Fake ///M cars
Discussion
I was passed by a blue BMW on my way to work this morning on the A30. As it came past I noticed the trademark side grilles of an M3 (not the new one, the one previous) and thought as I do on occasion, hmmm I do like those M3's, wonder what they're retailing at, maybe I'll have a look later, blah blah blah.
But as the rear came in to view there was an M badge right beside the 320CI.
I just shook my head and carried on.
Anyone else have as little tolerence as me?
But as the rear came in to view there was an M badge right beside the 320CI.
I just shook my head and carried on.
Anyone else have as little tolerence as me?
There are enough styling cues to make it difficult to properly immitate a modern M-car I think. Well, I say modern, but the E30 had square shoulders, so that's pretty tough to copy as well. I'm most often thrown by E39s with the M-sport chin, only to discover that they've just got the one sooty pipe at the back. Very disappointing.
The biggest head-shaker I saw recently was a new Audi 'S6' in Harpenden. I see very few of these, so I was quite keen to gawp at it as I walked past. Then I noticed the manual gearbox. And the twin pipes that turn down slightly at the ends that diesels usually have. And the smallish brakes. God i'm such a geek.
Each to their own and all that, but I do wonder who they think is being fooled. Regular non-car people won't differentiate between say, an A4 and an RS4, so they won't care. People who do care will generally know enough to know that it's a fake, so I wonder what the point is.
The biggest head-shaker I saw recently was a new Audi 'S6' in Harpenden. I see very few of these, so I was quite keen to gawp at it as I walked past. Then I noticed the manual gearbox. And the twin pipes that turn down slightly at the ends that diesels usually have. And the smallish brakes. God i'm such a geek.
Each to their own and all that, but I do wonder who they think is being fooled. Regular non-car people won't differentiate between say, an A4 and an RS4, so they won't care. People who do care will generally know enough to know that it's a fake, so I wonder what the point is.
very cheeky, I like.There are quite a few 535Ds running around dressed up like M5s that just don't quite 'look right' which inevitably leads to some head scratching until the visual clues are dis-assembled.
Its a shame BMW allow the M badging to be abused like this as it simply devalues the brand, something that's rare with Mercedes or Audi.
Its a shame BMW allow the M badging to be abused like this as it simply devalues the brand, something that's rare with Mercedes or Audi.
Dave_ said:
We've got a 325 M-sport saloon and its got M// badges on the wheels , steering wheel and gearstick. I though even that was a bit cheesy and wouldnt dream of putting the badges on the back.
That's because it's M-Sport with the upgraded suspension, wheels interior etc. The amount of people who've said they've got M3 wheels on their car is getting a bit silly now.Edited by Dave_ on Thursday 7th February 11:08
Vauxcrayzee said:
MK4 Slowride said:
Who'd want to waste any more money on a Vauxhall than they already have. I mena, a GSI badge is probably worth 50% of the total car's value (ignoring a full fuel tank & TAX).
???Vauxcrayzee said:
If it were me in the 318 or 320, I'd just sooner not pretend to have an M3.
At least then people wouldn't think I'm a BMW fan (which is possibly the worst thing I can imagine)
It happens in most marques to be honest... plenty of Vauxhalls badged and kitted as GSi's when they aren't.
!At least then people wouldn't think I'm a BMW fan (which is possibly the worst thing I can imagine)
It happens in most marques to be honest... plenty of Vauxhalls badged and kitted as GSi's when they aren't.
MK4 Slowride said:
Dave_ said:
We've got a 325 M-sport saloon and its got M// badges on the wheels , steering wheel and gearstick. I though even that was a bit cheesy and wouldnt dream of putting the badges on the back.
That's because it's M-Sport with the upgraded suspension, wheels interior etc. The amount of people who've said they've got M3 wheels on their car is getting a bit silly now.Edited by Dave_ on Thursday 7th February 11:08
briSk said:
... on a more positive note.. there's a mk4 escort in my town with a genuine looking "Carrera" badge on the back..! 
must be a student wag I reckon.
That reminds me of the bit in Top Gear when Hammond sticks a turbo badge on the back of his 924. It then cuts to JC pointing at bits under the bonnet saying "Is this the turbo? Is that the turbo? Is that a turbo?". Made me chuckle that did. must be a student wag I reckon.
Jason_W said:
There are quite a few 535Ds running around dressed up like M5s that just don't quite 'look right' which inevitably leads to some head scratching until the visual clues are dis-assembled.
Its a shame BMW allow the M badging to be abused like this as it simply devalues the brand, something that's rare with Mercedes or Audi.
AMG-badged Mercs that are standard models that have had some extra side skirts and AMG alloys bolted on are two a penny it seems, as are S-Line bodykitted Audis, which seem to be all over the place.Its a shame BMW allow the M badging to be abused like this as it simply devalues the brand, something that's rare with Mercedes or Audi.
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