The M Badge on non-M cars debate, a slightly different twist
Discussion
4rephill said:
I think you are confusing the use of an ///M badge with that of an ///M(3/5/6) badge and are getting a bit het up about something and nothing quite frankly!.
Fitting an M3/M5/M6 badge to a car that is not a genuine factory made M car is definitely a no-no to Me as it is claiming the car is something it blatantly isn't.
However:
The first Mass produced car from BMW's M-division was the M535i:
This car did not have an "M" engine fitted, it had a standard production engine, upgraded suspension, M-division aero parts (which was basically a front air dam and (rubber)rear spoiler), 3mm thicker front brake discs (but they were the same diameter and the rear brakes were left standard), a close ratio gearbox, a limited slip differential, Recaro front seats, a three spoke sports steering wheel, ///M535i badges (not ///M5), front and rear and that was about that. This model was not classified as a "tarted" up production car though, it is recognised as being the first M-division production car.
Now compare that for example, to the E30 325i Sport:
This came with a standard production engine (as was the M535's), upgraded M-tech suspension (as was the M535's), M-tech aero bodykit designed by the M-division (as was the M535's though there was less of it), standard brakes all round (so this is different to the M535), a close ratio gearbox (as was the M535's), a limited slip differential (as was the M535's), Recaro front seats (as the M535 had), M-division three spoke Sports steering wheel (as was the M535's) and, BMW had no compunctions about fitting ///M badges to the front and rear of the car despite the M-division not assembling it, so are BMW a
holes for fitting the badges?, it's their badge to with what they like after all.
Where's the real difference between the two?. The M-division workers are not car building God's who were born with unique abilities that the other BMW workers do not possess, they merely work in that department instead of another at BMW. If you need further proof of this: All current BMW M-cars are assembled on the exact same production lines as the standard production models, by the same workers!.
Now My E36 328i Sport came from the factory festooned with various ///M badges. So again, are BMW aholes for using their own badge? (and I'm quite happy to admit that when I had to scrap My previous 325i Sport I took the factory fitted ///M badge off the bootlid and it now sits proudly on My 328i Sport on the opposite side to it's 328i badge. it's not claiming to be an M3, it's merely stating that it has genuine Motorsport parts fitted to it as do all the other factory fitted badges and it's a homage to My previous beloved car).
If you think I'm an ahole for having the ///M badge on the rear of My car then frankly that's your tough st as far as I'm concerned!.
BMW themselves have no issue with the badge being there because they understand the difference between an ///M badge and an ///M(3/5/6) badge!. (It's a pity more BMW owners don't understand the difference!).
If it comes from the factory fine, otherwise not for me. Fitting an M3/M5/M6 badge to a car that is not a genuine factory made M car is definitely a no-no to Me as it is claiming the car is something it blatantly isn't.
However:
The first Mass produced car from BMW's M-division was the M535i:
This car did not have an "M" engine fitted, it had a standard production engine, upgraded suspension, M-division aero parts (which was basically a front air dam and (rubber)rear spoiler), 3mm thicker front brake discs (but they were the same diameter and the rear brakes were left standard), a close ratio gearbox, a limited slip differential, Recaro front seats, a three spoke sports steering wheel, ///M535i badges (not ///M5), front and rear and that was about that. This model was not classified as a "tarted" up production car though, it is recognised as being the first M-division production car.
Now compare that for example, to the E30 325i Sport:
This came with a standard production engine (as was the M535's), upgraded M-tech suspension (as was the M535's), M-tech aero bodykit designed by the M-division (as was the M535's though there was less of it), standard brakes all round (so this is different to the M535), a close ratio gearbox (as was the M535's), a limited slip differential (as was the M535's), Recaro front seats (as the M535 had), M-division three spoke Sports steering wheel (as was the M535's) and, BMW had no compunctions about fitting ///M badges to the front and rear of the car despite the M-division not assembling it, so are BMW a
holes for fitting the badges?, it's their badge to with what they like after all.Where's the real difference between the two?. The M-division workers are not car building God's who were born with unique abilities that the other BMW workers do not possess, they merely work in that department instead of another at BMW. If you need further proof of this: All current BMW M-cars are assembled on the exact same production lines as the standard production models, by the same workers!.
Now My E36 328i Sport came from the factory festooned with various ///M badges. So again, are BMW a
holes for using their own badge? (and I'm quite happy to admit that when I had to scrap My previous 325i Sport I took the factory fitted ///M badge off the bootlid and it now sits proudly on My 328i Sport on the opposite side to it's 328i badge. it's not claiming to be an M3, it's merely stating that it has genuine Motorsport parts fitted to it as do all the other factory fitted badges and it's a homage to My previous beloved car). If you think I'm an a
hole for having the ///M badge on the rear of My car then frankly that's your tough st as far as I'm concerned!. BMW themselves have no issue with the badge being there because they understand the difference between an ///M badge and an ///M(3/5/6) badge!. (It's a pity more BMW owners don't understand the difference!).
Are you OK? You seem a little het up over this?
dustystylus said:
This wasn't meant to be a thread about the M Badge .. more about the tuners badge! (AC Schnitzer, Alpina, Hartge)
Steady on, Alpina aren't a tuner but a manufacturer in their own right. Not that there's anything wrong with being a tuner mind but since this thread is about pedantry and brand image/marketing then we'd better be accurate. People do get funny about Alpina badges on non-Alpinas on the owner forums. There's much fun had in pointing out the fakes which come up for sale every once in a while.
This is a recent culprit (520d SE underneath):
bmw535i said:
Wills2 said:
If it comes from the factory fine, otherwise not for me.
Are you OK? You seem a little het up over this?
Well he might have been on 15th October 2011 when he posted it, I'd imagine it's probably not worth questioning him over don't you think? Are you OK? You seem a little het up over this?
Oh and have these back
Wills2 said:
bmw535i said:
Wills2 said:
If it comes from the factory fine, otherwise not for me.
Are you OK? You seem a little het up over this?
Well he might have been on 15th October 2011 when he posted it, I'd imagine it's probably not worth questioning him over don't you think? Are you OK? You seem a little het up over this?
Oh and have these back
's 
Thing is it is just us human beings, when I had my E46 330i I genuinely felt good when I saw guys around my age (22) in their 318's, I always used to floor it off to let them know that I have a straight 6, My favourite was petrol stations, straight 6 bmw's have that signature deep growl when you start them up, now it's not a case of being rich and poor as my 330i was an X reg worth 1600 pounds and 318's actually cost around the same.
After seeing that guy in the 318, I'd be going along the motor way and I'd see an M3 behind me, id move out he way and think, damn, I'd love an M3, he'd probably feel the same way I felt toward the 318 hahaha
Anyways it's like being a kid, when I was in school, there would always be that one kid who had the nicest pair of trainers/football boots...he'd love the attention and love knowing he has the best pair, its one of those things that will never change!
AS for M badges, I dont think it matters, you could have a 318i M sport now thats a 1.5 3 cylinder, M badges everywhere as a marketing tool so if Andy the marketing excecutive can have M badges on his 3 cylinder BMW, why can't you have an M badge on yours!
Point is, it's ok to feel superior when you have a straight 6 to someone who doesnt, or an M3 to a 330i, but not when your car is an M sport and the other isnt! IMO of course
After seeing that guy in the 318, I'd be going along the motor way and I'd see an M3 behind me, id move out he way and think, damn, I'd love an M3, he'd probably feel the same way I felt toward the 318 hahaha
Anyways it's like being a kid, when I was in school, there would always be that one kid who had the nicest pair of trainers/football boots...he'd love the attention and love knowing he has the best pair, its one of those things that will never change!
AS for M badges, I dont think it matters, you could have a 318i M sport now thats a 1.5 3 cylinder, M badges everywhere as a marketing tool so if Andy the marketing excecutive can have M badges on his 3 cylinder BMW, why can't you have an M badge on yours!
Point is, it's ok to feel superior when you have a straight 6 to someone who doesnt, or an M3 to a 330i, but not when your car is an M sport and the other isnt! IMO of course
It's the same thing now with my type r civic, theres a feeling of satisfaction when you see a 1.6 civic wifh type r bumpers and a massive exhaust and he sees that you have the real thing! It looks like im going off topic but its actually related to the debate, deeming an M badge acceptable
Panda76 said:
False Badges on on cars have always been a bug of mine tbh..
Hate it , it's all so obvious too, unless it's a sleeper...
I fking love proper M's , I,m currently head over heels in love with the E92 white black roofed power stonking M..Thing of beauty imo.
In about 10 yrs time when my fking mortgage is paid off and I'll be 48 , maybe balding , very bitter,very cynical and very smug I,m going to to spunk a fk load of money an an M and nail the fking nuts of it ..
Just saying .
Threads a load of bHate it , it's all so obvious too, unless it's a sleeper...
I f
king love proper M's , I,m currently head over heels in love with the E92 white black roofed power stonking M..Thing of beauty imo.In about 10 yrs time when my f
king mortgage is paid off and I'll be 48 , maybe balding , very bitter,very cynical and very smug I,m going to to spunk a fk load of money an an M and nail the fking nuts of it ..Just saying .
ks, apart from this man, he's a proper chap 
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff