Here's IMO BMW new marketing strategy:

[Damage Inc]

I think BMW's strategy is to leave room for the CSL to be the "king of the road" title over the RS4\MB AMG\CTSV. If you think about it, if the M3 = RS4 in terms of performance, then the M3 CSL will for sure be the "best".

So now you have different segments of BMW:

1. "non M, normal bmw" - 335i - softer, more comfortable than the E30, E36 type cars but still sportier than the competition. Nice daily driver, more appealing to the masses, but less appealing to the "enthusiast".

2. "normal M" - more sport than the non-M but not too hardcore to "scare off" the badge buyers.

3. M+ CSL: super hard core, but super premium. this allows bmw to keep their "title" of best sport sedan\gt type segment above audi\mb but still keep sales\profit high in the #2 segment.

Remember that most people buying E46 M3 were going after the faster 3 series, as many M3 buyers jumped to a 335i and are very happy. I have some friends who did this saying they like the power of the M3 but want a more comfortable car.

Anyway, if I was BMW this is what I would do and after reading the reviews this is becoming more evident. Its a business after all and you have to pay to play...

[Damage Inc]

And dont forget... most people buying an M3 really dont WANT what a CSL is all about. I mean do you really want the compromise of a nosier, no stereo, cardboard floor type ride as a DD? I already think the CB roof is all for show. I mean come on, I do 10 track days a year and I doubt I'm going to feel the benefits of a carbon roof. Its marketing and bragging rights...

[Jason-NY]

Yeah, so apparently this $60k+ M3 is a stopgap until the real M3 shows up in 2-3 years. That's SOFA KING ridiculous! It's bad enough we've had to deal with Bangle for years now (luckily the E90/E92 were mostly spared his wrath) and now this horseshit. I'm glad I got on the wait lists for the GT-R as well as the M3.

[MI6]

How is making a car for a certain segment of drivers horseshit?

Using your logic than an Enzo/McLaren driver would think a CSL or GTR is
horseshit.........

[The CSL]

It'd a dangerous game to play, because they risk losing those buyers who wanted the best car M make (as the M3 always is, the higher ones are compromised) as they can't afford to pay for what they really want in an M3, the CSL version.

[Jason-NY]

Originally Posted by MI6

How is making a car for a certain segment of drivers horseshit?

Using your logic than an Enzo/McLaren driver would think a CSL or GTR is
horseshit.........

What "segment of drivers" would that be? Clearly not the enthusiasts because they all just wrote a half dozen reviews about their disappointment in the new M3. The E46M3 was the enthusiasts model, the CSL was the track junkies versions that came equipped with tires you couldn't even use in the rain. BMW has the 328/335 models to market to the candyass crowd who want the Cadillac like experience in their cars with comfy suspension, overboosted steering and a overall sense of disconnect that this E92M3 seems to promise us. This M3 is another bloated, terminally electronically-assisted "luxury" car from BMW, following after the Mercedes customer. What a sad fucking day for sure.

[Garrett]

Originally Posted by Jason-NY

What "segment of drivers" would that be? Clearly not the enthusiasts because they all just wrote a half dozen reviews about their disappointment in the new M3. The E46M3 was the enthusiasts model, the CSL was the track junkies versions that came equipped with tires you couldn't even use in the rain. BMW has the 328/335 models to market to the candyass crowd who want the Cadillac like experience in their cars with comfy suspension, overboosted steering and a overall sense of disconnect that this E92M3 seems to promise us. This M3 is another bloated, terminally electronically-assisted "luxury" car from BMW, following after the Mercedes customer. What a sad fucking day for sure.

+10 ..!!!

Funny thing is, Mercedes (AMG actually) is realesing thier Black Series to be more BMW like. AMG buyers were becomming more and more displeased with the AMG tag because all it offered was rediculious Horsepower and nothing in terms of agility, balance and response. The Black Series targets these aspects to make their cars more nimble..etc.

Funny how BMW is forgetting what led to making the M3's an icon. Now their bloated pigs... I want a DFI car thats weighes 2,900lbs and has 400hp/350ft-lb tq and revs to 7,500rpms and has technology and refinement.




-Garrett

[RandyB]

Originally Posted by Garrett

+10 ..!!!

Funny thing is, Mercedes (AMG actually) is realesing thier Black Series to be more BMW like. AMG buyers were becomming more and more displeased with the AMG tag because all it offered was rediculious Horsepower and nothing in terms of agility, balance and response. The Black Series targets these aspects to make their cars more nimble..etc.

Funny how BMW is forgetting what led to making the M3's an icon. Now their bloated pigs... I want a DFI car thats weighes 2,900lbs and has 400hp/350ft-lb tq and revs to 7,500rpms and has technology and refinement.




-Garrett

Good luck finding many 2900 lb cars in this day and age of safety requirements, etc.

[nusevad]

Not trying to throw this discussion off topic, but why didnt BMW make the new M DFI? Are they leaving that for the upcoming CSL? If thats the case i feel disgusted...

[Garrett]

Originally Posted by RandyB

Good luck finding many 2900 lb cars in this day and age of safety requirements, etc.

Fiberglass body panels...? Tube frame, carbon fiber floorpan These are not exotic meterials nor manufacturering difficulties.

Hell, I settle for 3,100lb car...!

What safety requirments..? (devil's advocet) Air bags 2x 25lbs.

[swiss_cornholio]

Originally Posted by MojorisinM3

I think BMW's strategy is to leave room for the CSL to be the "king of the road" title over the RS4\MB AMG\CTSV. If you think about it, if the M3 = RS4 in terms of performance, then the M3 CSL will for sure be the "best".

So now you have different segments of BMW:

1. "non M, normal bmw" - 335i - softer, more comfortable than the E30, E36 type cars but still sportier than the competition. Nice daily driver, more appealing to the masses, but less appealing to the "enthusiast".

2. "normal M" - more sport than the non-M but not too hardcore to "scare off" the badge buyers.

3. M+ CSL: super hard core, but super premium. this allows bmw to keep their "title" of best sport sedan\gt type segment above audi\mb but still keep sales\profit high in the #2 segment.

Remember that most people buying E46 M3 were going after the faster 3 series, as many M3 buyers jumped to a 335i and are very happy. I have some friends who did this saying they like the power of the M3 but want a more comfortable car.

Anyway, if I was BMW this is what I would do and after reading the reviews this is becoming more evident. Its a business after all and you have to pay to play...

+1

To underline this, there will be the M3 sedan which certainly will not be a track car!

[RussianM3_dude]

The CSL is bound to be ridiculously expensive, GT3 money and most people will choose the GT3.

[Hans Delbruck]

all you whiners are making me ill.......



"tube frame, carbon fiber floorpan" -- do you have any idea what this would cost to (mass) produce?

The M3 is what it is. BMW does not make sports cars, they make sports sedans and coupes. If you don't like it, don't buy it. Also, I find the term "badge buyers" offending. (with a 997 GT3, Lotus Elise, S2000, Boxster S, Evo 8 and Radical SR3 all in our collection, I think I speak with some credibility - sorry I had to bring that up)

Whiners and punks, go home or get your own "why we hate the M3" website... which, BTW you haven't even driven.

[NewhouseEnt]

Originally Posted by Hans Delbruck

all you whiners are making me ill.......



"tube frame, carbon fiber floorpan" -- do you have any idea what this would cost to (mass) produce?

The M3 is what it is. BMW does not make sports cars, they make sports sedans and coupes. If you don't like it, don't buy it. Also, I find the term "badge buyers" offending. (with a 997 GT3, Lotus Elise, S2000, Boxster S, Evo 8 and Radical SR3 all in our collection, I think I speak with some credibility - sorry I had to bring that up)

Whiners and punks, go home or get your own "why we hate the M3" website... which, BTW you haven't even driven.

[Damage Inc]

Originally Posted by Hans Delbruck

all you whiners are making me ill.......



"tube frame, carbon fiber floorpan" -- do you have any idea what this would cost to (mass) produce?

The M3 is what it is. BMW does not make sports cars, they make sports sedans and coupes. If you don't like it, don't buy it. Also, I find the term "badge buyers" offending. (with a 997 GT3, Lotus Elise, S2000, Boxster S, Evo 8 and Radical SR3 all in our collection, I think I speak with some credibility - sorry I had to bring that up)

Whiners and punks, go home or get your own "why we hate the M3" website... which, BTW you haven't even driven.

I never said I'm not happy with their new "strategy" or complaining, just stating I think this is the direction I"m heading. I'm looking for a daily driver, not a $100k track toy, so a "more refined" M3 isnt a bad thing for a buyer like me then let somebody who wants the hardcore version pick up the CSL.

[JEllis]

Sorta premature seing has how there have been no real comparisons yet except for the RS4 Cab Vs. M3 which the M3 won but that was a paper race.

Lets wait and see some head to head comparo's before we starting rushing to make bottom line statements...

Jason

[roburado]

Originally Posted by JEllis

Sorta premature seing has how there have been no real comparisons yet except for the RS4 Cab Vs. M3 which the M3 won but that was a paper race.

Lets wait and see some head to head comparo's before we starting rushing to make bottom line statements...

Jason

How about this? Let's have people actually drive the cars first and then make a judgment.

[NaTuReB0Y]

Why can't BMW be like any other normal manufacturer and released ALL of its models at the same time to its consumers to choose. I would have bought a 335i........

[nusevad]

Originally Posted by NaTuReB0Y

Why can't BMW be like any other normal manufacturer and released ALL of its models at the same time to its consumers to choose. I would have bought a 335i........

I guess they can make more money this way? Keep in mind they are already developing a CSL...

btw whos the girl in your awesome avatar?

[NaTuReB0Y]

Originally Posted by FifthStreetz

btw whos the girl in your awesome avatar?

Macy Sky

http://images.search.yahoo.com/searc...hOYbvE9gAAAA@@

[nusevad]

Originally Posted by NaTuReB0Y

Macy Sky

http://images.search.yahoo.com/searc...hOYbvE9gAAAA@@

nice! :rocks:

She is smokin hot~