Why do people put "M" badges on non-M cars?

[lewis328]

Is this the really quick one?

[robbiekhan]

Check this M Power German whip out

[DevonPaul]

The most common question the wife gets about her Z4 is "Is it really an 'M'?"

I think her standard response is "no, just the badge, bodykit, suspension and drivetrain."

[pingu393]

lewis328 said:

Is this the really quick one?

It certainly knocked the spots off something

[garreth64]

I didn't realise BMW badged M Cars with model designations as well

[popeyewhite]

Because they hope it fools others into thinking they own a real M car. BMW play on the primitive instinct of pride by plonking M badges on bottom-of-the-line cars, hoping to fool mug punters into thinking the car is something it's not. AMG have sadly started doing this, although not to the same cynical degree.

[CoolHands]

2 litre petrol.

[HoHoHo]

CoolHands said:

2 litre petrol.

Wow, he's had two goes at that one

[MWM3]

HoHoHo said:

Wow, he's had two goes at that one

Yep and it is a 320i!

So he has gone to the effort of putting an aftermarket 'zorst' on and then badging as an M3. Surely if you were trying to fool people you would at least go for the quad pipes.

[pingu393]

MWM3 said:

HoHoHo said:

Wow, he's had two goes at that one

Yep and it is a 320i!

So he has gone to the effort of putting an aftermarket 'zorst' on and then badging as an M3. Surely if you were trying to fool people you would at least go for the quad pipes.

Next time you see him...

'Scuse me, mate, I think you've lost something. 2 exhaust pipes and about 200 brake horse power.

[Fox-]

popeyewhite said:

AMG have sadly started doing this, although not to the same cynical degree.

You're joking right? AMG are even worse - everything is an 'AMG SPORT' these days.

[Alex L]

Fox- said:

You're joking right? AMG are even worse - everything is an 'AMG SPORT' these days.

But they've not started plastering their cars with AMG badges yet.

[Welshbeef]

In my experience I've noticed more knob jockeys driving badges up cars like these than anything else.

I've never seen a badge up RS6/4 car

Or a DB7 v12

[Alex L]

Welshbeef said:

I've never seen a badge up RS6/4 car

Take a drive around the North Circular and you'll see pretty much every misbadged car you can imagine.

[Welshbeef]

Alex L said:

Welshbeef said:

I've never seen a badge up RS6/4 car

Take a drive around the North Circular and you'll see pretty much every misbadged car you can imagine.

Personally I like debadged RS6's and M5's and E63's. Discreet classy - those who know know and when you want to unleash the loud pedal

[Gunk]

DevonPaul said:

The most common question the wife gets about her Z4 is "Is it really an 'M'?"

I think her standard response is "no, just the badge, bodykit, suspension and drivetrain."

Really? In my experience very few people have a serious interest in cars. Even years ago when I used to own a 964RS very few people used to ask about it or know what it was, it was just a red Porsche

[Alex L]

Welshbeef said:

Personally I like debadged RS6's and M5's and E63's. Discreet classy - those who know know and when you want to unleash the loud pedal

Ditto, exactly why ours is de-badged

[TR4man]

Gunk said:

DevonPaul said:

The most common question the wife gets about her Z4 is "Is it really an 'M'?"

I think her standard response is "no, just the badge, bodykit, suspension and drivetrain."

Really? In my experience very few people have a serious interest in cars. Even years ago when I used to own a 964RS very few people used to ask about it or know what it was, it was just a red Porsche

Good point.

It puzzles me why people put M badges on non M cars as 99% of the population would have no idea (or be bothered) what it signifies. The remaining 1% who are the enthusiasts know immediately that it's not a real one.

[Kawasicki]

Alex L said:

Welshbeef said:

Personally I like debadged RS6's and M5's and E63's. Discreet classy - those who know know and when you want to unleash the loud pedal

Ditto, exactly why ours is de-badged

Discreet, except for the huge wheels, brakes and bulging bodywork, not to mention the multiple loud exhausts.

A mere badge pales into the background.

[Fox-]

Kawasicki said:

Discreet, except for the huge wheels, brakes and bulging bodywork, not to mention the multiple loud exhausts.

A mere badge pales into the background.

Who is that the debadged RS6 crowd think care anyway? Enthusiasts and Pistonheads don't need a badge to spot an RS6. Nobody else gives a toss

I get this impression they expect loads of people think 'Oh look at that 2 litre diesel A6, OH WOW ACTUALLY ITS SO FAST' or something. I bet almost nobody thinks that.