[Mark]

This article is from MotorAuthority -- http://www.motorauthority.com/bmws-m...-and-more.html

The guys over at Motorauthority had a sit down with the director of BMW, here is their post, very interesting stuff if true...

Sitting down to dinner with Dr. Kay Segler, head of BMW's M Division and former chief of Mini, is an engaging prospect for any performance and luxury car enthusiast, but this dinner proved not only entertaining, but enlightening.

There's no better source for what's planned behind the scenes at BMW's famed performance haus, and Segler gave us a few enticing hints of what might be on the way over the next several years. First on the list is the M3 GT4.

The car contested this year's 24 Hour Nurburgring endurance race through BMW's Customer Racing program, and the M Division is now considering the car for limited production so that more entry-level race teams can compete, according to Segler. He emphasized the importance of grass-roots participation in motorsport and the M Division's interest in helping to preserve and promote that aspect of competition. And that's a sentiment any enthusiast can appreciate.

Segler also discussed the possibility for a diesel M-car, but dismissed it as unrealistic until America embraces diesel more deeply since the U.S. is a key market for building any business case for a luxury or performance car. This is a familiar response when dealing with European automakers, and you can clearly see that the desire to put the cars out there exists, but without a market that's willing to pay the diesel premium it simply doesn't make for good business.

Finally, the M Sports line of vehicles was mentioned as a potential in-between line to bridge the gap between BMW's standard vehicle range and the M Division's offerings - sportier and offering an improved level of performance, but not as focused and dedicated as the M vehicles tend to be. While many might say BMW already has too many models and variations, there is a certain logic to the idea that means it could just see implementation.

[1230vani]

Smhw do not like that name, smells of Audi's "s-line" package

[ryanchua]

This smells like a M-Spec version (i.e. sport seats, badges, m stickers, sills, steering wheels, performance line equipped cars (brakes/suspension) etc) of all baseline cars readily available when launched. Unlike speccing up the models at the end of each model run....

But honestly it just looks like they're just renaming lumping in their BMW performance parts into standard cars and creating a new line for that. Unlike people buying the parts in bits and pieces now.

Originally Posted by MarkE90M3

This article is from MotorAuthority -- http://www.motorauthority.com/bmws-m...-and-more.html

The guys over at Motorauthority had a sit down with the director of BMW, here is their post, very interesting stuff if true...

[dmboone25]

Honestly, I think this will be more confusing to the average consumer than anything.....BMW used to be simple--lines of cars that made sense....but not now--it just seems like there are too many different cars to keep track of, and the naming is not simple anymore....

[hks786]

If I wanted a fast BMW but not an M, I would go for the 135i, 335i etc. I dont think there can be something between the 335i and M3. It just wouldnt work.

[hks786]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

Honestly, I think this will be more confusing to the average consumer than anything.....BMW used to be simple--lines of cars that made sense....but not now--it just seems like there are too many different cars to keep track of, and the naming is not simple anymore....

+1

Most of us guys on forums etc. can get our heads around it, but for the average customer walking into a showroom it would be very confusing understanding the model range.

[Diggy Diggy]

M3 GT4?

I think I've found my next car... I wonder what the pricing will be.

[LI E90]

makes sense from a marketing stand point.. Audi sells the S line, so why shouldn't BMW sell a line of cosmetic upgrades and charge an extra $3000+ for it

[ZStig]

relax guys, it would make room for the M to be less luxury and more sport

[ebeem]

?
We already have these "M-line" cars...M-suspension,M-steering(wheel),M wheels,M bumper etc.
so what`s the point of the whole thing?

[LeifW]

Originally Posted by LI E90

makes sense from a marketing stand point.. Audi sells the S line, so why shouldn't BMW sell a line of cosmetic upgrades and charge an extra $3000+ for it

They already do this in the M-Sport Package.

I imagine this M Sport line may be similar to the performance package that came out for the E46. I wouldn't be surprised if BMW offers a package that has many of the current performance parts installed. I, for one, am hoping for such a package. Having the performance parts factory installed would give me a certain level of comfort. If you order the parts separately, you're relying on a dealership to install the parts. The qulaity of the installation can vary depending on the dealership.

Leif

[Tallest]

Originally Posted by Croatian

Smhw do not like that name, smells of Audi's "s-line" package

actually it's probably more like some Tii line where you get performance steering wheel and recaro buckets standard. and it will cost more.

[MI6]

Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle

relax guys, it would make room for the M to be less luxury and more sport

I agree mate..........

Dr. Segler mentioned increased performance- not just a few "M" bits tacked on for looks.

It makes sense too. I remember when M3's were 40K, M5's were 60k and the only Bimmer even close to a 100K was the 750iL.... Now we have 95K M5's,
70K M3's and so on.......Now think of the next gen M5 and M3 - no doubt we'll be looking at over a 100k for 5er and 80k- for an M3??!!! WTF....!!!

Now granted the new cars will be give performance to die for but what about all the people that can't afford 80-100K for their next "M" car?

Thus you have the "M" sport line......

[96OCTNE]

What would be the point of buying an M if this falls through? "to bridge the gap between BMW's standard vehicle range and the M Division's offerings" everyone will have a "poser M" car instead of a real M vehicle. The M models will lose sales and eventually die out.

[Add1ct]

Diesel M? I'll buy one, make it and they'll come!

[Carrera RSR]

Originally Posted by Croatian

Smhw do not like that name, smells of Audi's "s-line" package

Originally Posted by ryanchua

This smells like a M-Spec version (i.e. sport seats, badges, m stickers, sills, steering wheels, performance line equipped cars (brakes/suspension) etc) of all baseline cars readily available when launched. Unlike speccing up the models at the end of each model run....

But honestly it just looks like they're just renaming lumping in their BMW performance parts into standard cars and creating a new line for that. Unlike people buying the parts in bits and pieces now.

M Sport of any engine or model already exists for us in Europe

From 118i to 750i including all diesels. Just look and spec your car here

http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/homepage/

Audi has S Line, Merc has Sport including AMG additions and extras, BMW has M Sport including M badged extras. We all know its not a real ///M. We are not trying to decieve anyone. Just nice to have a good looking car with M trinkets with a 2.0d engine and 215 bhp (with tuning box)

[positiveions]

I smell ZHP again

[southlight]

Originally Posted by ebeem

?
We already have these "M-line" cars...M-suspension,M-steering(wheel),M wheels,M bumper etc.
so what`s the point of the whole thing?

The point is that these M sport cars will also get a power bump.

First car to get this kind of M Sport packages is the X6:

X6 35i M Sport - 326 hp
X6 50i M Sport - 449 hp


Best regards,
south

[Add1ct]

Originally Posted by PM3

Yeah right!!!!! can u imagine an M with 4500rpm has the limit and that "wonderfull" rattle matched with some smoke upon kick down???

U NUTS SON???

The point of an M car is the sound, the revs, the rear whell drive, the madness, not the economy and the torque of a tractor (and sound).
Plus diesel engines arent all thats cracked up to be. Petrol engines are getting almost as frugal as a diesel.

Its all about the plaesure of driving not mp gallon man!!
You and those crazy asses currently at bmw should have there heads checked

I disagree, M is for Motorsport, and i think you'd agree that Audi has proved year after year at LeMans that diesel can and does dominate motorsport.

[dhillont]

i really hope they don't make m-line packages across the spectrum of vehicles. I know they already offer it on a range of cars but seriously the M package is dumb. If you want the performance, look, feel, and badges, buy an actual M, not a 335 or 550. I get that most people can't afford the premium but then again that exists because not everyone should necessarily have M's. I personally think it waters down the allure of having an M.

[Add1ct]

Originally Posted by PM3

I am talking about a driving experience...or u telling me you rather have a Q7 V12 tdi (based on the audi as you mencioned) thats most likely faster and as more pulling power than an m3???

typical from you americans to confuse power with "pleasure".
You know, on of THE best m cars ever, is the original e30 m3...do you know how many hp it had and torque?? check it out...it might even surprise you to know that your 135i as a lot more power than that car did, but pitch both against one another and see wich one is the best!

Also read the reviews on the R8 tdi concept

I never said any of the above. And yes, I am familiar with the e30 M3. I find it intriguing that a cultured and sophisticated European such as yourself can't see any pleasure in a diesel. Have you seen the reviews on the 335d, especially those done on the Euro version. Less power than the 335i but somehow the testers found much the same pleasure.

Also interesting how you accuse us Americans of confusing power for pleasure when you, being an all-knowing European, are certainly aware of the fact that diesels do not have the same power as their gasoline counterparts.

So wait then. The e30 M3 has a lot less power than the 135i but yet it's the better car per your European official statement. Therefore, following your circle of logic, a diesel 335d with less power than the current M3 is also the better car, because remember, we don't want to confuse power with pleasure.

[dhillont]

Originally Posted by MI6

I agree mate..........

Dr. Segler mentioned increased performance- not just a few "M" bits tacked on for looks.

It makes sense too. I remember when M3's were 40K, M5's were 60k and the only Bimmer even close to a 100K was the 750iL.... Now we have 95K M5's,
70K M3's and so on.......Now think of the next gen M5 and M3 - no doubt we'll be looking at over a 100k for 5er and 80k- for an M3??!!! WTF....!!!

Now granted the new cars will be give performance to die for but what about all the people that can't afford 80-100K for their next "M" car?

Thus you have the "M" sport line......

INFLATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!