[W///]

Originally Posted by Law

You see, BMW's marketing has worked because this is exactly what they want people to think, that the current MPAs are some sort of offspring or descendants of the M535i, when it is far from the truth.

The M535i wasn't just a 5er with a sport package slapped with M-badges to help it sell better.
It was available only with a dogleg manual transmission and was equipped with a standard LSD from the factory (not "port install" or "dealer install").
Chassis and suspension components were modified/strengthened, shocks made by Bilstein, wheels by BBS, brake rotors had a thicker and vented construction, and Recaro seats were standard equipment.
Final assembly was finished by hand at the BMW Motorsport GmbH facility in Preussenstrasse.
Where it fell short of being a "full" Motorsport vehicle was that the motor was an M30 (BMW AG motor).
That all changed when they took the same formula above but stuck the M1's motor into the engine bay with the E28, spawning first M5.

Based on the above formula, neither the M235i or the X4 M40i, etc. are similar in philosophy or quality of construction.
The only thing they have in common is the "M" badge whilst not being full M-cars.
But understand that the M535i was developed by BMW Motorsport GmbH as a special vehicle, not as a segment filler designed to follow market trends.
That's the difference.

Actually, you'd be surprised how much work in conjunction with the folks at Garching goes into those MPA's.

Can't say the same about the Msports.

Still though, I've said it many times. All I care about is the car I'm driving. Not once have I cared when a 5GT Msport has pulled up next to me at the light while I'm in my E92 M3 about how that car is diluting the M brand. It's just 100% irrelevant as far as I'm concerned. If it helps them build cars like the M4 GTS or something like a 911 fighter, then great.

No different than how the 911 guys were bitching about how there are Porsche SUV's everywhere. Who cares?