BMW have gone too far

[nunpuncher]

All the manufacturers are at it to some extent. Dilution of their top level performance brand. But I'm afraid BMW have just taken it too far with the amount of m performance tat they will now happily plaster all over any model.

Yes, the M Sport model designation has been around for years but until the very last e9x models it was just some non badged styling kit unless some tt added their own ///M badge. Now it seems you can't drive 3 yards without encountering the ubiquitous white or estoril 3er with black grills, splitters, lip spoilers, wing M badges and those fking awful big sill stickers announcing "m performance" which ironically is always accompanied by the unmistakable clatter of a 4pot diesel.

It's just too much BMW. You have killed the brand. It may have won some sales but it's really put me off BMWs

[nunpuncher]

You can have a nice looking car without having to pretend it's something it's not.

I have no issue with M Sport, S-line or AMG trim levels where it adds a more sporty body kit and some fancier wheels, even some discreet badges as long as they aren't making false claims (Adding an M to the boot of any BMW is just wrong). It's this "performance" option catalogue trend that's like a second aftermarket business that the dealers/manufacturers run. The dirty little book of chav bits they keep hidden under the counter. Massively over sized wheels with little bottle top brakes hiding underneath, fake carbon fibre front splitters and rear diffusers with little pea shooter exhausts poking out the back and those big side decals that BMW are doing.

Obviously it's good business but it just smacks of a shallow society that only care about looking flash (yes, I know i'm analysing this too much). Spend all that money you've wasted on tat on a better bloody engine.

[nunpuncher]

bigkeeko said:

It's business at the end of the day and you guys are forgetting one thing. Most people on the roads have no idea about cars, engines, pedigree or performance, they just want bling on PCP. A stock 320d with some M badging is all that matters to the neighbours and sadly if it's `diesel` it has some sort of skewed kudos with the unread.

Back in the day an E30 M3 was unmistakable as an M car and the M cars stood alone and I'm guessing that is what the OP is getting at.

Yes and no. Back then most people didn't really know what an M car was. For some reason, now a days everyone wants to have M all over their BMW without actually realising that doesn't mean it's an M car.

[nunpuncher]

vz-r_dave said:

My 97 E36 328i has M badges and the M sport kit, BMW have been doing this for a very long time so not sure why now all of sudden they have gone too far.

That being said I do think the M models are very diluted compared to what they used to be.

The turning point was when BMW recognised the fact that a few subtle, acceptable M badge on sills, steering wheels, gear knobs etc was not enough for some so saw fit to start attaching them to wings, wheels, brakes and then offering this range of "sick mods bruv M performance Aerodynamic powahhh innit" that let the oiks add even more M-ness. BMW suddenly decided that all these M badges being bought off eBay, destined for 320d boots should be sold by them. It all seemed to happen around 2010 or so. Before then it was relatively subtle. Back then a BMW dealer would have told you to fk off if you asked them to sell you an M badge for the back of your M sport. Now they'd sell you 2 and some stickers and a some glue on carbon look mirror caps.

[nunpuncher]

garylythgoe said:

Can you show me examples of where they're stuck to wings?

I was under the impression, the brakes don't come with 'M' badges, except on the M-performance models (M3, M4, M6, etc) and the M135i models.

I also think the range of 'sick mods bruv' that you describe, is actually quite a nice touch. It keeps a car within the manufacturer warranty, and the parts are genuinely well made to OEM spec, without resorting to bolting poor quality products on to your car.

They're also quite handsomely priced, so I don't know how these 'oiks' you describe can afford the bits. Perhaps a bit of soul searching needed on your part?

The wheels have little 'M' badges on them for sure, but my old mans 2004 320CD coupe had them on, and they're hardly advertising anything. They were part of the 'M-Sport' trim level he specced at the time. The non-MSport trim looked terrible to him, so he optioned the M-Sport trim.

Same with his recent 330i E92 Coupe, it's got the odd little logo which marks it apart from the rest of the range, but otherwise it's a very handsome looking car for an M-Sport with all these mental badges you describe:-



Covered in M-Sport badges.

I think you're a bit misinformed, or have a very odd perspective on it.

Misinformed. How ironic. My original post emphasises that my gripe is how BMW have gone too far recently. m meaning with series cars. Then you come along using 2 E series cars as examples of how subtle the M branding is. Yes, well done, that's the very point I was making.

And to further inform the misinformed. All NEW M Sport cars come with M badges on the front wings. You can tick a box to remove them when you configure your new m sport. It's one of those weird default opt in things.

And yes, I had a 125d that had big unnecessary blue brakes with M logos on.it wasn't an option i ticked if I recall.