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09-16-2009, 04:02 PM | #89 | |
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That said, some of the common features that I could get on a car that is 50% of the price should be standard without exception. In my mind, this is a car that is meant to be blasted through Germany/NY/CA/etc and enjoyed in comfort. You should be smiling as you blow by Mercs and Audis trying to keep up with you. It is sophisticated and aggressive in one affordable package. A backup camera being provided at additional cost is just cheeky and goes against that mentality. |
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09-16-2009, 06:37 PM | #90 |
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I may be out on a limb, but I don't view it as a status symbol at all. A 911, yes. An M3 (and only an M3), no.
Most people dont know what it is on the road and think it's a 3 and dismiss it. Those that know, know it's more than the average car. It can still have the comforts while flying under the radar. When I see other M3's, I know the driver picked a car that is fun to drive without the flashy nature that comes with a 911. |
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09-16-2009, 06:53 PM | #91 | |
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09-16-2009, 08:37 PM | #92 | |
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09-17-2009, 02:27 AM | #93 |
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As I've read through the various posts here there seems to be a few common threads:
The "thin" (focused) version of the car, with BBK, exhaust, ECU, gadget delete, multiple weight delete items, might not be the CSL holy grail, but it would allow folks to get much closer to that ideal. I seriously doubt BMW is going to do a CSL about face, but this might be feasible within their current production options w/o much, if any, re-tooling or R&D. Sales are what drives a company's decisions about future direction, so adding to the M3's sales through a more luxury oriented version, while probably distasteful to some, might be the price to pay to allow us to have the more hardcore version. BMW isn't Porsche--and their direction seems to be to expand their base. We may not like it, but that's the way it is, and I think one could argue that given their total product line it's how they will survive. Given that, if BMW could produce a more focused version (or allow you to order it that way) would folks balk if there were a way to make it more luxury oriented as well? Would this concept just further alienate the performance enthusiasts? I can't gauge how deep the division is here--maybe it's so deep that this approach would totally alienate the "focused" camp. (I have less worry, on a gut basis, that the luxury camp would care about there being a more focused version). The answers here would be interesting in terms of the other reflection (below). The other reflection I have is that this whole "debate" about what "M" means--how far above the rest of the base series (3, 5, 6) M sits (the 335 factor if you will), the general direction of BMW (specifically as it applies to M)--is a very big deal to the enthusiast crowd that BMW can't afford to ignore. Sticky started a similar discussion (about what M and the M3 "are") when he planned to sell his car and the thread really captivated folks. (It was on another board, don't go searching for it here, 15K+ views in a short time until closed.) And look at the view count on the "CEO...next M3...Turbo" thread! Almost 22K views. Folks have a strong reaction about what "M" means: it's focus, far above the other models in the same series in performance, performance above luxury, and certainly NOT AN SUV (or SAV or whatever label is in this week). The enthusiast crowd, the performance oriented folks, and the cars they go for, really give luster to the entire brand. M + hardcore/performance drivers make M M--M doesn't stand on its own--it's a symbiotic relationship. That relationship puts the "Ultimate" in the Ultimate Driving Machine. Tamper with that (e.g alienate the enthusiast crowd) and I think the sporting/performance character of the entire brand takes a hit. That's a big deal. Even if BMW goes "hybrid" or "green" keeping M M (which means retaining the folks who support to the brand) is key to in what differentiates BMW from, say, Toyota. BMW means, to many (or used to) hardcore performance. Not luxury--yes, luxury was/is part of it--but the essence and soul of BMW was/is performance. So M, and all that goes with it, and the crowd it supports, and who support it are, it would seem, rather integral to long-term success of BMW. BMW, are you listening? If you are, and you fail to act, you do so at your own peril. Last edited by Finnegan; 09-17-2009 at 03:03 AM.. |
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09-17-2009, 09:30 AM | #94 |
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A BACKUP CAMERA? YOU ARE HAVING A FREAKING LAUGH
IF YOU CAN'T PARK YOUR FREAKING CAR WITHOUT A CAMERA YOU SHOULDN'T BE IN A CAR! Next you'll want active cruise control! lol +1 on the WTF are BMW making M versions of the X5/6 ///M is about driving and motorsport. its not about anything else. Gimme the V8, gimme the MDiff, gimme MDM, gimme EDC, gimme the extra track width and the carbon fibre roof, those things should be included as the MINIMUM and thats where the spec should start. bluetooth should be mandatory on all cars, fed up with twats driving whilst on the phone. If you want anything else it should be an option or you should buy the 335i/335d. Oh and yes I've got some comfort options on my M3 but I'd rather the car was stripped out to start with and you add things you want, so I'd be ticking: Comfort seats and leather and heat Media system including nav, premiuim audio, aux and ipod and digital radio. folding mirrors 19inch wheels nice shiney piano black interior
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09-17-2009, 10:43 AM | #95 | |
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09-17-2009, 11:33 AM | #96 | |
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I don't recall saying that a backup camera is needed to park. What I recall saying is that it allows you to fit into tighter spaces. While you're looking for your next $2,000 ceramic exhaust mod, I'm simply asking for a $50 upgrade that actually has some practical function. There's something about this whole reply that reminds me about this joke I've heard about BMWs. It had to do with the difference between BMWs and Porcupines. |
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09-17-2009, 12:01 PM | #97 |
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comfort access should be standard, even the damn nissan sentra has it...
+ ipod port also i weep when i get into my family accord sedan, after you buy the nav you get everything else standard, heated seats, upgraded system, heated mirrors also i think the driver aids should be standard, as they can always be turned off |
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09-17-2009, 12:07 PM | #98 |
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- MDM
- Alarm (useless, but definitely a deterrent) - Bluetooth - Spare Tire - Water Temp gauge - Aspheric Mirrors - Real Fibre interior trim, not leather
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09-18-2009, 11:26 AM | #99 |
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F-ck these are exactly the options I was gonna suggest!
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09-18-2009, 12:01 PM | #100 |
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I have no problem with having to buy options. That is why they're called options. Porsche is even worse.
But even some of the most rudimentary sports cars have HUD, or the option of having it. This is a safety feature and should be included as an option. Kinds BS that is not. You people have to understand, if the options are standard, the price of the car will rise commensurately.
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09-18-2009, 12:22 PM | #101 |
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I'd change the steering wheel a bit. Heated (Live in Canada) and all the buttons on the steering wheel should be for driving functions, not radio and other bs.
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09-18-2009, 12:27 PM | #102 |
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+1. It is ridiculous that it is part of $3250 package
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09-18-2009, 03:29 PM | #103 |
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I agree, MDM SHOULD be standard!
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09-18-2009, 05:55 PM | #104 | |
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Even when we were in Vegas, the M3 got a lot of attention in the parking lot or Valet by people who were just walking by or waiting for their car. I think part of the attraction is it's just a little out of reach for many, but still something many people can dream about realistically owning some day. I don't think it's a status symbol, but there are a LOT of people who buy it just because it's an M, but have no idea what an //M is suppose to represent.
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Let me get this straight... You are swapping out parts designed by some of the top engineers in the world because some guys sponsored by a company told you it's "better??" But when you ask the same guy about tracking, "oh no, I have a kid now" or "I just detailed my car." or "i just got new tires."
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10-12-2009, 02:57 AM | #107 | |
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Here in India the M3 comes pretty much loaded. It would have been nice if we could spec a HUD, climate comfort windscreen (it's hot here, year 'round) and perhaps cooled seats (not sure I'd pay extra for them, but options are always good). The air conditioning in the M3 is sub-standard as far as Indian temperatures are concerned.
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For instance, I paid MORE for my car here than a 911 S, because I did NOT want a flashy car and I like the fact that most people here don't give my car a second look. In India the M3 costs what a F430 costs in the U.S. and people make all sorts of assumptions about you based on what car you drive. The anonymity, every day usability (on crap roads) and overall performance / practicality balance the M3 afforded was a big plus for me. |
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10-12-2009, 03:02 AM | #108 |
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a german chick
or a group of them. |
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