[techwhiz1]

Originally Posted by IanH

Here's a fun post that I can add to this fiesta.

OBVIOUSLY the G87 M2 sets the real M car bar. I put in some often discussed competitors for points of reference.

I think the modern M-Lites have show here that they are closing the gap compared to the modern M's - a lot of people might say thats because of a dilution of the new M cars and boost of the M-lites at [...]

I think it's a lot like the Corvette scenario
C8 Z06 > C7 ZR1
C7 Z06 > C6 ZR1

The latest generation M-Lite equals or surpasses the last generation M. It only makes sense. You have improvements across the product line and you use the last generation innovation in M for the current generation M-Lite.

People get so invested in what an M is, and it doesn't really matter. It comes from M snobs. I've owned M cars and non M Bimmers and one thing is true, even the non M are better than the market competition in driving dynamics and performace. There is a reason why Porsche, VW and Mercedes are having issues and BMW is thriving. BMW is building what people want, for the most part anyway.

People buy M, M-Lites, EV M, etc because they fit their lifestyle.

I say; but what you like and drive it.

[IDBGOD]

Originally Posted by techwhiz1

So while it's factually true that it's not M, it smokes any M-Light variant and most M3/4 on the streets; 544hp and almost 600lb-ft of torque.

Except it doesn’t really smoke most M3/4’s on the streets. The manual obviously, and the rear wheel drive variant it can beat on a short burst, but not the xdrive. Most people have xdrive these days unless they were one of the first to the g8x platform back in 2021.

You can clearly find the 0-60 time right in BMW USA’s website (3.4 for the M3/4 xdrive, and 3.7 for the i4 M50. The rear wheel drive is only .1 slower, and that’s going to depend more on the driver. So while the M50 is quick, it’s really not “smoking” any M3/4 besides a bad manual driver.

That said, the i4 M50 is a great car for what it is. Personally I think the new upcoming M3 EV and EV future in general looks promising.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by techwhiz1

I think it's a lot like the Corvette scenario
C8 Z06 > C7 ZR1
C7 Z06 > C6 ZR1

The latest generation M-Lite equals or surpasses the last generation M. It only makes sense. You have improvements across the product line and you use the last generation innovation in M for the current generation M-Lite.

People get so invested in what an M is, and it doesn't really matter. It comes from M snobs. I've owned M cars and non M Bimmers and one thing is true, even the non M are better than the market competition in driving dynamics and performace. There is a reason why Porsche, VW and Mercedes are having issues and BMW is thriving. BMW is building what people want, for the most part anyway.

People buy M, M-Lites, EV M, etc because they fit their lifestyle.

I say; but what you like and drive it.

i've made this arguement before when i said the 1M wasn't a real M car ... it didn't go over well...

the succeeding generations m235i was faster on every track... but that's not because the m235i imho was so good because no one remembers that car but rather the 1M was a weird parts bin car that just wasn't very good unless all you wanted to do was drift

[Dinan_Rated]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

The link does not work for me. Is the 10% real M cars like M5 or does it include the watered down versions like M550i?

It encompasses all models from the M Division and the M Performance line, which BMW considers an integral part of the M Division. However, it does not include base models with M appearance packages—only models like the M40i, which are performance-oriented. This is similar to how AMG includes models such as the GLC43 and GLE53, while excluding base models with AMG styling packages.

[BMthusiast]

I'm 100% guilty of being an M-elitist, and I get very frustrated when I accidentally wave at an M Performance driver.

[Dinan_Rated]

Originally Posted by BMthusiast

I'm 100% guilty of being an M-elitist, and I get very frustrated when I accidentally wave at an M Performance driver.

hey family is family and they are part of it too....

[techwhiz1]

Originally Posted by IDBGOD

Except it doesn’t really smoke most M3/4’s on the streets. The manual obviously, and the rear wheel drive variant it can beat on a short burst, but not the xdrive. Most people have xdrive these days unless they were one of the first to the g8x platform back in 2021.

You can clearly find the 0-60 time right in BMW USA’s website (3.4 for the M3/4 xdrive, and 3.7 for the i4 M50. The rear wheel drive is only .1 slower, and that’s going to depend more on the driver. So while the M50 is quick, it’s really not “smoking” any M3/4 besides a bad manual driver.

That said, the i4 M50 is a great car for what it is. Personally I think the new upcoming M3 EV and EV future in general looks promising.

Forget what the website says. Real world the i4 M50 does 0-60 in a put 3.3 as tested by C&D.

Also does 11.6-9 in the quarter mile.

I'm interested in the next M4 (EV only) to see what it is. If they can't get the battery energy capacity up, it's no better than an i4 M50 with extra power. Energy capacity of battery needs to go up for more range or lighter battery.

Let's see if solid state batteries make it by then.

[Dinan_Rated]

Originally Posted by techwhiz1

Forget what the website says. Real world the i4 M50 does 0-60 in a put 3.3 as tested by C&D.

Also does 11.6-9 in the quarter mile.

I'm interested in the next M4 (EV only) to see what it is. If they can't get the battery energy capacity up, it's no better than an i4 M50 with extra power. Energy capacity of battery needs to go up for more range or lighter battery.

Let's see if solid state batteries make it by then.

agree

[Logical]

Remember when we didn’t need to waste energy debating what an M car was….. because it was obvious?

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by Ohio Enthusiast

I always felt Audi did it best - S models for the mid-tier sporty models, and RS models for the top dog sporty models (Porsche might be even better with the Base, S, GTS, GT3/4 progression, but you probably need to be a Porschephile to follow along (and to figure out how the Turbo models branch out)). BMW and Mercedes painted themselves into a corner with only offering M and AMG for top dog, leaving nothing to market the mid-tier except a bigger number (328i->335i, C200->C350, etc.). BMW at least has an easy nomenclature to distinguish M-Performance to full M (with just the model number for full M (M340i vs M3)); Mercedes just use a smaller number, which doesn't work well cross models (A45 is a full AMG, but C43 is AMG-lite). With Audi's way they also did S-Line which is purely cosmetic on the bottom-tier cars, without diluting the RS brand.

Audi was a good tier system until they watered down their RS brand
Porsche obviously does it best with the GT cars at the top and base, S, GTS tiers.

[NickyC]

Originally Posted by BMthusiast

I'm 100% guilty of being an M-elitist, and I get very frustrated when I accidentally wave at an M Performance driver.

LoL! Name checks out.

[EIAlfonso]

It use to be that M cars were identifiable by a WBS VIN, did that go by the wayside?

I don't care about them classifying an M340 as an M car. I just weigh the value of car and likes dislikes and decide what's best

Audi S, RS. BMW M3 M3.40, Hyundai N whatever...

[IDBGOD]

Originally Posted by techwhiz1

Forget what the website says. Real world the i4 M50 does 0-60 in a put 3.3 as tested by C&D.

Also does 11.6-9 in the quarter mile.

I'm interested in the next M4 (EV only) to see what it is. If they can't get the battery energy capacity up, it's no better than an i4 M50 with extra power. Energy capacity of battery needs to go up for more range or lighter battery.

Let's see if solid state batteries make it by then.

Yes, and the M3 xdrive did sub 3’s, 2.8 as tested as well. So sure we’ll ignore BMW posted data. It’s still faster in the real world.

I had an i4 M50 (leased one). It in no way holds a candle in feel or performance to the M3. I’d probably lease one again as a daily. Solid car but not in the same realm. (Wouldn’t really be anyway, it’s EV vs ICE)

[techwhiz1]

Originally Posted by IDBGOD

Yes, and the M3 xdrive did 2.8 as tested as well. So sure we’ll ignore BMW posted data. It’s still faster in the real world.

So again, i4 M50 is not “smoking an M3” and the xdrive beats it very single time besides bad drivers.

These are facts not opinions.

Smoked was a poor choice of words.
It was also be for the M3 got a power bump a couple of years ago.

[IDBGOD]

Originally Posted by techwhiz1

Smoked was a poor choice of words.
It was also be for the M3 got a power bump a couple of years ago.

All good. I have had my fair share of M’s, M-lites, and EV’s. All were great cars.

I4M50 was a strong competitor when they first came out, and yeah gave the standard and rear wheel drive M3/4 a good run for their money in terms of pure acceleration.

It was the perfect daily for me when I was running the lease.

[SpinalTap]

Originally Posted by ///M TOWN

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

Originally Posted by nioh_lbbm2

This is like Lexus saying all of their cars are F cars. Because literally their entire line of cars are their fake F sport trim.

Why then hell is this dumb article front page worthy? Bimmerpost is a shit hole

Someone give this dude a hug.

[Tejas1836]

Originally Posted by EIAlfonso

It use to be that M cars were identifiable by a WBS VIN, did that go by the wayside?

I don't care about them classifying an M340 as an M car. I just weigh the value of car and likes dislikes and decide what's best

Audi S, RS. BMW M3 M3.40, Hyundai N whatever...

I think that still holds for German made M, WBA for German made non-M. American made M starts with 5YN, iirc.

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by SpinalTap

Someone give this dude a hug.

I’ll take a hug…

I’d need more than a hug to drive a Lexus

[rlampare]

Originally Posted by wdeerfield

Whatever keeps the bean counters happy. But if it continues to add budget to M, the enthusiasts should remain quiet and happy.

Originally Posted by ASAP

m lite and m sport cars are included... they are pumping numbers and clearly its working as average price of models has skyrocketed

nothing below a true comp model should have an m badge on it but here we are

Does this mean I have to return the aftermarket M fender badges I just bought for my recently purchased M550i here in the United States?
Or are you guys just gonna throw red paint on my M550 I in protest?
I bought the car for myself as a Christmas gift and have been deliriously. Happy with it until I read your thread here… Now I feel like the redheaded stepchild.

[rlampare]

Originally Posted by mrdudley

Lot of elitism going on this thread. Why does it matter if BMW counts M perf cars in their “m” bucket?

Also why tear down m perf cars. As somebody who owns both an M2 and an X3 M40i, they are both excellent vehicles and both very fun to drive. And the X3 is better than any of its direct competitors. Let people buy and drive what they want and what they can afford.

Besides more folks buying m perf means the m branding is working, which means BMW has to keep investing in the “real” m cars to keep the halo.

[pbonsalb]

I take all the M badges I can off the exterior of my M cars. The fender vents are still a giveaway on the M5 but I peeled off the M5 label.

[kmarei]

Originally Posted by Alvy26

https://www.carscoops.com/2025/01/bm...ler-was-an-ev/

- New figures from BMW show the performance M division had its best ever year in 2024.

- The M division sold 206,582 vehicles, accounting for 9.4 percent of total BMW production.

- The M2 and M3 both experienced growth but the electric i4 M50 was the best seller.

if we include the non BMW M models (user added M badge)
you know, the ///M330i, ///M228i, ///M X5 etc
M models count for 46.7%