[sparkyg]

While I don't agree with everything T is saying the x5M x6M is bad news, or just plain stupid.

Clearly a cash grab and a dilution and waste of time for the BMW M engineers. It is stupid. Why waste their time on gas guzzling SUVs that weight 3 tons. You cannot make it go fast and handling is a joke.

I think the influence of BMWNA is destroying the BMW//M brand.

The problem with the M cars is too much weight and too much $$$. Charge less for the M3 and it'll go out the door. Lighten the M5/M6 and it'll go way faster.

There are some curious things going on, this may be the end of the glory days of //M.

[DimSum]

not many people can afford M anyways... BMW's best seller is a 325i, 323i and 328i.

[oldaccount]

Originally Posted by DimSum

not many people can afford M anyways... BMW's best seller is a 325i, 323i and 328i.

wow, completely relevant.

[sparkyg]

Look at all the E46 M's out there, tons of people could afford them.

The //M brand really needs to realize that the M driver is a purist, deliver what the purist wants and sales will follow. BMW are too busy surfing from their I-drive and developing the X6. What a dud.

[155MPH]

Originally Posted by UltimateBMW

No Z4M. Wow. This is a shocker as well. What would they replace this segment with? Their are plenty of poeple on this forum with Z4 M coupes and roadsters. I thought this was a lock-in.

If you recall, they said there would be no Z4M in 2003 when they brought out the Z4. Time will tell.

[155MPH]

Originally Posted by sparkyg

The //M brand really needs to realize that the M driver is a purist, deliver what the purist wants and sales will follow. BMW are too busy surfing from their I-drive and developing the X6. What a dud.

We may actually have the last real ///M cars made. No iDrive, no SMG, no double clutch auto boring tranny, just real driving...

[slipknot]

its time fo changes

[ages944]

I agree that fast trucks are a bad idea. The two ideologies are fundamentally at odds (trucks and sports cars). T-Bone is right that this is brand dilution in an effort to boost sales and profit. However, don't forget that this is a corporation folks. The point is to make money. If they think it will sell enough, they'll build it.

FI is a different issue. Again, T-Bone is right in that lighter cars would be preferable to heavy and more power. The problem is that to make a car light and safe ain't cheap, and to do so would price the car right out of what most people would be willing to pay. It's a compromise. Either go with FI or get rid of the weight and start charging prices outside of the car's market segment.