[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by bucketfoot

If putting an M on something helps BMW sell more cars then more power to them.

Nobody is actually hurt by them doing this... OK there's the people who have their ego hurt because it's not a real M car

The problem came when they watered down the m brand itself

And now they install m-sport brakes on the x1/2 and not on the Z4M40i

[A_]

Nowadays it is difficult to meet a BMW on the road that is not an M car. That's why I bought a 7 Series without the M Package. It looks different to 95% of all 7 Series on the road. Unique

[Dgjo2022X5MC]

This comes up every year.

I had always hoped full fat M cars would be counted and considered separately, but it seems that ship has sailed.

This is almost like a ‘ghost’ P&L. Numbers can be sliced and diced pretty easily. The real ‘full M’ figures are in there somewhere.

I guess engines preceded with sXX probably best way, even though that is probably not perfect anymore?

[bucketfoot]

Originally Posted by ///M TOWN

The problem came when they watered down the m brand itself

The problem to who... Not BMW.

You could argue that BMW ceased to be BMW when they launched their first SUV... oops, sorry I mean SAV.

Hate to break it to all of you... BMW is a business and they don't give a rats @$$ about enthusiasts. They are in business for one reason... the all mighty $$$

This kind of stuff has gone on for ages. I can remember Mustang owners who said my 72 Mach I wasn't a "real" Mustang as it was too big and bloated.

[Jd19]

Originally Posted by ASAP

interesting... i too have or have had both of those vehicles, the m40i is a fine sporty suv however at its core outside of the engine and brakes its identical to a 30i... the m2 is nothing like an m sport car.

Are there not more differences between an X3 M40i and 30i? At least with an X5/X7 you can get a M50/60 with DHP which makes a big difference.

Agreed with the overall sentiment of not counting M-lites as ‘real’ M cars. Was hoping that the M division at least dialed M lite cars in a little better than just engine and brakes. My iX M60 handles vastly better than an iX 50 without DHP. Have not had the chance to drive an iX 50 with DHP but you would think there would be some differences outside of the powertrain and brakes, similar to what Porsche does with its GTS models.

[KillerBlackRhino]

Let’s agree that we all love BMWs. As a BMW owner for decades I have owned non-M, Mish and M Performance vehcles. I currently own an X7, X3MC and an M8GCC. I love all three for the different things they provide. Ihad a 750il. I had an X3i30 that I didn’t enjoy driving very much. Also an X3m40 that was a blast. But the closer you get to a “Full M” the more fun they are to drive. At 60 years old, I still look for any excuse to get into my BMW and drive.
Not every BMW owner is a crazy enthusiast that needs an M. I do, but I don’t resent cars with a tuned B58 having some M badging or being included in the large M sales umbrella.

[Logical]

M performance is now M from sales perspective? That is sad

[eman4517]

Originally Posted by ///M TOWN

The problem came when they watered down the m brand itself

And now they install m-sport brakes on the x1/2 and not on the Z4M40i

Yes, that. So, I've mellowed out significantly over the past several years with all of the healthy disdain that I've acquired for some of the questionable design choices that BMW has taken recently; hell, I even bought 2 G8x's, however these (M Dilution) threads always entertain me. It's like a lycanthrope seeing a full moon and I revert, so here comes my rant!🤣 🦊

It's like having political arguments with my friends, it starts off cordial and all nicey-nice, then it turns into pure M vs what is a pure M and elitest and manual, etc etc.blah, blah blah.

Take the Real vs Lab-grown diamond dilemma. Both are "technically" diamonds because they're created /formed by a similar process and the lab grown can pass many of the same tests, just one is more special, unique and rare than the other to some. You may own both, but you only take the other one out on special occasions. It's unique and not a dime a dozen. In the past, there were cubic zirconia and it was obvious, now they're very hard to tell and the average person cannot tell with the naked eye. however, you can.

Yes, agreed. BMW is the business of selling cars, maximizing profit and bringing people over from other brands, who maybe don't want, need or have the means for a full/true M pedigree, just the status. Dilution of something (to some, anyway) could render it less unique and special. I.mean, come on; they're throwing M mirrors, dual exhaust, carbon roof, flat-bottom steering wheels and M badges on everything and now it's an M car? It's a little much. Please.

Does it annoy me, yes; would I own both, probably, however even though I've bought 7 BMWs in just the past 10 years alone, I probably still don't matter to the bean counters at BMW. It's just a numbers game. We all have the current marketing teams to blame for this. They'll all move on and most likely be selling Audis or ruining another brand in a few years and have an equal demise like Jaguar, forcing some of us to say enough of this shit and just go to another brand.

Everyone is entitled to their opinions. I'll be happy with all of my choices regardless. Like I tell my friends after were done arguing politics or whatever, there ain't no good guy, they're ain't no bad guy, there's only you and me and we just disagree, then we cling our beer bottles (and I probably not talk for about a month) 😝 cheers🍻

[Dgjo2022X5MC]

How about this:

SXX engine powered cars are true M cars.

Does this test work? (Any M Performance vehicles with a SXX engine?).

[TheJerseyDon]

Originally Posted by Dgjo2022X5MC

How about this:

SXX engine powered cars are true M cars.

Does this test work? (Any M Performance vehicles with a SXX engine?).

your kidding right?

[Killed by Death]

We all know what a M car is, too bad BMW doesn't.

[G MONEY]

You can definitely tell the F and G series M’s. They sound like absolute dog shit!!! Lol.

[yousefnjr]

Originally Posted by Dgjo2022X5MC

How about this:

SXX engine powered cars are true M cars.

Does this test work? (Any M Performance vehicles with a SXX engine?).

Iirc the M60i SUV’s have the s68

Couple Alpina’s with S58 too I think

Better idea — I’m going to go have a beer

[techwhiz1]

Originally Posted by ///M TOWN

That’s because it’s $80K fully built here in North America

I'm aware, I own a fully built i4 M50.

[NickyC]

The "BMW ///M Lifestyle" just doesn't hit as hard as it once did.

[techwhiz1]

Originally Posted by geddylee

The only reason the I4M50 has sold well is due to the highly subsizdized leases, supported by tax credits. Once those go away, you no longer have a winner on your hands and more buyers would likely prefer the M340i, all things being equal.

The M340i xDrive isn't even close in performance. It also currently leases at $759 a month and $5600 due at signing (base is $62k)

M440i xDrive GC is $869 with $6k at signing (base $67k)

The i4 M50 is leasing at $599 with $6700 due at signing (base is $71k)

Even if the subsidies go away the i4 M50 is still a better car and has almost 150hp more and beats it from 0-60 by more than a half a second. Also requires no oil changes, etc.

It's more than just the incentives. I bought mine in 2023 (ordered in 2021 when announced) I know several other people that purchased (not leased) in 2024. It's not just the lease deals.

And a fully built i4 with factory 20" wheels looks distinctly different than the run of the mill i4 eDrive or xDrive versions or the M340 or M440.

[techwhiz1]

Originally Posted by Dgjo2022X5MC

How about this:

SXX engine powered cars are true M cars.

Does this test work? (Any M Performance vehicles with a SXX engine?).

So it's only engine? Not suspension or interior?

Really?

[nick3753]

So what % of BMW models are classified as “M” vehicles? Seems higher than 10%, no?

[car_fan]

Why can’t BMh just bring back the “is” and/or sport designation (i.e. 335is, 535is, 4.8is, etc.) this is coming from someone who’s owned a 330i ZHP, and a X3M40i. No need to put an ///M badge on every exterior and interior panel for the “non ///M” cars.

[M5ddox]

Gosh I’m so dumb! Why did I trade my m550i for my F90. I’m an idiot! What have I done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by MisanoblueZ4

Let’s add to elitism in this thread, only MANUAL shift M cars are real M cars. Anything with a ZF8 doesn’t count.

So you’re saying my x7 40i with M badges all over it doesn’t count?!? And how about our iX M60 with 610 HP and 811 lb-ft/1100 nM ???



*Only true M say M first in the moniker with one number after them or perhaps an X#M. Period.*

[G30 B58]

Originally Posted by NSXR

I don't think so. "M" has just come to mean "increased performance over the base model." So in that light it's not a scam, it's just providing increased performance without having to buy a much more expensive, and difficult to deal with true M-Car.

Did you miss the ?