So, the M brand is further watered down..

[Pig Skill]

I'm not 100% how long this has being going on and whether I'm a bit slow in picking up on it however, I've noticed people can now adorn their mainstream BMW model with 'BMW M Performance' bits and pieces.

I can see it now, puny exhausts poking from under an oversized bumper made from Carbon Fibre, M badges lashed al over the place etc all officially endorsed by BMW's hallowed M division. Clattery 320d's with helpings of M Performance addendum.

Don't get me wrong, I understand that not everybody can justify or afford to buy or run an M car and that they are not the preserve of the golden boys, its just that I feel this move is another nail in the coffin of the credibility of the M division and everything it is supposed to stand for.

Its like BMW are emulating the Audi S line sales line trying to milk the brand for all it is worth. I see also with the recent unveiling of the face lifted 7 series that BMW now have the 'family' look all sewn up with each car looking like a different sized version of the other. Just like Audi have done with the gaping lantern jawed front end. I mean even the R8 looks like a TT at a quick glance.

Meh I say. ///Meh

[Stu R]

This has been the case for a very long time.

[ady702]

I remember back in the day E36 318s looking just like E36 M3s, nowt new.

[lndy]

i think this one looks pretty nicely done!

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110894308963

most of the performance bits arent cheap, so its not really the case of buy crappest lowest variant/spec/model, pile on performance bits. (as above, again, nicely done!)

all the ones ive seen so far dont look out of place! and they arent M's, they are BMW performance

www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/index/performance/

[Silent1]

BMW saw how the john cooper works kit sold for the MINI and realised it was a massively untapped revenue stream, i mean have you seen the steering wheel with an LCD in it?
IIRC it's £3k!!

[Pig Skill]

This is not the BMW Performance range that has been around for a few years

This is the new BMW 'M' Performance range

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/owners/accessories/downl...

[playalistic]

Pig Skill said:

This is not the BMW Performance range that has been around for a few years

This is the new BMW 'M' Performance range

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/owners/accessories/downl...

You made that sound like one of those M&S adverts

[Pig Skill]

playalistic said:

Pig Skill said:

This is not the BMW Performance range that has been around for a few years

This is the new BMW 'M' Performance range

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/owners/accessories/downl...

You made that sound like one of those M&S adverts

[RALEX72]

Have to agree though.

The 'Chavtastic' state of just having seen a 12yr old 316 compact adorned with M badges, just beggers all belief.

[nickcowen]

I agree with it seeming like watering down the M brand but I don't think it will matter how many things they put on a standard car with M on them. Petrol heads will always know its just a trim package and know it's not a real M car.