[Mark]

Bryan from Kilometer magazine got to sit down with Dr. Segler during the BMWCCA Octoberfest event where the first part of the 1-Series M Coupe was revealed, but the interview is very general in nature and hits on a few topics. The event was almost a month ago, and theres not much new information here, but for those not familiar with Dr. Kay Segler and his vision of what BMW M stands for, how it operates and what the future holds, this is certainly worth the read. Here are a few select quotes. Follow the link at the bottom for the full article!

KM- We’re here today at Road America with the BMW Club for Oktoberfest. All around us are M cars of every variety. Tell us what the M brand means to BMW.

Dr. K- For me it’s the pinnacle of BMW. In one way or another, you don’t need to make a compromise. The cars are a little more costly, so we can use technologies that sometimes come only later into series production, like the use of carbon fiber in our M3. Therefore, it’s the pinnacle of sportiness for BMW.

KM- And how much of a pure M car will this 1 M be?

Dr. K- It will be an M car. Period. Again, think about the three sequences of driving. The handling is the most important part.

KM- What is your favorite M car of all time?

Dr. K- Well, it’s between the E30 M3, because it was so pure, and the new M3 GTS. They’re very different cars, but both are very honest cars. I like honest cars.

Full article: Kilometer Magazine

[Vel]

Would Dr. K's 'favorite car', the M3, happen to be the same one that just tied with the Mustang?

[MDyDinanM]

Would Dr. K's 'favorite car', the M3, happen to be the same one that just tied with the Mustang?

if you are referring to Motor Trends comparison, the M3 won, but just barely.

see video link below:

I think all brand cars that produce sport cars, whether it's Ford, Chevy, etc all strive to be comparable to the latest M3. The M3, in my opinion, and i've read it elsewhere, probably Car & Driver, sets the standard for all automakers to strive to be like.

[BBK]

Sigh...


Segler: "In one way or another, you don’t need to make a compromise."

That's not true at all, all cars are a comprimise between something. The 1M Coupe is a MASSIVE comprimise.

[E60orBust]

Originally Posted by Vel

Would Dr. K's 'favorite car', the M3, happen to be the same one that just tied with the Mustang?

That is too short-sited of a statement. Ford had to completely revamp the mustang with a 5.0 Coyote engine to come close to the M3, which has remained largely unchanged (EDC not-withstanding) since inception.

If you compare the first model E92 M3 coupe to the same mustang of that year, I think the gap is more obvious. Of course this is outside the realm of price differences, but you have to pay to play. Lets pit the currently redesigned mustang with a 5.0 engine against the forthcoming redesign M3 in ~2012 and you will see that gap return.

[jmunro]

Unfortunately BMW didn't make the M1 what it could have been, but made it into some sort of Frankenstein compromise!

[crackberry]

Originally Posted by E60orBust

. Lets pit the currently redesigned mustang with a 5.0 engine against the forthcoming redesign M3 in ~2012 and you will see that gap return.

lets hope the new m3 is coming. i almost bought a e93 m3, but stopped myself because i want the newest m3.

back on topic, im glad he chose 2 m3's as his favorite M cars. its a sign that they will not drop ball that the new m3 because he is obviously invested into it.

[M3 Pilot]

I am not quite sure if I would consider the M3 GTS as an extreme example. More could be done I'm sure.

Nonetheless the hints I take away from reading the article is that power delivery in future turbocharged M cars will be more linear as compared to current 335 and 135. Perhaps this may suggest keeping the same 8000rpm redline which is a good thing if they do implement it.

I'm glad that they are keeping true to the ///M Philosophy when making M cars complete package (brake, handle, accelerate well) rather than outright horsepower cars (straights).

[SlammedR8]

Originally Posted by crackberry

lets hope the new m3 is coming. i almost bought a e93 m3, but stopped myself because i want the newest m3.

back on topic, im glad he chose 2 m3's as his favorite M cars. its a sign that they will not drop ball that the new m3 because he is obviously invested into it.

umm...you should probably go out and buy your E93 M3, because the new M3 is at least 3 years out. You can go lease your E93, return it in 3 years and possibly still have to wait a couple months for the "NEW" M3 to come out.

[southlight]

I'm shocked, Dr. K never owned an M personally:

KM- You told us already that you drive an X6 M. Have you owned any M cars personally?

Dr. K- Well, I’ve been with BMW for 22 years now, so I’ve always driven company cars. [T]he two personal cars I own are both Minis, which my boys have taken away from me.

Passion for M sounds different, IMO.


Best regards,
south

[3XTR3M3]

Originally Posted by southlight

I'm shocked, Dr. K never owned an M personally:



Passion for M sounds different, IMO.


Best regards,
south

I have owned every M3 besides the E30. I'm willing to bet I don't have a fraction of the experience or time behind the wheel of an M car as K does.

Owning is such a broad term. Is a 3 year lease considered owning? Is a 5 year buy considered owning?

[BMWPower06]

Originally Posted by southlight

I'm shocked, Dr. K never owned an M personally:



Passion for M sounds different, IMO.


Best regards,
south

That would explain the current direction ///M is heading in, No?

[southlight]

Originally Posted by 3XTR3M3

I have owned every M3 besides the E30. I'm willing to bet I don't have a fraction of the experience or time behind the wheel of an M car as K does.

Owning is such a broad term. Is a 3 year lease considered owning? Is a 5 year buy considered owning?

It's purely subjective, but I'd prefer a guy who shows passion for the brand he oversees beyond his profession. Being with BMW for two decades and not getting an M despite significant employee discounts clearly doesn't.


Best regards,
south

[Remonster]

Originally Posted by southlight

It's purely subjective, but I'd prefer a guy who shows passion for the brand he oversees beyond his profession. Being with BMW for two decades and not getting an M despite significant employee discounts clearly doesn't.


Best regards,
south

Why would he ever want to own anything? He said he's had like 20 BMWs and drives an X6 M now...if he drives them every day, does it matter if they're actually in his name or the company's?

[southlight]

Originally Posted by Remonster

Why would he ever want to own anything? He said he's had like 20 BMWs and drives an X6 M now...if he drives them every day, does it matter if they're actually in his name or the company's?

No, but it does matter that -- judging from his statement -- his interest in BMW M cars was limited before he became the boss of BMW M. Owning an M would just have been one way to show some passion.


Best regards,
south

[southlight]

Originally Posted by formula M

I don't think many perceive it that way. I am certain Dr Kay knows the M heritage, but his career didn't allow him to be inside BMW's head, he had Mini. And look where that's gone.

He had Mini for four years, which also means that he was with the BMW brand for 16 years. I have no doubt that he's following a professional approach since he was appointed head of BMW M. I'd still prefer a guy with passion for the brand.

Originally Posted by formula M

I would suspect that the 1M is not going to disappoint. It may not be up everyone's ally, but I am quite certain that thing is going to handle and be nimble as f-uck!

No doubt about that. Like I said, Dr. K is not the worst thing that could have happened to M, but just as little is he the best thing that could have happened to M.


Best regards,
south

[jmunro]

Originally Posted by formula M

How do you even know?

Obviously I'm basing it on the details we've heard. But as more and more *real* details come out, more and more people are underwhelmed.

[datbimmerdoe]

hmm, interesting...