BMW moving away from "M Performance" vehicle branding

[JeremyDFW]

So who here is going to buy a G80 without even a test drive?!

I can't be the only one...

[AlpineWhite_SJ]

Originally Posted by nicky dj

Yeah I meant N55 which is in the M2 as I was talking about the 1M, but the /// guys consider those M vehicles because of the "essence" not the science, right? They also don't talk about the closed deck B58 motor being on par with the S55 and M worthy.

B58 is an awesome motor and it gives the S55 a run for the money, but as many pointed out, it’s a last gen to new generation comparison. S58 will be a beast in the G80 if X3M is a good indicator.

It’s sort of BMWs fault because they try and define what an M car is and then go and release a car that contradicts it, like the post about VIN, # of cylinders, S motor, M mirrors, etc. So people all have an opinion on what constitutes an ///M car but BMW can’t make up their own damn minds.

[nicky dj]

Originally Posted by EnVe46

I liked it better when you were actually considering being done with this thread and gave us a peace out.

In reality, as an M owner, I don't give a faaaawwwwk what BMW or anyone else labels the X3m340imperformance etc or anything else like it. I prefer the driving experience an M car delivers. Now, I haven't driven the M340i so can't comment on how it drives but I have drove the X3M40i and it's quite impressive. A colleague of mine just purchased a 2020 and it's quite the machine. But, it's not comparable in many ways to the X3MComp I drove. Doesn't make it shit, it's just not the same. So whatever that means to anyone, I don't care.

I also don't care about anyone's history with the BMW brand, how many driving schools you been to or how small your penis is that your compensating for. I drove the cars I drive for me and that's really all anyone needs to worry about. Stop justifying why you bought an M340i and why you THINK it's so great. You like it and that's why you bought it. Enjoy it. It's quite simple

Hahahahaha the funny thing is I don't own an M340i! And actually considering an S55 soon and moding the shit out of it or an X5 depending on circumstances.

I'm just having an unbiased opinion and defending the brand when all the hard on's who don't know anything about the science of the cars emphatically state why it's not something without ever driving and experiencing the car itself. A few of us are providing the science and data behind the car such as a locking differential, and the /// folks are are arguing it doesn't have the essence.

So it's going to be an endless argument of why it should be considered an M and why it shouldn't be, and a few of us like myself of "who cares? It's a BMW ✊🏼". But you know what none of our opinions actually matter, it's the people that make these cars and that's BMW GmbH.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by AlpineWhite_SJ

I actually would like less branding. It’s getting a bit ridiculous how many ///M’s they can slap on one car. Front, Back, side vents, instrument cluster, iDrive startup animation, door sills, light up seat emblems, each wheel, steering wheel and even storage covers now.

BMW should troll everyone next generation and make the highest performing trim with limited runs have absolutely no badges other than the roundel.

I agree, it's getting confusing. Before, we had multiple trim levels of the base cars topped by a single ///M car. It now seems we have much fewer, if not only one, base model trim with multiple ///M car trims:

• Before: 320i/330i/340i -> M3
• Now: 330i -> M340i/M3/M3Comp/M3CS/M3CSL

Like I said, the branding will not influence my purchase, but it is confusing nonetheless.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by JeremyDFW

So who here is going to buy a G80 without even a test drive?!

I can't be the only one...

I've all bought my previous M cars (E46 M3 / E92 M3 / F82 M4 / F82 M4cs) without test driving them before hand. However, I don't think it will be the case for the G82.

[AlpineWhite_SJ]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

I've all bought my previous M cars (E46 M3 / E92 M3 / F82 M4 / F82 M4cs) without test driving them before hand. However, I don't think it will be the case for the G82.

Yeah, I think the drivetrain may be polarizing if they move to ZF8 and xDrive. DCT owners in particular will want to test drive

[evanescent03]

Originally Posted by EXE46

The irony is that the majority of these real M cars are being used in the exact same manner as most of us M340i drivers. Which is daily commute to and fro from work which really defeats its true purpose and capability.

Yeah no kidding! I am okay with it though because that means development dollars for BMW to keep making a track worthy car for those of us who actually do use them for such things...

[evanescent03]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

I've all bought my previous M cars (E46 M3 / E92 M3 / F82 M4 / F82 M4cs) without test driving them before hand. However, I don't think it will be the case for the G82.

You're crazy, man! I'm guessing I'll really like it but the looks are the big thing I'm concerned about haha. Hopefully it's still a well put together and track worthy car.

[classyfast]

Originally Posted by EXE46

The irony is that the majority of these real M cars are being used in the exact same manner as most of us M340i drivers. Which is daily commute to and fro from work which really defeats its true purpose and capability.

Agree...

Let me say this:

If weather and region in the US didn't matter, and all things were equal.... owners of all "msport" variant cars would choose the true M in their respective classes.

They can't afford it whether it be maintenance, ownership or insurance. Nobody in a 335 doesn't desire an M3, I don't care what anybody says. The msport variants need to be differentiated from true M cars.

Before you flame, I've owned every M3 from e36 to F80. Had 4 335's sprinkled in between there too, only because of winters (awd). The only non M even close to an M3 in 20 years was the 335is I had. Nothing else. Why can't bmw just produce "IS" cars instead of msport anything?

[Sight22]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

I've got another one for you:

BMW: Hey, let's market the top base cars as ///M cars just to follow suit with Audi and MB, maybe we can sell more cars.
M340i car owner: Hey, I told you my car was a REAL M car, even BMW say so!
M3 car owner: But, but, but...

TBH I don't even like the M in front of my 340. It feels like it looks like I put it on there myself; like a fake badge. After this thread I am seriously considering taking it off. My point was that at the end of the day, the buck stops at what BMW brands their cars as. Everyone in this thread can fight until the sun stops shining but BMW named it what they did and that's that.

IMO, the M on the 340 doesn't diminish an M3 the same way a C43 doesn't diminish a C63. The performance #s speak for themselves. If you know anything about cars, you know the difference.

[premier3is]

Originally Posted by Poochie

You do realize your previous posts totally contradicts every word just said.

If you wasn't from Canada, I would assume you was US president or something, incognito, behind the keyboard.

No standard BMW owners said one braggadocious thing about their vehicle. If they did, I'm sure you would be overpowered with joy to point them out and nail them to a cross.

Anyways, I'm going to let you guys get back to your passive-aggressive bashing.

I'm about to go hang out with a hot girl, who all she see is that blue BMW roundel and couldn't care less if there is A to Z emblem next to it, like most people outside of this forum.

It's been enlightening ✌🏻

Poochie , need said pics of 'hot girl'

You are welcome to post!

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

There was a time where the S-lineup was the equivalent of today's RS-lineup. Back then, the S4 was a diect competitor to the M3 in terms of price and performance. The B6 S4 even won quite a few comparison tests against the E46 M3 when it was introduced. In those days, there was different engine options for the base series and then there was the top S/M/AMG lineup. Eventually, Audi was the first to make the S-series the top engine of the base car and introduced the RS as the top tier. BMW and Mercedes did exactly the same thing with the M and AMG badging.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...parison-tests/

Correct, but we're not talking about 2003 - 17 years ago. We're discussing 2020. I know Audi started the trend.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by evanescent03

You're crazy, man! I'm guessing I'll really like it but the looks are the big thing I'm concerned about haha. Hopefully it's still a well put together and track worthy car.

I'm pretty sure it will look the deal. I'm concerned about the size, the weight, the AWD and the 8AT. I am actually a little afraid I won't like it and have to move to something else. First time I've had that feeling about an ///M. I'll just have to wait and see.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Mo@BMWofFairfax

I know Audi started the trend.

That was my only point

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Sight22

TBH I don't even like the M in front of my 340. It feels like it looks like I put it on there myself; like a fake badge. After this thread I am seriously considering taking it off. My point was that at the end of the day, the buck stops at what BMW brands their cars as. Everyone in this thread can fight until the sun stops shining but BMW named it what they did and that's that.

IMO, the M on the 340 doesn't diminish an M3 the same way a C43 doesn't diminish a C63. The performance #s speak for themselves. If you know anything about cars, you know the difference.

They're all great cars in their respective market segment regardless of how they're badged . With the G2X chassis, it seems BMW was able to leapfrog the competition in driving dynamics.

[nicky dj]

Originally Posted by AlpineWhite_SJ

Yeah, I think the drivetrain may be polarizing if they move to ZF8 and xDrive. DCT owners in particular will want to test drive

The ZF8 is amazing, feels like it holds the power in the low ranges better than the DCT. The S58 M3 is going to be revolutionizing performance wise with amazing potential no doubt. The bigger problem is what are we going to do with that hideous grill?

[///M4ster Yoda]

Originally Posted by nicky dj

The ZF8 is amazing, feels like it holds the power in the low ranges better than the DCT. The S58 M3 is going to be revolutionizing with amazing potential no doubt. The bigger problem is what are we going to do with that hideous grill?

That's the elephant in the room for sure.

Absolutely terrible!

[LakeSurfer]

I wanted a V-8 convertible hard top with a 6mt. This led me to the E-93 M3. I'm not a BMW fanboy and I have zero loyalty with the brand. It's an amazing car and an amazing experience to own and drive it.

Most of my friends and a few family members said, great, now you're gonna turn into one of those BMW douche bags. I didn't understand what they where talking about at first but the past few cars and coffees and the last 24 pages I've read, I'm starting to understand what they were talking about.

[evanescent03]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

I'm pretty sure it will look the deal. I'm concerned about the size, the weight, the AWD and the 8AT. I am actually a little afraid I won't like it and have to move to something else. First time I've had that feeling about an ///M. I'll just have to wait and see.

I think there was plenty skepticism about the F80... although it wasn't perfect, I still loved both of mine and I'm sure I'll like the G80 also. I'm sure I'll take note to the things you've mentioned but I think it'll still be a great car for what i want/need.

[AlpineWhite_SJ]

Originally Posted by LakeSurfer

I wanted a V-8 convertible hard top with a 6mt. This led me to the E-93 M3. I'm not a BMW fanboy and I have zero loyalty with the brand. It's an amazing car and an amazing experience to own and drive it.

Most of my friends and a few family members said, great, now you're gonna turn into one of those BMW douche bags. I didn't understand what they where talking about at first but the past few cars and coffees and the last 24 pages I've read, I'm starting to understand what they were talking about.

Prove them wrong - use your turn signal like I do

[LakeSurfer]

Originally Posted by AlpineWhite_SJ

Prove them wrong - use your turn signal like I do

I make a conscious effort to do just that. I find myself using turn signals when no other cars are around.

I also steer clear of the BMW guys at cars and coffee and car shows.

[AlpineWhite_SJ]

Originally Posted by nicky dj

The ZF8 is amazing, feels like it holds the power in the low ranges better than the DCT. The S58 M3 is going to be revolutionizing performance wise with amazing potential no doubt. The bigger problem is what are we going to do with that hideous grill?

As a recent participant in the DCT vs 6MT holy war thread, I can assure you that there are plenty of people who aren’t thrilled at the prospect of the ZF8 in the G80 platform Impressions are it’s smoother in stop and go, but isn’t as quick or visceral in hard driving which is probably true, but I’m a manual Luddite so what do I know...