Quote:
Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls
You're looking at unique or bespoke parts as a differentiator while I'm talking about tuning and setup for a specific model from BMW's perspective or business model. Just because the B58 is used in a M340 and as well as a base X5 40i, doesn't make the M340i any less a "M Performance" model.
Maybe you guys have different build setups in the U.S. than Canada but if we take the G45 X3 for example, there is no "performance" options you can put on the X3 30 to build it identical to a X3 M50 making the latter a lot more different than the base. Even with the G02 X4 (which I would assume applies to the G01 X3) and the packages/options available for that generation, there is no option to add a sportier suspension on the 30i which I assume has a "base or passive sport suspension" vs. Adaptive M suspension on the M40i with the option of getting a M Sport differential.
I don't care how BMW uses the "BMW M" or "M" name, to me it's all just a trim level that provides "more" things over the trim below it in a certain class. But my point remains, and to the original post I was replying to where the it asks why "M Sport" in the past isn't considered the same as "M Performance" today, from the EXX to GXX, models, BMW is moving in a direction where they are positioning the M40i/M50/M60 trims to be different than the base models.
And just so everyone sees where I'm coming from and how I interpreted the original comment, when referring to a M Sport BMW, I'm thinking this is what they meant which is completely different than what we call M Performance BMW's today.
ZKJ M Sport Package
2MF 18" M Star Spoke Alloy Wheels - Style 193M Performance Run-Flat Tires: 225/40 R 18 & 255/35 R 18
337 M Sport Package: M Sport Steering Wheel, M Aerodynamic Package, M Shift Knob (Manual Only), M Footrest, High-gloss Shadow Line, Anthracite Roof Liner, Aluminum Glacier Silver Trim
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you can yell about this all you want and have your opinion and i have mine... a true m car should have differentiation but it's been so watered down now that we ended up with automatics across the board, a 5500 lb M5, an awd m3 thats very isolated that no one knows what is and what isn't a bmw m anymore and bmw is squarely to blame... so pumping up an m340i for sales numbers surprises no one... i suppose you are right... one could argue an m340i is more of an m car than the new m5... its 1500 lbs lighter and doesn't have an ev motor attached to it...
on your 2nd question... yes we can option nearly the same way... an x3 30i can be had w m sport pack which gives you the m sport suspension and then you can add DCC, dynamic chassis control and m sport brakes as an option lol... so what the difference between an m50? oh yea, a more powerful engine and a limited slip diff which does nothing in a car like this (i have one so i know)
and i am sure were