[SCOTT26]

I don't know why everybody is getting upset with no M3 Touring especially for North America as it would not be offered even if introduced.
The next X3 G01 and X4 G02 will receive M versions because they are not just market suitable its what the customer would actually prefer.

[W///]

Originally Posted by fecurtis

They just seem silly to me. I wouldn't actually be judging you that was more in jest. I've just never understood the wide range appeal of high performance SUV's.

I'm sure if I drove one I'd change my mind.

But like I said, there's obviously people who want them. I see them fairly often.

Go drive an F85 and report back.

Unfortunately, I can't afford one new.

[W///]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

I don't know why everybody is getting upset with no M3 Touring especially for North America as it would not be offered even if introduced.
The next X3 G01 and X4 G02 will receive M versions because they are not just market suitable its what the customer would actually prefer.

That would be even more upsetting. The market is small for sure, but I happen to be one of those few guys that would love one.

And it would have to be 6MT and RWD (thus ruling out X3M).

[SCOTT26]

This will be your BMW M7.

The next BMW Alpina B7.

[BlackCobra08]

Originally Posted by gmfive

Thankfully, no M7. Thanks BMW

If you think about it, the F10 M5 might as well be the M7. not long wheelbase and not as much luxury but same massive chassis. Shit, my F80 m3 is damn near the same size as the old e39 M5. and the m2 is the new e46. everything moved up a peg

[C5 FOR]

Originally Posted by C5driver

It's marketing and I understand the attraction of the M brand and the associated look.

Ultimately though, consumers who purchase an M car buy it for different reasons and I would hope that being mistaken for an M-Sport is the least of their concerns.

Being mistaken for an M Sport should be their biggest concern!!

Any M needs to stand out to every eye looking at it. Not just those that understand the nowadays small differences.

Otherwise what's the point?

[chipotle_napkins]

Originally Posted by C5 FOR

Being mistaken for an M Sport should be their biggest concern!!

Any M needs to stand out to every eye looking at it. Not just those that understand the nowadays small differences.

Otherwise what's the point?

*Cough* *Cough*

Like so:

[SCOTT26]

Everybody knows an M Sport from an M. Well those that know BMW should.
The upturned air intake , side breather, aerodynamics packet , wider track I can go on and on. They are all different and easy to identify.

BMW M is a brand that incorporates the other sub-brands M Performance and M Sport Line.
M Sport sales average 60% of each BMW model so it is beneficial for the the brands exposure and a great draw to the customer.

[bunker]

Of Course There Will Be No M3 Touring Because Bmw Hates My Stinking Guts

[dsad1]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

This will be your BMW M7.

The next BMW Alpina B7.

The Alpina doesn't compare well to the M cars when it comes to all around sportiness. Alpina does a great job in tuning the engine, but they don't do much to the suspension and interior. For example, a b6 will do well against an m6 in a straight line, but it will struggle everywhere else.

[bunker]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

I don't know why everybody is getting upset with no M3 Touring especially for North America as it would not be offered even if introduced.
The next X3 G01 and X4 G02 will receive M versions because they are not just market suitable its what the customer would actually prefer.

well Scott, it's official then. you hate me too.

[julienjj]

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

+1. It's the same with the manual transmission. People say will they buy but every year the take rate decreases.

The % of people who buy automatic increase each year, but remember, less and less car are offered with it.

The overall number of manual car sold each year do increase.

Can't say for others, but I never owned an automatic car

[MDIVISION]

So X3 and X4 in Models but no Z series M?? Wow

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by fecurtis

Lol and Jaguar isn't a share holder pleasing machine? They just built their first CUV.

When did people forget that these are for profit companies? Either expand your portfolio and sales with attractive products or lose to the competition.

Hop on any automotive forum and you'll always hear the rosy retrospection and people saying how brand x has "lost its way" or is "watering down the brand".

People mistake staying competitive for "watering down the brand".

[wdeerfield]

no m touring but we keep getting gt variants.. i read in another thread about how using a similar architecture they can build GT cars cheap enough to only need to sell like 30 to break even. how is this not the case with the m touring? many tuner shops have done the conversions so im pretty sure bmw can do it properly and still make money. if we dont get an m touring, can they atleast send the US a 340 wagon?

and slapping a m badge just means they can charge more.. its all business.

[C5 FOR]

Originally Posted by aeropixel

*Cough* *Cough*

Like so:

Like so indeed!!

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

I would add that Audi is even more diluted where they have S-Line trims, S-models and top line RS-models.

you say diluted.... ..where as they say... " Broadened the range and allowed the buyer to customize.. "

[bernpep]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Everybody knows an M Sport from an M. Well those that know BMW should.
The upturned air intake , side breather, aerodynamics packet , wider track I can go on and on. They are all different and easy to identify.

BMW M is a brand that incorporates the other sub-brands M Performance and M Sport Line.
M Sport sales average 60% of each BMW model so it is beneficial for the the brands exposure and a great draw to the customer.

BMW diluted real M car customers cars the day they attatched the letter M to sport. Now everything has m sport option making it virtually meaningless.
BMW should have just called it sport. Are customers really that delusional to think that they are getting any extra performance from the letter M?

[jphughan]

Originally Posted by fecurtis

Same goes for F-Sport (Lexus) and V-Sport (Cadillac). All they're doing is leveraging the brand equity in their respective performance arms and creating what's, really, just a sport package. Don't know why that's such a bad thing. I guess it makes sensitive people feel insecure because they bought an actual M, AMG, etc. and for whatever reason, want everyone to know it.

This. Why should I as an M3 owner care if someone can buy a 335i that looks similar? The non-M cars in a given series are virtually indistinguishable from each other -- do 335i owners care that basically everyone except for diehard BMW enthusiasts could easily mistake their cars for a 328i or even a 320i if not for the rear badge? If someone likes the aggressive looks but doesn't need (or want to pay for) the added performance of an M car, I don't see why they shouldn't be able to get that.

I'm likely about to order a GT4 and actually wish it could be toned DOWN. I love the functional aspect of that rear spoiler and will surely get great use of it at the track, but since I'll also be driving it on the road, part of me wishes it were retractable.

I guess it comes down to whether you bought the car more for your own enjoyment or to show off to and differentiate yourself from others. Meanwhile in Europe owners of cars like the expensive S Class models debadge them because they think it's crass to flaunt wealth.

[eRiggs5]

Originally Posted by fecurtis

I guess you haven't seen a C450 AMG Sport...





Same goes for F-Sport (Lexus) and V-Sport (Cadillac). All they're doing is leveraging the brand equity in their respective performance arms and creating what's, really, just a sport package. Don't know why that's such a bad thing. I guess it makes sensitive people feel insecure because they bought an actual M, AMG, etc. and for whatever reason, want everyone to know it.

You hit it on the money. Of course we aren't huge fans of it but its smart and allows people who can't afford a top performance model have a taste. I currently have an IS-F and think that the F-Sport isn't that bad of an idea. I know there are a lot of F-Sports on the road now because they are a little sportier and I don't have a huge issue with it until someone gets me mixed up with them. UGH! I feel the pain but understand it.

[dsad1]

Originally Posted by bernpep

BMW diluted real M car customers cars the day they attatched the letter M to sport. Now everything has m sport option making it virtually meaningless.
BMW should have just called it sport. Are customers really that delusional to think that they are getting any extra performance from the letter M?

They could have used the letter L for looks.

[fuddman]

Originally Posted by AdamW

...... M car sales numbers are down currently

Where are you getting this information?
I've not seen an M car sales breakout on any of the BMW sales data published on this forum. Maybe I just didn't look hard enough.