M Performance parts, chav?

[Big E 118]

So what do current M owners think of BMW's new "M Performance" marketing strategy?

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/paris-motor-show...

Personally this is really putting me off the BMW brand. I always liked M cars because they were a bit under the radar. My M3 wouldn't stand out in a supermarket car park to the general public and I like that.

With the introduction of these M Performance styling parts they're just encouraging the old Barry Boys scene to the brand. I see enough chav'd up E46 M3's being driven shockingly around town centers, I don't really want to be associated with 320's with M Performance racing stripes (yes I've seen a couple around!) and the type of buyer they attract. Yes I know that is a very general and sweeping statement and doesn't apply to all buyers!!

Maybe I'm just getting old and turning into a snob....

[Cheib]

I don't really see the distinction from the M nadge being on all the M Sport models which they have been doing since the mid 90's. That's already diluted the M badge in my mind but I think going with OEM M parts is much,much better than going after market.

[contracttor]

Big E 118 said:

So what do current M owners think of BMW's new "M Performance" marketing strategy?

Fur coat, no knickers

[TEKNOPUG]

It's just a market reaction to the Audi "S-Line" range. Peopl that know, know. People that don't know, don't matter.

[Big E 118]

contracttor said:

Fur coat, no knickers

Are you saying that's good or bad then?

[Big E 118]

TEKNOPUG said:

It's just a market reaction to the Audi "S-Line" range. Peopl that know, know. People that don't know, don't matter.

But that's what the M Sport was, this is encouraging people to put chin spoilers/carbon bits/stripes on their 320d's.

[TEKNOPUG]

Big E 118 said:

But that's what the M Sport was, this is encouraging people to put chin spoilers/carbon bits/stripes on their 320d's.

What's the difference between M-Sport and M-Performance? People have been putting wheels and trim from sporty models onto base models forever.

Car enthusiasts will be able to tell the difference between a pukka M3 and a dressed up 320d. Who cares if non-enthusiasts can't? Unless you bought an M3 purely to impress the plebs with your spending power and you now feel that you are being undermined by these cheap rip-offs?

[contracttor]

Big E 118 said:

contracttor said:

Fur coat, no knickers

Are you saying that's good or bad then?

Or "All mouth, no trousers" as we used to say when I was a kid

[Big E 118]

TEKNOPUG said:

What's the difference between M-Sport and M-Performance? People have been putting wheels and trim from sporty models onto base models forever.

M Sport (like S Line) is a spec of car with bigger alloys etc. M Performance also provide the add on bits (a bit like Halfords) like spoilers, body kits etc.

TEKNOPUG said:

Car enthusiasts will be able to tell the difference between a pukka M3 and a dressed up 320d. Who cares if non-enthusiasts can't? Unless you bought an M3 purely to impress the plebs with your spending power and you now feel that you are being undermined by these cheap rip-offs?

You miss my point, if you walk through my local town center on a Friday night half the boy racer types who cruise and stop off in MacDonalds to do burnouts are now driving E46 M3's with lots of after market bits or E92 3 series with after market bits. The M Performance range is encouraging the "blinging up" of the standard BMW's.

I'm 39 years old, own a local business and when I drive down the town (in an appropriate gear and without my windows down and music blaring!) I don't want to be associated with town center yoofs.

It's a brand perception thing. Are BMW killing their "premium" branding with this kind of marketing? Is the "M" branding becoming too diluted?

[Output Flange]

There have always been "blinging up" accessories available for BMWs - this is nothing new, just a different source.

I really wouldn't worry about it.

[TEKNOPUG]

Big E 118 said:

You miss my point, if you walk through my local town center on a Friday night half the boy racer types who cruise and stop off in MacDonalds to do burnouts are now driving E46 M3's with lots of after market bits or E92 3 series with after market bits. The M Performance range is encouraging the "blinging up" of the standard BMW's.

I'm 39 years old, own a local business and when I drive down the town (in an appropriate gear and without my windows down and music blaring!) I don't want to be associated with town center yoofs.

It's a brand perception thing. Are BMW killing their "premium" branding with this kind of marketing? Is the "M" branding becoming too diluted?

Depends whether you bought an M for the thrill of driving or because what other people will think of you. I drive an E36 M3, so I guess you can tell which camp I am in