BMW killing M Brand with M Performance Autos?

[GrussGott]

BMW’s M Performance line of vehicles will be replacing the brand’s “is” models, we’ve learned from a BMW source. Slotted between the brand’s regular lineup and the true M GmbH–developed high-power cars, the M Performance models are developed in close collaboration with M ... The Z4 M35i could come to market in early 2015; the M335i (or M435i) will be launched next year.

http://blog.caranddriver.com/m-perfo...next-gen-bmws/

Glad I just bought one while M still means something.

Hey BMW

[bnombe]

Pardon my ignorance but is this like the S Line in Audi?

TBH, IMHO replacing the 'is' trim with M Performance models isn't that bad. It maybe a better utilization of the M brand value than just selling M parts (cosmetic ones which they still sell) to dress up regular bimmers.

[TurboBimmer]

Well it all depends what these "M performance" models offer over the regular models. If it's just 20hp more and a few badges or aero parts, then I pass on and M has really become a marketing gag

Now if they add serious business as an LSD and handling upgraded, then we're talking.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by bnombe

Pardon my ignorance but is this like the S Line in Audi?

Yes and no.

Audi doesn't badge "S-line A4" or, worse, "S A4"

I'm not a big M guy and I'm not even a BMW guy. Prior to my M3 I had an S4 and before that an s-line a4 (didn't even realize that), an A4, an Allroad, and an A6.

And then I bought an M3 ED sight unseen ... Never even test drove it or any BMW.

My practical friends would say,"what kind of BMW is this??? An M3? Never heard of that ... Is it like a 335 or something?"

I admit it. I like the distinction. Makes me feel like this ridiculously expensive over-powered DD is worth it.

Now M335 vs M3? Sounds like the M335 is better. More numbers.

In short BMW has taken something from me and I'm not getting anything in return. I have to admit that it'll make me rethink the brand.

Already has.

[clar]

The problem with M performance is that there is only one letter being used: M. Audi at least could play with S and RS to distinguish the products. BMW only has the letter M to play with and that inevitably, makes M owners feel that something has been stolen from them. Maybe they should call it N135 or something

[HotIce]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

Yes and no.

Audi doesn't badge "S-line A4" or, worse, "S A4"

I'm not a big M guy and I'm not even a BMW guy. Prior to my M3 I had an S4 and before that an s-line a4 (didn't even realize that), an A4, an Allroad, and an A6.

And then I bought an M3 ED sight unseen ... Never even test drove it or any BMW.

My practical friends would say,"what kind of BMW is this??? An M3? Never heard of that ... Is it like a 335 or something?"

I admit it. I like the distinction. Makes me feel like this ridiculously expensive over-powered DD is worth it.

Now M335 vs M3? Sounds like the M335 is better. More numbers.

In short BMW has taken something from me and I'm not getting anything in return. I have to admit that it'll make me rethink the brand.

Already has.

Actually, yes they do.

[superfans]

Actually there are more than 2 tiers when it comes to performance models e.g. M335 / M3 / M3 M Performance edition / M3 GTS ....

[mrkhanna16]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

Yes and no.

Audi doesn't badge "S-line A4" or, worse, "S A4"

I'm not a big M guy and I'm not even a BMW guy. Prior to my M3 I had an S4 and before that an s-line a4 (didn't even realize that), an A4, an Allroad, and an A6.

And then I bought an M3 ED sight unseen ... Never even test drove it or any BMW.

My practical friends would say,"what kind of BMW is this??? An M3? Never heard of that ... Is it like a 335 or something?"

I admit it. I like the distinction. Makes me feel like this ridiculously expensive over-powered DD is worth it.

Now M335 vs M3? Sounds like the M335 is better. More numbers.

In short BMW has taken something from me and I'm not getting anything in return. I have to admit that it'll make me rethink the brand.

Already has.

Your friends don't know what an M3 is?

[usmcbmw]

why would they get rid of the M's. Just gunna push people to AMG

[zenderm3]

I don't necessarily like what BMW is doing with these M Vehicles. However, I hope that this is a phase that they are going through.

[dmk08]

Man this makes me think about trading in the 09 I've only had a few months and ponying up for a 2012-2013 model with very low miles.

[IFX]

M is over after the e9xM.

[smmmurf]

Originally Posted by IFX

M is over after the e9xM.

+1

[MiamiE93Vert]

How would a 335M be different from the 335is?

[SamS]

Originally Posted by MiamiE93Vert

How would a 335M be different from the 335is?

Probably wouldn't be too different. And they'd call it an M335i, not 335M.

[Vybz]

????????? What are you guys talking about??

The article has nothing to do with killing the M brand. Or as a die hard fanboys would probably call it "diluting" the M gene pool. Who gives a shit if instead of using 335is they want to refer to the car as a 335M (M335). Does replacing the "is" on their top tier 335s emasculate your e9x M3? Did your M3 magically just turn into a civic?

The IS models already had m performance parts that they could opt to put on their vehicles, if they put a "m" prior to the model # instead of an "is" after to display their additional expense does it really hurt anything? (besides people's ego's apparently)

How would a 335M be different from the 335is

There is no difference. the "IS" badge will no longer be used for top tier models it'll be replaced with an "M".

As autobahn335 said, it's all probably just a marketing gag. It'll most likely work too. This really isn't a reason to get upset though. If anything is being damaged by this, it's people's personal pride more then it is the M brand.

[tibra1]

Originally Posted by Vybz

????????? What are you guys talking about??

The article has nothing to do with killing the M brand. Or as a die hard fanboys would probably call it "diluting" the M gene pool. Who gives a shit if instead of using 335is they want to refer to the car as a 335M (M335). Does replacing the "is" on their top tier 335s emasculate your e9x M3? Did your M3 magically just turn into a civic?

The IS models already had m performance parts that they could opt to put on their vehicles, if they put a "m" prior to the model # instead of an "is" after to display their additional expense does it really hurt anything? (besides people's ego's apparently)

There is no difference. the "IS" badge will no longer be used for top tier models it'll be replaced with an "M".

As autobahn335 said, it's all probably just a marketing gag. It'll most likely work too. This really isn't a reason to get upset though. If anything is being damaged by this, it's people's personal pride more then it is the M brand.

Its all a marketing gag and it does show how BMW is abadoning its roots..there has been some form of an "IS" model since what the 70s? and now they want to up and change it to an "M"..pretty soon BMW's catch phrase will go from ..."M the most powerful letter in the world..to M the most common letter in the world".. sad

[DARK_M3]

Originally Posted by Vybz

????????? What are you guys talking about??

The article has nothing to do with killing the M brand. Or as a die hard fanboys would probably call it "diluting" the M gene pool. Who gives a shit if instead of using 335is they want to refer to the car as a 335M (M335). Does replacing the "is" on their top tier 335s emasculate your e9x M3? Did your M3 magically just turn into a civic?

The IS models already had m performance parts that they could opt to put on their vehicles, if they put a "m" prior to the model # instead of an "is" after to display their additional expense does it really hurt anything? (besides people's ego's apparently)



There is no difference. the "IS" badge will no longer be used for top tier models it'll be replaced with an "M".

As autobahn335 said, it's all probably just a marketing gag. It'll most likely work too. This really isn't a reason to get upset though. If anything is being damaged by this, it's people's personal pride more then it is the M brand.

Nailed it.

[Foodle]

This has been discussed sooooooo many times before. This type of M branding has been used in the past and the M cars are still doing fine.

[drchuck72]

Hasn't anyone ever seen the AMG badged C350, E350, E550, S550 etc? Mercedes has been doing in the factory what others have done after the fact to BMWs for years. BMW is just using the M Brand to sell more cars. After all, anyone who's owned the ZHP E46 330 can attest to the fact that the car has M Badges all over the place, The only difference now is that the M Badge will also be on the decklid.

Who cares? As long as there is a true M model to be had, I'm still going to buy one (unless I move up to a P Car).

[W///]

Originally Posted by IFX

M is over after the e9xM.

That's what the E46 crowd said when the M3 went to a V8

It's a damn badge. That's not why I purchased my M3. I couldn't care less if it was called M4 either.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by bnombe

Pardon my ignorance but is this like the S Line in Audi?

Audi S Line ~ BMW M Sport
Audi S ~ BMW M Performance
Audi RS ~ BMW M