5 seconds and be exciting in a straight line, but it will still not handle the corners well.

You guys do realize (or maybe not smh) that that the MP cars M340i, M550i's X3 M40i have a locking differential, upgraded suspension and sways, M Performance big calipers etc. you're making it seem like these cars aren't made to handle smh.

Also we're not taking about speed here but "time". A stock M550i runs Laguna Seca in 1:45 an F90 M5 in 1:39, go figure.

[R N M]

Originally Posted by nicky dj

Lmao your statement of an M3 will always be an M3 just told me everything about you, go sit down. Obviously you don't know much about these cars and haven't driven an M340i versus an M3 because the difference is negligible NOT night and day like you claim. In fact with DTC off I feel that the drivetrain and handling of the 340i feels the road better than the M3, and I own neither. The advantage of a locking differential is no longer.

And let me tell you, M parts aren't that great bud. All my friends with M4's and deep pockets get Brembo BBK's, upgraded sway bars and K2v3 coilovers, and I'm not even talking about upgrades engine parts.

My friend you are lost. Please go on Turo and rent an F80 M3. You will then see the light.
I driven the M340i, its Msport + rather than M3 light.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by nicky dj

You guys do realize (or maybe not smh) that that the MP cars M340i, M550i's X3 M40i have a locking differential, upgraded suspension and sways, M Performance big calipers etc. you're making it seem like these cars aren't made to handle smh.

Also we're not taking about speed here but "time". A stock M550i runs Laguna Seca in 1:45 an F90 M5 in 1:39, go figure.

I didn't say that the M-Performance cars can't handle, I'm just saying performance stats aren't everything.

[nicky dj]

Originally Posted by Mrida335

Spoken like a true 1/4 mile nerd. Do the same thing to the ///M5 and see where you are at. Then hit a circuit course and check again. Or better, hit a half mile or mile roll race and the check it. Look they are all fast as F. But the m550 is not an M. It's not about your 60
Foot or your 1/4 mile. An ///M is the sum of its parts and it's composure over all.

Nothing you do to a non M will make it an M. Get real.

Another M fanboy. Just took a look at your posts, another corporate executive M boy "love the color and the lines, so beautiful" ... you probably don't even know how the internals of a turbo engine works lol. Go to sleep kid.


I love coming to the news section to talk sense to all you corporate BMW guys with your M license plate, I'll just stick to the engine threads smh.

[Mrida335]

Originally Posted by nicky dj

You guys do realize (or maybe not smh) that that the MP cars M340i, M550i's X3 M40i have a locking differential, upgraded suspension and sways, M Performance big calipers etc. you're making it seem like these cars aren't made to handle smh.

Also we're not taking about speed here but "time". A stock M550i runs Laguna Seca in 1:45 an F90 M5 in 1:39, go figure.

A 6 second gap at laguna is pretty significant dude. Is it slow, no it's not slow. It's not shit. It's good. But it's 6 seconds slower. You have proved the point. To take a M550 and make it 6 seconds faster at Laguna is going to take a lot of cash. I would wager the same amount as f cash overall to just get an M5. Think about it. You need power, handling, cooling weight savings and tuning. Sounds like the difference in price to me between the non M and the real M.

[CarbonAlpine]

Just give all the models M designation. Who cares?? Reminds me of my 4th grade teacher giving candy to the kids that answer the questions. Even though 1 or 2 kids knew the answer, the whole class got candies. It's like bmw's version of participation trophies.


I've had non M's and M's, i buy what I like and frankly don't care what Bmw names it. Like switching the M3 to "m4"...it's just badges.

[Fugly M3]

Originally Posted by CarbonAlpine

Just give all the models M designation. Who cares?? Reminds me of my 4th grade teacher giving candy to the kids that answer the questions. Even though 1 or 2 kids knew the answer, the whole class got candies. It's like bmw's version of participation trophies.


I've had non M's and M's, i buy what I like and frankly don't care what Bmw names it. Like switching the M3 to "m4"...it's just badges.

This is great...Brand participation trophy! I am generally the same. If BMW put out a tuned F22 B46 with 320hp at 3000lb and called it a 230is with "m-sport" suspension and brakes I'd happily buy it...I'd never consider it an M, but I'd still buy it.

[nicky dj]

Originally Posted by Mrida335

A 6 second gap at laguna is pretty significant dude. Is it slow, no it's not slow. It's not shit. It's good. But it's 6 seconds slower. You have proved the point. To take a M550 and make it 6 seconds faster at Laguna is going to take a lot of cash. I would wager the same amount as f cash overall to just get an M5. Think about it. You need power, handling, cooling weight savings and tuning. Sounds like the difference in price to me between the non M and the real M.

Again if you saw all my posts on this thread, I'm not saying the M550i is an M5, I'm saying it's a damn worthy car that I don't mind or worthy of having the M badge. Only M owners are offended and they have no idea how their car functions internally they just believe in "the badge" being superior.

All that M perf add-ons and trims options are trash, BMW really screwed up with that one. They hit it out of the park with these cars performance wise.