The mainstream finally starts to get it - Jalopnik writes article on the death of the BMW M brand

Originally Posted by Remonster

but an M car is the same as the regular car except it's faster and more fun to drive and if you don't care about that then you are paying way more for the car (especially when you look at insurance, gas mileage, maintenance costs) for what? Just to have the M badge and to be able to tell people you have the top of the line 3 series, 5 series, etc.? There are exactly two reasons to buy an M car and they are the driving experience and the prestige/image.

I don't know man. The M cars are pretty gorgeous in a subtle way these days. They definitely look a bit different than the top models below them. Although I will admit that I mistook a loaded 550 for a M5 yesterday...front sport bumper is super similar! Oddly enough though, in my area, M cars are very rare. You see tons of BMWs, AMGs, Porsches, various Ferrari. Almost implies to me that the M cars are not "look at me" enough for the crowd around here.

My point is these people would be happier with the standard cars (usually) if they aren't into the driving experience thing, perfect example: I know a guy who loved the 2005 bodystyle Mercedes CLK so he went in and got the most expensive one...the CLK 55 AMG. After two years of owning it, I asked him how he liked it and he had exactly two complaints: it drank gas and the tires were too expensive (so it was expensive to own) and the ride quality sucks. I told him he would have been way happier in a regular Benz than an AMG so when he sold it he went and looked at a regular 550 and that's what he ended up buying, he absolutely loves the non-AMG.

The suspension might get them too! I mean obviously part of it is on the sales person to educate the consumer as well. Likewise, there are certainly a fair share of braggarts out there that just want to show-off. Those people should be laughed at... : )

I see so many people around me in AMG SUVs...it's nuts. I have to think that most of them just bought them for the visual upgrades because I don't see them driving fast, and usually it is a woman and/or family inside. I'm sure some of them had to have the most expensive model as well. I see G wagons and loaded rovers frequently as well. They are the most expensive SUVs on the road and almost no one is actually taking them off-road...

It would be interesting to see some actual market research on all this.

It was all fine and dandy until I test drove an X5M. I couldn't help but walk away from that shaking my head. I don't think I ever recovered from that.

Originally Posted by NatAsp-M3

It was all fine and dandy until I test drove an X5M. I couldn't help but walk away from that shaking my head. I don't think I ever recovered from that.

Explain please.

The posers are necessary so the companies get the revenue to make the true sports cars.....as long as the company doesn't lose sight of what true enthusiasts want. Why BMW won't make a lightweight edition, higher hp, track oriented e9x m3 is beyond me. These special edition current m3's with different paint, wheels, etc. Are just attempts to keep things interesting until they come out with the next generation m. Right now the competiition is fierce and BMW desperately needs a home run with this next gen m3.

M is dead, but N is very much alive! there is hope

Originally Posted by Matt@AUTOCouture

This. People in the company dont give a $#@!.

Because in the end they are putting much more money in their pockets. And just the same i dont give a $#@! because BMW isnt putting a dime in my pocket. Im not being forced to buy a new M cars

Originally Posted by bobS

The posers are necessary so the companies get the revenue to make the true sports cars.....

Porsche solved this with the Cayenne and also makes their true sports cars (GT2/GT3) their best and most sought after models.

Originally Posted by bobS

Why BMW won't make a lightweight edition, higher hp, track oriented e9x m3 is beyond me.

They do, just not in the USA.

Originally Posted by lughed

Because in the end they are putting much more money in their pockets. And just the same i dont give a $#@! because BMW isnt putting a dime in my pocket. Im not being forced to buy a new M cars

But they have lost their soul. Sure, they have now become all about making money. That's fine I suppose. They used to take more pride in their vehicles and this is what the enthusiasts notice.

The simple answer ultimately is to buy something else. I most definitely will.

Originally Posted by Sticky

But they have lost their soul. Sure, they have now become all about making money. That's fine I suppose. They used to take more pride in their vehicles and this is what the enthusiasts notice.

The simple answer ultimately is to buy something else. I most definitely will.

Record sales units man - I think pride is pretty high right now. : )

You may not agree with the direction of the company, but I don't see how you can equate that with a matter of pride. It's not as though they are turning out $#@!ty vehicles. They are still very good cars/savs/etc. overall. BMW is figuring out how to offer TONS of options and still make money. That is pretty cool. I just hope they keep some models I'm excited for around...like I said, I think the next M3 will be a great preview of the next 5 years of the strategy as it relates to enthusiasts.

Originally Posted by singletrack

Record sales units man - I think pride is pretty high right now.

For whom? Shareholders or engineers?

Originally Posted by singletrack

You may not agree with the direction of the company, but I don't see how you can equate that with a matter of pride.

Of course I can. They sold out principles for profit.

They are not $#@!ty vehicles but just because something does not suck does not mean it is as good as it could or used to be.

The M is the most aesthetically pleasing car.

what they need to do is just suck it up and make variants, the stangs, 4 cyl, 6 cyl, with close, but not really the same with the 8 cyl-then a few more variations, ie GT, MACH 1, BOSS, Saleen and GT500..

maybe not so many, but keep the M the top tier.

Originally Posted by LostMarine

The M is the most aesthetically pleasing car.

what they need to do is just suck it up and make variants, the stangs, 4 cyl, 6 cyl, with close, but not really the same with the 8 cyl-then a few more variations, ie GT, MACH 1, BOSS, Saleen and GT500..

maybe not so many, but keep the M the top tier.

Yup. I mean they have had "m packages" that are trim and wheels in Europe for years. It really has never been offered here, although they are expanding the customization features now. Audi did the same thing with the whole "s-line" branding for aesthetics, which I thought was smart.

Originally Posted by Sticky

For whom? Shareholders or engineers?

I would guess most engineers there are very proud of themselves. There will always be dissenting opinions though. I don't have a good feel for the internal culture right now though.

Of course I can. They sold out principles for profit.

They are not $#@!ty vehicles but just because something does not suck does not mean it is as good as it could or used to be.

I guess I'm just not as worried quite yet as you are...I'll join you if I don't like the next M3.

Originally Posted by singletrack

I would guess most engineers there are very proud of themselves. There will always be dissenting opinions though. I don't have a good feel for the internal culture right now though.

I would guess the internal culture is in turmoil. All this change and emphasis on profit I would argue takes away from emphasis on engineering.

Originally Posted by singletrack

I guess I'm just not as worried quite yet as you are...I'll join you if I don't like the next M3.

I already know the E92 will be my last M3.

Originally Posted by Sticky

I already know the E92 will be my last M3.

You have an E92?

Originally Posted by LostMarine

You have an E92?

So I've heard.