Do BMW only produce M cars?

[Buggyjam]

I’d previously noticed something and decided driving around my local area of Belfast the last 2 weeks to pay more attention to BMWs. I am not exaggerating to say that every single BMW saloon I spotted had an M badge, on the rear or on the door. Various places. I couldn’t spot a consistent location. And I saw a lot of BMWS!

Do BMW only manufacture cars with M badges?

[travel is dangerous]

I think you're being facetious.

[DoubleD]

I presume you mean M-Sport rather than M?

[Bennyjames28]

M sport is a popular trim level, and I can see why. More aggressive looks, nicer interior, usually better spec, better resale value...

[J8 SVG]

On Autotrader 5180 out of 7772 BMW under two years old show up when you use the filter "M Sport" so it's fair to say it's a popular option.

[PAUL RUN]

M power....
one of the biggest selling trim levels is the "M sport" so those models have small "M" badges..one on each wings, and each wheels.
(typical model line up SE, SPORT, M-SPORT, M POWER....subject to change)
.
a lot of BMW owners like the fact that for £5 on ebay you can buy a M badge.
on the 1 series facebook page there is an active subject of M badges on non-M powered cars...pictures have included a Police Transit with M badges, A Renault convertible, and a Smart car. plus of course a list of 116d and stuff like that..

[Buggyjam]

DoubleD said:

I presume you mean M-Sport rather than M?

I don’t know. Just they all had M badges on them. Various locations. The odd one on the piss a bit, maybe at a slight angle.

[Buggyjam]

PAUL RUN said:

M power....
one of the biggest selling trim levels is the "M sport" so those models have small "M" badges..one on each wings, and each wheels.
(typical model line up SE, SPORT, M-SPORT, M POWER....subject to change)
.
a lot of BMW owners like the fact that for £5 on ebay you can buy a M badge.
on the 1 series facebook page there is an active subject of M badges on non-M powered cars...pictures have included a Police Transit with M badges, A Renault convertible, and a Smart car. plus of course a list of 116d and stuff like that..

That’ll explain it. I thought it’s either a right of passage to glue “M” onto a BMW, or they now all come like that sir. I always thought it was just M3/M5 etc. I noticed a fair few staring at me at lights then stonking off. Perhaps because I was gazing at the coloured M sidled up to the “320D”.

[VladD]

Buggyjam said:

PAUL RUN said:

M power....
one of the biggest selling trim levels is the "M sport" so those models have small "M" badges..one on each wings, and each wheels.
(typical model line up SE, SPORT, M-SPORT, M POWER....subject to change)
.
a lot of BMW owners like the fact that for £5 on ebay you can buy a M badge.
on the 1 series facebook page there is an active subject of M badges on non-M powered cars...pictures have included a Police Transit with M badges, A Renault convertible, and a Smart car. plus of course a list of 116d and stuff like that..

That’ll explain it. I thought it’s either a right of passage to glue “M” onto a BMW, or they now all come like that sir. I always thought it was just M3/M5 etc. I noticed a fair few staring at me at lights then stonking off. Perhaps because I was gazing at the coloured M sidled up to the “320D”.

Pretty much every BMW taxi I see has a M badge on it.

[DoubleD]

VladD said:

Pretty much every BMW taxi I see has a M badge on it.

You must live in a posh town if the taxi drivers are using BMWs

[Triumph Man]

My 16 year old BMW has an M badge on the gear lever and steering wheel, and, shock horror, it's an SE. Double shock horror, they're both factory! I think it's a little sad though when people peel off "318d" and stick on an M badge.

[slipstream 1985]

I want to do it the other way and 320d on my actual M3.

[Agent XXX]

DoubleD said:

You must live in a posh town if the taxi drivers are using BMWs

Hardly posh is it.

[Pica-Pica]

Agent XXX said:

DoubleD said:

You must live in a posh town if the taxi drivers are using BMWs

Hardly posh is it.

When I was a lad, all our local taxis were Mercs

[DoubleD]

Agent XXX said:

DoubleD said:

You must live in a posh town if the taxi drivers are using BMWs

Hardly posh is it.

Posher than the 1s that I have used

[VladD]

DoubleD said:

Agent XXX said:

DoubleD said:

You must live in a posh town if the taxi drivers are using BMWs

Hardly posh is it.

Posher than the 1s that I have used

Leamington Spa/Warwick. Quite posh. Lots of BMW and Merc taxis.

[DoubleD]

VladD said:

DoubleD said:

Agent XXX said:

DoubleD said:

You must live in a posh town if the taxi drivers are using BMWs

Hardly posh is it.

Posher than the 1s that I have used

Leamington Spa/Warwick. Quite posh. Lots of BMW and Merc taxis.

I need to move house so that I can get a posh taxi

[Jimmy Recard]

DoubleD said:

You must live in a posh town if the taxi drivers are using BMWs

There are loads of BMW, Mercedes, Audi taxis here in Birmingham. Along with Vauxhalls, Fords, Toyotas and others

[Buggyjam]

slipstream 1985 said:

I want to do it the other way and 320d on my actual M3.

I think you should. I found pedestrian looking BMWS with skinny exhausts, stock wheels and absolutely no mention of M are so rare when I see one I’m going to give a sage nod and wave, or perhaps some sort of salute. I’m sure this’ll confuse, but it’s a token mark of respect to a Highwayman/lady driving a rare beast.

[R1 Dave]

Buggyjam said:

slipstream 1985 said:

I want to do it the other way and 320d on my actual M3.

I think you should. I found pedestrian looking BMWS with skinny exhausts, stock wheels and absolutely no mention of M are so rare when I see one I’m going to give a sage nod and wave, or perhaps some sort of salute. I’m sure this’ll confuse, but it’s a token mark of respect to a Highwayman/lady driving a rare beast.

Similarly I’m considering rebadging my M140i as a 116i and swapping the ferric grey trim pieces for body coloured ones. I suspect most people would be fooled and it might make it a bit less attractive to thieves.