[Moonbags]

We've established that you shouldn't call one an “M Car”. But BMW tourists are often confused with these new range-topping baby Ms, like my M340i or the X3 M40i.

I tell people, "It's a 3-series with some M-dust sprinkled on it." But you get that one family member going around telling people you got some M car and then you need to explain, "well, it's not REALLY an M Car." That's just awkward. Thanks BMW.

So what should we call them for short?

I like "M-Sport Cars."

[Burrcold]

M Performance, M Lite

[lemetier]

Originally Posted by Moonbags

So what should we call them for short?

Norbert

[Artemis]

[kfscoll]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

M Performance, M Lite

This.

[xlover]

Originally Posted by Moonbags

We've established that you shouldn't call one an "M Car". But BMW tourists are often confused with these new range-topping baby Ms, like my M340i or the X3 M40i.

I tell people, "It's a 3-series with some M-dust sprinkled on it." But you get that one family member going around telling people you got some M car and then you need to explain, "well, it's not REALLY an M Car." That's just awkward. Thanks BMW.

So what should we call them for short?

I like "M-Sport Cars."

BMW says they are "M cars", if you disagree buy the company... as long as they own the trademark they decide

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by xlover

BMW says they are "M cars", if you disagree buy the company... as long as they own the trademark they decide

They don't even list the M340i under their "M cars".

https://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/m-models.html

[Moonbags]

Originally Posted by Artemis

[IMG]https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/at...8;d=1613482386[/IMG]

Attachment 2621517
Attachment 2621518

Okay so I guess they would properly be called M-Performance cars, going by this.

It's tricky because BMW say they are engineered by M, but certainly it isn't ground-up. My understanding is they retrofit some M components. However, it's far more meaningful a change than the M-Sport package, so you wouldn't call it that …

[TAZ007]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

They don't even list the M340i under their "M cars".

https://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/m-models.html

Funny, I never seen M High Performance on the build website. A majority of the M40's mention M Performance.

If your confused now, they will change it in a few years just to keep us on our toes.

[MPSdriver]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

They don't even list the M340i under their "M cars".

https://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/m-models.html

Yeah they do... they call them "Additional M models"

[NeverL8]

Originally Posted by xlover

BMW says they are "M cars", if you disagree buy the company... as long as they own the trademark they decide

It’s a regular 3 series with “M” parts and accessories added to them. Just like ZHP model to A real E46 M3

So no, M340 is not a real M car. They’re not even built by the same division.

[NeverL8]

Originally Posted by MPSdriver

Yeah they do... they call them "Additional M models"

Click on “models” drop down......M340 is listed under a regular 3 series

Completely different from M cars section with M2, M3, M4 and etc.

[TAZ007]

Originally Posted by TheRussski

It’s a regular 3 series with “M” parts and accessories added to them. Just like ZHP model to A real E46 M3

So no, M340 is not a real M car. They’re not even built by the same division.

By the chart above: Mperformance cars are Engineered by M division and that is the basis of any design so they are considered M cars. Just like the M cars are Mhigh performance by the chart then the competition series. The only main difference between the former and latter is Assembly with minor performance tweeks. Bottom line, enjoy what you have.

[mkoesel]

OP has his answer thanks to Artemis and others.

I don't think the intention was to reignite debate, even though we know this is what will always happen.

Let's leave it to rest and get back to sharing enthusiasm for all things BMW.