[BMR.WRLD]

Originally Posted by dezzracer

Apparently you are not familiar with goes into a CS model by BMW. It’s ok tho.. you and many others in the “Ill add a couple of carbon bits and a tune and I’ll have something just as good”. Good luck with that.

Enlighten is then, stop gatekeeping

[R N M]

Originally Posted by VIERsr

History says that here in Europe dealers are struggling again to sell the M3 CS and dozens of them are being put on showrooms with huge discounts on the list price, just as happened with the M4 CSL, M5 CS, M2 CS, M4 CS. And in the used market the interest is close to 0, they are all depreciating more than normal M's (compared to the list price).
I hope Bmw has learnt and doesn't miss the mark again.

The M brand is pretty much garbage now as everyone has M badge on their car. Back in early 2000s was the peak for M.
It was still very exclusive and the cars could actually hold their own vs the best from Stuggart.

Fast forward 20 years and Porsche has a thriving GT line with thousands of ppl on waitlists while BMW can’t move their Specialty models. The M division has been run into the ground for short term profits vs long term brand equity.

The cars themselves are also not as special to drive. I wish BMW can still offer a raw driving experience paired to a great sounding N/A motor. Instead they emphasize speed and luxury which is what an EV can do for much cheaper in a Model 3 or S.

The M division need to go back to basics and fire their whole Marketing division.

[Navy Davy]

Originally Posted by David1

I must be one of the only ones that likes the sound of the S55.

I actually love the sound now with my setup. The AA EL midpipe and a aftermarket muffler (Remus Race/Sport would be my choice, since those work with OEM M1/M2 buttons) makes it sound so much better. With non-res A-B pipes, catless downpipes, and burbles off it’s pristine (plus more turbo noises). If you want burbles then I’d do resonated A-B pipes, the burbles are less tinny that way and deeper, but dbs also go down.

Essentially I have a EL straight piped M2C with a muffler capable of quieting down the sound for startup. Once valves are opened it’s 🔥! Just make sure all connections are properly secured and no metal on metal contact anywhere, especially the F brace AA provides.

[ourlee]

The M brand is pretty much garbage now as everyone has M badge on their car. Back in early 2000s was the peak for M.
It was still very exclusive

I laugh at this a bit cause I give zero Fs if someone doesn’t know a M3 from a M440. Do I really wanna chat cars with that person?
It’s like the Emira boys getting excited when a rando at a gas station hits him with “I love your Ferrari”
Plenty of 993s and e36s about to buy for your nostalgia fix.

[FrozenGT]

Will be holding off until LCI. The cheap looking tail lights and fuky curved screen should be gone.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by ourlee

The M brand is pretty much garbage now as everyone has M badge on their car. Back in early 2000s was the peak for M.
It was still very exclusive

I laugh at this a bit cause I give zero Fs if someone doesn’t know a M3 from a M440. Do I really wanna chat cars with that person?
It’s like the Emira boys getting excited when a rando at a gas station hits him with “I love your Ferrari”
Plenty of 993s and e36s about to buy for your nostalgia fix.

Disagree that it’s garbage given the performance of M is broken into three divisions or tiers, and even the lowest M is more capable than the pure M’s of 20 years ago. I don’t like putting M badges on non M division cars though - that’s where we agree. It’s all over my X7 and seems silly. But it reminds me of my M cars, so there’s a silver lining.

[ourlee]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

Disagree that it’s garbage given the performance of M is broken into three divisions or tiers, and even the lowest M is more capable than the pure M’s of 20 years ago. I don’t like putting M badges on non M division cars though - that’s where we agree. It’s all over my X7 and seems silly. But it reminds me of my M cars, so there’s a silver lining.

I’d remove the M badges on a 440 or z4 etc

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by ourlee

I’d remove the M badges on a 440 or z4 etc

Wanna take this outside? Hahaha. I’m ok with it off a 440, but don’t touch my Z4! If they would just make an M roadster again…. But since they don’t, it’s the best we can get…

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Just hope the CS has a more sporty & pronounced exhaust note to it...

[dezzracer]

Originally Posted by BMR.WRLD

Enlighten is then, stop gatekeeping

The same price scrutiny was put on 2018 F80 M3CS. The factory CS specific parts alone would cost you around 15K not counting labor to attach them. (Carbon hood, splitter, diffuser, deck spoiler) Then you have CS specific lightweight alloy wheels and CS specific M sport seats that earned the car an individual badge.

BMW didn’t just guess on CS specific software settings of motor, suspension, e-diff, transmission, MDM settings, e- steering have all been optimized and tested by BMW factory drivers and M engineers with repeated laps on a track to get it all right. This cost MONEY which is passed on to us the consumer. Anyone that’s driven both a comp and a CS will tell you the total CS package is pretty impressive and worth the premium.

[R N M]

Originally Posted by ourlee

The M brand is pretty much garbage now as everyone has M badge on their car. Back in early 2000s was the peak for M.
It was still very exclusive

I laugh at this a bit cause I give zero Fs if someone doesn’t know a M3 from a M440. Do I really wanna chat cars with that person?
It’s like the Emira boys getting excited when a rando at a gas station hits him with “I love your Ferrari”
Plenty of 993s and e36s about to buy for your nostalgia fix.

So what is your explanation of the demise of M brand?
It is no longer held in high regard by many enthusiasts or automotive press.
The specialty models don’t even sell at Msrp and most used ones take a huge depreciation hit.

This is polar opposite of what Porsche has been able to accomplish with their sports cars since 2000 especially after the hated design of the 996.

You may not care about the M brand equity and that is OK but that still doesn’t change the fact that the dilution of the brand has hurt its standing in the car world hierarchy. The horrible styling, removal of DCTs, weight gain, neutered engine/exhaust sound, more disconnected inputs have all contributed to loss of luster as well.

[KevM2]

I don’t think many people who own or have driven the new M2 could put down the M badge in any logical way. The car is simply amazing and the CS will be so too

[KevM2]

Originally Posted by dezzracer

The same price scrutiny was put on 2018 F80 M3CS. The factory CS specific parts alone would cost you around 15K not counting labor to attach them. (Carbon hood, splitter, diffuser, deck spoiler) Then you have CS specific lightweight alloy wheels and CS specific M sport seats that earned the car an individual badge.

BMW didn’t just guess on CS specific software settings of motor, suspension, e-diff, transmission, MDM settings, e- steering have all been optimized and tested by BMW factory drivers and M engineers with repeated laps on a track to get it all right. This cost MONEY which is passed on to us the consumer. Anyone that’s driven both a comp and a CS will tell you the total CS package is pretty impressive and worth the premium.

No doubt CS is always better but “worth the premium” is very subjective

[ourlee]

its standing in the car world hierarchy…..

why do people care about this?

[MNoob]

Originally Posted by ourlee

its standing in the car world hierarchy…..

why do people care about this?

People seem to expect so much out of a car. It has to be perfect, appreciate in value, and collect accolades from everywhere. Good lord. Drive it, enjoy it. If you don’t, get something else. Nobody has to buy any particular car. If they do and hate it and let everyone know and keep it, that’s all choice. Let go of the inner Eeyore.

[KevinC]

Originally Posted by FrozenGT

Will be holding off until LCI. The cheap looking tail lights and fuky curved screen should be gone.

I expect the iMax screen to get worse. They’ll round the edges, get rid of the stilts, and make it 40% larger. Tech bros will ooh and ahh.

[R N M]

Originally Posted by ourlee

its standing in the car world hierarchy…..

why do people care about this?

Well because some of us are passionate about the brand and have been owners for decades and have been letdown with the new product.

[R N M]

Originally Posted by MNoob

People seem to expect so much out of a car. It has to be perfect, appreciate in value, and collect accolades from everywhere. Good lord. Drive it, enjoy it. If you don’t, get something else. Nobody has to buy any particular car. If they do and hate it and let everyone know and keep it, that’s all choice. Let go of the inner Eeyore.

Well those are the qualities if you want to be sought after and sell your product for a large premium.
Only several brands have achieved this over time.

Again its not the M buyer that changed but the M brand went a different direction so ofcourse ppl can then choose to go buy something else which many have. That doesn’t mean ppl can’t express their thoughts on the current direction of the M brand.

[ourlee]

I think you’re trying to impress others. And if old school lightweight hydraulic cars are your thing, EVERY manufacturer has let you down. May I suggest an Evora GT? People will ask you about your Ferrari at WAWA

[frostyrwd]

Originally Posted by R N M

Well because some of us are passionate about the brand and have been owners for decades and have been letdown with the new product.

And bitching about it on a forum is going to change anything?

[Bumpinjeep]

Originally Posted by ourlee

its standing in the car world hierarchy…..

why do people care about this?

BMW is a lifestyle and aspirational brand. Some people may want a performance car that is comfortable, looks good, is made from quality materials, that they enjoy driving.
Others are so obsessed with what "M" should be that they feel angry and that the brand is diluted. I mean, look at some of the posts on here. These cars are an extension of who they see themselves.

[ourlee]

Originally Posted by Bumpinjeep

BMW is a lifestyle and aspirational brand. Some people may want a performance car that is comfortable, looks good, is made from quality materials, that they enjoy driving.
Others are so obsessed with what "M" should be that they feel angry and that the brand is diluted. I mean, look at some of the posts on here. These cars are an extension of who they see themselves.

That’s why I’m poking it a bit lol